Here are points to think about when having an exhibition:
1. Name of the exhibition:
Keep it simple and catchy, a title that reflects your work and will attract people in coming to your exhibition!
2. Date and Times:
Take time to choose your dates I run for my exhibition for at least 2 - 6 weeks. You will need at least a day to set up the space and take down the exhibition. Once you have decided on a date and time, make sure you double check all marketing material to have the date and time to be correct!!! Get someone else to proof read everything for you.
3. Opening Night:
Do you want to have an opening? If so there are lots to think about your budget. When buying wine a good average is 2 glasses for each person. It is best to have your friends and family serve the food and wine so you the artist gets to mingle with prospect clients, you will sell more. What sort of music will you be playing? You are best to dress up for this occasion!
4. Marketing and Advertising:
The more people you invite to your exhibition the more chance you have of a sell out exhibition. Write a list of all the people you would like to invite, a good idea is to go through your business card holders, address books, email lists, and send invites to anyone who could be interested in coming, be bold with your invites. There are many ways of letting people know of your exhibition: radio, newspaper, send out a press release to your local papers and radio stations, art newsletters they may do a free piece for you? Notice boards, shop windows coved with big bright posters will catch people’s eye. Update your website, email all your contacts, and send invites out a week or two before the big day.
5. Art Work:
All art work must be named and priced; as people won’t buy art that is not priced. Are you going to have a catalog to hand out to each person or have tags for the wall? It is best to have these looking professional. All work must walk in the door ready to hang; there is nothing more time wasting than having to go down to the framers to get hooks etc. It is a good idea to have taken photos of your work, just in case you don’t get to bring it back home, cataloging all your work is very important! You can also add these photos to your website for more exposure. It’s a good idea to have someone help with the hanging of your art work. If you are having your work framed make sure the framer is aware of the date you need it by, give them 2 days before you need them for your piece of mind! Try not to leave everything to the last minute as you need to be relaxed and happy to socialize with potential clients! This can be a difficult thing to achieve just remember to delegate for less stress for you.
6. Hand Outs:
Do you want to design a flyer for them to walk away with to tell their friends? Business cards are a must; A visitor book is a great tool to record your visitors, the potential clients for years to come as these people are already interested in art. You could display your folio, newspaper articles, CV People like to buy from artists they meet and get to know therefore it is important to have an artist bio for people to read! Try to get sponsorship as it will cut costs and there are loads of people in the community who love to support the arts!
Don’t forget to have fun and I wish you all the best for your exhibition
