|
Friday & Saturday, March 6 - 7
Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd., Ames IA
Professional Artist: $100 | Student Artist: $50
Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd., Ames IA
Professional Artist: $100 | Student Artist: $50
2026 Conference Schedule & Speaker Info
|
Friday, March 6
Noon - 1 p.m. Registration/Welcome Join us at Reiman Gardens in the Garden Room. Admittance to the Gardens is included in your registration fee. There will be snacks and coffee, but lunch will not be provided. |
|
1 - 2 p.m.
Keynote: The Accidental Entrepreneur — Chad Elliott Chad found his way to “business” accidentally. He learned how to make a living as an artist and musician through necessity. Obviously, there is no exact blueprint to making money in rural America as an artist or folk singer. This was especially true before the creation of the internet and social media platforms. Many of the successes Chad experienced, if not all of them, can easily be described as “entrepreneurial wins.” Many of these wins happened despite his own expectations. He remains deeply grateful for what he didn’t know back when he was a young, stubborn artist. Most likely, he wouldn’t have found his way to this path otherwise. In this talk, Chad will share some of the lessons he has learned along the way. |
|
About Chad Elliott:
Chad Elliott strives to create music and art that inspires, uplifts and moves his audience emotionally by relating life experiences through dream-like imagery. He is a graduate of Graceland University in Lamoni, IA with a Bachelor of Arts in ceramics and has since collected graduate credits from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. Early in his career, he was recognized for his artistic ability by being chosen as the “Best of Show” at the Iowa Student Artists Exhibit in 1995. In 2008 Elliott created the first-ever “People Project,” an ephemeral artwork for the organization ArtsLIVE during the University of Okoboji Winter Games in Okoboji, IA. During the Project he positioned 175 people on the ice of a frozen lake in the shape of a stylized turtle, which was photographed from an airplane. Elliott has an extensive list of mural work throughout Iowa and beyond. His mural work includes two 5 foot by 12 foot canvas paintings installed in 2012 in the Spencer Community Theatre. He also completed a 16 foot by 40 foot landscape mural in 2013 on the side of Mohr Lumber in Coon Rapids, IA to commemorate the town's sesquicentennial. In Pampa, TX, Elliott installed a mural titled "This Land is Your Land" at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center. In 2022 he painted "Catch of the Day," which was installed at Crouse Park in Sparta, NC. In recent work, Elliott painted two murals on the East and West sides of the Greene County Historical Museum in Jefferson, IA in 2024. For a full list of murals, visit Elliott's exhibitions page. Elliott has served as an artist in residence for TreeBed Design in Vallejo, CA in 2004 as well as Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA from 2005-2008. After creating art from his home for many years, Elliott moved to Jefferson, IA and opened Elliott Art Studio in 2023, which was later honored as a Senate Small Business of the Week in December 2024. |
|
2:20 - 3:20 p.m.
Session A: Marketing Tactics Outside of Social Media — Colleen Murphy There are many conversations about how to engage on social media, but how about outside of social media? Join this conversation around how to best present yourself on websites, getting the most out of newsletters, sharing partnership ideas, and out-of-the-box ways to make connections. |
|
|
|
2:20 - 3:20 p.m.
Session B: Strategic Business Development for Creatives — Stephen King Strategic business development is a practical, forward-looking approach to guiding growth and long-term success. This session walks through how to clarify goals, understand your strengths and market position, identify the right audiences and partners, and build a clear plan that connects vision to action. The focus is on moving beyond day-to-day operations to make smarter decisions, adapt to change, and position your creative business for sustained impact in the year ahead. |
|
About Stephen King:
Stephen King, originally from Houston, Texas, has devoted his career to the arts. Beginning in theatre as an actor, director, and manager, he transitioned to nonprofit arts administration and the festival industry in 1995. Since then, he has produced hundreds of cultural events and live music festivals, earning more than 375 industry awards from organizations including the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA). Before leading the Des Moines Arts Festival in 2011, Stephen directed the Downtown Events Group, producing the World Food Festival, Holiday Lights Des Moines, Skywalk Golf, and ImaginEve! He previously served as president/CEO of Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. in Virginia and directed festivals for Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., producing the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival. Stephen is Executive Director of Des Moines Arts Festival and ARTSwork, an active leader in the global industry, past chair of the IFEA World Board, co‑founder of ZAPPlication™, and a frequent conference contributor. |
|
3:40 - 4:40 p.m.
Session A: Mingle by Medium — lightly moderated by Jen Brockpahler Grab a snack and head to the table that sparks your interest. Pick the medium that suits you best, settle in, and enjoy connecting with others who share your creative passions. We’ll pose a few conversation starters, but mostly it’s a relaxed chance to chat, exchange ideas, and spark inspiration with fellow artists. Don’t worry if no table feels like a perfect fit, just choose a favorite. We promise the conversation will still be lively and engaging! |
|
|
3:40 - 4:40 p.m
Session B: Time Management for Creative Entrepreneurs — Sheri Benson & Leah Locke This session helps artists take control of their schedules by understanding their natural creative rhythms and structuring their work in a way that supports both artistic flow and business responsibilities. Participants will learn practical tools—like separating “maker time” from “manager time,” setting realistic priorities, and creating simple systems that reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. The workshop includes a hands-on activity where attendees map out their ideal weekly schedule, helping them leave with a personalized plan that boosts productivity without sacrificing creativity. |
|
About Sheri Benson:
Sheri Benson is a business counselor for Mid Iowa and ISU Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). She is a Certified Business Advisor (CBA), Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. As a small business counselor, Sheri consults one-on-one with small business owners on topics such as best practices, business planning, succession planning, exporting, finding capital. Prior to joining SBDC, she was very active in public board and nonprofit work. She gained extensive small business acumen while operating a small business herself and then coaching others. In her free time Sheri enjoys golfing, playing with grandchildren, jigsaw puzzles and reading a good book. About Leah Locke:
Leah Locke is the Regional Director for the Iowa State University office of America’s SBDC Iowa. Her role supports Boone, Story, Marshall and Hardin counties. As Regional Director, Leah serves as a resource and advocate for small business start-ups, by developing financial statements, business plans and financing applications; counseling businesses on hiring, training and motivating employees; advising clients on marketing materials including websites and publications; among other things. After graduating from Iowa State University, Leah spent 10+ years working for start-ups and small businesses in Ames, Iowa. In her free time, Leah enjoys spending time with her family, golfing, cooking, and walking her corgi. |
|
6 p.m.
Conference Social (location TBA) Take advantage of the opportunity to meet other conference attendees in a casual environment. More information on the location for the social will be posted soon. We hope to see you there! |
|
Saturday, March 7
8 - 9 a.m. Registration/Welcome Join us at Reiman Gardens in the Garden Room. Admittance to the Gardens is included in your registration fee. There will be snacks and coffee, but breakfast will not be provided. |
|
9 - 9:30 a.m.
Session A: Take a Seat: Chair Yoga for Everyone — Claire Krüesel Chair yoga really is for everyone—whether you've never tried yoga or you're an experienced practitioner, come experience this grounding approach to movement. We'll warm up for the day and open up space (both creative and mental!) through a guided sequence of yoga poses with options for modification and exploration. Expect to start slow and be invited into variations that let you customize your morning movement. (In other words, comfortable stretching is the default, but those seeking more challenge will find it). We'll end with a brief breathing exercise to balance brain hemispheres and leave you feeling centered. You don't need to bring anything but yourself; comfortable clothing helpful but not required. |
|
About Claire Krüesel:
Claire Krüesel has been practicing and teaching yoga since 2008 and is a 200-hour E-RYT through YogaFit. She currently teaches at Ignite Yoga in Ames. Before stepping onto a yoga mat for the first time, she couldn't touch her toes and was very disconnected from her body. She shares this fact hoping to encourage others—you don't need to be flexible to do yoga; that's what yoga is for! Claire’s practice started as a stress release during an intense loss and has extended benefit into every aspect of life: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical, allowing her to be more energetic and creative. Claire is also a musician, artist, program coordinator, and is dedicated to family. Yoga allows her to be more present in all these endeavors. It is a joy and honor to guide others into exploring the mind-body relationship—while having fun! |
|
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Keynote: One Good Bowl — Chad Elliott Chad’s pottery teacher was the head potter at a Zen dojo in Hawaii. He instructed his students to make one hundred bowls. Upon completion, they were asked to present their favorite one. Then, he directed them to throw it to the ground. Chad learned a valuable lesson that day: nothing is precious. Creativity is a way, not a destination. Whether it be writing a song, painting a painting, or throwing a ceramic bowl…the practice of making art is more important than the work of art itself. In this talk, Chad will share a variety of examples of how he stays inspired on a daily basis while not getting hung up on perfection and self-critique. |
|
About Chad Elliott:
Chad Elliott strives to create music and art that inspires, uplifts and moves his audience emotionally by relating life experiences through dream-like imagery. He is a graduate of Graceland University in Lamoni, IA with a Bachelor of Arts in ceramics and has since collected graduate credits from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. Early in his career, he was recognized for his artistic ability by being chosen as the “Best of Show” at the Iowa Student Artists Exhibit in 1995. In 2008 Elliott created the first-ever “People Project,” an ephemeral artwork for the organization ArtsLIVE during the University of Okoboji Winter Games in Okoboji, IA. During the Project he positioned 175 people on the ice of a frozen lake in the shape of a stylized turtle, which was photographed from an airplane. Elliott has an extensive list of mural work throughout Iowa and beyond. His mural work includes two 5 foot by 12 foot canvas paintings installed in 2012 in the Spencer Community Theatre. He also completed a 16 foot by 40 foot landscape mural in 2013 on the side of Mohr Lumber in Coon Rapids, IA to commemorate the town's sesquicentennial. In Pampa, TX, Elliott installed a mural titled "This Land is Your Land" at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center. In 2022 he painted "Catch of the Day," which was installed at Crouse Park in Sparta, NC. In recent work, Elliott painted two murals on the East and West sides of the Greene County Historical Museum in Jefferson, IA in 2024. For a full list of murals, visit Elliott's exhibitions page. Elliott has served as an artist in residence for TreeBed Design in Vallejo, CA in 2004 as well as Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA from 2005-2008. After creating art from his home for many years, Elliott moved to Jefferson, IA and opened Elliott Art Studio in 2023, which was later honored as a Senate Small Business of the Week in December 2024. |
|
10:50 - 11:50 a.m.
Session A: Successful Economic Development Involves the Arts — Deb Brown Economic development today is about more than recruiting a factory or chasing a single large employer. Progressive small towns are diversifying by creating opportunities that appeal to a wider range of people, including artists and makers. When visitors come to town, they look for experiences, participation, and a sense of place—and tourism naturally intersects with the arts. This session will outline specific, practical steps communities can take to support local creatives, leverage existing assets, and turn small art projects into meaningful economic wins. The focus will be on low-cost, high-impact ideas that participants can adapt immediately to their own towns. |
|
About Deb Brown:
Deb Brown's background is diverse and practical. She served as the Webster City, Iowa, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director for 4 years, holding certification from the Institute for Organization Management. The last 10 years Deb has worked in small towns helping them address rural challenges, including downtown rejuvenation, youth retention, marketing and promotion for small towns, and business development and economic growth. Deb knows that everyone in a small town matters, and their contributions, big or small, make success and revitalization happen. Attendees will leave with concrete examples, adaptable ideas, and an understanding of how art can be a catalyst for both economic and social change. |
|
10:50 - 11:50 a.m.
Session B: For Profit for the Community: Ethical Business Practices for Creatives — Kristin M. Roach Exploitation starts at home (or in your studio). Every artist is a micro business and at different points along our creative entrepreneurial path we make choices that support us and our community or exploit ourselves and our community. In this talk, local artist and business owner, Kristin M Roach, shares how to approach business in a way that is kind and curious for everyone involved. Learn how, as an individual artist, you create a positive impact without 501c3 status. |
|
About Kristin M. Roach:
Kristin M Roach is an artist, author, and co-owner of Little Woods Herbal. Kristin is a formally trained artist in oil painting and art history and takes an interdisciplinary approach in her studio, specializing in gouache painting, zine making, and woven forms. Her artwork and illustrations are collected internationally, including the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Sweden, and her book Mend it Better is distributed worldwide. Her project blog, Craft Leftovers, has inspired readers since 2006 to live life creatively with what’s on hand. Currently, she’s focused on Little Woods Herbal (founded 2013) and teaching sliding scale workshops on mending and zine making. Native to the Midwest, her and her family have called Ames home since 2008. |
|
Noon - 2 p.m.
Lunch and Craft Activity — Lindsay Wede Create trading cards that you can exchange with your peers. Create your own mini art with various materials provided. Feel free to bring some of your own materials too. You can draw, stamp, collage, and paint to create your own unique designs. Make more connections with others when you trade your work. |
|
About Lindsay Wede:
Lindsay Wede sees her world as a big adventure in art. She is in her 20th year of teaching and her 12th year of teaching art at Ames High School. Lindsay additionally models being a working artist as she runs Pinz Prints and has written, illustrated, and published 15 children’s books. She enjoys creating art and is enthusiastic about sharing that passion. Beyond teaching students about art techniques, mediums, and more, Lindsay strongly believes in showing kids how to use their art as a vehicle for making a difference in the lives of others. One of her favorite initiatives is connecting with the Hospice House to give students the opportunity to create portraits for patients and their families. Lindsay constantly seeks out ways like this for students to share their art with the community in meaningful ways. She wants them to be curious, creative, and conscientious. She helps them document their own growth and find artists to follow for their online art portfolios that they can continually build on for years to come. She strives to make an impact with the projects she does with students and wants them to see that there are so many things that they can do with their art. |
|
2 - 3 p.m.
Session A: Building an Audience — Jennifer Drinkwater Join Jennifer Drinkwater to explore how to creatively and effectively design strategies to build relationships with your audience. She will walk through a variety of digital and analog methods (beyond social media!) to find and connect with collectors and supporters of your work, no matter what stage career you are in. Participants will leave with personalized tactics that they can utilize immediately. |
|
About Jennifer Drinkwater:
Jennifer Drinkwater, a Mississippi native, is an assistant professor jointly appointed in the Department of Art and Visual Culture and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She holds a B.A. in studio art and anthropology from Tulane University and an M.F.A. in painting from East Carolina University. Her paintings have been exhibited nationally in juried and group shows, with solo exhibitions across the United States, and her work has appeared in Surface Design Journal, New American Paintings, and Studio Visit. Drinkwater explores how art moves beyond the studio to shape and strengthen communities. In recent years, she has collaborated on projects in Iowa, Mississippi, and Nebraska, including murals, prairie installations, knit‑bombing, theatre productions, and large‑scale public art events. |
|
2 - 3 p.m.
Session B: To Copyright or Not to Copyright — Marlan "LO" Dixon This presentation opens with an introduction to LO, highlighting his travels through the World of Art and offering a brief glimpse into his own artistic work. From there, he will transition into an exploration of copyright using the familiar framework of What, When, Who, Where, Why, and How. He explains what qualifies as a copyright, when someone should pursue one, who benefits from copyright protection, where to find and register copyrights, why they are important for creators, and finally how the process works. LO will share examples of a copyrights he personally owns before inviting the audience into an interactive question‑and‑answer session. Throughout the presentation, participants are encouraged to engage actively, asking questions and contributing to the conversation, making this a lively and participatory experience. |
|
About Marlan "LO" Dixon:
Marlan "LO" Dixon, JD, MS (Finance) is a LIFEE Consultant working through the Consulting Firm Dixon & Dixon, specializing in Legal, Insurance, Financial, Education, & Equity Information. "LO" originates from the Southside of Chicago, Altgeld Gardens housing project. He began his love for Art at an early age, where he used his education to prosper through the adversity of his upbringing to travel the world to better understand the World of Art. He has an extensive educational background, earning seven separate degrees. One to honor each of his mother’s children. His degrees are as follows: AAS Accounting 2008, AA Liberal Arts 2017, BS Psychology 2019, BA Criminal Justice 2019, MA Criminal Justice 2020, Juris Doctorate 2024, and MS Finance 2024. He resides in Cedar Rapids, IA, where he dabbles in art creation, but also collects art. |
|
3:20 - 4:20 p.m.
Session A: Iowa Arts Council Resources for Artists — Jennie Knoebel In this interactive workshop, Iowa Arts Council (IAC) staff will present an overview of current IAC grants and programs and will offer practical tips and advice for preparing a competitive application for grant funding. The session will be geared towards individual artists and creatives, though the content will also be relevant to artist-centered organizations. |
|
About Jennie Knoebel:
Jennie Knoebel has been with the Iowa Arts Council since 2016 in various capacities. During her tenure, she has overseen every grant program the agency has offered, and has created and led numerous statewide convenings, including the Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit and the Regional Arts Forums. Prior to working for the Iowa Arts Council, Jennie was the Executive Director of the Austin Area Arts in Austin, MN, where she managed a historic presenting theatre, launched a citywide annual arts festival, and built a new visual arts center. She also spent several years as the Communications Coordinator for the University of Minnesota Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. Jennie has a M.L.S. degree with a focus in Arts Administration from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in both Theatre Arts and Communication Studies from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. |
|
3:20 - 4:20 p.m.
Session B: Surprised by Art: How a Creative Practice Became a Business — Laurie Hoifeldt How did you begin creating? Have you been surprised by any part of your journey? I’ll share my story of how my creative work grew from something I did simply for enjoyment into a small but meaningful part of my life and work. I’ll talk about the moments that nudged me forward, the lessons I learned along the way, and the ways community, curiosity, and persistence shaped the path. My hope is to offer an honest look at what it can mean to follow your creative instincts—without a perfect plan—and to encourage you to explore where your own work might lead. |
|
About Laurie Hoifeldt:
Laurie Hoifeldt is a self-taught artist whose creative path began with informal painting evenings shared with friends as a way to relax and reconnect. What started as a simple creative outlet gradually grew into something more meaningful, shaped by curiosity, encouragement, and community. She is maybe best known for her paintings of Anders the Gnome and his companions, inspired by storytelling, nature, and Scandinavian folklore. Over time, her work expanded to include landscapes and wildlife, reflecting a deepening connection to place and observation. Collaboration has played an important role in her journey—from working with local photographers to sharing space and ideas with fellow makers. Laurie continues to share her art through local venues, community events, and online spaces. Her story is a reminder that creative paths don’t have to be planned to be meaningful—and that sometimes the most rewarding work grows from simply saying yes. |
|
4:20 - 4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks (both presentation locations) Thank you for being a part of 2026 Business of Art Conference. We hope to see you next year! |
|
Funding for the Business of Art Conference has been provided by Ames Reginal Economic Alliance (AREA) and the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA).
Thank you to our generous sponsors! |
