Greater Geneva Art Guild Forum Is May 4

Throughout history, artists have formed discussion groups and salons to share ideas and collaborate on projects.

The newly formed Greater Geneva Art Guild aims to provide a similar forum for local artists to come together, learn and support each other.

Those interested in art will have the opportunity to learn more about the Guild at a public meet-and-greet from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 4, at the Art Box, 514 W. State St., Geneva, during the First Friday Gallery Walk. Guild members will be on hand to answer questions and discuss goals of the new guild.

"Artists have got to be around other artists,” said Len Bielefeldt, owner of the Art Box and Guild member. “We are all constantly learning and growing. The need to grow is huge and to show together is so very important." 

Guild members also want to make fine art more accessible to Geneva residents and showcase the wealth of talented artists in the area, said Lorraine Ochsner, a Geneva-based painter and one of the four founding members of the guild.

Ochsner said the founding Guild members were pleased with the response to the two previous meet-and-greets held in March and April, drawing a wide variety of artists from all disciplines. About 20 artists attended the guild's first meeting on April 18 and expressed interest in learning though workshops and finding ways to exhibit their art locally.

“Our members give direction to the group,” Ochsner said, helping plan programs, speakers and demonstrations. “It's a local resource for artists.”

Guild co-founder Theresa Jaeger agrees. “Collaboration can develop into learning from other artists through conversation, sharing of ideas and also demonstrations by artists,” she said. “It can also lead to mentoring as emerging artists are inspired by other artists who have been doing their art for many years and may be professionals. It also can ultimately inspire an artist to take their talent and desire to the next level, whatever that may be for the individual artist.”

“Throughout the history of art, when artists collaborate and exchange ideas, the group makes great strides, Ochsner said. “The Medicis invited artists to work and share ideas and the Renaissance developed. The Impressionists gathered in Croissy sur Seine, Geneva's sister city, and the movement originated. Picasso met with artists in the coffee shops to converse and cultivate ideas and philosophies. Collaboration is the life blood of creativity.”

As a group, it's valuable for artists to get input from each other and learn from each other. “Art doesn't happen in a vacuum,” she said.

The Guild will help artists share with peers, develop skills through workshops and demonstrations and it will provide a venue to exhibit art. While the Guild won't offer full classes, it will guide members to resources, such as the Art Box, where artists can develop existing skills.

The Guild isn't just for artists, however. Anyone who appreciates the fine arts or who would like to learn more about related topics, is invited to join the Guild.

“As the Greater Geneva Art Guild grows, we will attract creative people to Geneva,” Ochsner said.

"Art is about giving. We give our hearts when we create, " Bielefeldt said. " We don't paint for ourselves, we paint for the world."

For more information about the Guild, visit http://www.ggaguild.com or find the Greater Geneva Art Guild on Facebook. 

SOURCE: Geneva Art Guild press release