Networking with Artists
Carolyn Edlund 
The other evening I had dinner with two artists. One was visiting the area, searching for galleries that might be a good fit for her work. I introduced her to the second artist, who had a working relationship with a local gallery.
They admired each other's work, and made an agreement. The visiting artist was introduced to the gallery owner, who agreed to review her portfolio. She in turn agreed to recommend the local artist to a gallery in her own town.
This is networking. Artist recommendation is one of the top ways that galleries find artists and my dinner companions used it to create a win/win situation. Their actions gave both of them coveted introductions that could further their careers and their art sales.
You might think of other artists as primarily competition, but I'd encourage you to consider how your art community is actually a perfect place to start your own network. Artists need each other. No art festival could exist without artists exhibiting together to draw a crowd. And it's been found that artists who start businesses in isolation are far more likely to fail than artists who surround themselves with a supportive community.
How can you work with other artists for common benefit?
1. Attend (or start) a salon, guild meeting or other group to share helpful discussion, resources, opportunities, advice, and mentorship.
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