PGC’s Fine Craft As A Business program was initiated in 2018 as a multi-layered, year-long program for craft artists of any age who have less than two years of experience selling their craft/art. Our goal has always been to assist PGC members who seek to become professional or semi-professional artisans.

As part of this program, we offer workshops to help enrich the experience, and we match Mentee applicants with Master Artisan Mentors.

Master Artisan Mentors and Artist Mentees will work together over the course of 12 months. Mentors will engage Artist mentees and, as professional role models offer positive and constructive feedback on a variety of subjects, focused on developing business skills rather than enhancing artistic growth. The Mentor-Mentee relationship will be reinforced through professional development workshops offered by the PGC.

Please see below for responsibilities of the Master Artisan Mentor and the characteristics of the ideal Artist Mentee candidate and click on the applicable link at the bottom to apply to be a Mentor or Mentee.

As a Master Artisan Mentor you will:

  • Provide positive and constructive feedback
  • Meet with Mentee at least 5 times – may be in-person (at least once), email or via phone
  • Reach out to Mentee from time to time
  • Share networking suggestions
  • Provide marketing advice and support for Booth design, publications, gallery contacts, Internet, etc.
  • Act as a role model – professionalism
  • Demonstrate good communication skills
  • Be willing to serve as a Mentor for 12 months after being matched to a mentee

As an Artist Mentee you will be:

  • New to the craft circuit with less than 2 years of selling craft/art, no maximum age limit
  • Seeking help with promoting and selling craft/art
  • Interested in making a profit selling craft/art
  • Seeking information on how and where to sell
  • Seeking feedback from Mentor and other craft artists to improve
  • Must be a PGC member (if not a member, must join before being paired with a mentor)
Click here to be either a Mentor or Mentee

Workshops

PGC also offers a series of workshops as part of the Fine Craft as a Business initiative. These workshops offer information that can both provide immediate assistance and stimulate more questions and dialogue between Mentor and Mentee. Topics include:

  • How to set up as a business
  • Photographing your work
  • Sales outlets:
    • PGC Fine Craft Fairs / Local Craft shows
    • Consignment
    • On-line
  • Pricing
  • Booth design

Workshops will be scheduled 2-3 times per year and are open to all. Current Mentees and Mentors are invited without charge with a nominal charge to PGC and Non-PGC participants.

See some of our previous Fine Craft As A Business Workshops here:

FCAB: Preparing for a Juried Craft Show & Business Basics

This workshop continues the series of presentations designed to assist those seeking to turn their efforts to create and sell their fine craft into a business. Preparing for a Juried Craft show: As we enter the season where many artists are preparing to either apply to a craft show or have been accepted and are […]
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FCAB: Price Is Right & Preparing Your Photos for a Jury

This workshop continues the series of presentations designed to assist those seeking to turn their efforts to create and sell their fine craft into a business. The Price is Right: Paula Lewis presents on all the factors that need to go into pricing your work so that you avoid charging too little. Preparing Your Photos […]
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