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Seminar teaches how to turn artistic talent into a business Local artists can learn how to turn their creative passion into a viable enterprise at The Art of Entrepreneurship seminar taking place March 29. The session-- offered through the Halton Region Business Development Centre in partnership with the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Culture-- is geared toward artists who are looking to evolve their business or art career to the next level of exposure, growth and success. It'll take place from 7 to 10 p.m. at CJ's Café in Bronte, 2416 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville. Registration costs $30. "Artists and artisans are a dynamic element in Halton's diverse economic make-up," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. "I'm delighted that the Region can partner with the Ontario government to offer creative entrepreneurs with new opportunities to learn how to grow their businesses and succeed." The seminar is structured to give visual artists-- both commercial and fine arts-- an overview of how to stand out in a competitive marketplace. Halton Region Business Development Centre business consultant Marianne Crawford will set the stage with a presentation on business planning. Kathryn Adams, an award-winning artist and professor at the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and the Ontario College of Art and Design, will then lead a marketing discussion. She'll outline self-promotional marketing strategies like direct mail, websites, e-mail promotions, viral marketing, creative directory listings and blogs, and will also provide a list of sources for marketing campaigns. To register for the seminar contact the Halton Region Business Development Centre at 905-8256000 or visit www.halton.ca/business. Writing workshop on March 24 The West Side Writers, a non-profit group for people who share a passion for writing offers a workshop, Writing your life and other true stories on Saturday, March 24. It will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sheridan United Church, 2501 Truscott Drive, Mississauga. Fee: $36 in advance or $39 at the door. To register, call Diana Revelins 905-891-2354 or e-mail brianhenry@sympatico.ca This workshop will introduce you to the tricks and conventions of telling true stories. Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor for 24 years and teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and George Brown College. Many of his students have gone on to get published, including the guest speaker Dr. Ross Pennie, author of The Unforgiving Tides, a doctor's memoir of Papua New Guinea (Manor House Publishing). Dr. Pennie will speak on how to turn ordinary life into dramatic material and will answer questions about how he wrote his memoir and got it published.