We recently connected with Colette Pitcher and have shared our conversation below.
Colette, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
This afternoon there is a memorial for my Mother in law who passed last week at age 95. These events make us question our own mortality. It also forces us to step up to the plate as the next generation. Have I done enough? Can I do more? The answer should be yes to both. Is it is not, you better get it in gear. As a life-long visual artist I have learned to see. Really look and see. Then recreate what I want to share with others what I want them to see. These gifts of art will outlast me.
Colette, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Art diversity keeps one busy. The building called Showcase Art Center has been an amazing journey for 30 years. My husband built a bronze casting business and together we have made sculptures that range from heroic to whimsical. A 9-11 inspired firefighter called “Every Day a Hero” has been placed in New York, Wyoming, Colorado and Oklahoma. We hope to connect more states. You Tube has a video “the making of Every day a hero” that shows the process of sculpting, molding and casting the sculpture.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
One day my Dad was at the old guys coffee clatch. He was discussing that his daughter, me, was having trouble keeping up with a framing demand. Another member of the group said his daughter was about to loose her job as her company was closing regionally. We clicked. She and I have worked together doing the work of a huge staff for nearly 30 years. Dads usually know best.
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?
Several businesses used to order a piece of art and use it as a reward for donors or patrons. We would create art and frame over 500 pieces at a time for these companies ( usually non-profits). It helped raise money. Some were a series over 4 years. Patrons would notice if they missed a year and make sure they pledged dollars to get the entire art series. We made a party out of the assembly line work hiring friends to help make the process fast. These helpers looked forward to our assemblages each year. The art is treasurered and passed through families continuing to promote the original company, artist and donor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.ShowcaseArtCenter.com
- Instagram: /colettepitcher
- Facebook: /colette.b.pitcher
Image Credits
Colette Pitcher