Finishing a piece of art gives a sense of accomplishment. But the hard part is yet to come especially given the number of requests each gallery or dealers that are rushed with. The question that pops into every artist`s head is- How to get into an art gallery? And there is no golden rule to get to this target. As an artist, your creativity needs to spread more towards getting your art seen as much as creating it and here are 7 amazing ways of enticing your way into an art gallery that can flaunt your best piece of work.
Know your match: Just like how every artist works around with a certain style of art, every gallery or dealer also handles certain styles and creations that are typical of them to display. To find the gallery that best suits your art you will have to check the details of the gallery along with some research on any protocols or procedures required for approaching them.
- Be attentive to the guidelines mentioned to approach the gallery through the right means. Hi-end galleries have strict protocols and policies so please be mindful of the same.
- A professional portfolio is generally mandatory in most of these galleries which mean have one prepared in advance. Splash in your creativity in developing a capturing portfolio that can reflect the meaning of your art.
- Every art goes through a review before reaching a selection. Good galleries have a line-up of shows and various requests pending and hence patience is the key here.
Location is a key factor: While you look closer into finding the right gallery, one of the most important factors to consider should be the location. The location is important for various reasons in determining the kind of appeal it will have. The type of collection you have will have a different kind of appeal to audience from different geographical location. Local landscapes might please the local galleries well whereas there might be a different kind of audience you might be looking to appeal through modern art styles. Your choice of color palette, style, subject of the art everything matches well with a certain set of galleries better than the others. So observe the previous styles and the audience interest in these galleries and match with the ones that can accommodate yours.
Create a network and approach through it: Although websites can give away a lot about a gallery, interacting with the previous artists who have displayed their work there can be more beneficial. Look around and identify the artists you are connected to or have developed a relationship with in the past and inquire about the gallery. Ask all the doubts you have about the gallery including their promptness in payment, the kind of crowd you can expect to visit, their policies on selection and display etc. This will help you understand if you and the gallery you are looking for can match. If you do not find anyone from your network then maybe it is time you expand the same.
Use references: The second step after the previous would be to use common connections between you and the gallery to get a chance to present your work there. Referrals are the most effective way of getting attention from the gallery or dealers and hence you can use good connections to get the same.
- Start by requesting your connection to recommend you to the gallery.
- Have a good portfolio along with a good website that can briefly give an insight into your work.
- Connect to the gallery immediately after and remind them about the recommendation to stay in touch.
- Do not forget to follow through with your gallery or dealer within a week or two. This step will help you understand if the gallery is interested in your work or this way you can also develop a network
that can guide you to the right galleries or dealers.
Crafting the perfect portfolio: A professional portfolio is the first chance you have to impress your way to get into a gallery. It is how you market your work and yourself as an artist and hence building a creative and attractive portfolio is important.
- Build a portfolio that can briefly convey your style and passion for your work well.
- Your portfolio should look extremely professional and carry the best of your work with much poise. Make it short within 10-12 slides and do not forget to include enough of recent work and pick the best ones to take this place.
- Take help from professionals to create the perfect piece to make sure your work gets noticed.
- Not just you but thousands out there have beautifully created portfolios that usually pile up in the corner of galleries. So, follow up is an essential step. Give a call to the gallery after 2 -3 weeks of submitting your portfolio to get their attention.
Give a glimpse of your work: While your portfolio can give away a lot about your work, getting a view of your work directly can be a good way of capturing a gallery`s or dealer’s attention.
- Invite them to one of your current shows to get a view of your work. Your display could be at a studio, club, café, restaurant, design studio etc. But giving a glimpse of the same to the gallery or dealer could be a great way of marketing.
Be your own critic: As an artist, there is no need to compare your work with the others. But comparing the way you present your work is very important. When you look at a display by other artists even in their websites pay attention to the lighting, the frames they use etc, and try to crack the secret to the right type of presentation. Understand the unique thread in your style when compared to others and try to bring out the same using your presentation. Lay emphasis on the same in your conversation with your gallery or dealer to get their attention.
Getting a space in a gallery would be a perfect start to your career in art and hence harness these simple tips to get your show running soon.
