|
and,...an "American PieOutdoor Art Festival
Contemplating an Art Festival Tent and want a Great Price?
Like you're gonna want a terrible price - cha?
Abundant Artist has festivaled under and recommends the E-Z Up Tents. Lightweight, Set up Fast, Best for the Price
Get one Today from Dick Blick.
Additional Abundant Artist
Catagories of Interest
Art Books
Art Business
Art DVDs & Videos
Art Education
Art Galleries
Looking for a unique gift of enduring beauty? Fine art gifts are a perfect way to celebrate special occassions.
 Art History
Art Marketing
Art Materials
Art News
Arts Organizations
If you're serious about regularly staying in touch with, and building your client list (as the Abundant Artist recommends), use Constant Contact. Really, give it a try, its free for awhile - no sweat, and it veru effective for staying in touch with clients quite professionally.
<
Art Schools
Art Shipping
Art Travel
Art Workshops
Art Writing
Artist Career Planning
Career Coaching & Motivation
Framing & Conservation
Grants
How-To's
Licensing Art
Photographing Art
Public Art Projects
Shows and Exhibitions
|
|
return to previous page
Tips for Showing and Exhibiting
Finding shows to enter isn't all that hard, finding the quality of shows for your level of work. medium, career aspirations, artistic message, etc., may take a bit more research. Be clear on your goals. If you enjoy working from the local genre and see your art as a relaxing hobby you may be have fun entering local shows and fairs, selling some work and making some great friends. This type of show is usually easy to find through your local arts club or center. On the other hand if you are working on a mind bending, pithy installation/performance piece invoving a goat, surf board resin, lots of string and Hungarian acrobats, many local fairs may take some execption - and you really want a meatier venue anyway.
To build national recognition, look for shows around the country, not just on a local level, and look for shows that specialize in your subject or medium - that always looks better on your credentials and those shows attract collectors interested specifically in your medium or subject matter.
A well planned career and resume will have at least 4-6 new shows a year. The more diverse the locations, the more national or even international your reputation will become. One person shows are the crème-de-la-crème on your CV. 2 person , then small group shows are next in importance along with specialized media or subject matter shows. salon style meyleys are further down the list and if the location is a mall, consider leaving it off the resume altogether.
Juried shows always carry more weight on a resume then open shows. And, yes it does help if the juror(s) is someone well recognized and respected in the art world. Remember, you're showing to build your career. Important galleries, grant organizations, teaching jobs, some types of licensing organizations, more prestigious shows and serious collectors do place stock in these things when considering you or your work.
Resources such as Abundant Artist, ArtDeadline.com, ArtList.com,Art Calendar Magazine , ArtShow.com and ArtDeadlinesList.com, are great resources for finding shows and exhibitions. Once you find the listing however, check the show or showing organizations web site, and/or call. Make sure you like what you see and hear and feel good about your work going off to this place. You and your work are your "brand'. Corporations spend a gajillion dollars protecting their brands - you should do the same. You are going to lay down some hard earned capital to enter the show, make the work, frame it, ship your work, potentially have it shipped back to you(if it doesn't sell), perhaps travel to the opening and so on. Feel as good as possible about where the work is going, who will jury it, see it and care for it.
Don't get in too much of a snit if you aren't accepted to every show you enter. You can get in a bit of a snit, because it is a disappointment, but over the years we have found that the average is about one acceptance for every four shows entered.
Another reason we urge you to check things out as closely as possible is to avoid scams. Oh yeah, there are those that have figured out that they can advertise a show collect a couple hundred entry fees and make out quite nicely. There are even those that will go so far as to have you ship the work and then charge you a repacking fee after the show. Trouble is there usually isn't a show or, for that matter a "re"packing. Look for legitimate galleries with web sites, or well know arts centers and then call. Tell them you would like a perspectus and mention that you are thinking about coming to the opening. If they get kind of sketchy at that point, don't enter.
Once you've entered and been accepted you have to plan to get the work to the show and perhaps take yourself to the opening as well. Presumably the work you will enter is finished because you were able to enter an image of it into the show in the first place. The next thing to consider is presentation. We can't stress enough, make it look good. This can take on a lot of meanings depending on the nature of the work, size, subject matter, media and so forth. All we can say is look professional all the way. Also make sure the piece is wired for hanging or set up for mounting. Put an inventory label on the piece with; your name, the title, medium, size and price and your inventory number. Check the show specifications for any other information they may require. In addition, we strongly suggest you send along a copy of a consignment sheet as well. Keep a copy for your records as well. (continue)
 Handmade and Unique Clothing, Accessories, Home Decor and More from Around the World
Note from the Abundant Artist: Novica is fairly new, very cool as they help artisans around the world sell their products at a good wage. A great company for a VERY unique, even one of a kind gift.
(continued on to more Show Tips) (return to page 1)
|
