NET Nights at Moore - Building a Creative Life as a Teaching Artist slideshow

NET Nights at Moore - Teaching Artists opening slideshow from The Galleries at Moore on Vimeo.

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NET Nights at Moore last night

NET Nights at Moore - Building a Creative Life as a Teaching Artist

Friday, March 19, 2010

Last night's talk was a great success, featuring four teaching artists in conversation about the ups and down, opportunities and obstacles and paths they have taken in their lives to maintain a balance of being a working artist and teaching artist in Philadelphia.

The talk featured Barbara Bickart, a filmmaker and recipient of multiple Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's Artist and Communities grants whose work often engages communities in telling their stories; Beth Nixon, of Ramshackle Enterprises, is a visual and performance artist who uses art as a tool for activism and social change; Michelle Ortiz, a Moore College alumna, administrator at the Bartol Foundation, muralist and visual artist whose work has taken her all over Philadelphia and around the world; Alex Shaw, a musician, teaching artist and education programs coordinator for Live Connections, a program of World Café Live.

A podcast of the talk and interviews with the participants will be available soon so stayed tuned! 

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We're Tweeting!

It is official, NET Nights at Moore is now on Twitter!

Post comments, ask questions and get instant updates during programs at www.twitter.com/netnights

Follow other tweets too, like Fractured Atlas, AIGA Philadelphia, Philadelphia Museum of Art and more!

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Upcoming Program - March 19, 6 - 8 pm

NET Nights at Moore – Building a Creative Life as a Teaching Artist

Friday March 19, 6 - 8 pm

6:30 pm – Conversation with a range of working artists to learn how their role as an arts educator enhances and sustains their creative lives. They will share their paths to becoming teaching artists, strategies for securing teaching artist positions, resources to build your skills as an educator, and their reflections on how they integrate their lives as educators and artists.

Teaching artists participating in the conversation include:

Barbara Bickart, a filmmaker and multiple recipient of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's Artist and Communities grants whose work often engages communities in telling their stories

Beth Nixon, of Ramshackle Enterprises, is a visual and performance artist who uses art as a tool for activism and social change.

Michelle Ortiz, a Moore College alumna, administrator at the Bartol Foundation, muralist and visual artist whose work has taken her all over Philadelphia and around the world.

Alex Shaw, a musician, teaching artist and education programs coordinator for Live Connections, a program of World Café Live.

Moderated by Beth Feldman Brandt, Executive Director, Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation.

Presented in cooperation with The Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation.

The Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation supports organizations that provide creative opportunities to connect and engage, that give voice to a community’s history and future, and that sustain and share a rigorous artistic process

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Interview with Gigi McGee

Gigi McGee, Professor of Graphic Design at Moore and member of AIGA Philadelphia was interviewed as part of the November NET Nights program. As a member of AIGA Philadelphia, co-presenter of the program, we thought that she could offer good insight into involvement with AIGA, the nation's leading professional graphic design organization, to see what students can get involved in to get a step forward into the professional world. Sam Emonds, a current student in Moore's Business Scholars for the Arts program conducted the interview with Gigi and gathered the following information:

Gigi McGee received her BFA from Philadelphia College of the Arts, now University of the Arts. Following graduation, it took her about three months to land her first graphic design job.  Since at that time there were not as many opportunities in Philly as there are today, she decided she to move, visiting a friend's home in Los Angeles where she lined up 25 interviews for the short week she was there.  By the end of the week, she had a job offer.  Despite the not panning out, Gigi stayed in Los Angeles while her friend was on vacation and filled in at her job.  While there, Gigi received a call from Seiniger Advertising offering her a position working on movie posters.  Her persistence really paid off.

Gigi began her teaching career in the Communication Design program at the Otis Art Institute of the Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles under the direction of Sheila Levrant de Bretteville, a visionary woman in the design field. She also taught at California Institute of the Arts under the direction of April Griman, yet another revolutionary designer, who is recognized as one of the first designers to embrace computer technology as a design tool in 1984.

After 7 fulfilling years of working and teaching in California, Gigi and her husband moved back to Philadelphia. She opened a studio on Spring Garden Street and began to teach part-time at Moore in 1989, later becoming a full-time faculty member.

Gigi has been involved with AIGA (American Institute for Graphic Arts) for quite some time, and has been a particularly active member in the past ten years.  She joined the AIGA Board five years ago, and she became an Education Committee co-chair two years ago.  As chair of the Graphic Design Department at Moore, Gigi has brought a number of speakers and exhibitions from AIGA, and she continues to work with students as the Education Committee co-chair.

Gigi encourages her students to get involved in AIGA. As the co-chair of the Education Committee, she is well aware of the organization’s focus on, and commitment to students. For the past five years, Gigi has organized AIGA professional portfolio reviews, helping graduating seniors gain valuable feedback from working professionals and potential contacts for future job offers. AIGA also helps to sponsor studio tours and informal presentations of working graphic design studios and firms, where students can ask employees for advice and guidance in an informal environment.

There are many ways for students to actively participate in AIGA.  Students can attend studio tours and participate in contests run by AIGA, in addition to taking part in their mentorship program, PR committee, web committee and guest lecturer programs with graphic designers from across the country. Gigi also encourages students to join committees because you meet more people that way. 

AGIA’s online job bank provides many resources to aid students in finding jobs, allowing members to search for positions locally and nationally. They also support networking through an open database of designers throughout the country and opportunities for members to post their portfolio online for all affiliates to review.

Moore College helps to prepare students for the professional world as well. The best resource at Moore is the Career Center where students are welcome both during their time at Moore and after they graduate to receive employment information, resume writing assistance, and advice from the staff. The graphic design department also offers great resources for students such as: writing exercises where students can learn how to write briefs, proposals, cover letters, resume, and more.  Students learn how to price and talk about their work and how to stay organized. A required internship is also incredibly useful, helping students build confidence as new emerging designers and artists between junior and senior year. 

Gigi seems like the kind of person that gets out there and makes things happen and who encourages her students to do the same.  She's shown that persistence and involvement are really important for getting a job in graphic design (and any other field, really).  You've got to find ways to get involved in your community and keep looking for opportunities everywhere.  Join whatever professional organization there is in your field, use school resources to their fullest, and don't be afraid to go out, meet people, and get involved!

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NET Nights at Moore – Died Young, Stayed Pretty Film Screening and Conversation / Nov 17

On Tuesday, November 17, The Galleries welcomed Eileen Yaghoobian for the Philadelphia premiere of Died Young, Stayed Pretty. Following the film Eileen led the audience in an informal conversation about not only the film and her process, but how she became an independent filmmaker and is continuing to forge her own path, creating edgy, raw and beautifully framed films.

More about the film:

Picking up where punk left off, Died Young, Stayed Pretty reveals a new breed of counter-culturists; artists that set out to destroy the mainstream through their controversial and intensely visceral design work. Under the guise of advertising for rock shows, these unheralded masters of the silkscreen and Xerox machine carry on public discourses that range from hot button political issues to lewd inside jokes. This feature film is the first of its kind to take a candid look at the renaissance of North America's underground indie-rock poster movement. 

This program was presented in collaboration with AIGA Philadelphia and Moore’s Graphic Design Department

Elieen Yaghoobian, filmmaker

Eileen and Elizabeth Gilly, The Galleries' Outreach/Public Programs Coordinator

 

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Interview with Lindsay Duggan of Girl.Bike.Dog

Founder Lindsay Duggan and her main designer Caroline Steinberg of Girl.Bike.Dog, specialize in fully custom messenger bags, bike accessories and dog accessories. Their newly minted store front business on 23^rd and Bainbridge Streets in addition to providing custom made wares helps support the Philadelphia art community, showcasing and selling work by local artists and designers. Lindsay was interviewed by Laura Bonvini and Christine Ferri, two of Moore's BSA students.

LB & CF: What has it been like establishing a business in such a poor economy?

LD: We were lucky; my landlords own the building so I knew the spot was available.   Business tripled with the store opening, and many more people know about the business now.  As the economy improves, the business will improve as well.

LB & CF: What is your inspiration?

LD: Seriously, sometimes you just have to do it to pay the rent. But I do get a lot of inspiration by working with other artist. I love helping my friends with blowing glass and working in new mediums. I get inspiration when I am faced with new material, new designs, new appliqué.

LB & CF: Owning your own business must be stressful at times, what is the most difficult situation or task you have overcome so far?

LD: Hiring friends as employees. It is very difficult to balance the relationship between friend and boss. Also, making money. Sure, everything is paid for but you have to sacrifice a lot. You don't really make ends meet for at least 2 years.

LB & CF: If the opportunity to rent a space did not present itself, what would you be doing now?

LD: I would still be working out of my living room. I was always looking for spaces to rent but everything fell into place when I found this location. 

LB & CF: Do you have any advice for others who want to open a small business?

LD: Be dedicated!  Love what you are doing, I gave up a lot and started up the shop on my own without the help of loans.  Make sure you are serious and it’s definitely what you want to do. I knew what was going to happen, a lot of work and time. Expect to work very hard!  Eventually the hard work will pay off and you'll make ends meet!

LB & CF: How do you keep yourself motivated?

LD: I ride my bike out to Fairmont with my dog and swim in the river.  Other interests are gardening, cooking, dog walking, hanging out with friends, reading, and watching movies.

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Interview with Melanie Bergwall

Moore Alumna ’08 and creator of Meljoy, an artworks/graphics studio, Melanie Bergwall is also a full-time designer for Urban Outfitters and in the past has worked as a freelance designer for companies such as Victoria’s Secret and Reef Inc. Melanie began her freelance work during her undergraduate career and since then has continued to expand her business and brand of graphics and design work in and around Philadelphia. Melanie was interviewed by BSA student Amer Callahan.

What attracted you to want to major in Textile Design rather than Fashion Design?

MB: I was always interested in both fashion/textiles. I just realized I was more interested in surface design/pattern—in what was actually going to go onto the garment instead of the actual construction of it.

While at Moore majoring in Textiles, did you have to apply for an internship? If so, who did you work for?

MB: Yes, I did internships every year in between school. One company in New York City, Oxford Industries, and 3 others in Philadelphia here—Free People, Printfresh design studio and Urban Outfitters.

After you graduated Moore, did you start up meljoy.com right away? Also, was it difficult to find jobs you were interested in?

MB:I started meljoy.com while I was still in school because I learned early the significance of getting your work out there and networking, and having a website is a very good way of doing that. No, I was offered my job while I was still in school, and interned part time before I graduated.

What was your most favorite job you’ve done so far in your career?

MB:All of my jobs have been wonderful, and I have learned a significant amount from them all. I don’t have one particular favorite.

You probably get this question a lot, but what was it like working for Victoria’s Secret and Urban Outfitters?

MB:Urban Outfitters is amazing. Victoria’s Secret was a lot of fun also.

You mentioned at NET NIGHTS that you did not like working up in New York. What didn’t you like about it?

MB: I just like Philadelphia more—the scene, the people, being close to family friends and being able to have a car and drive. That can't happen in New York. Pretty simple.

Where do you find inspiration to get ideas from to start on upcoming projects?

MB: I find inspiration in just about anything. It depends what I am trying to be inspired to do.

What are you currently working on?

MB: Too much! Full time job, freelancing graphics for hardgoods/packaging for a company, my website amongst a few other projects.

What advice would you give to an upcoming student who is majoring in Textiles or even Fashion Design?

MB: My advice would be: having an easy attitude, being personable yet sticking to what you really believe in, being able to talk about your work, justify it, putting in 110%, going that extra mile on everything and being able to adapt to change at the drop of a dime because in this industry it happens all the time.

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NET Nights at Moore - The Business of Design / Oct 13

NET Nights at Moore - The Business of Design in Philadelphia, What's Hip & Happening / October 13, 2009

On October 13, a group of artists, designers, young entrepreneurs, and design business professionals in Philadelphia gathered to talk about their experiences with building and sustaining art and design businesses and artist community organizations. 

The participants included: Melanie Bergwall, creator of Meljoy, an artworks/graphics studio; freelance designer for Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret and Reef Inc, ’08 Moore Alumna; Geoff DiMasi, founder and Principal of P’UNK Avenue, a design & development firm in South Philadelphia and co-founder of Independents Hall, a co-working space and community in Philadelphia for designers, developers, writers, artists, entrepreneurs, small business owners and freelancers; and Roz Duffy, co-founder of Refresh Philly, a meet-up organization of designers and developers working to refresh the new media culture in Philadelphia through socializing events, lecture series and workshops; Lindsay Duggan, founder and Caroline Steinberg, main designers of Girl.Bike.Dog, a company specializing in fully custom messenger bags, bike accessories, dog accessories and supporting Philadelphia-based young artists.

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