The Art Biz20 Nov 2025

Artist Friendships that Lead to Collaborative Exhibitions and Opportunities (249)

host: Alyson Stanfield

Alicia Bailey and Melinda Laz are part of a four-artist collaborative group in Denver that's been working together for years because it's made them better artists.

In this conversation, they share the practical realities of collaboration: the systems that keep things organized, the communication that prevents problems, and the trust that makes it all possible.

If you've ever wondered whether working with other artists is worth the effort, this episode will show you what's possible when you get it right.

🔦HIGHLIGHTS

01:50 How their friendship evolved into collaboration over 25 years

04:10 The early collaborative work between Alicia and Melinda

05:30 Expanding from a duo to a four-artist collaboration with Catherine Chauvin and Sharon Strasburg

08:30 Why they choose loose collaboration over a more formalized collective

10:40 Drafting proposals together without ego

13:20 Choosing "Perseverance" as their theme to allow broad interpretation

16:10 The systems they use to stay organized and on track

18:00 Why one person serves as the point of contact with galleries

20:40 The importance of going to lunch and doing studio visits

25:40 Learning when to say no to opportunities that don't align

36:20 Communication, clear expectations, and getting everything on the table

40:20 Keeping ego in check while maintaining leadership

🏃THE ARTISTS' ACTION FOR YOU

Go to openings and talk to other artists, especially those whose work you feel a resonance with. Go view art even if it's not an opening, then dig deeper by looking at artists' websites or social media pages to learn about the community right in your backyard. Don't be afraid to reach out—send that Instagram message, ask for coffee, introduce yourself at the opening. Artists want to talk to other artists and form community.

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/friendships-collaborations

⭐️ Connect with the artists: https://aliciabailey.com and https://melindalaz.com

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Interested in collaboration? Check out these episodes:

Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show's Impact with Jill Powers (ep. 27)

Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64)

Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (ep. 86)

A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (ep. 183)

🔶 Community can support your journey in so many ways. We have that kind of community in Essentials for Artist Success. While there are plenty of lessons in our vault—including our current focus on The Artist's Annual Review and planning work we'll dig into in January—our real emphasis is on action and progress. We're here to help you move forward without getting bogged down in more information than you need. Find all the details at artbizsuccess.com/essentials

⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.

~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~

This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/

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