Holding an art exhibition, whether you’re showcasing your creations or those of other artists, is an enriching event. Nevertheless, it might not be easy to assemble so many various components in a way that is both coherent and significant. Because of this, having a plan is crucial when putting on your art exhibition. Once you’ve decided on a topic for your collection, you can start accepting entries from interested artists, choose a suitable location for the event, and create marketing buzz to get as many people to view and appreciate your collection as possible.
Discovering Art to Display
- Pick a guiding principle. A vital subject should unify the various artworks and provide the impression that they are a cohesive whole in a good art display. Consider carefully what you want your collection to say. It might be a phenomenon, a picture, a mood, or a specific visual design.
The best is to make your theme more narrow. For instance, “Black and White” explores a pairing of ideas too broad to have much of an impact, whereas “Isolation and Womanhood” explores one that is considerably more intriguing. - Think about naming your display. A catchy title, like “Neon Daydreams,” will draw attention and make the discussed issue more apparent.
- Choose your best pieces of work. Choose a couple of your most significant or recent results to display. You should have between 10 and 30 distinct parts to say if you’re doing a solo exhibit to promote your work. Each production should have a nod to the exhibition’s topic.
- Create unique works in the months before the exhibition so you may reveal them for the first time on opening night. Consider displaying more pieces if your work is often on the smaller side.
- Inquire about submissions from nearby artists. Look into other local artists to see if they would be interested in participating in your exhibition. To provide a more varied and comprehensive presentation, collaborative efforts might be a fantastic opportunity for many different artists to present their work at the same event.
- Focus on artists with a similar aesthetic or who frequently create pieces that address the subject of your presentation.
- You can split the cost of the venue, licensing costs, framing, and marketing expenditures if you organize an exhibition with other artists. Make sure to credit other artists for their contributions appropriately.
- Use a variety of media. It’s not necessary to display only drawings or paintings in your presentation. Please feel free to request artwork from sculptors, photographers, and other visual artists. A diverse range of works will create a lively partnership environment and give your audience more to enjoy.
- Generally speaking, it is advisable to stick with sellable, framed paintings. However, if the show’s concept aligns with their work, you might consider having poets or musicians read at the occasion.
Setting Up the Event
- Decide on a time and date. Being realistic with the deadline you set for yourself is essential since organizing an art exhibition requires considerable coordination. To ensure you have enough time to prepare, you should start planning your event at least 2-3 months in advance. If at all possible, pick a date that falls close to the weekend when more people will be off work and seeking local activities.
- Set up a location. Start looking for a venue where your exhibition will be held. Renting a studio or gallery space is an obvious choice, but you are not only restricted to conventional art venues. You may also inquire at nearby eateries, cafes, community centers, churches, and other businesses to see if they would be happy to host your event.
- Set a price for your artwork. An exhibition’s main objective is to sell and display an artist’s work. You might consider the price you want to charge for the pieces once you have them ready for exhibition. Try to set reasonable pricing for both you and the buyer while considering the medium, level of technical difficulty, and work involved in creating the piece.
- Make advertising materials. Print flyers, brochures, one-page informational ads, and posters that succinctly summarise the exhibition’s purpose and the kind of artwork that will be on display. Include important information such as the time and date, location, dress code, and admittance fee (if applicable). You might even consider sending out a press release or conducting an interview with your local news network if your exhibition is a high-profile event.
Implementing a Successful Exhibition
- Ask someone to lend a hand. Enlist the assistance of volunteers and pros like movers, framers, and lighting specialists. You’ll find it simpler to schedule art deliveries and pick-ups, set up the appropriate tools and displays, and keep an eye on the artwork to prevent damage or theft. A committed staff can make it easier to handle everything on your own and guarantee that the event runs smoothly.
- Organize the exhibition area. The artwork needs to be hung and placed appropriately as your priority. After that, you can adjust the lighting to ensure that each piece is lighted. Create a final plan that achieves this goal after imagining how visitors would view and interact with the space.
- Activate the public. Make yourself ready to answer questions and describe the artwork as guests start to arrive. For most artists, this is the most exciting aspect of the exhibition since it gives you the chance to interact with those who will be purchasing and reviewing your work, talk about the finer nuances of your aesthetic, and share insights into your creative process.
- Provide little snacks. Give your visitors some snacks and drinks while watching the display. Simple appetizers like cheese, fruit, finger sandwiches, and wine will suffice in most circumstances. Considering a sizable audience, consider investing in crowd-pleasers like cocktail shrimp, mini quiches, hummus, and other heartier fare.