Apr 17, 2020
This week, I talk to artist and entrepreneur Jamie Smith, founder of THRIVE! Jamie creates mixed media work that layers her memories of traveling, family stories, and lost places. She began her artistic career by completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Victoria and later receiving her Bachelor of Arts Education from the University of British Columbia.
Her work is heavily influenced by her years abroad in Latin America, living in the Middle East and backpacking around Eastern Europe. Jamie finally settled in Vancouver in 2012 to focus on her art practice.
In 2014, She started an annual community art walk in Mount Pleasant called ROVE that connects locals with the artists around them. Later in 2015, Jamie founded THRIVE, a studio to support female artists. That first group of artists met on a monthly basis for six months and supported one another immensely. Jamie saw a huge need for women to support other women and for artists to choose community over competition. The monthly group meetings are now called THRIVE Mastermind and there are over 150 members in Vancouver and around the world.
In this episode, we discuss her suggestions for artists who are looking to sell their work, expand their practice and her experience starting a business in the arts. Jamie is genuine and enthusiastic about bringing artists together and supporting them as they grow.
RESOURCES:
Online Exhibition-Drowned Neon Rose
Observations on Applying to Juried Shows