The Business of Being an Artist Symposium Full Weekend Pass
In-Person Art Symposium at Sparks Gallery.
A Weekend Intensive Designed for Artists 40+ Ready to Build Sustainable Creative Careers.
Saturday & Sunday, June 13-14, 2026
You know your work is great and you want to sell a lot more of it.
This two-day symposium is designed specifically for emerging to mid-career artists who are ready to stop guessing & stressing and start growing.
With expert guidance on gallery expectations, sales, legal protections, digital visibility, and sustainable business strategies, these sessions will allow you to not just feel empowered, but to know your next steps and meet experts who can help support you.
Perfect for you if:
- You have a body of work but no gallery representation
- You're 40+ and ready to get serious about sustainability
- You've been making art for years but struggling with the business side or just starting up again after a pause
- You're ready for clear, proven strategies instead of trial and error
- You want to know the exact path that you need to take for the next steps in your art career
Not the right fit if:
- You're already represented by multiple galleries and selling out shows
- You're looking for technical advice on how to make your work
- You're super new in the art space and don't yet have a body of work
You'll Leave With:
-
Tangible Tools:
- Gallery submission best practices and legal contract frameworks
- Pricing and sales strategies you can implement immediately
- Digital visibility strategies and documentation systems tailored to visual artists
Strategic Clarity & Network:
- A 90-day action plan and connections with 9 industry experts
- Understanding of exactly where you are vs. where you need to be for gallery representation
- Direct access to fellow emerging/mid-career artists (40+) and optional breakout sessions for targeted support
Confidence:
- Professional validation that it's not your art holding you back... it's knowing the system
- Understanding of the business side that matches your artistic maturity
- Clarity on your next concrete steps, not vague "keep creating" advice
What to Expect
Focused Learning: 3-4 hours of expert presentations each day, designed to fit your schedule while delivering maximum value. (11am-6pm daily)
Practical Knowledge: From getting into galleries to understanding legal protections, from organizing your practice to building digital visibility, each session addresses the real challenges you're facing now.
Direct Access: Extended Q&A time after each presentation, plus optional small-group add-on sessions with speakers on Instagram strategy, artist statements, or a professional photo session.
Community Connection: Connect with fellow artists navigating similar career stages. Coffee breaks and networking opportunities built into each day.
The Business Skills No One Taught You in Art School
Gallery Representation & Sales: Discover the clear path to getting into art galleries and building sustainable sales strategies that move your work from studio to collector.
Legal & Business Foundations: Understand the essential legal protections every creative needs and learn how to organize and document your practice professionally.
Digital Visibility & Marketing: Master the art of being seen online with expert guidance on building your digital presence and leveraging community networks to strengthen your career.
Sustainable Growth: Learn how to turn your creative vision into a viable business with lasting cultural and economic impact.
Expert Speakers:
Day 1:
Day 2:
Your Weekend at a Glance
Saturday, June 13: (11am-6pm)
- Getting Into Art Galleries: A Clear Path Forward (Sonya Sparks)
- OPTIONAL Professional Portrait Shoot with Angela Garzon (add $40 - select at checkout)
- Building Trust as an Artist: Navigating Client Relationships, Gallery Opportunities, and Strategic Partnerships While Maintaining Artistic Integrity (Kimball Wilson)
- Legal for Creatives (Sam Mazzeo)
- Community as Strategy: Building Career Networks (Patric Stillman)
- From Studio to Sustainability: Sales, Engagement & Growth (Michael Carini)
AND
Sunday, June 14: (11am-6pm)
- Insights for Visual Artists: A Multidisciplinary Perspective (Blanca Lucia Bergman)
- OPTIONAL Instagram Audit with Blanca Lucia Bergman (add $20) - available for purchase at symposium or after checkout
- Organizing and Documenting Your Practice (Kiyomi Iñiguez)
- Building Digital Visibility (Galina Marcus)
- From Creative Vision to Creative Business (Shaun Cassidy)
- Q&A and Closing Session (Sonya Sparks)
- OPTIONAL Artist Statement Workshop with Barbarella Fokos, (add $20) - available for purchase at symposium or after checkout
Investment
Full Weekend Pass: $77 (Regularly $197)
Save $120 - Early Bird Ends May 29
Special Add-On Sessions:
(1 hour breakout sessions for targeted support):
- June 13: Professional Portrait Shoot with Angela Garzon (+$40) - add on at checkout.
Perfect for artists who need 1-2 current, professional portraits, without having to book a whole studio session. Use the professional photos for your website, gallery submissions, and marketing materials. Angela will capture 1-2 distinct poses in a 5 minute personalized session, with high-resolution digital files delivered within 2 weeks.
Limited to 14 artists - first come, first served.
-
June 14: Instagram Audit with Blanca Lucia Bergman (+$20) - available for purchase at symposium or after checkout
- June 14: Artist Statement Workshop with Barbarella Fokos (+$20) - Final session of the day- available for purchase at symposium or after checkout
Light snacks and refreshments provided during the event, but guests are encouraged to bring lunch or purchase lunch in the area.
Questions? Schedule a 15-minute call with Sonya to see if this symposium matches where you are in your career.
Not sure if this is right for you? Email us within 48 hours of purchase for a full refund if your plans change.
Limited Seating
Gift Bags ($500+ Value in Products & Program Discounts) Provided for the First 20 Ticket Holders.
From Our Generous Sponsors:
- Art Business Academy
- May and James
- Marketing By Shelby
- Gateway to Galleries
- San Diego Party Banner
- Mysteek Naturals
- and more...
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does the symposium take place?
The Business of Being an Artist Symposium is Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, 2026 at Sparks Gallery in San Diego. Both days run from 11am to 6pm.
Who is this for?
This symposium is designed for artists 40+ who have a body of work and are ready to get serious about building a sustainable art career. If you have been making art for years and the business side has never caught up, this weekend is for you. Artists under 40 can still participate and learn valuable tools.
This is not the right fit if you are already represented by multiple galleries and selling out shows. Or if you are looking for technical instruction on how to make your work. Or if you are just starting out and do not yet have a body of work.
What are the add-on sessions?
Three optional one-hour breakout sessions are available for targeted support.
Professional Portrait Shoot with Angela Garzon (Saturday, June 13). Add $40 at checkout. Angela captures 1-2 distinct poses in a five-minute personalized session, with high-resolution digital files delivered within two weeks. Limited to 14 artists, first come, first served.
Instagram Audit with Blanca Lucia Bergman (Sunday, June 14). Add $20. Available for purchase at the symposium or after checkout.
Artist Statement Workshop with Barbarella Fokos (Sunday, June 14). The final session of the day. Available for purchase at the symposium or after checkout. Add $20.
What is the investment?
Early bird pricing ends May 29.
Full Weekend Pass: $77 (regular price $197). Save $120. Single Day Pass: $57 (regular price $147). Save $90.
Attending both days saves you $37 over two single-day passes and gives you access to all nine sessions.
Can I attend just one day?
A single-day pass is available for $57. The full weekend pass saves you $37 and gives you the complete experience across all nine sessions.
Are the VIP gift bags still available?
The first 20 ticket holders receive VIP gift bags worth more than $500 in products and program discounts from Art Business Academy, May and James, Marketing By Shelby, Gateway to Galleries, San Diego Party Banner, Mysteek Naturals, and more. Check the registration page for current availability.
What food is provided?
Light snacks and refreshments are included. The symposium runs 11am to 6pm each day, so guests are encouraged to bring lunch or purchase it nearby.
What is the refund policy?
Email us within 48 hours of purchase and we will issue a full refund.
How do I know if this is the right fit?
Schedule a 15-minute call with Sonya. She will talk through where you are in your career and whether this weekend makes sense for you.
