The following article compiles ten tips from artists and curators who have been there. Whether you are a photographer, painter, sketch artist, or sculptor, being well prepared means you're bound to be pleased at the end of your exhibit.

SUMMARY

Before the Show	During and After
Communicate with the Curator Promote, Promote, Promote Prepare the Art Gallery Preparations Prepare Yourself Ambiance	Have Reasonable Expectations Promote Yourself Talk To, Not Over Keep Promoting

1. Communicate with the Curator

You absolutely do not want to come to your exhibit opening unclear on any contract terms. Make sure everything has been clearly laid out - commissions, who is paying for what, your show's running time, etc. Everything should be on paper and signed by both parties. Also ensure you both have a copy of the inventory, including prices and number of pieces (if prints). This way there will be no confusion around what sold and what was never there.

Make sure you are aware of any cover charges that might exist for your show. As a general rule, artists and collectors do not like paying to walk through the door for an art show (unless you're Picasso). They might have planned to buy something because they love your work, or want to support you, and if they're already shelling out money before they've browsed, that urge to buy might be somewhat lessened. If there will be a charge, let everyone know in your promotions beforehand.

Finally, make sure anyone else who will be there in a professional capacity - the owner, their employees, or someone hired for the event - can answer some questions about you. Anyone your guests might reasonably approach should be able to say a bit about your art style, how long you've been working, and your prices.

2. Promote, Promote, Promote

Take to the net. Email every event announcement site that services your area, and find out if there are any local groups who promote regional events for free through social media. Check with free papers, but remember these ads often cost money. Besides the price of the handbills (which you can use during the event as well), you may not have to spend much on promotion at all. Such is the glory of the internet.

If you are utilizing an online event announcement, consider sending out multiple messages. A notification that the event is coming up three or four weeks prior, so the really dedicated recipients can pencil you in. An official invitation about ten days before the show, before most people have made solid plans for the night in question. And finally, a reminder about two days before the show, to remind those who might have forgotten. Don't spam them - make the messages colorful, fun (or suited to the show's atmosphere), and friendly. Don't expect attendance, simply extend the invitation.

3. Prepare the Art

Don't just bring a bunch of originals that you've priced at hundreds of dollars apiece. While having originals around the venue is a wonderful idea, not every person who walks through the door - in fact, likely fewer than 10% of them - will be willing or able to purchase an original. Carry high quality prints of pieces you think will be popular (matting them is a great way to make them look professional), or prepare greeting or post cards that give guests on a budget a chance to own your art for less.

Once you've chosen and sorted your pieces, make sure they're safe for transit. Of course you'll want to ensure your originals are well protected, but even your prints and cards should be kept neat, in separate cellophane sleeves if possible. No matter how much or how little someone is paying, no one wants to display art with a scuff mark across the bottom or a crumpled corner.

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For more information, see our detailed articles:

• Art Gallery Lighting
• Art Hanging Systems

4. Gallery Preparations

Just in case you have the chance to set up early, be sure to have your cards ready. Every piece should include a small card listing the title, media, dimensions (HxWxD), price, and your name if you aren't the only artist in the show. Whether you are in charge of these cards or not, always look them over. Make sure the information is accurate, and everything is spelled correctly. Nothing is a bigger red flag of an unprofessional show than typos.

It may be up to the owner or curator of the space to hang your art, but you can still wander through and make sure everything is as it should be. Pieces should not be squished together on the walls, lighting should be suitably arranged for each piece, and everything must be straight. Of course, if you are showing at a cafe or retail store, it may be impossible to control factors such as lighting, but ensure your show looks as authentic and professional as possible.

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• D-Ring Picture Hangers

• Picture Hanging Wire

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5. Prepare Yourself

• When did you start painting/drawing/sculpting?
• How long did this piece take?
• What media do you use?
• Who are some of your favourite artists?
• What inspires you?
• How much time do you spend creating art?

Some artists suggest having a few good stories about each piece in their arsenal as well. If you can make the viewer feel even a little like you do about the piece they're looking at, you've upped your chances to make a sale or at least a new fan of your work.

This may sound like a small, or obvious, detail, but be sure to eat well before the show, and be well rested. It could be a long night of chatting with prospective buyers and promoting yourself like crazy, so you don't want to be dealing with a grumbling stomach or lack of sleep that could lead you to crash half way through the event.

6. Ambiance

At art shows, where numerous artists are showing, it is suggested by some artists to forgo any other distractions, such as mood lighting, scents, or music - you don't want anything to take away from your products. But if your work is being featured in a solo or small group show, music is something to consider. Do you have a friend who would be willing to play violin for an hour or so, or do you want recorded music playing softly in the background. Your choices should reflect the overall feel of your art, and should not be too loud; you want to encourage conversation, not hinder it.

7. Have Reasonable Expectations

8. Promote Yourself

Remember networking is a two-way street. Don't just hand out cards, ask your guests if they have one of their own. Answer questions candidly, but ask questions too. What brings them here, what artists do they like, etc.

Do not leave the event. Murphy's law states the second you disappear for anything more than a bathroom break, someone wanting to buy will be looking for the artist. This is your night, but it wouldn't happen without your guests, so you should be the first one there and the last to leave. Chat briefly with existing friends and acquaintances but don't surround yourself with people you know the entire night. This event is about meeting new people.

9. Talk To, Not Over

"I paint because I love the way the brush feels in my hand" will usually go a lot farther in continuing the conversation than something like "I paint to release the ensnared rusticity that permeates all existence in this societal milieu overwrought with contrived emotion." Even if the latter is the truth, try to find another, more tangible truth to share. Save the wordy one for your blog.

10. Keep Promoting

If you put out an email list, or originally contacted potential guests through Facebook or another invitation service, send out a thank you message. Not only will this prompt the people who came to add you to their own networks, it will also spur into action those who couldn't make it. The note will remind them your show is up for so many more days - maybe they will drop by, or at least tell some friends.

Make sure any website or page you included on your cards is up to date. This should have been done before the show, but now is a great time to prepare for what will hopefully be a great increase in traffic. Post some photos from the event, make a positive public statement about how it went, and include a message about any upcoming shows or nearly finished pieces. If you can inform your new followers while your past show is still fresh in their minds, they're more likely to note your next important date in their calendar.

One alternative to a live show - to complement them, not necessarily replace them - is to show your work in an online gallery. This allows you to curate your art from the comfort of your home, and offer a range of printing styles that could be difficult and costly if you had to do it all yourself. At KeenART Media, we offer a great online option for all artists who work in two dimensional media.

Our Artist Gallery Program (AGP for short) helps artists around the country display their artwork free of charge. When a visitor to the website chooses to order a print, we do all the work - we print the art, frame the paper print or gallery wrap the canvas, and ship it to the customer. In return, the artist receives a commission (a base rate plus an additional percentage of their choosing, which will affect the price of the print) for each item sold.

For more information about AGP, visit our Artist Gallery Program page. Just shoot us an email with a link to your portfolio, or some attached images, and we'll get back to you in a few days. Once you've been accepted into the program, you have full access to your gallery, with the ability to change and add images, alter prices, and start earning!

Remember, however, that much like a curator, we are primarily offering a venue. It is still up to you to make sure word gets out about your online store!

At KeenART Media, we offer many services that could be of use to artists preparing for a gallery show:

• Don't want to bring originals? We can print and frame your gallery wrapped canvas art and have it to you in as little as a week.

• Want some professionally matted prints to offer along with your original paintings? We have a wide selection of fine art papers and many different, high quality matboards.

• Planning to sell your work but don't want to part with that special image? We offer artwork scanning so you can keep digital copies of all your originals.

• Need to frame some pieces and still make a profit? We have beautiful, high quality picture frame mouldings for a range of prices, to suit your budget and your art.

If you have any questions about our products or services, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff are always happy to offer answers and helpful suggestions or advice.

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