We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ellen Greenberg. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ellen below.
Ellen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
After semi-retiring from the film business as a production and costume designer, a friend recommended that I would enjoy being a docent at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) She was right! Art has always been a huge part of my life…from designing clothes for my dolls when I was six, to creating artistic environments and characters for film, TV and theater productions. I developed my own unique way of making a trip to a museum informative, memorable and fun! Most art educators I came across (and, of course, there are exceptions) were more interested in pontificating to impress rather than having people see art with a different perspective. One of the ways I usually get an “Aha!” moment from people is to ask them to “read” an artwork…not just look at it. After all, images were used before words as a means of communication –=-think cave paintings, hieroglyphics and cuneiform.. I ask a lot of questions of the people I take around the museum which makes for great conversation. And, I always preface what I ask with “There are no wrong answers and no dumb questions when it comes to art!” Unless the artist specifically wrote down or spoke about his intent, analyzing a painting for its beauty or meaning is all opinion — sometimes expert opinion– but nonetheless just opinion. This approach opens people up and I also learn and am enlightened from those I guide. People (and especially kids) tell me that they have never learned and enjoyed art so much. That excites me and propels me to learn, listen and see more!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Art in its many forms has always been my passion; but here’s the kicker…drawing and painting are arduous and frustrating exercises for me. My creativity is in my head, It blossoms there but doesn’t translate to any talent on a canvas. It used to bother me a lot until I realized that being creative doesn’t have only one translation or endgame. Once I had that epiphany—and read that through history, most successful, creative, artistic people have had self-doubt and personal hurdles they had to work through to achieve success, I knew I could consider myself an artist as well. In fact, these thoughts of despair can even be necessary! I bring all this to my discussions and conversations during an art tour. I hope it enlightens people who think they don’t understand art to speak freely and say, “I don’t get it” or “I see it this way” or even totally disagree with me.
Most of all, what I’m most proud of is that I endeavor to bring a whole new way for museum-goers to experience all kinds of art. You don’t have to relate to it or even like it all. However, if it gets you thinking and feeling just a bit differently than when you did when you first saw the art, and perhaps it will create a shift in your paradigm. And, that is what makes art unique to the individual who’s looking or “reading” it. Like art, we humans are all different (thankfully) but fundamentally the same.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
When I first came to Los Angeles from Philadelphia in the summer of 1981, I had dreams of catapulting my current film experience as an art director and costume designer/stylist for commercials and documentaries to TV shows and feature films. But, what was going to make me stand out among the throngs of other hopefuls? What was going to make any producer or director consider me over someone else? I was newly divorced, knew no one in the industry and had my 2 very young sons with me. One of our first family excursions was to a pet store where I bought each of them a goldfish in a clear plastic bag, a fishbowl and fish food. I thought that before they started school, it would be a good lesson in responsibility for them…and add to making a house — a home. Then I had a crazy idea! I went back to the pet store and bought 25 goldfish in plastic bags, attached my resume to them and wrote on the plastic bag, “Fishing for a job!” I dropped each of them off to the top 25 production companies I wanted to work for. I had my first job within a week.
Sometimes, the source of light from a bulb shines brightly from a place you least suspect,
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
After working in the film industry for over 25 years, I sadly realized that there is a tremendous amount of ageism in the creative end of this business. It was the year 2000. I remember my agent had sent me on a costume design interview for a feature film. He had given me the script to read, which was pretty raw in its language but it was an interesting design challenge because the characters were so colorful. The director, who looked like he was 12, looked at me like I was his grandmother. “Do you think you could costume these characters in a hip, contemporary way?” he asked. My blood boiled but I maintained a calm and answered, “If I were doing a period piece set in the 1700s, do you think I would have to be from the 1700s to dress them? The year 2000 is a period. I don’t have to dress like your characters in order to know how to dress them! I’m sorry, this is not going to work.” With that, I walked out of the office and never looked back. It was time for a change.
When I was a public tour docent at LACMA, many people would ask if a private tour was available — for so many reasons: A romantic night out, what to do with out-of-town guests, a family outing, team building, a special gift, etc. Another lightbulb moment! There was a need for private tours for those who wanted a more personal, informative and inspiring way to see art. So, I made the pivot from film entertainment to edutainment!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.quickculture.com/
- Instagram: quickculturela
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- Other: http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-ellen-greenberg-of-beverly-hills/ https://www.beverlyhillschamber.com/book-quick-culture-for-your-next-museum-tour/ https://mailchi.mp/wherela/concierge-insider-message-from-our-publisher-and-upcoming-la-events-1320436?e=226a642ff9