Last year I wrote this column to motivate others to start the process of creating art. Starting something new is always going to be overwhelming. There are so many things that need to be learned and as we evolve in our new environment we’ll discover areas where we lack skill and experience. One of my personal intentions for this new year is to exhibit my artwork. Simply creating is not enough, exhibiting art is part of the satisfaction of being an artist. When you share what you have created, you invite others into your world.
So how is art exhibited? Assuming you're new to this process, art is typically exhibited in galleries. From time to time, works can also be found in places such as restaurants, medical offices, or libraries. Sometimes the process is as simple as asking someone who has a blank wall if you can mount your painting there. But usually, the process is longer.
First, we will focus on the resources dedicated to listing opportunities for artists. Carbondale Creative District has a blog where they list local and state opportunities. In it, you can find links for applications to galleries in search of artists or other opportunities related to art such as jobs or residencies. Type in your browser, www.carbondalecreativedistrict.com/artist-opportunities to find the opportunity that resonates most with you.
This blog has recently translated its information from English to Spanish, so it will be more accessible to Spanish speakers. The R2 Gallery, located within Launchpad, is receiving exhibition proposals for the year 2023 and has a deadline of May 2, 2022. Similarly, Art Base located in Basalt is also accepting proposals for 2023 with a due date of February 1, 2022.
Another one of my favorite resources is, CaFÉ (located at www.callforentry.org) this site allows you to view opportunities of all kinds nationally. You can limit your search by state or opportunity type, even down to the amount of fee you are willing to pay.
Usually, each call for artist requires a fee to process your application. This amount is different for each gallery, and sometimes it even varies from show to show. From there a committee reviews your application and decides if your art style is a good fit. For example, if you're trying to exhibit landscapes in a gallery that typically exhibits abstract art, chances are you'll be denied. With that in mind, don't be discouraged if you get a "no."
It’s important to read the descriptions. Many galleries already have the exhibition theme in mind and are inviting artists who fit that vision. Another option is to create your own show’s theme and write a proposal. The difference here is that a proposal allows you the freedom to have a solo show or choose a group of artists you want to exhibit with. Choosing the theme of the exhibition will determine the experience of visitors to the gallery.
Once your application has been accepted, there will be other details that you will need to keep in mind such as delivery and exhibition dates. It’s important to be punctual and take into account the time you will need to finish your work or if they need to be framed. All of these requirements can be found within the description or you can contact the gallery directly to make sure everything is as it should be.
When exhibiting your art in a gallery you enter into an agreement or contract with them. When one of your artworks is sold, they will take a percentage of this sale. The percentage that the gallery takes is different depending on the location but typically those numbers are 20% to 40%. Take this into consideration when pricing your work.
Within the agreement, you should know what type of insurance the gallery will provide in case your work is damaged. If you are applying to a gallery outside of your town or state and plan to mail it in, there will also be additional costs as well as shipping insurance to consider. Every application is a little different, so I would like to stress how important it is to carefully read the all the details.
In my personal experience, exhibiting my works in a gallery, seeing them framed, and being able to talk to other people about them fills me with great joy. It reminds me that while being an artist may seem like an isolated and somewhat selfish profession, it's also a way to start important conversations and bring people together. To the non-artist, I hope this encourages you to exhibit your art and I hope you take advantage of the opportunities that are available to you.