Showing your work is always nerve-wracking,
especially if it’s a gallery opening dedicated solely to your art. It can be
hard to know where to begin with something like this, which is why having a
good checklist is so important.
Pre-Event
The most work obviously comes before that
actual event, but don’t be daunted! Give yourself plenty of time and you’ll
have it all organised in no time.
Plan
As with any event, planning is key. Write a
checklist of everything that you need to do, along with the dates that you need
to get them done by. Knowing what date you want your opening to be on is the
first step, but don’t advertise this until you have confirmed the venue.
Choose your Artwork
Part of the planning process for a gallery
opening is knowing what paintings/ sculptures/ photographs that you are going
to display. This isn’t always easy. While you might know what your best pieces
are, it can be hard to choose from the rest of your work. That’s why it’s good
to start from a theme. If there is one piece of art or a series that you want
to be the focus, develop a theme around them. While there may be some other
pieces you want to display, if they don’t fit with this theme, set them aside.
Work on the name of the exhibition that you will be using on all of your
promotional material. Choose artwork that will be a range of prices, so that
there is something for everyone.
Venue
Where you hold the exhibition is key to the
success of the opening. Make sure that it is not in an awkward location to get
to, allows catering, and that there is plenty of room for both people and
artwork. While cosy spaces can be intimate, you need to think about how many
people might attend before you commit to a smaller space. Vacant spaces for
hire in London mean that you can find something truly unique that can fit your
needs and the theme of your art. If
you go for a more traditional gallery space, talk to them and find what their
code of conduct is and whether your ideas will be suitable. Communication with
the curators will be key.
Catering
Refreshments will be expected at a gallery
opening, so make sure that you can provide them. Canapes and wine are the
traditional, but if that doesn’t fit with your style, then mix it up a little
bit. There’s nothing wrong with craft beer can cocktail sausages, so long as it
doesn’t look out of place!
Advertise
Once the planning is well underway, you’ll
need to start promoting the event. Now is the time to get a catalogue together
and printed. Have a poster for it that
you can use to advertise on social media as well as physically. Make sure that
the details on your website are all up to date. No one wants to Google you only
to see previous works and no mention of your opening.
Hang Your Work
Supervise the hanging and placing of your
work, so that you know that everything is in the right place. Depending on the
venue, you might need to get volunteers in to help you transport and move
artwork for you.
Relax
Get a good night’s sleep before the opening
- and try and relax! At this stage, there’s nothing more that you can do, so
congratulate yourself on your organisational skills.
On the Day
It’s the day of the opening and it’s all
come together wonderfully! Now you just need to get through the event and sell
some artwork.
Know What to Say
You’ll be expected to make a speech of some
kind, so make sure you have prepared this in advance. Even if someone else is
hosting, a few words of thank you are still appropriate. You will have people
asking you questions about your pieces, so make sure you know what to say.
Don’t make it up on the spot but be able to delve into the technique and
emotions of any of your pieces.
Talk to Reviewers
Talking to reviewers and bloggers will help
to get your name out there so be polite and give them your time, answering any
questions that they might have about your work and it’s meaning. Try and get
their details so you can add it to your mailing list and look up their review.
Mingle
It’s important that you get yourself out
there on opening day and talk to as many people as possible. Get the people you
know to introduce you to others and take yourself around the gallery. It will
surprise you how many potential buyers there will be, and they will all want to
talk to the artist.
Post-Event
It’s over and everything went smoothly, but
you’re not done yet! While you can relax, there are still a few things to keep
working on.
Thank Yous
After the event, it’s important to email
out thank yous or send cards to everyone who made it a success. Let them know
that you appreciate all that they have done to make the event what it was. Send
an email out to your entire mailing list thanking everyone for attending.
Keep Your Catalogue Up to Date
With any luck, you’ll have sold a few
pieces straight away! It’s important to keep your online catalogue up to date,
so potential buyers won’t be disappointed if they get in contact with you
directly.
Keep Promoting
While the opening is over, you want to keep
up interest in your work for as long as possible. Blog about the show
immediately afterwards and post on social media every time you sell a piece. If
you get reviews, make sure you share them to keep up the buzz.
When it’s all on you, hosting a gallery
opening is hard work, but it’s worth it to see the whole thing come together.
Keep calm and follow a good plan, and you’ll soon see the benefit of all of
your hard work.
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