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So You Want to Have a Gallery Exhibition

by Luann Udell.
(Keene, New Hampshire USA)

Note from Rena: Luann Udell’s writeup here is in response to a question from Patricia C Vener. Thanks to Patricia and Luann for getting this topic started!

Small words of
advice and encouragement:

I’ve known Patricia for many years, and I’d love to see her go for a gallery exhibition!

How do you do this?

Just ask.

Seriously. That’s all you have to do.

Ask for suggestions:

Who is your ideal customer? And where would she shop? Make a list of those venues.

Start by acquiring the names of galleries that might be a good fit for your work. Extraordinary jewelry could conceivably be exhibited at

• a fine craft shop;
• a famous bead store;
• a regional arts and crafts organization;
• a jewelry store;
• an upscale boutique;
• a small museum (hmmmm….didn’t someone say Patricia’s work looks Victorian? I wonder where you might find a museum that specializes in the Victorian era?)

Ask people if they’ve ever visited a store that might be a good fit with your work. I’m guessing Rena’s readers from across the country might have some great ideas!

Find out if your work
is a good fit:

Do your homework. Visit the venue in person if you can. Research the heck out of them online if you can’t.

Venues will be thrilled you took the time to make sure your work is compatible with their aesthetic/mission statement/audience.

Ask the gallery:

Do they hold exhibitions? If not – would they be interested?

What are they looking for? (When they tell you, be thinking how you can tweak your presentation to meet their needs.)

Ask how they’d prefer you submit your work for consideration? (Do they want photographs? A CD? A quick look at your website? Actual samples of your work?)

Hint: even if they say slides (and you KNOW they’ll just hold them up to a light!) include some quality, oversized photos, too.)

What is their exhibition schedule? (Some venues are booked out one, two, even three years! Start NOW.)

If they accept your proposal:

Ask them how many pieces they need, and how they’d prefer to display your work.

Ask if your work will be insured while on display.

If your work sells, what percentage will they pay to you? Will they consider carrying your work after the exhibit?

Ask yourself:

What are your goals and expectations from an exhibition?

Some people generate teaching and lecturing opportunities from such events. Others invite their top customers or hot prospects to the opening reception.

I love the energy I get from an exhibition. They fire me up to make big, bold new work and to push the envelope.

I rarely sell much work at exhibitions. But I generate tons of publicity from them, they look great on my resume, and I love the thrill and excitement.

Challenge yourself:

Patricia nailed it with her ‘body of work’ comment. It’s important to show what you can do. But it’s also important to show a distinctive vision, a cohesive exhibit that screams “Patricia!”

Be sure you have enough work. The actual number will be determined by the venue, but it’s good to allow them (and yourself) enough pieces to choose from.

You may be asked for a handful of stunning pieces, or for several dozen pieces ranging in size, stature and price.

Images of your work:

When you submit your proposal, be sure your photography images are stellar.

Digital cameras have come a long way, and you may be able to do some of the photography yourself.

But make sure you have at least one dynamite image that’s good enough for their publicity – postcards, print articles, etc. Maybe even a catalog cover! (A girl can dream…!!)

Displaying your work
for the exhibition:

If the venue doesn’t already have a classy way to display your work, start working NOW on your display fixtures.

Do they showcase your work and do it justice? Are they professional-looking, and of professional quality! Do you prefer to present your work in cases/under glass?

Help the gallery
help you succeed:

Let your own customers and hot prospects know about the exhibition. Do your own press releases and promotion to your communities.

Be available for the opening reception, and offer exquisite support for their customers. Follow up with thank you notes, and let them know you’d do it all over again.

Every journey begins with a single step. Patricia, just start asking questions, and see where your journey takes you!

We’ll be with you every step of the way.

Luann Udell
Luann Udell: fiber, polymer, mixed media
Luann Udell’s blog

Comments:

Many Thanks for This Article!
by: Patricia C Vener

This is fabulous advice. I will be reading it over and over again absorbing and putting it all into action as I go along. “Just ask” is so simple and so strong. So, yes, I’m going to do that and this is a major goal for next year. Sometime in 2012 I will be on here announcing a gallery exhibit thanks to Luann and Rena!

Updating
by: Patricia C Vener

Since Luann’s fabulous article came out I have been ever so slowly working on developing my bravery and knowledge base as well as a COHESIVE body of work worthy of a gallery exhibition. I think I have the bravery part down (Luann’s article for FASO addresses this as well). One thing that has been brought forward is the actual display of jewelry art in general and specifically bead weaving jewelry art (mine). If I want my work to be taken as “serious” art, I need to lose the display busts. Which I kind of figured at least for some of the pieces that are too large for any commercially available bust anyway.

Here’s my problem. So far I hate all of my ideas for display. *sigh* The safest would be to show the pieces flat in a locked acrylic box. I suppose I could research where to find locked flat display cases and boxes. I was also thinking of sewing (tacking) each piece to a stretched canvas and while that is different, it also feels not quite right enough.

If you have any ideas, I’m dying to read them. I need display inspiration.

Thanks!