Student artwork from the newly formed Dolores Arts Guild is on display at the Dolores Schools administration building.

Dolores art teacher Jay Anderson started the guild as a way to promote local talent and teach students the business side of selling their work.

The business model for the Dolores Arts Guild is for participating students to invest a small amount in a project, like $2, then sell it for five times that investment.

Anderson guides the piece to commercial quality, and the artwork is made into posters courtesy of Southwest Printing in Cortez. Students form a marketing strategy to sell their art. A portion of the profits will go toward the artist, with a portion towards supplies and overhead costs.

“We’re raising the stakes, taking art more seriously,” Anderson said. “I want students to realize they can have a career in art, or if it’s a main hobby, how to make it a side business.”

This year more than 100 students participated in the Dolores Arts Guild.