Professional Practices for Artists
The no-nonsense guide to building the creative career you’ve always wanted.
Feeling a bit lost about how to build a sustainable creative career? Trust me, I’ve been there.
When I graduated from art school (both times!) I had no idea how to go about actually making a living. Sure, I knew how to make my work and talk about it, but navigating social media, creating websites, setting up a studio, working with galleries, and pricing my work? I had to figure that out on my own. So much of what I know and what I do as a full-time professional maker and potter has been learned by trial and lots of error (LOTS of it).
✅ Not sure how to promote yourself and get your work out there?
✅ Hitting a wall with your artist statement?
✅ Looking for tips on working with galleries or applying for grants?
✅ Or maybe you just want some real-world advice about pricing your work so you can actually make money?
If you're nodding along — this course is for you.
Enrollment closes April 3rd.
What's This All About?
Professional Practices is a comprehensive, no-nonsense course that teaches you all the things I wish I'd known when I first started out as a full-time artist. I wish I could say that I learned the business side of being an artist in art school, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. That’s why I created this course.
In this go-at-your-own-pace course, you'll get a crash course on how to build a career as a maker and present yourself and your work to the world. No vague "follow your dreams" nonsense — just practical, actionable advice from someone who's been in your shoes.
Because I don't know about you, but I make better pots when I'm fed well.
"Naomi! I have great news! In your Professional Practices Bootcamp, you pushed me to apply for a grant to cover a residency I'd been invited to abroad. I got the news today that it has been accepted. I'm shocked! After I finished dancing around the house, I told my husband and then phoned my parents to inform them I am a Real Artist now. Thank you for that shove in the right direction!" — L. Larose
What You'll Learn:
- My Top 10 Professional Tips
- Email Marketing For Makers: Own Your Audience — NEW!
- How to navigate social media as an artist (and figure out who your market actually is) — UPDATED!
- Websites 101 — what you need, what you don't, and how to make it work for you
- Setting artistic goals that actually matter
- The professional documents every artist needs (and how to write them without wanting to throw your computer across the room)
- Writing artist statements that don't sound like pretentious garbage
- Photographing Your Work For The Internet with Rebecca Ickes Carra — NEW!
- Pricing work (the part that makes everyone uncomfortable)
- Communicating Value — NEW!
- Time management (we've got to wear a LOT of hats y'all)
- The basics of writing grants and applying for professional opportunities
- Working with galleries and applying to shows without feeling totally awkward
- Nitty-Gritty Money & Business Details you need to know — NEW!
- General professional do's and don'ts (save yourself some face-palm moments)
- And more!
Plus These Kick-Ass Bonuses:
- Live Q&A Session — Get your specific questions answered and workshop your artist statement with me in real-time
- Resource Vault — Full of places to find opportunities and links to resources I've found helpful in my career
- "To MFA, or not to MFA?" — A no-holds-barred lesson on the age-old question
Gallery Owner Conversation — A candid chat about the do's and don'ts when working with a gallery - Pricing Perspectives Workshop recording with Sarah Pike, Kala Stein, & me, Naomi Clement
- My Packing & Shipping Pottery Course — Because figuring this out the hard way just plain sucks
What Real Students Are Saying:
"When I took Naomi's Professional Practices course in 2021, I was at a crossroads with my ceramic career: I was looking for professional feedback to refine my work, and ways to better present it to the general public. Fast forward two years later, my work and ceramic career have grown by leaps and bounds since taking this course -- I have been accepted in prestigious residencies and it gave me confidence to put my work out into the world. Thank you Naomi!" — Y. Braha
"Thank you for being truly inclusive, for making space for all of us to be here, the art school grads and not, the full-time and not, alike. I'm really grateful that you've taken so much time, collated so many incredible resources, to put this course together. It's exceptional and I'm so grateful." — N. Knoble, 2024
"The Professional Practices course provided so much valuable information that was presented in a very comfortable format. Using the tips and techniques from this course, I was accepted into a curated exhibit for our local guild's 50th Anniversary celebration. I had never imagined applying for an exhibition before I took this course, and I applied to this one for practice. I was shocked when I was accepted!" — J. Scott
The Details:
Format: Go-at-your-own-pace virtual course with 1 year of access
Live Q&A Session: April 30th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm EST
Can't make the Live Q&A session? The Q&A session will be recorded, and uploaded to the course dashboard for you to view. If you have questions that you’d like to ask, but can’t make the live session, there is a spot in the course dashboard where you can submit your questions in advance.
Is This Course For You?
Professional Practices is perfect for you if:
✅ You're overwhelmed by the business side of being a maker
✅ You're tired of piecing together random advice from YouTube videos and Instagram posts
✅ You want to present yourself professionally without losing your authentic voice
✅ You're looking to make actual money from your work (without the "starving artist" narrative)
✅ You want practical, tested advice from someone who's been there and done that
Ready to Build Your Creative Career? Enrollment closes April 3rd.
About The Instructor
Hi, I’m Naomi Clement, I’m a ceramic artist, teacher, and creative entrepreneur. I’ve been working in clay for over 22 years, and I’ve taught workshops and exhibited my work all across Canada and the US. I have my BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, and my MFA in Ceramics from Louisiana State University.
When I graduated from art school (both times!) I had no idea how to go about actually being a professional artist and making a living. Sure, I knew how to make my work and talk about it, but navigating social media, creating websites, setting up a studio, working with galleries, and pricing my work? I had to figure that out on my own. So much of what I know and what I do as a full-time professional artist has been learned by trial and lots of error (LOTS of it).
I teach classes like this to share all my hard-won professional experience with folks, and help make things a little easier for y'all.
This is the class that I wish I could have taken when I was first starting out!
How do I access the recording and other course materials?
Once you register for the workshop, you’ll get all the info on how to access the course delivered right to your inbox within about 15 min. You will need to create a login password within Naomi’s e-learning platform, Thinkific. Please save that information in your browser, so that you can easily access the course materials whenever you like.
How long do I have access to this course?
You’ll have access to this course for 1 year from the date of purchase. You can watch it as much as you like during that time, and on any devices you own!
How does it work?
This is a virtual workshop, simply purchase it in the shop! After that, check your inbox for an email from my virtual platform, Naomi’s School, with a link to login to your new account and access the course. The zoom link to the live class will be in your student dashboard, along with any other course materials.
Note: if you have previously purchased workshops through my website, the new course will be added to your existing student dashboard. Simply login there to access the new course.
Refunds
Due to the digital nature of this product we don’t offer refunds.
" Naomi has such a relaxed and down-to-earth approach to teaching and is VERY generous with all she share. Love her workshops! I have attended two so far and look forward to more. Naomi is an EXCELLENT teacher! I've learned so much from her! "
“ I have taken two workshops with Naomi and I learned so much at both! She is so patient and open with information and tips, which makes her so approachable for students and people learning. After those two workshops I would definitely take another workshop with Naomi! ”
“ I took your surface decoration workshop awhile back and just wanted to thank you!! I’ve been stuck on a project for too long—your workshop was very inspiring and really helped me focus on simplifying my idea. ”
“ Great workshop again today. It was just what I needed. I'm motivated to get in the studio and dive in again – thank you! ”
" I've taken 3 virtual workshops so far from Naomi Clement, and each one gives me such inspiration! I find myself watching more than once, taking copious notes, and so totally engaged that I'm amazed 2 hours can go by so quickly! "
" Naomi is clear, concise, and very willing to answer all questions during the demo. I've asked Naomi questions post-workshop and she is incredibly responsive and kind. I really hope one day to take an in-person workshop from Naomi, but for now I will settle for online and look forward to more..."
