Meet Rachel Wilkins of Conception Arts in DTLA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Wilkins.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I founded Conception Arts in 2011 with my partner Jennifer Blum. I had taken the leap from the corporate world to pursue a life-long passion for creating art. I soon discovered that there were very few opportunities for artists like myself who did not have the ‘right’ training, resume, or insider connections. I was turned away from galleries and felt defeated. I decided to do something about it, to try to change the landscape for artists like myself. Jen and I got to work and created a nurturing platform where artists could feel valued. One where they could not only connect with their peers but also learn entrepreneurial skills and exhibit their work in a supportive environment. I wanted them to know that they and their work mattered.

Like any start-up, we had our struggles during those first few years. We put in a whole lot of sweat equity, working long days for very little return but eventually our platform and our in-person exhibits began to grow, artists began to sell their work, careers were validated and the clients get coming back., I had admired the surge of creativity that had been bubbling on the West Coast and was inspired by the energy and vibrancy of the artwork. It was a no-brainer that we would start to reach out to the community here. Our upcoming event on February 8th will be our seventh show in LA, we continue to be inspired by the people that have become a part of our community today, they remind us why we work hard to make this business what it is today.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted, there have been many challenges along the way that have tested us.

We have bootstrapped our business from day one and have yet to bring in any investors. Creating something from nothing without capital came with an array of challenges, we both continued to work full-time jobs while spending our evenings pouring our energy, and money, into creating something we were both proud of. While this has allowed us to remain true to our vision for the business it has been a struggle at times. Being financially independent is great when the money is coming in but when cash flow is slow it can be very stressful.

As a woman-owned and operated business, we have, like many female entrepreneurs, felt the lash of sexism on more occasions than we would care to mention. This has inspired us to work harder and smarter. It inspired us to produce an event during Miami’s Art Week that focused primarily on art by women and minorities. Advocating for women and minorities in the arts is something we continue to be passionate about.

For all the daily challenges that come with owning and operating a business, there is no better reward than seeing your vision come to fruition. Seeing an artist make a sale or tell us that our event changed their life and validated them as an artist, there is truly no better feeling than that. The challenges and struggles make you appreciate the smooth roads and small wins tenfold. My mantra, “If it were easy, everyone would do it”

Conception Arts – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Conception is a global movement: one that is not just trying to make a difference for each artist, but also for the community at large. Our mission is to reshape and reenergize artistic communities around the world. To inspire ideas, provide a greenhouse for creativity and to nurture and mentor the creative groundbreakers of tomorrow.

We are known for our one-night “pop-up” events that bring together artists, art lovers and creative entrepreneurs for an evening of creativity, inspiration, entertainment, and networking.

At Conception, we work tirelessly to put artists in front of those who value and appreciate art. It is the cornerstone of our business as an arts-based company. We take this mission very seriously and invest all of our energy into making this promise a reality.

I am most proud of our team of dedicated staff that works diligently to provide our community of artists with opportunities and support. What sets us apart from others is our shared passion for this community; the people that make this business churn. Our team takes the time to get to know our artists, we ask questions and the artists appreciate that. They help us to become better. I feel that personal connection goes a long way in giving us an edge over any potential competitors.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Seeing the company grow and be embraced by communities countrywide. Meeting and connecting with individuals and hearing their stories face-to-face. The personal stories are what inspire me and make me proud. A young woman that was once homeless exhibited her beautiful metal works at our show and told us we inspired her to follow her dreams to be a professional artist. She now creates and sells her beautiful sculptures for a living. An Afghanistan veteran who exhibits his stunning photography and finds peace from his PTSD when he participates in our shows. These are the stories that inspire me every day and make me most proud of what we are doing here at Conception.

Pricing:

• $20 Ticket Price to attend an event. Includes complimentary and locally sourced appetizer hour, live music and commission free art!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.conceptionarts.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @conceptionartshow
• Facebook: @conceptionartshow
• Twitter: @conceptionnyc

Image Credit:
Conception Arts

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