Six Tips on How to Build a Memorable Art Show
There are some goals you want to achieve with an art show or art show. One is to show your art to the public, share your ideas and the possibility of making a positive change in the world with your art.
Another goal would be to sell your artwork to collectors.
And the third would be to gain new collectors and fans.
The trick is to make them happy to have come to your exhibition. It amazes me how many artists and even gallery owners and curators don’t know how to do this.
You know the feeling; you’re excited to go to the solo show of an artist you’ve been a fan of for years. You are finally going to buy a work of art and you are very happy to meet them in person. You arrive at the gallery, only to be disappointed by the lack of kindness and concern the artist has for you. You go away, empty handed.
If you don’t make attendees feel welcome and glad they came, then not only did you miss a sale that night, you lost a sale from that person forever. It’s the little things that make the difference.
Here is a list of six things you can do to ensure that each person who comes to your exhibit feels a little closer to you and your art:
1. Greet everyone at the door and say “I’m glad you’re here!” Shake your hand. (If you can’t greet everyone, make sure your people are helping you.)
2. Ask everyone what their name is and where they are from. Get involved and act like you’re interested in them.
3. Direct each newcomer to the first piece to see or where to start.
4. The art world is small. It will be polite to connect your guests with other guests “Oh, Tom, I want you to meet Phil. He has been a fan of your art for some time.”
5. Offer to take a tour of their new paintings: Take the guest or small groups of people from one painting to another, answering their questions as you go.
6. When someone leaves, thank them for coming and be serious.
Just these small actions will make the difference between whether your event is memorable or not.
What if you are shy or not a social person? Many artists have trouble being outgoing. Okay, just like you learned to paint, you can learn to be friendly and act interested in people. It doesn’t take much to greet everyone who walks into your exhibit. And it’s just as easy to thank them when they leave.
Make the effort and the rewards will be multiplied by ten.
