Friday, May 17, 2013

The experience of a lifetime in one month

Between the 14 hours spent in 76 galleries, 30 hours spent eating exotic food together, 5 hours at 5 different artist studios, 22 hours in 8 major museums, 8 hours at 3 separate art fairs, and doing everything in between I have learned an immeasurable amount on this trip. I have taken so much from each place we've visited and every single person we have met, it is almost incomprehensible.

I have learned to confidently navigate the Subway, weave through people on the sidewalk, how to live with ten other people, and as Marc always says "don't block the sidewalk".

But the most important lesson I have taken away from every person we have met from artists to collectors to program directors, dealers, and fashion designers, and even writers is to work hard and to work passionately. Despite the different jobs and duties each person is responsible for, the advice they all suggest is to passionately persevere, no matter what.

I have learned that everyone has felt defeated and scared and would like to give up. But the thing that separates successful people from unsuccessful people is the drive to continue on towards their goals. Undying motivation and perseverance is key to succeeding in your intended career path, whatever that path may be. To hear these artists and other art professionals speak about their work with such passion and raw emotion is remarkably motivating and inspiring to say the very least.

I recently had a conversation with the Flag Foundation's Assistant Director Rebecca Streiman about her personal journey to the position she holds today. She explained how she once discussed her concerns about her career path and her reservations about continuing in the direction she was going to a woman one night who simply replied "work harder". These simple but impactful words have stuck with me throughout this trip and surely will throughout the rest of my life. 

Work harder.

-Maggie Zurbruegg-Ramey

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