she was surprised to be selected as one of the emerging artists but is excited to be participating .
“ I would say it is huge , just being able to step into that world ,” she said . “ I don ’ t have hopes of grandeur , but just being able to talk to artists who were in the show and know what they are doing and talking about is great . I am constantly learning so this is a huge step .” Montville said gaining more experience and knowledge about the entrepreneurial side of art is a bonus on top of the opportunity to showcase her work . She said she is part of several Facebook pottery groups and the issue of pricing art comes up a lot .
“ I started out pretty reasonable with pricing because for me , it was a way for me to pay for school and my supplies , but I did have to put a value on it ,” she said . “ Some people still look at ceramics as not really art ; they see it as a utilitarian thing .”
Montville said she is also excited about learning more about being an artist by participating in the IMAGES festival .
“ I feel like I ’ ve progressed in the last couple of years to be a little more professional ,” she said .
For Daytona State student and painter Rich Malfitano , the Emerging Artists Program is a chance to extend his passion for art into something beyond just working on a canvas .
“ I ’ m excited about it ,” he said . And now the idea of not just creating art but earning money at it is a very real possibility .
“ There ’ s always that possibility ,” Malfitano said of becoming a
professional artist . “ That would be a bigger opportunity to help the organizations I am involved with and it would be nice to be able to sustain my art while I do it .”
Trent Berning , chair of the Mike Curb College of Music , Entertainment and Art and a professor of ceramics at Daytona State College , said being part of the new program offers students a chance to learn about the practical side of the life artistic and gain entrepreneurial experience .
“ We want them to attend the symposiums with artists and learn about how to price your work , how to apply for shows ,” Berning said . “ Things that students wouldn ’ t necessarily have experience with .”
Berning said the art programs at Daytona State are primarily focused on defined learning outcomes and don ’ t generally get into the kind of practical skills students would learn in a full Bachelor of Fine Arts program or graduate school .
“ The Emerging Artists Program is really filling a niche for our program ,” he said . “ I ’ m really excited about it and it ’ s really going to help with those professional skills .”
Aaron London is managing editor of Evolve Digital . He is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College .
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