AOCA Workshops
We have developed a curriculum of workshops made available to the public with the intention of preparing prospective artists to participate in our fellowship program. Additionally, these workshops have been made public to ensure accessibility to knowledge and a fair opportunity for professional development. All workshops are free. Registration is strongly encouraged.
September Workshop: Marketing, Networking, and Presentation
📧 Email Marketing with Trudi Lebron
Learn how to use email as a tool to stay connected with your audience, promote your work, and build relationships beyond social media.
🤝 In-Person Networking with Jeanette Darden
Explore practical ways to make meaningful connections, introduce yourself and your work, and navigate networking spaces with greater confidence.
🎤 Presenting Your Work with Andre Rochester
Learn how to talk about your creative practice, communicate the value of your work, and present yourself professionally when opportunities arise.
The workshop is open to artists and creatives looking to strengthen the professional side of their practice while connecting with others in Connecticut's creative community.
To enhance the practices of homegrown artists, community seminars and master classes are provided on subjects such as artist branding, social media marketing, intellectual property, cultivating donors and customers, and arts accounting. In addition, guest presenters have taught master classes on identity, filming, balancing personal and professional life, screen writing, and finding the right agent. Our past speakers are listed below.
Janet Davenport
Press Training/Media Readiness Consultant
Leslie Gomez
LMG Photography/Branding Solutions
J. Richard Byrd
Brand Architect
Atty James L. Walker Jr., Esq.
Intellectual Property and Contracts Lawyer
Samira Wiley
(Handmaid’s Tale, Orange is The New Black)
SlimWav
Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Musical Director
Deon Kipping
Renowned Gospel Singer/Songwriter
Floyd Green
Philanthropist
Joe Young
Animator, Cartoonist, Filmmaker
Franco Lacosta
Fashion Designer
Marie Perez Brown, Esq
Corporate Creative
Adrienne Lopez
Producer/Talent Booker, Tamron Hall Show
Andre Keitt
Master Storyteller/Griot
Pamela Gordinier
Fine Artist / Activist
Christopher Brown
Filmmaker
Olivia “Fiyabomb” Nguyen
Fine Artist
Eva Forde
Financial Coach
Kim Weston
Photographer
Liz Bullard
Author, Therapist, Artist Coach
Jeannette Dardenne
Business Development and Marketing Expert
Tamara Brown
Tax Professional
Petra-Ann Brown
Financial Educator