Running a gallery means ensuring that there is always something for visitors to view. You can’t just leave people empty-handed!
Running a gallery means ensuring that there is always something for visitors to view. You can’t just leave people empty- handed!
There are many ways to use art as an educational tool, but exhibiting your work in a gallery is one of the best. Not only does it get students interested in creating art, it gets them thinking about how artists create their works and what styles they use.
Students can also learn some basics of running a business from you (the artist)! All of these things are important when they eventually run their own galleries.
When talking about displaying artwork, there are two main types of settings used. Either individual or group exhibition. This article will talk more about the first type.
Individual exhibitions
These are typically one piece per person. They are great way to meet new people, because everyone comes together to look at one thing. People may discuss the pieces or the artist behind them if they feel so inclined.
Group exhibitions
A group exhibition takes several different forms depending on who attends and what kind of event it is. For example, during a festival or conference, attendees usually have time before classes to explore the exhibits.
In this case, there would be an open period where people could stroll around and check out all the displays.
Prepare your artwork
After you have completed all of your paintings, sculptures, or drawings, it is time to prepare them for exhibition. Depending on what kind of art you are showing, there may be different steps needed.
For example, if you are exhibiting oils, then you will need to include an appropriate amount of quality oil as well as a case in which to store the painting while it is hanging.
In addition, you will want to make sure that your materials are easily accessible so that people can re-arrange the painting, experiment with new colors, and the like.
When displaying large scale pieces such as landscapes or still life, you will also need to find a space to show off your work!
If possible, try to hang the piece somewhere open where people can view it and admire it. Make sure however, that the location is safe and comfortable for both you and those who will see the piece.
Create a gallery plan
Before you even pick up your paintbrush or hammer, you should have a clear idea of what kind of exhibition you want to hold. What medium will you use?
You can choose oil painting, watercolor, pastel, acrylics, sculpture, jewelry making, needlework — whatever style appeals to you and will take time to master.
Many artists start with simple drawing or painting before moving onto more complex styles.
What materials do you need to be able to express yourself as an artist? You’ll need clean, fresh supplies every time you work.
How much money can you spend on art supplies? It is not expensive to begin. Many people are initializing new artistic skills for less than $200!
Plan out how many pieces you want to hang and when so that you don’t run out of space or end up with too many holes in your budget.
Choose your exhibition space
Before you begin gathering materials for your show, there is one thing you need to make sure you have — an exhibition space!
Finding a place to hang or display your work will determine how successful your exhibit is. You do not want to find yourself with no wall space where you can’t even position your artwork properly!
Most cities have at least one gallery that is open to the public. These are usually organized by season (winter, spring, summer) so people can visit and see new works displayed year-round.
Galleries that focus more on selling art may not include an entry fee or require you to be enrolled as a member to view their exhibits.
There are many ways to find free galleries. Sites like Groupees and Yoursify list all types of opportunities. There may also be community centers, universities, private homes, and other venues that allow artists to showcase their work.
Decorate your space
For art exhibitions, decorations are very important. You do not want to feel like you have to make lots of changes to your home or life to show these artists their work.
Artists will appreciate your effort to include items in the room that speak about the artist and/or the exhibition! They may even ask you what you included in their studio visit.
By incorporating decorations into your artistic expression, you’re giving yourself permission to add them to your collection. Plus, it’s totally free! We’ve gathered some easy ways to decorate for an exhibition. Read on for our top tips.
Choose your exhibition display
When deciding how to exhibit your art, there are two main things to consider. First, what kind of space do you have? Do you have enough wall area for hanging or setting up an exhibition row?
Second, what materials can you use to show off your work? Glass cases are great if you can put some plastic sheets under them as solid covers. A simple table-top is also good if you don’t have room for a case.
Another option is putting your artwork in a gallery runner. These long strips that run down a wall are very popular because they give people additional exposure to your work while still displaying it clearly. You would need to cut these yourself though!
If you want to create more depth to your exhibitions, then try using mixed media. This includes painting, collage, textiles, and other types of mediums that you mix together.
Choose your show theme
Choosing an exhibition topic is like choosing what colors to mix for a painting. You want to make sure that you pick something that will appeal to people, but at the same time, you want to stick with things that are within your budget.
For example, if your budget is limited to buying plain white canvas sheets, then choosing “Silence” as your exhibition topic may be best. There are many reasons why this could be interesting!
It is very possible that someone who has never experienced silence before would enjoy exploring it. Or maybe there is a quiet place that person enjoys going to every day, so offering them a chance to experience silence in their own space or around other people would help them relax.
Alternatively, someone might find silence boring because they are always busy doing things. Offering them the opportunity to listen for sounds of nature or even talking while listening to music would be novel experiences.
Your potential audience members will know whether these experiences will be helpful for them or not, so do not spend money on expensive supplies if the idea feels cheap.
Create your marketing plan
After you have determined what kind of exhibition you want, the next step is creating a solid business plan for your event. This includes determining if this is an organized show or displaying your work under free-access conditions, as well as deciding how many pieces you will exhibit and when!
It also means figuring out where you will keep your collection before the event so that no one breaks into it while you’re away, and buying any necessary supplies (like cardboard boxes) early.
Planning ahead like this will help prevent last minute stressors that could potentially derail your success at the event.
Practice marketing your exhibition
After you have selected an appropriate venue for your exhibition, it is time to start thinking about how to market it!
Most artists begin exhibiting when they are very young (typically under the age of 18). As such, they do not necessarily have much experience with running art exhibitions or marketing strategies for their artwork.
Running an art show can be difficult at times as there are many different things that need to be done. This includes finding and contacting potential attendees, arranging shipping, displaying and protecting your work, etc. Some of these things may even require outside vendors so make sure to research those ahead of time!
In addition to all of this, most venues will ask for a minimum attendance size which makes planning additional events quite tricky.
Artists should definitely try to coordinate their exhibition with other artists’ exhibitions to get more exposure, but if you must cancel, then at least plan for some sort of refund or transfer.
