How to Build a Creative Community

During my final semester of college, a visiting artist remarked on the benefits and beauty of regular art critiques. She encouraged us to find a group of artists upon graduation to keep up this practice. As a fresh college graduate, I thought I knew better so I went ahead and ignored her advice.

Up until a couple years ago, I had no consistent creative community.

That all changed in February 2022, when a group of female artists and I started to meet (somewhat) regularly to critique, encourage, and support one another. So much creative work is done in isolation. Having a group of friends to encourage you on tough days is a lifeline.

Since then, I have sought out several iterations of creative community. I’m going to share these in order of most intimate, to the most broad.

1:1 critiques and conversations with friends

This happens regularly and casually amongst my artist friends. It does take mutual trust to open yourself up to critique, and to give honest helpful feedback. I cherish my friends who are willing to share in this type of relationship.

Mother-Artist Group

This group came together through a conversation with a friend who was looking for something similar, and knew some friends with the same interests! Our group is specifically female, Christian, visual artists. Most of us don’t make Christian art, but our faith is an important part of who we are and how we relate. We are all visual artists meaning we are not gathering to discuss the writing of songs, music, plays, books, etc. We are also mothers, which isn’t vital to being a part of the group, but being a mother and an artist has its own challenges and sharing this perspective is unifying.

We meet at each other’s homes and studios. We don’t have a hyper specific formula but here are a few iterations of our gatherings.

• Hot-seat/specific critique

  • Focusing our time on one person’s work, they guide us through their work, then we aim to offer helpful insight as we have a perspective that’s not “in the weeds” as the creator.

• Figure drawing

  • Some women use the human figure in their work. Including the group in this practice helps share the cost and increase all of our skills.

• Business strategy

  • Setting goals together, talking through pricing, sharing business opportunities, and sharing what has and hasn’t worked for us.

• Book discussion

  • This summer we read The Artist Mother, and then discussed it. This was quite an interesting book. It wasn’t what I was initially expecting, however once I understood the author’s vision for the book I enjoyed it immensely. She wove many artists’ stories into the book and it left me feeling encouraged.

There are, of course, tons of online versions of something similar. In fact, I’m participating in an online coaching circle right now. However, having this group of women locally to bump into, text when the paint isn’t drying right, get feedback, and encouragement when we’re doubting everything is the secret sauce to a successful creative life. I owe a huge part of my success to these women.

Creative Coaching Circle (online)

There are several offerings like this, and I must admit I was quite skeptical at first as I value face to face connection SO much. Originally I wasn’t able to see the benefits of making connections with people who share a love of creating and making art, but live in different places. I have quickly come to appreciate the advantages of varying world views and backgrounds coming together to discuss and critique art. Many challenges in art-making are universal so the conversation flows naturally. I also place a high value on getting my work in front of different eyes, people and perspectives. I’ve honestly enjoyed this so much, I’m considering hosting my own coaching and critique circle. (Let me know if that is something that would appeal to you!)

Artist Way Group

I mentioned this in my September Newsletter, but this Fall I am reading through the Artist Way with a group of 9 others. Reading this book with a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds has surpassed my expectations. This is a fun way to engage in creative conversations and thinking about art, whilst not directly talking about art. Highly recommend.

Attending openings and local artist panels and lectures

These type of events give me buoyancy and remind me that my daily toiling away in the studio isn’t in vain and that “my people” are out there, toiling in parallel studios.

Over the past two years, I have really come to lean on these different iterations of creative community and I feel immensely grateful for those who have opened themselves up to join in it with me as well.

Until next time, I’ll be listening to a podcast in my studio creating something by myself, hoping to share it with you soon.