Chamber to Co-host Reception for Senator Saland

Hudson, NY - Artist entrepreneurs will have the opportunity for both training and networking at the free "Spotlight on Tourism" and "Art Business Education" programs slated for Wednesday, June 8 at Columbia-Greene Community College.

State Senator Stephen M. Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, will be honored with a reception as part of the "Spotlight on Tourism" program. Designed for networking, the "Spotlight" program will be held June 8, from 4 to 5 p.m.  Saland is responsible for funding the "Art Business Education" training program, which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., also on June 8. The training session is subtitled "Marketing Yourself to Market Your Art Workshop."

With an eye to furthering cultural tourism in Columbia County, the programs are sponsored by a local coalition that includes: the Columbia Hudson Partnership, the Columbia County Council on the Arts, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia County Tourism Department, in addition to Saland and C-GCC.

"The Chamber of Commerce and our partners are proud to host this reception to celebrate the many accomplishments of Senator Saland," said chamber President Dave Colby. We will also take this opportunity to discuss the importance of future collaborations in advancing arts and tourism efforts in Columbia County."

The event is designed for artists and artisans who are seeking to further their business development. In addition to the networking opportunities available during the reception, the workshop will provide practical techniques for art-related businesses.

Facilitated by Susan Koblin Schear, owner of ARTISIN INC., Newark, N.J., the interactive workshop will help art entrepreneurs determine the unique characteristics that set them apart in the marketplace. Schear will cover such topics as researching markets, pricing and promotion, and will discuss cultural tourism as an economic development strategy.

"The Senator's education development program at Columbia-Greene offers a unique opportunity to support local business development through skills training," said Robert Bodratti, director of community services at C-GCC.
"Growing the capacity of local entrepreneurs to market their art works, galleries, performances or other cultural venues is crucial for the advancement of Cultural Tourism in Columbia County."

The free workshop, which will be held in the Staff Cafeteria at the C-GCC campus, is open to art entrepreneurs with a practice, studio or business in Columbia County. Funding for the workshop is provided by the Saland Employee Educational Development Program at C-GCC.

The Saland reception, which is also a free event, is sponsored by the Columbia Hudson Partnership. The reception will be held in the Student Dining Hall, located in the Main Building at the Greenport campus.

To register for the reception, call the tourism department at (518) 828-3375. To register for the marketing workshop (limited to 25 participants), call C-GCC's Bodratti at (518) 828-4181, extension 3345.

Further information on the workshop, which is part of the arts council's ongoing workshops and seminars for artists, can be obtained by calling (518) 671-6213.

C-GCC is located on Route 23 in Greenport, one mile east of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Route 23 can be reached from Exit 21 of the New York State Thruway or the Hudson exit of the Taconic Parkway.