The Belfast Creative Coalition will host its third Artist Networking Night this evening, Oct.4, to give artists, painters, photographers, craftsmen, musicians, writers and other creative types who live in the Midcoast a chance to network, talk shop and gather resources to help their art businesses grow. 

Held every other month, the last event at the end of August featured Jackie Battenfield, author of The Artist's Guide. The event was open to the state and more than 100 artists of every stripe showed up.

At the upcoming event, the theme will be “What’s Your Next Step?”  Kimberly Callas, Belfast Creative Coalition's spokesperson said, "Following up on Jackie Battenfield's talk, we're going to explore the concept of next steps for every artist, such as idenfiying your goals for your art." Artists will be encouraged to identify what they need to do next for their art business; for example, how to take new/better images, update or create a website, write a grant, or seek new opportunities.  Photographer Susan Guthrie will give a short talk on the benefits of being in and forming artists’ groups. 

"The night will be partly informative and allow time for it to just be a party so people can meet each other. There are so many artists around here and many of them don't know each other," said Callas. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Light in the Forest Photography, 107 Church St., Belfast (next to Left Bank Books.)

Participants are asked to take a dish to pass or a $5 suggested donation. Callas said participants don't have to just be from Waldo county to attend these special networking events; however, to be listed on the belfastcreativecoalition.org website, one must be an artist and live, work, or exhibit in Waldo County.