At the intersection of craftivism and the world of campaign finance is Eve Jacobs-Carnahan. Eve is taking the historical practice of knitting circles and re-envisioning them as modern craftivist assemblies. While bringing artists together to craft the building blocks of a characteristic state capitol building, she’s also leading conversations about changing the role of money in election campaigns. But the impact that Eve is going to make with this work is going to extend far beyond the current election cycle, in fact, it has very little to do with it. 

Kicking off in early 2020, Knit Democracy Together combines interested organizations, knitting circles, and conversation about election finance reform. The result will be a 5 foot by 3 foot knitted sculpture of a state capitol building that Eve hopes to exhibit in multiple venues.

The pandemic has certainly had an effect on Eve’s plans, but it hasn’t stopped her. In our conversation, she shares details about reimagining in-person knitting circles, funding and exhibiting the project, and the art of knitting as a daring act of social activism. Eve explains the stereotypes that she has to push against when using a domestic handcraft to increase social activism and the goals she has for this unique and powerful project.

Highlights

• Eve shares the objectives and the vision behind Knit Democracy Together. (2:43)
• The effect of COVID-19 on Eve’s plan for in-person knitting circles. (7:11)
• How Eve found people to participate in the project. (10:26)
• Details about the yarn and the sculpture dimensions. (14:48)
• The campaign funding message that Eve is working to increase awareness about. (17:26)
• Funding the project and what Eve learned from each declined request. (25:07)
• Questions surrounding the exhibition stage of the project.  (27:07)
• Understanding knitting as a daring act of social activism. (28:37)
• How Eve is leading a group project while remaining politically neutral. (32:27)
• Collaborating in a community project just might mean letting go of total control. (34:33)
• Steps that will move the Knit Democracy Together project to the next level. (41:10)

Mentioned

• Knit Democracy Together
• Art Biz Success Community
• Katharine Cobey
• Cat Mazza’s Nike Blanket Petition
• Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
• Eve Jacobs-Carnahan on Instagram

Resources

• Art Biz Success
• Intro and outro music provided by Wildermiss

Quotes

• “People are cynical about elections, but there are ways to improve the system rather than throwing the whole thing out.”
• “We are a community made up of all these different people, but together we can do something bigger.”
• “The goal of all of this is to get people to care more and be able to participate in the election process more than before.”
• “A lot of knitted art is activist art.  It’s a tool for social action.”
• “You have to push against stereotypes when you use any textile art, especially with knitting.”

About My Guest

Eve Jacobs-Carnahan makes knitted sculpture. Using the comforting qualities of knitting she explores human interactions with nature, democracy, and society. 

Eve’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, receiving regional and national awards. Her work appears in Lela Nargi’s survey of knitted art, Astounding Knits! 101 Spectacular Knitted Creations and Daring Feats. She loves the notion of knitting as a daring act. When not engaged in such audacious pursuits, she can be found digging in her garden or cross-country skiing through the woods. Both activities put her in touch with the plants and birds that appear in her sculptures.

Eve majored in history at Swarthmore College, and knit several sweaters along the way. While earning a law degree at the University of Chicago she could often be found taking a study break at the Art Institute of Chicago. She lives in Vermont.

I'm not crazy about the word "pitch" but I'm going with it. I use it in the sense that you are making an argument for something. You're making an argument that I should pay attention to who you are and the art you make.

I'm more likely to pay attention to your art if you have a compelling story than if you ask me to buy, buy, buy.

What I share in this special bonus episode will not only help you get on the Art Biz Podcast, but will also serve you when you pitch to other podcasts, bloggers, writers, and publications.

The more interviews you do and the more experience you get, the better you become at telling your story. You will also grow your audience and maybe even sell some art or attract new students and social media followers. You never know who is listening.

5 STEPS FOR PITCHING YOUR STORY TO THIS PODCAST

1. Listen to the podcast. Remember I am looking for visual artists who have a dedicated studio practice and a business lesson to share.
2. Research. Show me that you know who I am and what I’m trying to do here.
3. Get clear on the business lesson you have to share with my listeners. Make it easy for me to envision the story and say Yes.
4. If you have been a guest on other podcasts or shared your story in a video, share that link with me.
5. I’ve made it easy for you. There’s a form to complete on this page. https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/

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This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.

All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.

In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.

Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com

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Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com

Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 63).

CONNECT WITH ALYSON

Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess #ArtBizNow

Fun isn't a word used very often when we think of marketing or business tasks. Still, it's one of the criteria I suggest considering when you're thinking about whether to add something to your busy schedule.

When lockdown started, Brooke Harker threw her fears about doing live video out the window and created Saturday Night Live Art Shows—because she thought it would be fun. It started with just her, but quickly grew to a core of regular artists, with new ones added each week.

I wanted to talk with her about it because these weekly events are open to any artist who wants to show off their art or, perhaps, the art that you collect. In fact, as you'll learn, the rules are, well, ... What rules? This could be a great way for you to connect, practice your video (because imperfections are encouraged), and maybe even sell some art.

Brooke Harker is a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, California. Her lively paintings of cities and coastal scenes are characterized by energetic brushstrokes in ink and thick oil paint applied with palette knives. These vibrant depictions of daily life capture a sense of motion and highlight moments of synchronicity.

Harker calls herself a historian of the ordinary. Her paintings are a collaboration with all of the people who’ve contributed to a place over time: architects, engineers, city workers who’ve placed street signs and pedestrians whose colorful fashion landed in view at the perfect moment. All of their individual actions brought together one moment, fated to be captured on canvas. Follow Brooke on Instagram: @brookeharker.

Read more about the Saturday Night Live Art Shows and how you can participate. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.

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This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.

All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.

In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.

Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com

---

Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com

Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 62).

Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield

Facebook @ArtBizSuccess

#ArtBizSuccess

If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!