Well, that line about being into something good, less about that girl I met last week who held my hand.
Note to Herman: Less co-ed relationships more songs about positive career growth titled: Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good.
Frivolity aside, it's been a rather important day.
My networking is starting to pay off.
The one and only lecture today was given by a repeat guest lecturer, let's call him, Cheeky Charmer. He's about 55-60 and effuses charm without flattery. I think I could grow up to be him someday, minus the '70s slang and that whole being a male thing. (Quite happy with my working parts, thank you very much!) The lecture was on becoming an art dealer and all the shit one must put themselves through to get anywhere in the art world.
Some people found it horribly depressing. Some people have decided to quit after this. Afghan Hound jokingly said, 'I think now I will marry a rich man.' (But after hearing we will never be paid more than £19,000 a year on salary, well...) I looked over at Cocker Spaniel and she said, 'It's so sad. I feel really deflated.'
'Ah! But it's challenge. The odds are really not in our favour, but I find the idea fun.'
'Yea, me too! We should definitely open a gallery.'
There we go, 10 year plan sorted. Now...for those intermediary steps.
According to Cheeky Charmer, there are no set steps into the art world.
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck
So, this world that attracts crazy lovers of art, such as myself, is dog-eat-dog, poorly paid, and apparently impenetrable.
Great.
Ah-ha, a silver lining. Cheeky Charmer says, 'Now, this is not for people who don't like to talk. In my day we called it "knowing people" I think you call it "networking". Remember the people sat next to you are the ones whose addresses you'll need because while they aren't worth anything to you now, but in seven years time you might be making money off them and they will be making money off of you.'
My bloody point exactly.
Good thing I like to talk. Well, network I guess.
At the end of the lecture I heard a glimmer of an opportunity. Apparently Cheeky Charmer occasionally hires out students to do bits of research for him on his paintings, but only to ones who he thinks could help him, and if anyone thinks that they might be worth his while, he might give them a card at the end of the lecture.
Challenge: Set....
Well, the end of the lecture came around and I went up to the podium and started to talk. Not aimlessly mind you, but I put my networking or 'knowing people' skills to the test. Turns out we both know Mr. XXXX XXXXXXX and had a nice chat about him and his galleries as well as early 19th c. portraiture. I told him I'd be happy to do some research should he need any.
He handed me a card, I smiled. Asked my name and offered a handshake.
'Drop me an e-mail outlining what you just told me in about two lines and I'll see what I can do. Nice to talk with you.'
Cocker Spaniel had been watching and offered me a huge grin that I couldn't help but return.
Challenge: Met.
We scurried out of the classroom and Cocker Spaniel said, 'I think the assignments for the House Sale are up!'
There was a crowd around the board, and sure enough, there they were. I'd applied for the British Paintings department as a cataloguer. Christeby's Institute holds a mock auction run by students and it runs for 5 weeks and is worth 1/3 of our diploma mark. It's kinda a big deal.
I got my department and I looked through who else was with me.
Of course. The Voice.
Cocker Spaniel saw the look on my face, leaned in and whispered, 'But hey, apparently The Voice applied for departmental director and clearly didn't get it. Could be worse.'
As I imagined taking orders off The Voice for 5 weeks I shuddered, looked at Cocker Spaniel and said, 'Too true.'
And with things all happily in perspective, I couldn't help but be happy, business card, little networking success/opportunity, and lastly, The Voice wouldn't be bossing me about and making getting a good mark on that 1/3 of my degree ridiculously difficult.
phew! result.
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