Welcome to a special three-part series where host Evan Kitson sits down with three remarkable teaching assistants from the New York Academy of Art. In this episode, Evan talks with artist, printmaker, and educator Sarah Annesley, who has spent the last seven years transitioning from student to studio leader.
Together, they explore:
Affordable framing and archival storage strategies for artists on a budget
The logistics of mounting, protecting, and transporting artwork
Sarah’s process-driven approach to drawing, color pencil work, and reverse-engineering outcomes
The emotional and professional transition from student to teaching assistant to instructor
Career paths in art-adjacent roles like art handling, framing, and production
How teaching transforms your own practice, mindset, and clarity
When and how to invest in your presentation and framing
The importance of building a resilient creative process and recognizing growth- even when it doesn’t feel like it
Practical Tips Include:
Why you should never let your artwork touch the glass in a frame
How to prep for group shows without breaking the bank
Budgeting for your first exhibition and how to future-proof your framing choices
Join the Conversation:
Have you ever had an unforgettable experience with a teaching assistant?
What challenges have you faced with presentation and framing?
Is drawing your primary visual language too?
Subscribe, share, and leave a review- it helps support the show and spread the word.
Want to watch our conversation? We're on YouTube!
Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/ZfOPiR74I10
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook
The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/
The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio
Our Weekly Newsletter, The Drawing Board:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts
GUEST: Sarah Annesley
https://www.instagram.com/yelsennas/
Sarah's Recommendations:
Studio Ghibli Films:
- Princess Mononoke
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/
The New York Academy of Art
https://nyaa.edu/
https://www.academyeverywhere.com/collections?q=kitson
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