In 2006, Jon Rappleye, a visiting artist from New Jersey, was in residency at the Salina Art Center. During this time, he came to the art department at Kansas Wesleyan University to engage in discussions about his practice as an artist.

During his visit, I asked him about his ability to function as a full-time artist and what it takes to maintain a practice. One of the first things he said was, “Well, I learned early that I couldn’t sustain myself if I stayed in New York and New Jersey.” After decades of hearing artists’ desire to relocate to Jon’s neighborhood in order to ‘be successful,’ it was enlightening to hear that a great location may not be the most important part of success.

Over the years, I have heard from numerous local and disgruntled visual artists who were disappointed that the Art Center didn’t give them more opportunities to exhibit their work. I would often explain that the Art Center’s mission isn’t to be a local gallery but to explore a broad range of contemporary art, and they should consider other exhibition spaces.

While being valued and respected as an artist in your community is important, don’t make the mistake of thinking your town will sustain you as a professional artist. At the peak of my creative career, I traveled to seventeen festivals each year, had artwork in ten galleries, conducted numerous winter artist-in-residencies, and taught ceramics classes locally.

Every artist must forge their own path to success and sustainability. Build your network of support, utilize the professional resources that are available, and don’t take no for a final answer. There are opportunities just around the corner.