I consider it a great blessing to work in Sedona, AZ twice a year—in October for the Sedona Plein Air Festival and in March to teach Canyon Color for the Painter, a five-day plein air workshop. (There are a few openings left.)
This year I’ll also be presenting at the Sedona Arts Center’s Sedona Entrepreneurial Artist Development Program (SEAD), March 14-15. It’s a fast-paced, two-day intensive designed to help artists get serious and strategic about their creative careers. Anyone baffled by the business of art would benefit from this.
I presented last year as well. It was lots of fun for both for the presenters and the participants. Although I have an established art practice, I came away with ideas that have benefitted me during the past year.
SEAD helps artists step back and look at their art practice through a business lens, without losing their creative voice. You’ll work on all aspects of the business of art, including strategic planning, artist statements and résumés, branding and storytelling, marketing, audience engagement and financial organization.
Each artist leaves with an individualized strategic plan. If you complete the program and submit an approved plan within a year, you can then apply for a $500 implementation grant.
What’s my part in this?
My friend Bobbi Heath is wont to say, “A professional artist is one who collects sales tax and pays income tax on their earnings.” (If you should and don’t, you’re taking a terrible risk.) Since I’m an artist with the soul of an accountant, I get down into the weeds, walking people through the business structure they need to be successful.
None of this needs to take away from your creativity. If set up properly, it can run in the background.
Who it’s for
This program is designed for visual artists at any stage—emerging through established—who want a stronger, more sustainable path forward.
Key dates:
• Apply by February 15, 2026. That’s Monday, so don’t mess around!
• Notification: February 27, 2026
• Reception: March 13, 2026
• Program: March 14–15, 2026
Applicants must be 18+ and not full-time college students. Space is limited to 20 artists, so early applications are encouraged.
Apply now! And of course if you’re there anyway, you may as well take Canyon Color for the Painter, which runs the prior week.
In case you were wondering
Sedona Arts Center was founded in 1958, making it one year older than me. It’s a nonprofit hub for Northern Arizona’s arts community, and offers year-round classes and workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and cultural programming.
Registration is now open for workshops in 2026! Reserve your spot:
- Advanced Plein Air Painting | Rockport, ME, July 13-17, 2026
- Sea & Sky | Acadia National Park, ME, August 2–7, 2026
- Find your Authentic Voice in Plein Air | Berkshires, MA, August 10-14, 2026
- New! Color Clinic 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 3-4, 2026
- New! Composition Week 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 5-9, 2026
Can’t commit to a full workshop? Work online at your own pace: