11 Exhibition Tips for the Newbies

35 years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life.

It was the decision to have a one-hour chat with an art career coach.

We met so a glorified student could learn how to get his paintings out into the world with zero exhibitions under his belt.

More than an amazing deal at $30, it was a start. I thanked this man by phone several years later. He thanked me for thanking him.

The art business, I learned, is like any other. You start by getting your feet wet, forgetting sales or the spotlight.

As your resume grows, so do the opportunities. It’s like dating. You court for a while before the relationship begins. And sometimes you endure a few awkward, horrific dates before finding the right match.

Artists need to develop their career skills early on and continually hone them. Because they take time to develop.

So if you’re serious about exhibiting your work, don’t wait until you’re 100% ready. Ignore the butterflies, the nerves, and the little voice that says, “Maybe next year.” Get into the game.

And start small.

Over time, the right people discoveryour work as you position yourself to approach small galleries and apply for fellowships. But you need to lay the groundwork first.

So here are 11 tips, in no particular order:

1. Get out of Town.

Too many emerging artists, and some veterans, exhibit in their own backyards because it feels comfortable.

Problem there is it makes you look like a small-timer.

Instead, enter competitions in major cities and diverse locations. The most obscure show in Miami, New York, or Boston will stand out on your resume. The expense of shipping cross country will pay big dividends by giving you the appearance of a national artist.

Tons of competitions can be found online, and most artists over 18 can enter for a modest fee.

2. Hire the best photographer you can afford.

The biggest complaint I hear from galleries about artist submissions is poor image quality.

The quality of your images speaks volumes about your commitment and how much you value your own work.

Blurry, dimly lit, or oddly angled shots won’t do your work justice. And if your painting looks like it was photographed with your father’s old Poloroid, that’s not helping your case.

Fine art photography is a specialty, and it’s tricky, so no DIY unless you’re a pro.

3. Show your very best work.
Hide the rest.

The actor Steve Martin once said, “Be so good that they can’t ignore you.”

There’s nothing to gain by showing a weak piece. Astounding work has staying power.

Mediocre work, on the other hand, vanishes from memory as quickly as it appeared.

If your painting doesn’t excite you, it won’t excite anyone else. So be ruthless in your selection. Better to have a smaller, knockout portfolio than a large, forgettable one.

4. Be Ready and be Prompt

If someone reaches out to you with an opportunity, get right back to them with the info requested—as requested.

Give them exactly what they ask for, and give it to them quickly. They’ll love you for it. I often promise delivery of something within seven days, knowing it will get there in three.

Be the artist who makes their life easier, not the one who takes a month to reply with an incomplete bio and a dozen maddening questions.

5. Create a Killer Body of Work…

…before committing to a solo show.

You never know when you’ll do a great piece—or an unremarkable one.

Committing to twenty gallery-ready works in advance of a show is too much pressure for an emerging artist. Granted, some veterans thrive on the adrenaline of a looming show date, but you shouldn’t take chances with your career, or your sanity, at this stage.

6. Know thy art.

Always be ready with brief, meaningful answers to questions about your work. Otherwise known as the elevator pitch.

The questions might seem silly (“Is that oil?”) but they’re a perfect opportunityto share a bit about your process and yourself.

You’re the best rep you’ve got, so give your message some thought and practice, and avoid wisecracks—no matter how tempting.

7. Make their job easy.

Art professionals juggle a lot of artists and a lot of tasks. They’re busy and they’re stressed. Just like everyone else.

So, without being a pushover, be accommodating. Answer your own questions if you can. Be the consummate professional.

The logic is simple: the easier you are to deal with, the better your chances of being invited back.

8. Buy a Great Frame, or Leave it off.

Go all out with a gorgeous, museum-quality frame. Or leave it off completely.

No frame is better than a cheap one, and there’s a beauty and modernity to clean painted edges on unframed canvases, especially the big ones.

9. Play nice.

It’s human nature to complain. We all do it, and, in a strange way, it connects people.

But never, never spread negative gossip about your fellow artists or art professionals.

Because it’s inappropriate in business and makes you sound whiny and unprofessional. Plus, unflattering comments have a way of sticking mainly to the person making them.

If you must, share your grievances with your spouse or significant other. That’s what they’re for.

10. Don’t Paint in the 11th Hour.

The moment your work is accepted for an exhibition, consider it done—for now.

Trying to finish a piece too close to showtime can backfire, leaving you with something weaker than you had to begin with.

If your work finds a home during the run of a show, great! If not, you’ve gained valuable perspective by seeing it on the wall and can attack it later, so it’s a win-win.

11. Learn How to Price Your Work

Pricing your work is a complicated topic and could be the subject of an entire post.

But here are two rules of thumb:

• Do some detective work on what artists of similar experience, age, and exhibition histories are receiving—not just asking—for their work, and price yours in line.
• Imagine that midpoint between what you want to get and what a collector wants to pay. Both sides should feel a little pinch.

Don’t hold out for the home run or settle for the sure thing. Let your prices be a little boring. It’s wise to sell early and earn a reputation as a seller.

Final Thought

Every challenge an artist faces—with inspiration, with relationships, with money—should be considered a painting challenge. The better you are at handling those challenges, the better it is for your art.

And remember, no one ever “felt ready” before making a big move. So go for it.

Paint. Exhibit. Repeat.