Over and over and over and OVER again I have witnessed people shoving business cards down the throats of renown art historians, curators, artists, etc. Some of those individuals I too wanted to connect with. More importantly, I wanted to figure out a way to develop a memorable dialog with them. I immediately decided that I would follow-up with these renown individuals with a personal note to communicate my intentions.

These days, it’s so easy to dash off a quick e-mail or text message or make a cell- phone call while you’re on the run that you may rarely make time for letter writing. But letters are a intimate form of connection that simply cannot be equaled or replaced by faster methods of communication. I would even consider a handwritten note as a form of performance art.

Ironically, during a luncheon I shared my thoughts with another artists who introduced me to a Critical Writing Workshop at Gund Gallery at Kenyon College. The program is offered June 15-21, 2014 in Gambier, Ohio. Lead by Peter Plagens and Terry Barrett, workshop activities include: Cultivating clarity in art criticism (and avoiding jargon and clichés). • Writing a short exhibition or project review, based on one of the Gallery’s summer exhibitions. • Writing a longer exhibition review. • Exploring new formats such as blogs and other digital media.

Critical writing IS important, but I see letter writing as a performative experience. This is a seductive way of thinking. After all, if you don’t achieve what you want, what have you done? Business cards are great, but not hundreds of them roaming through your digestive tract.