We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Rumley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, what do you attribute your success to?
When I became the president of the Longmont Artists’ Guild in 2022, I inherited an organization with a long legacy of supporting artists in Longmont.

The Longmont Artists’ Guild was formed in 1957. At the time, the group consisted of six members, Maurene Buethe, Vuna Cederberg, Nellie Cozens, Geraldine Everly, Carrie Nelson, and Edna Peak.

In 1959, the Guild grew large enough to hold meetings at the Callahan House. Also, the Guild had our first art show at the Tea & Coffee Store in Downtown Longmont that same year.

Today, we have three member shows and display our art in various locations around Longmont. We participate in local art events such as ArtWalk and the Boulder County Fair. We hold our member meetings at the Great Frame Up (430 Main St. ) on the second Wednesday of the month (September – May).

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began my artistic career four decades ago as a photographer. In the early 2000s, I learned graphic and web design and worked with musicians and artists to help them get seen online.

After many years of taking photos, I wanted to follow my dream of learning how to paint. In 2015 I took my first oil painting class with the Longmont Community Center.

When I first began painting, I dreamed of selling my art in galleries. And of making money selling my art. The reality is most artists cannot make a living selling art alone.

I have a background in Business Psychology, so I decided that while I love painting and showing my art, my technology skills could help other artists achieve their aspirations of being seen online.

In 2019 I started an art coaching business to teach artists how to use social media, website, and newsletter marketing to sell their art.

I discovered that many artists are not interested in doing the long hours of work necessary to sell art online. This was when I decided to pivot and spend my time and energy supporting local art groups like the Longmont Artists’ Guild and the Boulder Art Association by serving as a board member and supporting the organizations with social media marketing, website development, and newsletter communications.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the things I love about Longmont is the variety of activities to attend! On Sunday, I would first take my friend to coffee at MeCo Coffee Collective on Main Street, and check out art by local artists. Afterward, we would walk up and down Main Street visiting Barbed Wire Books and The Great Frame Up Gallery. We might even grab an empanada at Abuelita’s Empanadas and check out artist galleries in the Old Town Marketplace.

For lunch on Monday, I love to have street tacos and a margarita at Jefe’s followed by a nice walk around Golden Ponds. This is a great way to burn off energy and see some of the best views of Long’s Peak in the area. Not to mention all of the wildlife and the beautiful St. Vrain River.

On Tuesday, we’d hit the trivia night at Oskar Blues Taproom (formerly the Tasty Weasel) for craft beer and a chance to win prizes!

On Wednesday, we’d take a bike ride up the St. Vrain Greenway and have a beer at Left Hand Brewing and check out the art hanging in the brewery by the artists from Lefthand Artist Group. If the Brewhop Trolly is running, we might hop on and do a beer tour of Longmont. On the 2nd Wednesday, we’d check out the Longmont Artists’ Guild meeting being held at the Great Frame Up (430 Main St.).

Thursday night is a great night to have dinner at the Pumphouse Brewery on Main Street. Then we would catch a talk, movie, or show at the Longmont Museum “Thursday nights @ the Museum.”

Friday is a great day to drive up to Estes Park and walk around the shops and take a short hike up the Twin Owls and Lumpy Ridge Loop.

Saturday is hanging out in Boulder on Pearl Street and stopping in for a glass of wine at my favorite gallery R Gallery & Wine Bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Richard, supports my efforts to create, share, and support artists in our community.

Rick Stoner, Artist at the Firehouse Art Center, for teaching me how to love my style of art while at the same time educating me on the fundamentals of creating a great painting.

The Longmont Artists’ Guild for introducing me to the culture of art, artists, and the meaning of supporting each other and welcoming all levels of artists, from beginner to professional.

Website: www.longmontartistsguild.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longmontartistsguild

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/longmontartistsguild

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LongmontArtistsGuild/

Other: www.jillrumleyart.com @JillRumley.Artist (IG) @Jill_Rumley_Photos (IG)

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Longmont Artists’ Guild, Richard Rumley, Rob Birt, JoAnn Thomas, Jill Rumley

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