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When You Might Have a Show Coming

“You” means me in this context; however, if you are an artist and you might have a show coming, here is what to do.

  1. Ask questions, particularly if the gallery is run by volunteers and is a non-profit enterprise, which means they are always chasing money and need you to do a great job to help them. A. When? B. Solo or group show? C. Pencil drawings, oil paintings, or both? D. All pieces for sale or may I borrow back from previous customers? E. Space for how many pieces?
  2. Take inventory of your existing pieces. This is a tricky piece of business, because I have pieces in 3-5 places that could be moved to the show. However, the show might last 2 months, and the gallery is only open 2 days per week, whereas the other places are busy places of commerce that sell. Besides, how can I count the pieces if they might be sold before it is time to retrieve them? This calls for an estimate.
  3. Estimate how many pieces, and let the gallery know. It is best to make a list, and include sizes and prices, because chances are the gallery will want to know these things. If the gallery doesn’t ask for this information before the show, provide it anyway. They need this information whether or not they know it.
  4. Evaluate your inventory by size and by subject matter. Think about who the audience and customers might be among those who visit. It is usually a matter of geography. For example, if I am showing in Mineral King, I bring pieces of Mineral King. If I am showing to visitors to Sequoia National Park, I bring pieces of Sequoia National Park. Yes, it is this straightforward. (But if the show is in Visalia, I just guess.)
  5. Look through the unfinished pieces to see if anything gathering dust might work in the show, any drawings that are still unframed, any canvases just partially painted.
  6. Decide which subjects or sizes might be lacking, dig through photos and available canvases (because we might not have time to wait for a shipment of new sizes, “we” being the royal we, not a mouse in my pocket), and begin.

Now that is a mystery. Stay tuned. . .

2 Comments

  1. Add to #3:Take a photo of each piece that will be displayed in the gallery so you have a record.

    Oh, and maybe add a #7: When the show is open, post about it on your blog and include dates, times, address. And ask friends to post on various appropriate social media sites, too!

    • Sharon, #3 is automatic whenever I complete a piece. And #7 is crucial, critical, and vital, but not while preparing. (See? I have thought this out!) Thank you for looking out for me – I do appreciate your input, as always.

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