The Arts Business Institute faculty is composed of nationally known artists, gallery owners, arts management consultants, authors and small business professionals recognized in their field for innovative programming and presentation. Our experienced team makes their daily living in the arts field, keeping them in touch with the challenges that working artists face.
BRUCE BAKER Bruce has conducted over 500 workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada. Bruce owns Great Falls Collection gallery in Vermont and has sold his work to more than 120 shops, galleries and catalogs. His writings appear in the major trade publications in the visual arts. Bruce is one of our most sought after speakers on the subjects of Booth Construction, Marketing, Sales, Slide Presentations, Customer Service, Visual Merchandising, Trends that affect the Craft/Gift Business and Jewelry Display.
HOPE DANIELS Hope Daniels has been editor of AmericanStyle and NICHE magazines since 1995. She has become the most important voice for the growth of cultural tourism and arts community development throughout the US and Canada. In addition to her magazine responsibilities, Daniels provides tips and resources about how artists can capture the attention of both local and national media.
CAROLYN EDLUND, Executive Director Carolyn spent twenty years running her own production studio, designing and making handmade ceramic jewelry. She has participated in over 200 retail fairs and trade shows, and sold her line into more than 1,000 store, catalog and online accounts. As founder of the ArtsyShark blog, Carolyn shares her experience in art marketing, sales, networking, selling to major retailers, and growing online sales to a global audience. She frequently does personalized consulting for artists.
MEGAN AUMAN Megan Auman is a designer, maker, educator, and entrepreneur who has built a multi-faceted business around her passion for great design and sustainable business. Her eponymous jewelry line is sold in stores across the US and online. In 2009, Megan founded Designing an MBA to help designers and makers develop their business skills.
RICK FAULKNER Rick Faulkner founded Barrick Candles in 1970 with his father. Frustrated with quick burning candles sold at most stores, the team set out to create unique candles in a wide variety of colors and forms. Today Barrick Candles are sold by large chains and hundreds of contemporary and transitional craft galleries throught the US and Canada. Rick Faulkner holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.
TARA GENTILE Tara Gentile is in high demand by creative business groups seeking her dynamic presentations and advice on marketing, selling value, pricing, branding and more. As founder of the blog Scoutie Girl, Tara offers weekly advice and tips about business start-up and creative growth.
RITA LINDER, ESQ Rita Linders’ law practice concentrates in the realm of providing small business planning advice to clients with particular emphasis on all aspects of formation, intellectual property, capitalization for start-up enterprises and professional associations. Her experience as an art collector and former gallery owner brings practical advice to artists in search of an affordable and efficient path regarding business needs.
CHRISTINE KLOOSTRA As the trade show director for the largest wholesale market of American craft (2003-1011), Christine provides a wealth of understanding about the step-by-step process of starting and maintaining a business as a studio artist. Over the years she has mentored hundreds of artists in a successful transition from part-time to a full-time art career. Kloostra currently served as marketing director for the Detroit Institute of Arts.
JUDIE RAIFORD Judie Raiford’s perspective as an ABI faculty member is based on her unique background as both a jewelry designer and a gallery owner. She uses traditional metalsmithing techniques in creating her unique, one-of-a kind designs. The Raiford Gallery, located in the historic district of Roswell, Georgia, is housed in a 9,000 square foot timber frame building that was lovingly erected in an “Amish style” barn raising by family and friends n 1995. The gallery carries an extensive selection of American craft objects made by hundreds of artists throughout the USA.
MILON TOWNSEND Milon is a flame working glass artist with 30 years of experience in the world of arts and crafts, from retail shows to solo exhibitions in fine galleries. An educator, too, he is the author of several books, including Making and Marketing Better Artwork.
WENDY ROSEN Wendy, president of The Rosen Group, has been a major force in developing American crafts into an industry. Producer of the Buyers Market of American Craft, publisher of AmericanStyle and NICHE magazines, and author of Crafting as a Business, Wendy has spent three decades teaching and mentoring thousands artists how to develop their work, attract galleries and market their work to top galleries and luxury retailers across the US and Canada.
NANCY MARKOE Nancy, owner of Nancy Markoe Fine American Crafts, found her love of the arts when she learned to throw pots in the 1970′s. In 1986 Nancy opened a small shop in St. Pete Beach, FL to sell her pots. That small store is now a large gallery selling the work of artists throughout the country. Markoe’s gallery has numerous times been named a Top Retailer by NICHE Magazine.
WENDY H. OUTLAND Wendy has worked in arts administration for 27 years. She has served as curator, editor, grants panelist, workshop presenter and coordinator for numerous projects and events. Outland’s background includes ten years with the Florida Department of State where she was in charge of the state’s public art program and director of the Capitol Complex Exhibition Program.
STACY SIMBROM Stacy is an artist who has developed a loyal following throughout the country, selling her art through wholesale gift shows and thus being distributed through galleries and gift shops in nearly all of the 50 states. Stacy has been recognized by several national periodicals and has had her work displayed at the American Folk Art Museum in New York, NY.
JOYCE SCOTT Renowned as the “Queen of Beadwork,” Joyce J. Scott’s exuberant beaded sculptural forms and neckpieces are provocative and confrontational, addressing contentious political and social issues such as gender, race, and class struggle. Born and raised in Baltimore, Joyce is a descendant of African-Americans, Native Americans, and Scots. Three generations of storytellers, quilters, basket makers, and wood, metal, and clay workers inspire her artwork.
STEVE ROSEN Steve Rosen launched his office furniture and photo gallery business in 1978 and has been a featured speaker at large and small business events from his local area to Canada and Hawaii. As a professional photographer, Steve shares the humor in some of the most tedious small business duties from credit and collection procedures to forms and contracts. He takes his audience on a roller coaster ride of entertainment. Who says cash flow can’t be funny?
KEITH RECKER Keith Recker has shaped brands, products and services, into sharply communicative and results-oriented vehicles. He has had the privilege of working with established entities in both the commercial and non-profit worlds, including CARE International, Gump’s San Francisco, Saks Fifth Avenue, Aid to Artisans, and Bloomingdale’s, and has learned from and contributed to each brand.
