Questions on Craft Communities

Questions on Craft Communities

Is it important to feel part of a community of makers?

Yes, to generate inspiration and motivation. personally I work better when I have a few people around me to bounce ideas off and to look at problems from a different angle. I think without some form of community whether another artist sat next to you or a person/people you interact with in a forum online your work would certainly suffer.
 
What kinds of senses of community are important?

Honesty, support, technical knowledge, critique, experience, value.

The people who really like your work, might consider themselves fans. These fans are highly valuable to you as they spread the word about who you are, what you do, etc. They have the potential whether online or face to face to be a community of your own making.

What is your community of practice and interest?

My current community of practice would be jewellery & silversmithing at PCA, Flameworks?

My community of interest would be the Contextual Studies group at PCA, as well as; Plymouth Museum & Art Gallery, online forums like Cooksongold.co.uk, benchpeg, as well as other community interests like SDCC climbing club.

How you will make connections with these communities in your professional life?

After leaving PCA I will no longer have the regular face to face interaction with other students, so will need to interact with those communities to further my own learning. Researching what local groups exist and meeting or connecting online would help to keep me "in the loop". Local creative hubs like Radiant space, Pennycomequick Arts, Flameworks, etc would help with this. I may also use them to hel me find work.

How will/do you use digital communities?

I already use Pinterest, Facebook, Linkedin, Deviantart, Blogger, Benchpeg, CooksonGold's forum. I honestly believe that digital communities will play an increasingly important role in the future of all artists, whether they like it or not.


Luke Axworthy