Thriving Through Art: Insights from the Artist Thrive Summit and ThriveCast Podcast

In the ever-evolving world of art, where creativity meets challenge, finding the right resources and community support can make all the difference. Enter Artists Thrive, a powerful initiative that not only hosts an inspiring annual summit but also serves as a comprehensive resource designed to elevate the value of artists in every community. Artists Thrive provides tools, practices, and a shared language to help artists and arts organizations navigate their creative journeys, fostering a thriving arts sector and, ultimately, thriving communities.

Artists Thrive is more than just a summit. It’s a navigation system for artists, helping them see where they are, where they want to go, and how to measure their progress in meaningful ways. Whether you're looking to expand your creative circle, spark new collaborations, or simply find inspiration, the Artists Thrive Summit offers a unique gathering where passionate individuals from across the country connect, share best practices, and grow together.

In a recent special episode of the Bring Me 2 Life Podcast, titled ThriveCast, Shannon Shine sits down with six inspiring artists who attended the Artist Thrive Summit in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This conversation delves into the heart of what it means to thrive as an artist today, exploring the challenges, inspirations, and strategies that help artists not just survive, but truly flourish.

Key Takeaways from ThriveCast

During this enlightening episode, Shannon and her guests—Luis Valderas, Greg Witin, Tarayjah Hoey-Gordon, LaTasha Best-Gaddy, Lynn Felder, and Jackie Sanders—share their unique experiences and insights on what drives them to thrive in the art world.

  • Luis Valderas discusses the challenge of getting the word out about his work and emphasizes the importance of attending conferences to connect with like-minded individuals. "A challenge we often face is getting the word out, so one thing my partner and I do is make sure to get ourselves out to conferences so we can meet people and pave the path for new connections," he shares.

  • Greg Whitt talks about the difficulty of articulating the value of his work and the importance of understanding that end-users are not always the ones paying for it. His work with Drums for Change is a testament to the power of art as a tool for community building and social change.

  • Tarayjah Hoey-Gordon reflects on the power of storytelling and the importance of using her platform to inspire others, sharing her experiences with dance and personal development through her projects, Ray of Sunshine and Dance Now Cry Later.

  • LaTasha Best-Gaddy, owner and chief strategist of Infinity Bridges, highlights the importance of community and networking. Her work with artists and nonprofit organizations underscores the need for collaboration and shared goals within the arts sector.

  • Lynn Felder, a writer and self-described "silly elder," discusses the challenges of staying focused on her work and the critical role of discipline and community support in her creative life.

  • Jackie Sanders, an abstract geometric artist and host of the Level Up Artist Podcast, emphasizes the importance of balancing various income streams and the value of conferences in crystallizing questions and providing new perspectives.

The Impact of the Artist Thrive Summit

The Artist Thrive Summit is more than just a networking event—it's a catalyst for growth and transformation. Attendees leave the summit with new ideas, connections, and a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complex landscape of the art world. As one past attendee shared, "The Artists Thrive Summit was a goldmine for networking. I made invaluable connections that have propelled my career forward."

The summit’s flexible format ensures that both introverts and extroverts, seasoned professionals and newcomers, find the connections and inspiration they crave. It’s a place where artists can expand their creative circles, spark collaborations, and share best practices with a diverse group of individuals who share their dedication to the arts.

Looking Ahead

The next Artist Thrive Summit will be hosted in Kansas City in May 2025, offering yet another opportunity for artists and arts professionals to come together, learn, and grow. But you don’t have to wait until then to engage with this vibrant community. Artists Thrive offers a wealth of resources year-round, available at artiststhrive.org, to help you continue your journey toward artistic success.

Meet the Artists

Interested in learning more about the incredible artists featured in this episode? Here’s where you can connect with them:

Don’t miss out on this insightful and inspiring episode of ThriveCast, and stay tuned for more adventures from the Artist Thrive community!ription

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