Some children grow up wanting to be firefighters, cops, or astronauts. Others dream of becoming lawyers, teachers, or singers. Few ever aspire to be writers, but for some, like Rhonda Cox, an aspiring poet, that dream still lives on today. Inspired by poets like Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman, Cox continues struggling to make her dream a reality.
“When I was young, I wanted to be a writer, but I never really pursued my dream as much as I should have,” said Cox. “Now, I’m trying as hard as I can but it’s not easy getting other people to accept and love my work.”
Regardless of how talented writers, painters, or musicians may be, few ever make it to the top, especially, to the national or international level. For many artists, local platforms are the only salvation.
At the Douglaston Village Arts festival, held on Sunday, October 25, 2009, more than fifty, mostly local, artists assembled to showcase and sell their works of art. “Our main goal was to have people making handmade, original pieces of art— something produced by their hands, and not a mass manufactured item,” said Carol Panagi, Chairwoman of the Planning Committee. The Committee clearly achieved their objective: on display were the artworks of quilters, mosaic artists, jewelers, painters, and photographers. An eclectic array of performers such as rock bands, dance troupes, and poets displayed their talents as well.
News of the festival spread swiftly throughout the local artistic community by word of mouth and fliers. Announcements via newspapers and the internet quickly attracted the attention of eager, out-of-town artists. The torrent of applications that poured in was both overwhelming and surprising for the Planning Committee. “We couldn’t believe our eyes. I mean, we didn’t expect so many artists to apply so fast, within a couple of days after we made official announcements for the festival,” exclaimed Karin Von Schmeling, a member of the Committee and the local resident who came up with the idea for the festival.
Without a doubt, artists are seizing at the opportunity of exhibiting their talents in any and all platforms that could offer them exposure, even minimal ones at that. “One of the reasons I came down here is because not enough people come to my studio in Huntington for my services and for my products,” said Jack Roman, a versatile professional photographer, jeweler, and sculptor. “I know that going to a local festival won’t give me much publicity, but hey, it’s better than nothing.”
At the festival, Roman promoted his photography services through posters and fliers. By his table, he sold graphic-tees for 25 dollars and sterling silver necklaces for 200 dollars. One necklace, which he named “Dark Guardian” for its bat-like design, garnered particular attention from gawking teens. But like many artists, marketing products effectively has been a constant losing battle in his professional career. Roman’s necklaces appeal most strongly to teenagers, but the majority of them cannot afford or are reluctant to pay for jewelry marked in the hundreds.
“It’s always been hard doing business as an artist. In the past, I made a lot of bad marketing choices and business choices, so I had a huge debt,” said Roman. “Now, after fifteen years, I’ve paid it all back but because of that, I’m a lot more cautious about how I use the money I earn.” For artists, materials and instruments used to create their artwork are financially burdensome as well. Whether they are drawing tools, camera equipment, or musical instruments, often, they require constant care and/or replenishing. So what are his future plans? With a chuckle, he said, “Make necklaces using cheaper metals, of course.”
For some, their dreams to become professional artists still prevail over the risks of the occupation. “I work for the Working Families Party, and it’s a job I enjoy very much, but it’s not my dream job. I want to get my poems published, sold, and read,” said Rhonda Cox. At the festival, Cox read aloud her poem, “Awesome Autumn,” and immediately began directing listeners to her table, which she shared with her mother, Shirley Cox, a mosaic artist, and Charlene Stinson, a quilter.
A poet for eighteen years, Cox struggles daily to earn recognition for her work. Her latest efforts, which began in 2000, are promoting the reading of her poem, “The Canyon of Heroes,” at the NYC Ticker-Tape parades. “I’ve been having conversations with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, telling them about the poem. I’ve tried mailing, emailing, and talking to them on the phone constantly, but every time, my poem is rejected nonetheless,” said Cox. For now, Cox continues searching for a manager and publicist to promote her career as a professional poet. To this, her mother scoffed and said, “You think it’s easy? I’m not stopping you from your dream, but you have to face the realities— you think you could live off of poems?”
For artists, the biggest question is whether to give up or keep trying. But, for many, the answer is quite simple. “Keep trying, of course,” said Cox.