Find more Mountain BizWorks Events
Description
Join Craft Your Commerce at Penland School of Craft for a two-day workshop series on professional development for creatives. The $50 registration fee covers the full weekend, including lunches and happy hour on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday, May 3
Working Style & What’s in a Business? | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Start the day by exploring your unique working style through a guided, interactive activity. Then, take a high-level look at your current or potential business using a proven business model canvas. We’ll examine how your ideas fit into a functional business structure, drawing on real-world examples to spark inspiration and clarity.
Catered Lunch | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Building a Career in Craft | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Hear from local artists as they share honest insights about forging sustainable careers in craft. This engaging conversation will highlight diverse, non-linear paths to professional creative practice and offer advice grounded in lived experience. Come curious—this is a space for learning, connection, and inspiration.
Networking Happy Hour
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Wrap up the day with light refreshments, new connections, and great conversations.
Sunday, May 4
Writing for Artists: Grants, Proposals & Applications | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Grants, project proposals, and artist statements don’t have to be intimidating. In this session, you’ll learn practical strategies to make writing for your creative practice approachable—and maybe even enjoyable. We’ll cover how to develop strong content, organize your materials, and streamline your application process for future use.
Catered Lunch | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Holistic Marketing & Website Framework | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Discover a fresh, authentic approach to marketing that goes beyond social media. This session will help you clarify your target audience, build relationships with galleries, and navigate selling your work both online and in person. You’ll also explore simple website strategies that elevate your visibility and align with your creative values. Expect guided discussions, actionable tools, and plenty of practical takeaways.
Date & Time
May 3, 2025 10:00 AM - May 4, 2025 4:30 PM
Venue Details
Penland School of Craft | Northlight Building
67 Doras TrailBakersville, North Carolina 28705
Mountain BizWorks
Mountain BizWorks is Western North Carolina's resource for small business success. We help entrepreneurs start, grow, and thrive through an innovative blend of lending and learning. When small businesses succeed, we all prosper.