The Essentials To Booking A Gallery Show: by Ava Chaney
The Essentials To Booking A Gallery Show: by Ava Chaney
The Essentials To Booking A Gallery Show: by Ava Chaney
By Ava Chaney
As a young artist still in the training the thought of trying to apply, booking, and actually having a show is both intriguing and absolutely terrifying. The thought of being young and inexperienced crosses the mind when applying to these shows. We dont want to be pushed aside because we are younger and dont know the trade as well. In this guide I want to explore the genres that are involved in all the steps in applying to galleries. In making this guide, Im also learning the ways in which to make myself the most appealing and professional as possible. I want to be taken seriously instead of being viewed as an amateur. I think as a young artist establishing yourself early can lead to greater opportunities, so I want myself and my readers to have a strong presence that can complement their artwork.
Introduction
If planning on having a career in art making its vital to understanding the world of art presentation. In this guide I want to explore the importance of what genres are most useful when interacting with a gallery. One needs to know how to appeal to a certain gallery and understand the different writing genres of editorial, research, and promotional writing. Other factors that Im going to investigate are community/gallery values, knowing what authority figures and their roles within the gallery, and what kind of communication happens in the gallery setting. These are all important because if wanting to be an artist, you need to know how to promote yourself and your art as well as grabbing the attention of others. Through out this guide I will be using information by professionals in my field. I will use the insight from John Sabraw, a working artist and painting professor at Ohio University. He has had success in major cities like New York, Chicago, and Columbus and is very much a mentor to myself. Another person I will be using is Rosemarie Basile, she is the assistant dean of students in The Fine Art school at Ohio University. Shes had experience with curating shows as well of years of training others.
Salon hanging - A style of hanging multiple artworks on a wall, where a painting covers every available space floor to ceiling. this type of display is seen through out European Royal Academies in the 18th and 19th centuries. Studio gallery - A gallery where the artist also maintains a work area where he may create art as well as display it. Co-op - A type of art gallery where a group of artists unrepresented by galleries join together to pay rent on a space where they represent themselves.
Vanity gallery - A form of art gallery where the artist rents space to show his work.
These terms reflect what types of galleries there are available, terms about conserving art, and details about the finishing process.
Knowing these types of writing as an artist will help you so much from the transitioning from student to working artist.
Pricing Artwork
Being a young artist its important to not over price your artwork. Even if you price your own work its likely that the gallery will work out what they think the price should be. Factors that are involved in pricing art include the actual size of the piece, complexity, weight, detail, cost of materials, and the time that was put into the artwork. Details and characteristics can change the price between who is looking at it and where its being displayed. I cant stress enough how important it is to not over price artwork. If youre not famous do not price your piece at 20,000 dollars.
Putting up a show
One extremely important thing about displaying art is allowing enough time to put up work. Many people dont take into consideration the allotted time in which to set up artwork in the way you want it to look. Presentation is a huge factor and selling and having a good name with the gallery. That is one part of being a professional in the art world. Important people in the art field respond well to artist who have their body of work completely ready for installing and doing so in a timely fashion. Having a professional put together appearance will help sell. John Sabraw, a working artist and professor, has told me about the importance of being completely ready for a show and having enough time to put it up. He talks about having a solid week or two are preferable for perfection. Another thing about allotting the appropriate amount is then you wont wait to last minute to finish pieces. It will look clean, put together, and ready for purchase.
Conclusion
Although applying for gallery shows is nerve wracking its extremely exciting for new artist like us. Art is a field that is constantly changing. New talent intrigues galleries so putting your work out there is only half the battle. No one will ever see the artwork you want to show if you dont make it known. Through out this guide I have touched upon the
important roles that make up how a gallery functions, language that is used in the presentation world, as well as other information about pricing artwork, putting up the show, and the goals and values of each gallery. I hope through this exploration the importance of presentation is made known. Half of the art world is made up of people who are all about the presentation of art. Getting a glance into what kind of work they do and language used only enhances the artists ability. Presentation is the vital to becoming a working professional artist.
Work Cited
People Cited: Primary Sources John Sabraw, working artist and professor at Ohio University Rosemary Basile, Assisstant Dean to Student at Ohio University Fine Arts College Secondary Research "How to Price Your ArtMaking Fine Line Price Distinctions." How to Price Art: Pricing Fine Points for Artists. Art Business, 2011. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. "Making the Most of Art Gallery Shows and Exhibits:Understanding and Working with Gallery Owners." Getting Into Art Galleries. Art Business, 2011. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. "Useful Art Gallery Terms." Useful Art Gallery Terms. Az Central, 2007. Web. 08 Nov. 2013.