I’ve written recently about collaboration (4-5-12). This is a term I use a lot. I believe it’s one of the most efficient and effective ways to create business.
Last weekend, I went for a visit to Greenbank Farm, one of my favorite places on Whidbey. In addition to hiking to the gorgeous viewpoint that lets me see the Olympics and the Cascades, I stopped off for a visit at the Galleries at Greenbank, which include Raven Rocks, Artworks and Rob Schouten.
In front of the Rob Schouten Gallery now sits the gigantic “Nest,” one of the best visual examples I have seen illustrating the power of collaboration. Rob explained it to me: “My initial thought was to create the nest as a promotional piece for the ‘Birds and Nests’ show. I couldn't quite figure out how to make the eggs, nor did I have time to do so. Then I realized what a great opportunity this was for a collaborative effort.”
(Photo: Rob Schouten Gallery; Left to right: Dan Freeman, Sharon Spencer, Rob Adamson, Rob Schouten)
The end result is magnificent. Rob Adamson made the gorgeous eggs. Sharon Spencer and Dan Freeeman worked on several elements of the design and construction of the piece. Dan came up with the idea of making a tripod table with a wire mesh top that became the base for the nest with branches woven through the mesh. Sharon knew where to get the mosses and the lichens that line the nest. Jonni Reed provided a pile of branches from her pruned fruit trees that were trucked over.
Rob says, “The experience of being in sync with other artists as you are creating is tremendously stimulating and inspiring, and we are already talking about doing something like this again.”
The finished “Nest” is spectacular, and everyone who comes within 50 feet of it is drawn to the Rob Schouten Gallery ….and many come into the gallery to see what’s inside, as well.