Preparing For Your Exhibition

Here is everything yous need to know to prepare yourself for an upcoming exhibition.

preparing for your exhibition

by Tanya Singh

So you have an exhibition coming upwardly? That'southward great! Are yous prepared? This might seem like a very simple question, but there is and so much more to it. Exhibitions are the stepping stones of whatever artist's career. Not merely are they a great way to showcase your works and achieve out to potential buyers, but also a great platform to go recognition amongst peers and manufacture experts, and make new and interesting acquaintances.

However, merely getting signed up for representation or being selected by an art gallery does not hateful you tin can plop on a burrow and just await for the reception 24-hour interval to come up. In that location is a lot more than work to be done before you can proudly flaunt your art at your opening reception.

preparing for your exhibition

Having worked with artists from across the world for over 30 years, Agora Gallery knows a little something about existence fully prepared for an exhibition. It is not as intimidating equally information technology sounds; however, it is very easy to become caught up in all that excitement and forget about some crucial aspects of exhibiting.  And that is where we come in.

Here is everything you need to know and practise to prepare yourself for an exhibition. We also have a complete checklist at the end of this article to help you through this process.

Preparing For Your Exhibition

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Kristina Garon talking to a guest at her opening reception.

In an article in ARTisSpectrum, Kristina Garon talks about her experience while exhibiting at Agora Gallery. In the article, she draws a comparison between an exhibiting creative person and a farmer. "Like a farmer who carefully selects the soil in which he plants seeds", says Kristina, "nosotros artists attempt to place our artwork in the all-time location. The farmer understands that planting the seed in the right soil is merely the outset step, and he will not be able to harvest overnight." Similarly, selecting an art gallery and confirming an art showroom is only the get-go footstep of a much longer process. According to Kristina, there is no secret to success other than two words – Keep Going!

Although there are a lot of things that the art gallery is going to handle for you, your involvement volition non only make the process easier but too provide you with an incredible experience. You know your art the best, which is exactly why you lot need to be a part of every determination that is existence made nigh it.

The Art

Obviously, the virtually of import aspect in all this is preparing the art. There are a number of things that you need to take intendance of before and after you lot transport it off to the gallery to be installed.

Choose The Perfect Pieces

If it is upwardly to you to make the selections, you take to keep in mind that this drove of works is meant to exhibit your style and ideas. Choose works that are consistent in terms of style and become well together. Try to imagine them in the gallery space and make sure that the works you have chosen compliment each other and convey exactly what y'all want to the viewers.

Photo Your Art

This is an of import step. You should have skillful quality images of all of your artworks that you lot will be exhibiting. Most galleries make utilize of creative person-provided images for online promotion as well as in other exhibition material like catalogues and press releases, so it'due south imperative that the images are loftier quality.  As well, once the artwork is sold, the image is all you will have for yourself.

Useful Article: How To Take Great Photos Of Your Artwork

Make The Artworks Exhibition Ready

  • Concluding Touches – Inspect your works properly. Are at that place any last touches to be made? Check the edges to come across whether they need painting.
  • Framing – This depends on whether the gallery is taking care of the framing or you lot. If it is you lot, make sure that y'all choose the frames carefully. A frame is like an extension for your painting and when done right, it can really assistance to heighten the final look of your work. Even if the gallery is going to be handling the framing, you can ever send in your suggestions for the kind of frame you would like. Like we said, only you know what'southward all-time for your fine art.
  • Documents – Yous need to besides have all the artworks ready for auction. The Certificates Of Authenticity should be created. Sometimes, there might be another official processes that need to be completed before manus like signing invoices or filling out important forms.

Useful Articles: How To Build Your Ain Frame and Documenting The Sale Of Your Artwork

Transporting

Make sure that the works are packed properly to avoid whatsoever impairment to them during transportation. Y'all should also make sure that you dispatch the works well ahead of the deadline. This mode, fifty-fifty if the works get damaged a niggling chip, the gallery will have enough time to repair them.

Stay in impact with united states of america! Our Newsletter is packed with inspiring stories, art tips, and Agora Gallery'due south latest exhibition announcements.

preparing for your exhibition
Artist Vida Ryan discussing her works with gallery guests.

The Artist

Once the art is on its way, information technology's time for you to prepare yourself for the big twenty-four hours. Whether it'due south your showtime exhibition or your hundredth one, what you're telling the world through this public showcase is that you are a serious artist with piece of work worth showing to the world. And that means yous need to be fully equipped to play the part.

Set up And Send Your Personal Information

As a practicing artist in today's guild, it is crucial for you to have all your data handy which includes your artist statement and creative person CV. You lot volition likewise need to send these to the gallery to be published in their catalogues or displayed along with your works. However, before sending the documents in, read through them thoroughly to check for any errors or changes you might have forgotten to make. Update your CV with all your latest accomplishments. Make sure that your artist statement goes well with the selected works.

Become A Great Outfit Set up

This might seem like a trivial matter in front of all the other crucial details mentioned here. Nonetheless, information technology is every bit important for you to look good and be comfortable during your opening reception as is sending in all the right information. Your dressing sense speaks a lot about you too as your mental attitude towards your career. Choose a presentable outfit that makes the right argument and, at the aforementioned time, makes you experience confident.

Know Your Art By Heart

Yous obviously know everything nearly your works because yous are the creator. However, sometimes information technology is difficult to put such things into words specially if you lot are too emotionally involved. It helps to practice talking about your art with a family unit member or a friend.

Be Ready For Criticism

An fine art exhibition is not just for selling works. Information technology is also a smashing opportunity for you to display your works and view them from the optics of others. Of grade, fine art is very subjective and you are going to get all kinds of opinions. You should be prepared to mind to everything the others have to say, whether positive or negative, and to learn from all the criticism you receive. This habit will also help you a lot in your artistic process.

Useful Article: Make Art Criticism Work For You

Have A Positive Outlook

The almost important affair is to enjoy the entire experience. Displaying your works in front of other people is a great accomplishment. No matter how the exhibition goes, you lot should always go on a positive outlook. Your talent does not need the validation of sales. Selling work is just a pleasant benefit of this learning feel.

According to Kristina, every artist remembers "the boggling experience of their opening reception for the rest of their lives". Make sure you lot have all your affairs in order so that you tin savor this twenty-four hours to the fullest. An exhibition in a gallery is an achievement, as is your ain and others' recognition of yous as an artist. Think of the reception equally a big, fine art-themed political party which is open to anyone who loves fine art and tin can brand it. Don't forget that festive aspect, and have fun!

With over 30 years of experience representing artists from effectually the earth, Agora Gallery offers artists the opportunity to nowadays their piece of work to a broad range of national and international art collectors and buyers. Looking for an opportunity to enhance your career? Visit our Gallery Representation And Artist Promotion page for more information.

Do you have any tips for artists on how best to approach an upcoming exhibition? Any reception night stories to share? Permit us know!

Here is a complete checklist to help you lot through this process!

preparing for your exhibition

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Tanya Singh is a budding fine art historian and writer. She is currently pursuing her postgraduate studies at the LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. With a versatile portfolio, she has over three years of experience in writing likewise every bit editing.