While writing is an essential skill for all arts professionals, those working in the field of visual art face particular challenges. The art space has its own distinctive language. Materials and methods can be complex to describe, while ideas and concepts might not be familiar to the general public. What are the essential qualities of the artist and the art to share with the reader, and how can a writer organize and express them?

Robin Cembalest, former editor of ARTnews and longtime mentor and coach, has taught generations of arts professionals to communicate effectively. In this workshop, she will share templates, building blocks, and best practices for crafting descriptions, chronicling process, and explaining context and meaning in clear, accessible language. Participants will come away empowered to improve their writing skills across all platforms.

In the first part of the workshop, Cembalest offers a brief overview of the types of art writing, as well as an action plan for getting started. In the second half, the group will participate in a collective writing exercise.