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Registration is open Now!
April 25, 2026
At the Franklin County Visitors Bureau
15 South Main Street
Chambersburg, PA 17202

The Foundry Art Market is right around the corner at 54 Lincoln Way West

  • YES! I want to register for The Business of Art

    $35.00 Early Bird (received by March 31, 2026)

    $45.00 (received after April 1, 2026)

    Registration includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch by the Carving Board of Chambersurg - Turkey, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
    Your choice of 3 options for each of 3 Breakout sessions

    Register online at foundryartmarket.com

    What to Expect

    Networking
    Working as an artist can be isolating. It is important to connect with other artists, makers and arts organizations to create a sense of community. This one-day conference will give you opportunities to learn and grow.

    Inspiration
    Art is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. This conference provides the inspiration you need to move your artistic life to the next level—whatever that means to you.

    Practical & Useful Knowledge
    Your creative journey can grow into a business with knowledge and expertise. This conference will help you add practical knowledge to your creative toolbox.

    Motivation
    Artist block can be a debilitating inhibitor to your creative journey. Sometimes all it takes is immersing yourself in a refreshing environment to kick your creative self into high gear. To quote Picasso, “Inspiration must find you working.”

  • Keynote Speaker

    Sarah Merritt
    Senior Director of Community Development for the Pennsylvania Creative Industries

    Sarah Merritt is an artist, curator, connector, advocate, community leader and seasoned arts administrator who serves as the Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ Senior Director of Community Development. Her career spans nonprofit leadership, education, small business ownership, and work in both residential and commercial real estate.

    The projects funded by the program Sarah leads have a positive impact on their respective communities, integrating art, local creative sector assets, community culture and identity, and design, to transform community spaces into vibrant, inclusive, accessible, and engaging places that foster community connectedness and livability.

    She holds a BA in Art History from the University of Maryland, an MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University, and a Professional Certificate in Community and Economic Development from NeighborWorks America.

    A passionate advocate for community engagement and creative placemaking, Sarah brings an interdisciplinary perspective to every project she leads.
    Outside of work, she enjoys painting, cooking, reading, gardening, hiking, kayaking, and traveling. She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with her husband, Jeff, their son, Ian, and a lively household of two dogs and two cats.

  • Franklin County Visitors Bureau 15 S Main St, Chambersburg, PA 17201

    Schedule

    Location: Franklin County Visitors Bureau 15 S Main St, Chambersburg, PA 17201

    8-9 am Registration
    8-9 am Breakfast/Networking in Ballroom
    9-9:15 am Welcome and Logistics
    9:30-10:15 am Breakout sessions in various locations
    10:15-10:30am Vendor/Networking in Ballroom
    10:30-11:15 am Breakout sessions in various locations
    11:30 am-12:15 pm Breakout sessions in various locations
    12:15-12:30 pm Vendor/Networking in Ballroom
    12:30-1:30 pm Lunch/Networking Time/Vendors
    1:45-2:15 p Keynote Speaker Sarah Merritt in Ballroom
    2:15-2:45 pm Wrap-up/Outcomes/DOOR PRIZES in Ballroom
    2:45-3 pm Vendor/Networking in Ballroom
    3 pm Visit the Foundry Art Market

Breakout sessions.

  • Navigating the Threats of AI

    Arbria Danato
    Gallery Director Carlisle Learning Arts Center CALC

    AI has become unavoidable over the past few years. It's built into many of the programs and tools we use as artist to create, promote and publicize our work. Our relationship to this new technology is a complicated one. AI image generation has been trained on our art without our consent and is taking jobs from artists across many sectors. In this talk we will explore the broader effects of AI on culture, the environment, and the economy, how AI is affecting artists, and how to protect your work from being used to train AI without your consent. 

  • Get Framed: Howard’s Art & Frames

    Howard’s Art & Frames
    1256 Dual Hwy, Hagerstown Maryland
    howardsarts.com

    This presentation is meant to educate artists on the best methods, tools, and supplies for framing your artwork. You will be given tips on things to consider before creating your artwork that will help you save money when it’s time to frame your piece. Everyone will be shown the proper methods for framing and mounting their artworks on paper, canvas, board, etc. along with some dos and don’ts that apply to different substrates and mediums. In-person visuals of products and mounting techniques will be shown and take-home fliers will be provided. 

    Sarah Kersting is the 4th owner and operator of Howard’s Art & Frames, which was established in 1941. She has been custom framing for 16 years, was trained by a Master Certified Picture Framer, and has taken many courses to further her knowledge of framing and preservation techniques. Sarah also has her bachelor’s degree in Photography.

  • The Nitty Gritty Business of Art

    Michelle Leveque, Leveque Intellectual Property Law, P.C.

    http://www.levequeip.com/

    Topics in intellectual property law for the artist: best practices for protecting your name and business name, copyright practices for art and social media, and how to avoid unintentional intellectual property infringement.

  • Picture This: Photographing Your Art

    Becky Wright
    Videography & Photography

    Whether it is for social media, a website, or an application for a gallery, you will need to take photographs of your artwork. Learn techniques for enhancing your photos as well as pitfalls to avoid in making sure your images are a good representation of your artwork.

  • Do the Hustle… of Self-Promotion Panel discussion

    Kate Keely - Shippensburg University
    Arbria Danato - Carlisle Learning Center
    Andrea Finch - The Foundry Art Market

    How to present your work to galleries, juried exhibitions and more. Working through the process of entering shows, co-ops, diversifying, and getting your work seen. A conversation between a gallery director, co-op manager, exhibition artist, college professor and you, our audience. There will be an opportunity for you to ask your questions.

  • Social Media Starter Pack

    The Foundry Marketing Team

    2 sessions

    A mini Social Media Bootcamp

    Do you find social media mystifying? We want to help figure it out!

    You will have a chance to get the answers you need. Sit at the table with the subject that interests you. Bring your phone, laptop or phone. We suggest you sign up for Facebook & Instagram, download the apps, don't know how? We will have someone to help with that too.


  • Overcoming Creative Blocks

    Linda Gottfried, Yellow Door Studio

    If you have ever felt stuck, or uninspired, this is the workshop for you. A self-guided exploration into “stuckness” will help lead you toward a more creative heart and mind and get your creative juices flowing again.

  • The Healing Power of Creating Art

    Susan Shaffer
    Owner, Joyful Arts Studio

    Come enjoy a fun hands-on creative experience! Learn how we can use the creative process in less than one hour to improve our physical health.