Name: Susie Frazier Art

Contact info: P.O. Box 771273, Cleveland, OH, 44107, 216-926-7382

Email: fraz@susiefrazierart.com

Website: www.susiefrazierart.com

Year started: Believe it or not, I began selling my freelance art services when I was 15 years old, in 1985. Between my hours at school, I was hired to do everything from calligraphy on custom stationery, to logo designs for small businesses, to hand-made decorations for special events. When I went to college, my clients became fraternities and sororities that wanted my illustrations placed on t-shirts for all their date parties. After college, I helped launch the Ohio-based J. Marco gift catalog, by performing the layout, design and copywriting for the first few issues. In 1997, I set out to design my own product line of hand-made gifts made out of old slate roofing tile from Cleveland buildings. By 1999, my line of art products was in 60 fine craft galleries from coast to coast. Unfortunately, I became ill from having stone dust molecules seep into my skin on a daily basis, so I explored new work with organic materials rather than geological ones. Seeing so many Downtown retailers around me struggle to survive, I turned my attention in 2002 to launching a city-wide marketing program called Sparx in the City, which went on to generate over $5 million in economic impact and raised national awareness for the artistic experience that can be found in Downtown Cleveland's ecclectic entertainment districts.

COSE Member since: My original membership began in 1998 under my previous company name, Set in Stone, LLC. Once I was married in 2000, I transfered over to my husband's membership. I've now rejoined in 2007 as part of the Arts Network.

Type of work: Today, my business operates along two fronts. As an environmental artist, I produce contemporary art for interiors using organic objects found in nature. As an arts consultant, I provide a range of services including entrepreneurial training, program development, public art design, exhibit planning, marketing and communications, and educational lectures.

Benefits of membership: When I joined ten years ago, it was because of the health care benefits and the assistance with being able to process credit cards. As an arts entrepreneur that was especially important, as I participated in festivals and other mobile retail environments. Today, I'm thrilled to see the priority that has been placed on serving the wide range of arts entrpreneurs by offering even more benefits like freight discounts, business space, and conferences that connects my sector to other industries.

About: Over the years, I've learned that when I offer my skillsets to the gaps where the greatest need exists, new opportunities for growth tend to emerge.

Connect: There are always going to be companies that need to beautify their environments, make their special events more special, design their publications more effectively, make their products more user-friendly, or thank their clients more personally with a gift. It's the job of all artists to better communicate their services to business-to-business markets, so that their talent becomes traded, not just appreciated.

Advice: No company should see themselves as an island holding all the answers. Numerous art products and services exist with the mission of making your brand more compelling. Just as you would contract legal or accounting advisors to help you navigate the back-end, think of artists as creative advisors who can help make your business more marketable on the front end.

Past Arts Network Member Profiles:
Fairplay Stonecarvers LLC
Anthony Mastromatteo Paintings & Drawings
Mark Yasenchack, Studio 605
Mark F. Gajewski Think Beyond Media
Ante Up Audio
The Fine Arts Association
Modern Acoustic Music Collective
Dustin J. Elliott, Absolute Music Productions, LLC
Christopher Sweiger, Artifactual Creations
Patty Flauto, Patty Flauto Art & Design
Brian Sooy, Brian Sooy and Co.
Jean Schnell, Jean Schnell Photography
David Shimotakahara, GroundWorks Dancetheater
Adam Pate, The Caricature Guy
Stephen and Debra Bures, Bures Porcelain and Elements Gallery
Linda Uca Damiani, Fra Angelica Gallery & Studio
JT Thomas, The Cleveland Fashion Media Group - FashionTV Network
SPACES Gallery

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