CVG Show 2025 Artist Panel Discussion : 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday, February 23, 2025
Topic: Building Artist’s Community & Connection
Moderated by assemblage artist Steve Parmelee, with artist panelists Derek Gundy, Kate Lovejoy and Marie Weichman
The solitude of creating art can feel isolating, even in the best of times. Let’s gather and explore ways that even diehard art hermits can lean into the various local face-to-face artist communities. In a world where the societal fabric can seem to be fraying, it’s crucial to weave the interpersonal collectives that bind us together, both for our individual mental health and for empowering resistance to further division and isolation. As our over-reliance on social media networks - with their manipulative algorithms, AI bots, and data collection can be discouraging - let’s talk about the various local groups that offer opportunities for artists to actually gather together. Consider expanding your in-person community as we discuss the power of human connections and exchange ideas to resist the impulse to become reclusive, including:
• Attend creative facilities with open hours or drop-in sessions
• Participate in an artists’ cooperative gallery
• Join local artist guilds & social clubs
• Enroll (or teach) in continuing education courses and workshops
• Volunteer or docent at art museums or in school classrooms
• Find community studios, shared studio space and live/work lofts
Please join us for this afternoon panel discussion, with allotted time for the attendees to share their own ideas for artists to genuinely connect in community.
Derek Gundy
Derek is a long-time fixture in the Kitsap art community, and currently the Education Manager and a teacher at Black Barn Fine Art Studio, a teaching facility in Kingston that offers workshops, shared studio space, and open & drop-in creative sessions. Derek will also draw from his vast artist experience as gallery & framing studio manager, adjunct professor at Northwest College of Art and Design, and as co-founder of Sketch Seattle.
Kate Lovejoy
Kate is an Artist, an Art Educator, and the Education Director at Northwind Art School, Port Townsend’s vibrant art non-profit. Kate’s passion for encouraging connections through art, and their experience in art education, will spark insight into face-to-face interaction opportunities for artists through taking and/or teaching classes, volunteering for art camps, art events, and teen open studios. Kate recently had their first show at The Grover Gallery and was delighted to use this as an opportunity to spread their mission of connection through art and conversations with strangers.
Steve Parmelee
Steve is an assemblage artist & instructor, and ten-year member of the artist’s cooperative Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo. Steve plans to share thoughts on developing connections with fellow artists via joining co-op galleries, studio tours & festivals, and group shows at museums & galleries. And would be willing to share experiences with holding social ’art salon’ discussion groups, and forming monthly ‘experimental art making’ gatherings.
Marie Weichman
Marie has been teaching art for 25 years and is currently Prof of Art in the Art Department at Olympic College in Bremerton. Her experience collaborating with other artists to grow a stronger creative community will be shared as we discuss topics like continuing arts education, artist residencies, and communal events like fundraising and group-facilitated wood firings. Marie can also draw from experience serving on The Bremerton Arts Commission and the Permanent Acquisitions and Exhibitions Committee for Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
