Paper+Pixel draws in dream clients and a major prize money can’t buy

Monday, 1 May 2017

Why do Illustrators join IA? To promote work to potential clients and feel part of a thriving, supportive artistic community. Why get down to the May 5 opening of IA’s spectacular 2017 exhibition at Collingwood Gallery in Smith Street around 6.30pm? Because Paper+Pixel delivers. In spades. You can’t miss this.

Sponsored by Copic Australia and The Jacky Winter Group, Paper+Pixel brings together stellar works on paper by more than 65 IA members, a priceless chance to chat with industry reps and dream clients, and extraordinary prizes including Copic markers and a one-our folio review by The Jacky Winter Group. Kelly Thompson of Kelly Thompson Creative (http://www.kellythompsoncreative.com/) is guest speaker. There’s wine, nibbles and a room full of your favourite local illustrators to play with all night. What more could you want?

Artwork by Anna Seed

IA’s new-ish El Presidente, Richard Morden, says Paper+Pixel is a member-led departure from IA’s usual exhibition format, with an unashamedly commercial intent. Past 9 x 5 exhibitions have showcased paintings on wood. With so many members now working on paper in digital and traditional media, Paper+Pixel gives exhibiting artists the chance to promote the kind of work they’d most like to be commissioned to do, and to nominate the dream clients they’d most love to show it to.

“The A3 artworks in Paper+Pixel are either the best examples of members’ work or examples of the kind of work members want to be commissioned to do,” Richard says. “They can be print or original, digital or traditional. Each piece is accompanied by the artist's name, a short biography, website URL and social media handles. That’s to encourage on the spot followers and contacts. Obviously it will be great if people sell some art. But what would be really exciting is to hear of members getting customers and commissions.”

“We are inviting every artist’s dream clients to along,” Richard says. “That doesn’t mean they’re going to come, of course. But we’re doing a direct mail campaign, a postcard campaign and a social media campaign to build awareness about the exhibition. And we’re suggesting that everyone involved invites their connections and their dream clients.” Already confirmed are publisher Allen Unwin, digital agency Jumbala, the Jacky Winter crew, and Kelly Thompson's Maker's Management and illustration and creative consulting agency. 

Artwork by Sheryl Cole

Collingwood Gallery has been chosen for its high profile street frontage in Collingwood’s creative hub. “This is going to have a lot of passing traffic, including people who work in the design and publishing industries around Smith Street,” Richard says. “We anticipate excellent exposure.”

Awards will undoubtedly be a highlight of opening night. The Speaker’s Choice Award winner will take home $150 worth of Copic markers. The People’s Choice Award winner gains extraordinary industry exposure and in depth feedback money can’t buy via a coveted one-hour folio review with international illustration agency The Jacky Winter Group. “To talk one-on-one with an agency, whether they pick you up or not, the information to be gleaned from that is so valuable,” Richard says. “And you get their feedback on your folio and how it works.”

Artwork by Marjory Gardner

Even for members who haven’t entered Paper+Pixel, opening night represents an awesome opportunity to network organically with industry, hang out with fellow illustrators for an evening of fun, and feel the love of the inimitable IA community.

Seriously. What could be better?

Paper+Pixel runs from 5-19 May at Collingwood Gallery, 292 Smith Street Collingwood. For more information: http://www.illustratorsaustralia.com/events/paper-to-pixel/

Artwork by Rhiannon Mowat

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