‘Audacious Artistry’ the Goal for Creative Awakening Event

Working for more than 30 years across London’s West End, Australia, and now the United States, Lara’s focus is helping artists thrive personally and creatively so they can bring their unique identity into a saturated industry.

“It’s not easy to show up with this much noise, but yet it’s so important,” Lara told Hope 103.2.

“Our creativity is meant to be something that shapes culture.”

Now based in Atlanta, Georgia, Lara understands artists feeling pressure to compete for attention in an online world dominated by A.I. and social media. However, she believes every creative voice still matters because of what it adds to the conversation.

“I think of it like Christmas: do you bring your plate to the Christmas table even though there’s going to be 50 other dishes and you know everyone’s going to have a feast?” Lara said.

“Your plate matters because contribution matters.

“It’s part of changing your little corner of the world, which we’re called to do as believer artists.”

In her book Audacious Artistry which undergirds her keynote at Creative Awakening, Lara considers how artists can rebuild creative identity in a world where visibility, speed, and constant output can quietly pull them away from who they are.

“[Audacity] means to be bold [and] to not let go of showing up in culture,” Lara said.

“Our heart yearns, particularly as believers, to tell redemptive stories.

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“I’m not saying you need to put a cross on it for it to be called Christian, [but we need] art that shapes our culture towards values that are beautiful.”

A major focus of Lara’s work is helping artists build a strong sense of identity in industries where rejection and comparison can easily take hold.

“I don’t want someone else to tell artists who they’re meant to be,” Lara said.

“They need to find that place within themselves [otherwise] Hollywood, or Nashville, or wherever you are, will do the telling.”

Lara also speaks openly about the practical realities many creatives face financially, saying the majority of artists are balancing their passion alongside other work while wishing to be “part of the 5 percent” that have consistent work.

“The majority are not [them],” Lara said.

“And I don’t think there’s enough conversation about that, so I speak to the majority because I am in the majority.”

During the Creative Awakening event Lara is going to give attendees the practical guidance they need to set up a career in the arts, with consideration to their spiritual wellbeing, financial reality and artistic vision.

“I feel like that’s unique because rather than just come and sit [in a session], they’re going to get a coaching experience,” Lara said.

“They’re going to get a keynote, they’re going to get a beautiful panel of Sydney artists, and then I’m going to take them through a coaching journey [to help] them reflect on what’s working, what’s not and what needs to change.”

Lara Bianca Pilcher’s book Audacious Artistry is out now.

For more information on attending the event, visit Creative Awakening’s website.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Feature image: Supplied