So many artists don’t even think about collaborating. They’re used to working alone, making all the decisions, and keeping full control over their vision. The idea of sharing credit, coordinating schedules, or compromising on creative choices feels uncomfortable—even threatening.
But what if collaboration could actually strengthen your individual practice?
Alicia Bailey and Melinda Laz have been navigating these waters for 25 years. Along with printmakers Catherine Chauvin and Sharon Strasburg, they’ve built a four-artist collaborative practice that’s resulted in multiple exhibitions and strengthened each of their individual careers.
In this conversation, Alicia and Melinda talk with me about:
- What makes the collaboration work, from trust to deadlines.
- How they communicate with one another, and why communication is critical.
- The systems they use to stay on track.
- How collaboration feeds their individual goals.
- The benefits of collaboration beyond the business opportunities.
If you’ve been going it alone and wondering what you might be missing, their story offers a fresh perspective on what becomes possible when artists support each other.
Listen
The Artists’ Action for You
Go to openings and talk to other artists, especially those whose work you feel a resonance with. Go view art even if it’s not an opening, then dig deeper by looking at artists’ websites or social media pages to learn about the community right in your backyard.
Don’t be afraid to reach out—send that Instagram message, ask for coffee, introduce yourself at the opening. Artists want to talk to other artists and form community.
Quotable
“I think the difference for us was we actually committed to it and said, actually we should have a show together. And then we formalized it in the sense of we spent time writing this proposal together. We edited it together. We committed to deadlines.” —Melinda Laz
“When I drafted the initial two paragraphs I went in without any ego, there was no, We must use this amazing language that I’ve created. It was a few thoughts [and then] What do you think?” —Melinda Laz
“The deeper you can dive into something, the more exciting it can be.” —Alicia Bailey
“Everybody wants to collaborate and I think it’s easy to lose track. It doesn’t mean there’s less work. It’s not magic. It just is a different kind of work.” —Alicia Bailey
“It’s such a great skill to have to work this way because if you’re doing a big art project, you’re collaborating. You got people to work with and answer to, and board members and construction people and all kinds of stuff. You need to learn to work with people.” —Alyson Stanfield
“This is a lot about the business of being an artist, but our collaboration is a lot about community and so the ways that we support each other continue, even if we’re not showing collaboratively.” —Alicia Bailey
“I feel like our group is really just a group of four friends who happen to be artists.” —Melinda Laz
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About Alicia Bailey and Melinda Laz
Studio artist/gallerist Alicia Bailey is affiliated with several professional organizations and is the owner and director of Abecedarian Artists Books in Denver, Colorado. Alicia acts as an independent curator/juror, instructor/mentor, and regional events coordinator in the book arts. Her work has been featured in dozens of solo and group exhibits throughout the world and can be found in private and public collections internationally. An archive of her work is under development at the University of Denver Penrose Library Special Collections.
Follow Alicia on Instagram: @artistsbooks
Melinda Laz holds a BFA in printmaking from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and a master’s in arts administration from School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and in curriculum & instruction from the University of Denver. She has appeared in numerous national juried and invitational shows and has mounted more than two-dozen solo and small group collaborative exhibitions. Her works are held in public and private collections. She is a former resident artist at Valkarie Gallery and Edge Galleries, both in Lakewood, Colorado. She taught elementary visual art in Denver for many years She now works in adult education at Denver Botanic Gardens.
Follow Melinda on Instagram: @melindalaz
