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Art & Cocktails: Exploring the World of Contemporary Art, Creativity, Business, and Inspiration

 

Join host Ekaterina Popova, artist and founder of Create! Magazine, as she uncorks the vibrant and multifaceted world of contemporary art, creative entrepreneurship, mindset, and creativity one episode at a time. Welcome to "Art & Cocktails," a podcast where artists, creatives, dreamers, and artpreneurs gather to share their journeys and their art over their favorite drinks.

Building on the success of the "Create!" podcast, Ekaterina steers the artistic conversation towards more intimate, heart-to-heart discussions that fuel the spirit and inspire the artist's soul. Tune in for insightful, honest discussions with leading artists, curators, writers, coaches, leaders, and artpreneurs who not only share their journeys in the creative world but also enjoy a "fireside chat" over a glass of wine or a cup of tea. This podcast offers a rich blend of inspiration, art business insights, and the simple joy of sipping your favorite beverage while discussing what lights your heart on fire.

Pour your favorite drink into a beautiful cup, get comfy, and settle down for a session of "Art & Cocktails" each week. Let's celebrate the artist in all of us with a toast to creativity and the limitless possibilities it brings to our lives.

  1. All Episodes
  2. Behind The Scenes of Running an Indie Art Magazine and Platform

Behind The Scenes of Running an Indie Art Magazine and Platform

Jul 9, 2024

Welcome to a new episode of Art & Cocktails. I’m your host, Ekaterina Popova, and today we're celebrating a significant milestone—our eight-year anniversary of running an indie artist-run magazine and platform, Create! Magazine.

In this episode, I'll take you behind the scenes and share the journey, challenges, and triumphs of running an indie magazine dedicated to supporting contemporary emerging and established artists. We'll explore the logistical and creative aspects of producing each issue, from the initial concept and call for art to the final layout and distribution.

Highlights:

  • Introduction: Celebrating the eight-year anniversary of Create Magazine and reflecting on the journey from its inception as Fresh Paint to its rebranding and growth.
  • Challenges: Discussing the challenges of running a print magazine in a digital age, including fluctuating paper prices, adapting to new technologies, and navigating the impacts of COVID-19.
  • Sustainability: How we’ve managed to create a sustainable pace by balancing creative passion with practical business strategies, and why it’s essential to avoid comparing ourselves to larger, well-funded organizations.
  • Curating and Publishing: The process of curating artists' work, collaborating with guest curators, and the meticulous steps involved in editing, designing, and promoting each issue.
  • Community Support: The importance of community support, both from our team and from the artists and readers who make it possible to continue this work. Celebrating the connections and opportunities created through our platform, including artists being discovered by curators and gaining solo shows.
  • Financial Insights: Lessons learned about managing finances, investing wisely, and the significance of community-driven growth over flashy investments.
  • Call for Art: Announcing the open call for our special anniversary issue, inviting all artists to submit their work by July 30, 2024. This issue will be curated by our team, including myself, Alicia, and Christina.

Key Takeaways:

  • Building an indie magazine requires passion, resilience, and a strong support system.
  • Sustainable growth comes from balancing creative projects with practical business strategies.
  • Community and collaboration are at the heart of creating meaningful opportunities for artists.
  • Financial management is crucial for maintaining and growing an independent platform.

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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on iTunes and share it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more artists and continue providing valuable content.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We appreciate your support and look forward to many more years of celebrating art and creativity together!