We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sara Oakley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sara below.
Sara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I’ve been a working artist for just over 50 years. I started as an illustrator, added freelance graphic design into the mix, then fine art sales, then teaching, I began to create small, cooperative art businesses that support my own efforts and the local art community. A group studio gives me a place to work, an art school lets me teach in a casual environment that is affordable for art students, and collective galleries give me a selling venue. It adds up to reasonable income.
Sara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have a tried and true business model that I’ve implemented in different cities as my life has moved around. Three art related businesses form naturally around and support each other.
In Gainesville Georgia, those businesses are Art Colony Georgia and Oakley Gallery. Hemlock Studio Gallery is located in nearby historic Clarkesville Georgia. These are collectives, meaning that many artists share purpose, overhead and, in the case of Hemlock, the workload of hosting business hours.
The Art Colony is a private studio of 24 artists, sharing a 100+ year old restored parsonage. The energy of the studio is incredibly positive, and I’m careful to attract good-hearted folk who support that dynamic.
Oakley Gallery enjoys a large footprint inside a wonderful antique mall in the very lively downtown of Gainesville. 27 artists have mini galleries within the whole. This is the easiest business relationship I’ve ever experienced, with the mall handling sales/staffing, taxes, credit card services and reporting. My artists simply pay a small share of the rent plus a tiny commission that goes to the mall. A teaching venue is included in this relationship, utilizing my equipment.
Hemlock Studio Gallery is located in a charming nearby town, and in the 2 years since it’s birth is becoming a frisky art destination. Over 30 local artists share the experience of collecting and studying art with the community. All work is performed by artists, in exchange for very low rent and —yes— a tiny commission. I have a great partner in the Hemlock business, Jane McFerrin. Jane and Anne & Mike Short launched the gallery with my art direction and fixtures. When the Shorts retired, I finally invested.
These businesses function just above break even, and do not pay a salary to any employee at all, including management and accounting tasks.
My personal income from all 3 businesses is negligible. The big advantage is that I can sell my own work and teach as I please, with little expense.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I love a personal connection with other artists. I love to teach art, especially to adult newcomers, and I love to interact with collectors. I’m more interested in one-on-one relationships, making many connections but on a smaller scale.
When I make business decisions, I apply the question “Will this serve an artist, a student or a collector?” I keep that criteria front and center.
I rarely expand that focus now to other organizations— leaving the work of art centers, universities and the hundreds of non-profits, to their own endeavors. I care about artists, art students and collectors. Full stop.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Aside from the personal freedom I enjoy — which is purchased with a lot of hard work and very careful control of my own finances — my favorite thing is seeing an artist in everyone. I love giving them a path, and sometimes permission they don’t know they need, to BE that artist.
At the end of the day, being an artist has nothing to do with education, skill level, sales, awards or recognition. It’s all about how you think, what you see, and the skills you build over a lifetime. It’s priceless to have a community around you that will celebrate and not compete with you. Those communities are what I work towards.
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