The Art of Admin: Southwest Louisiana Business of Art Summit
May 17, 2008

By Cynthia Reeser

The Business of Art Summit, held May 17, 2008 at the Lake Charles Boston Academy of Learning, sponsored by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, presented an overview of the local current in arts and humanities, offering workshops such as Creative Marketing on a Shoestring Budget; 501(c)3: Pros and Cons of Becoming a Federally Recognized Nonprofit; Recordkeeping and Grants: The 5 Ws of Funding and others. Todd Mouton, director for the Louisiana Crossroads Concert Series, served as master of ceremonies for the event and introduced guest speakers Margaret Brinkhaus, a maker of jams and jellies; Suzanne Juneau, a jewelry maker; and Dianne Sclafani, culinary instructor, business speaker and restaurant consultant.

Margaret Brinkhaus was about as down to earth a speaker as it gets. The story of how she turned something she grew up doing (and hated), into something lucrative, was an apt illustration for the audience. The folks listening to the speakers were from a variety of creative fields. Some were craftspersons or artisans; some hailed from performing arts fields; others were practitioners of visual arts, literature or music. So Brinkhaus’ story of putting to use her know-how to help support her family is something many artists can identify with, even though most of us will never have to support seven children.

Today, Brinkhaus runs an established business making and canning her products. She grows her own fruit and likes to make unusual jams and jellies, which can include creole and rose petal flavors. She also runs her own bed and breakfast. The antique red Southern Pacific Railroad caboose—La Caboose—is unique as a B&B. The idea stemmed from legislative failure to keep a historic caboose in service. After ten years and extensive renovations, La Caboose was reborn as a painting studio. Today, it accommodates 10 people and is happily retired in Sunset, Louisiana. Brinkhaus is a lady of many talents, and when asked how she manages, she said, "You really have to enjoy what you're doing. You have to be passionate."

Suzanne Juneau's interest in jewelry making began while she was a student at the University of Louisiana. After teaching for three years, Juneau said she missed being part of the arts, and the support she found in the field. "Part of being an artist is being around people who understand what you do every day." Even artists who work alone express the need for a sense of community.

Juneau went on to say she loves working with fire and metal because it's a permanent expression of the self. "When I make something for you, it's part of me that you're getting." All her pieces are unique and handcrafted; no two are alike.

Juneau discussed the importance of marketing for artists, who are not excluded from the necessities of self-promotion or having a business sense. "Start locally, go to shows locally. Try that—see how it works for you. Also realize what sold and make those pieces again. Use it as a marketing tool."

Dianne Sclafani spoke with motivation from both the culinary and business fields. Sclafani grew up in an Italian restaurant family, and cooking is in her blood. Her upbringing influenced her in another vital way—after all, a restaurant is a business, and has to be managed and maintained. So with a solid business sense instilled plus a music education under her belt, Sclafani described the tough choices she had to make. Wanting to be a professional singer, one of her teachers told her how tough it would be to make it in the music business. Her need to make a practical decision combined with her family's opening of a culinary school in New Orleans guided her choices.

The New Orleans Page Sclafani Cooking School runs a four week program in an area where the restaurant industry was heavily impacted  during Katrina. But today, there are 100 more restaurants than there were before the disaster. Sclafani's story speaks to the vitality of the arts and culture industry—not just to the national economy, but Louisiana in particular.

Irene Vandever, Executive Director of Arts and Humanities Southwest Louisiana, discussed the Cultural Economy Initiative to area arts, humanities and historic preservation. Eight percent of the state workforce is cultural—the second largest workforce in Louisiana. Likewise, Todd Mouton discussed the importance of culture as an environmental response post-Katrina, particularly in Louisiana where the environment has directly impacted the cultural economy.

The subsequent cultural response was one of necessity and tended to directly address the newly changed climate. From this response came such works as The Breach by Catherine Filloux, 1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina by Chris Rose and a multitude of tributes from recording artists.

Mouton stressed the importance for all artists to work toward sustainable models, and toward continual innovation.

With so many talented individuals involved in the arts and humanities who face challenging cultural and economic situations, it is perhaps more important than ever for artists to retain a self-starter spirit and to be educated in the business of art—in the organizing, preparation and application of practical administrative and business skills needed to back any successful artist’s work. And as Dianne Sclafani noted, "You've got to have that fortitude; you've got to believe in yourself."

For more information on upcoming events for the Arts and Humanities Council Southwest Louisiana and related topics, visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org.

Cynthia Reeser is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Prick of the Spindle and is a staff writer for a military newspaper, where she writes a weekly book review column. Her reviews can be found on Bookslut.com, NewPages, Tarpaulin Sky and others; poetry on 42opus, elimae and temenos; and artwork on her website.