Local Arts + Business Collaborative Launched

On Thursday, January 20, 2011, Elizabeth Converse and Star Higgins, individual artists and collaborators of A+B (Arts plus Business Collaborative, a new service which offers businesses the opportunity to display local, original art)  interviewed Sierra Madre business owners where A+B has installed art in recent months. The owners include:

Heather Sheets of La Bella Rouge, A Women’s clothing, jewelry and gift shop, 

Larry Romero, owner of Salon Zelo, a full service Hair Salon with Esthetician services and massage, and Annie Thomsen, salon  manager; and 

Chef Scott May, owner of French Bistro, La Charcuterie.

Star and Elizabeth asked  questions to help them in the development of  their new collaborative enterprise.  A+B currently exhibits in these three locations in Sierra Madre as well as LoveBirds Cafe in Pasadena.  

Do you think it is important to support local artists by offering them sales opportunities and displaying their work in your business? 

All agree,  helping each other is what the business community is about in a vibrant community.

Heather:   Yes,  I like to help the community and want to see everyone succeed.  Honestly in this economy people don’t have the money and it is not a priority to purchase art.  The prices of A+B paintings are very reasonable and I encourage patrons to look at the art and buy it.  I think it needs more time to develop as a salable commodity in La Bella Rouge.  

Scott: It is important to support local businesses and talent.  We all need to encourage and support each other.   

Larry: Helping out the community and supporting new businesses is important and something I enjoy.  It’s important to support anyone who is starting a new venture.

Do you think A + B is raising awareness in the community about local talent? 

To some extent, however, most owners agree that customers generally are not aware that the art displayed represents local talent.  

Heather: Clients don’t generally ask who makes the art, but if attention is drawn to it, they are interested.  

Larry Romero and Annie Thomsen of Salon Zelo

Annie

: I think A+B needs to draw more attention to the art through more visible signage, street displays and clear labeling of prices.  

Scott: Some clients are interested in the art and ask to see the book about the A+B project and the biographies of the artists.

What has been your experience having art in your business.  Has it impacted your business in anyway? (from enhancing your environment to creating new sales).  

All owners think artwork enhances their business environments. 

Heather: Having local art is always a plus for the store, and today, there are so many more newcomers in town, recently a lot of young families have moved here and they don’t know about the history of the arts in this town.  Sierra Madre has always been known as an arts community and there are a lot of day trippers.  We would like to see Sierra Madre as more of a destination,  restaurants, galleries, events, etc.  Local art is an added attraction.

Larry:  People notice the art and like the art. They may be drawn into the salon because of the art.  It is good to keep the art exhibits rotating, after about two months most of the clients have seen what is on the walls.

Annie:  The art definitely enhances our business environment.  I see clients walking around during their appointments looking at the art.  It makes the environment more interesting and is definitely good for business.

Scott:   People like to comment on the art, walk around the restaurant to look at it and read about the artists.  

Do you want to continue to display local artists in your business? Do you have ideas/advice to A + B and its artists about promoting their art you can share with us?

All business owners responded with a definite “Yes” to continuing to have art displayed.

Scott May of Charcuterie

Scott

:  Yes,   I like to see more variety of art. We are having a Chamber of Commerce mixer this week and I’d like to see Art around the restaurant on easels with you here promoting your service.  

Larry: Yes, we can create an event here where all of the businesses displaying A+B art can collaborate, combine arts opening, with a sampling of salon services, 10 minute massage, discounts, consultations, wine tasting, clothing and jewelry displays.

Annie:  Yes, and an evening of art, clothing, food, wine, salon consultations might be a good  promotional event.  A celebration of all of our services.

Heather: Yes, and you could create a display for the Wisteria Festival.  We could have a Bella Rouge table outside and some easels to raise awareness of the artists showing in the store.  I’d  like you to make customers aware of the other venues where A+B is displaying so people get a sense of the depth of the project.  Keep growing, expanding, getting the word out there that A+B are purveyors of quality fine art.

Star and Elizabeth see clearly that A+B is experiencing a wonderful start with happy business owners and enhanced business environments.  Since beginning the project, all three venues have had art sales at their locations.

The A + B collaboration is currently seeking new artists and expanding its’ business relations.  A+ B plans to install quarterly exhibits accompanied by a newsletter and PR campaign to bring awareness and sales to local talent.  They encourage artists and businesses to contact A+B for more information:

Elizabeth Converse   econverse08@gmail.com

Star Higgins  starhiggins@verizon.net

Current participating artists include: Elizabeth Converse, Myra Epstein, Lynne Fearman, and Star Higgins