Wow!
I can’t imagine this!
Wonderful ideas….
But nothing I’ve created is “real.” It’s all pixels. I can’t afford to get anything made into anything tangible. Maybe there’s a way to find a place that will set up a computer, to show people that way. Sounds awkward, but maybe it’ll work.
Thank you for posting this!!

Great info! I’m currently heading into my third Gallery exhibition with another one in the spring! I know how terrifying it can be when you first start! there are so many decisions to make and you feel totally lost! With my experience I’ve helped a few get started on portfolio’s and sent them in the right direction! For anyone wanting to exhibit their work my advice is to GO FOR IT! its such an amazing experience and it really boosts your confidence in your work! My only advice to add to the journal is at find a gallery or space that is willing to work with you as the artist! and NEVER be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS! I hope those that decide to go for it have a blast and much success!! there will be times when you question why you are doing it but the final outcome far out ways those moments!

yes…my group has many bubblers! i organized this group in oct and we have been booked till the end of this yr and i am proposing many projects for 2010…met some wonderful artists here! actually…mariam muradian, mia hernandez, and helen bascom are in a show opening in july in brooklyn Hard Hearts…see last page of my portfolio…then the men of the group are showing in october, bookmaker, miron abramovich, gary dunn, colorblind, leon walker possibly will be there to read poetry, billy189, damien venditti..we have had quite a journey since i got us together

P.S. A show shouldn’t be about making money! It should be about the joy of hearing and seeing how much others enjoy your work! Sales are a wonderful bonus! :)

The Melbourne & Victoria Group has had heaps of fun and success with meet ups as well as exhibitions. There’s a couple of us involved in this group that love to help out or have our brains picked at for information!

A couple of other tips that just popped into my head based on my experiences. When you begin to send your portfolio to galleries the estimated time that a gallery should keep your portfolio is 6 weeks with the option of being able to etrieve it if you need it. By the 6 week date the gallery should call you and let you know if they are interesting in showing your work or not and then arrange to return your portfolio. Secondly, always research any gallery you are considering showing with. Find out what type of work they exhibit, if possible stop in and check out a current show and don’t be afraid to speak with someone, get some feedback on how the current show is going, feedback on the works etc. thirdly, I myself keep up to date on all the major galleries in my area, what they are exhibiting etc. This gives you as an artist a good idea of what the general flow is for most galleries currently!! Other than that Have fun, enjoy the exprience and Go For it!

I’m very glad of this, I have been offered to do an exhibition at the hospital I work at and I’m seriously out of my depth, wondering what to do, which artwork to use, how to make it flow, aarrggghhhhh!!!!!!!

Wonderful info and very scary!!

ohh and something i learned the hard way! Be very aware of the wall color that you will be displaying on! The first exhibit i did repainted their walls a gross orange color mere days before the exhibit started! The color washed out my works big time and was horrible to look at! So be very aware of wall color lol

Repy to Martyn: YOU CAN DO IT! Good for you! Remember, one step at a time….plus, they wouldn’t have offered if they didn’t think your work would enhance the hospital. I have seen some wonderful and amazing and inspiring art on hospital walls…

OK im going to do it :o)

I will be doing my second show at a coffee house this Friday. I am the artist of the month. My first show was at the Town Hall and the mayors hall was used to display 30 of my pieces. I had asked friends to pick out 10 of their favorite pieces to determine which to print and frame. I suggest creating a list of what you will be displaying with prices as well as a card with price info on each piece that way there is no confusion if the piece should sell. I would also recommend different size pieces and a bio sheet to display along with your work… It’s a great experience, I’m looking forward to my next this Friday

I’ve applied for a group at RB, with a mission to do just this, Exhibit: Southern United States Artists. Still waiting for the green light from RB.

Really looking forward to it.

Any Southern artists here, bubblemail me. :D

Excellent, Rhana.

One more thought: If your town has a space for lease or public venue that accepts events, approach them about about a solo or group show. A community center, a library … you will bring clients to these businesses through your exhibition. It’s a win-win for both parties.

A friend [and commercial real estate] agent asked if I would like to use a currently vacant space for an art show. He thinks that if I invite contacts to view my artwork in his empty space, he might get a few leads that could result in a renter.

Be as inventive with your sales ideas as you are with your art. And, oh, if you do exhibit offline, be sure to hand out plenty of cards (or simple letter sized flyers) with your contact information and RedBubble URL (or your personal website, blog, etc.).

Martyn, I added some tips in the Sales and Marketing Forum about your upcoming show. I’ll ping you shortly.

Excellent info!

Thank you Rhana – great piece with great links…. this is my ‘next aim’ in life… :)))
K xx

your more than welcome Rhana. If i can be of further assistance to anyone just let me know :) I know how scary yet exciting of a time it can be :)

I am excited to be the artist of the month at a local frame shop. They put your works in the window. Its called Picture Framing Gallery, 1612 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, Pa 19031, also I have a few paintings in a local coffee shop a resturant and a day spa. Never sure how often I should change them however. I always put a business card with a price and offer the shop owner a commision on any thing that sells. Some shop owners just like the fact of having the art there so they don’t ask for any fees. Also I am part of a local artists co-op, I figure the more the work is out there the better the cahnce of selling something.

I am so glad you posted this information. Exhibits are wonderful. I have had so much fun and met so many other local artists through our local galleries and art groups. Even though I live in a small town, it seems there are always opportunities to exhibit your work. We had an art crawl in April that made our town the largest art gallery in the state for a day. Getting involved with your local galleries and museums is a great thing to do. Many towns have festivals that let you exhibit your art for an entry fee.I am lucky enough to be a member of the Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton Trail, and that group is always involved in local festivals and gallery exhibits. We also have local and statewide shops offering our work for sale. Getting involved in any group like that is a great way to meet other artists and to get ideas for your own exhibits.

This is something I’d so love to get involved with in the future. Hopefully it won’t be too far into the future, but right now, it still feels very daunting. Great encouraging post though, rb, thank you!

Thanks for this Rhana….. I’m moving inter-state at the end of the year, & this is on my list of goals for the new location!!!

Excellent ideas! I joined in an Art Attack Art Show at our local hall which was great and a chance to meet other artists and people in the art world,,, as far as it being all pixels and can’t afford to buy anything to stock, I did have some work on display that I had printed out myself but I found my LAPTOP was a major drawcard…as I had a Slide Show of my images constantly turning over, so you dont need to have everything on show if you can manage to get a Laptop there…just have it on..people stared at the screen for ages and it was also a good drawcard to my table..

Great thoughts, thanks for all the amazing ideas and inspiring us to look at showing our art in other ways. Really, nothing ventured nothing gained. Cheers

Great idea from Vanessa Barklay!!!

Great stuff! Thanks for posting. Concerning the date: I once accidentally had a show in a downtown area on the same night as a huge outdoor art show. My location was not quite close enough for people to walk by and I got very little traffic to my small exhibit because everyone was going to the big one. Of couse, it can be good to coordinate with some larger event that is complimentary to your work if you are close enough to it, i.e., tractor pull if your main subject is rustic farm scenes or old tractors.

This is great info Rhana.
I am currently doing a MA in Museums and Collections at the ANU and part of this course is about exhibitions. I have found a great little publication called “exhibitions: a practical guide for small museums and galleries” by Georgia Rouette from Museums Australia (Victoria) 2007. Its full great easy to read tips and information from exhibition concept, how to develop the exhibition, design, online exhibitions, marketing, public programs etc.etc. It includes sections on touring exhibitions, and a CD-ROM full of do-it-yourself tools and templates. It has been an invaluable resource for my studies (I am designing a virtual exhibition of a series of Aboriginal Masonite paintings from NT 1950s, as part of my thesis project). Folks in Australia can contact Museums Australia to purchase a copy – 1800 680 082 (they should have an office in most capital cities too) or for our international friends call +61 3 8341 7344
I hope this helps some.
Cheers
Leise ♥

Great information, although I am admittedly not sure I’m quite ready…thanks for the insights and what a crew of helpful bubblers ;) xoxox TK ♥

The members of the Ohio Photographers group are having a group photo display in downtown Columbus, Ohio running from June 19th through July 16th. There were at least a dozen members who participated and we had a good time hanging our works on the 19th. You can check out the photos that were hung on the Ohio Photographers Group website.

Check our group on RedBubble
Make up Your Mind
Artworks using make-up products. Calling for artists for an exhibition in Manly in September. You can send us your works on RB Matted prints.
Womanly
Original designed RB tshirts will be exhibit on a longest clothline in Manly on 27 Sep 09.
Both exhibitions take part of Manly Arts Festival.
Sydney’s Guide to Exhibition
Organising many exhibitions and exchange the information about art around Sydney.

Some more reading and thoughts to collect.
SALA -South Australian Living Arts have a major exhibition program happening in August. I am particpating in one exhibition in Mt Barker SA (link)
And then will be following up with a solo exhibition at the same gallery for 3 weeks in mid-October.

I’m currently exhibiting in a show in Missouri. I exhibited in this show last year and they invited me back. It’s great to be able to expose your work to a big selection of viewers. I’m trying to be more consistent in my exhibits, it keeps the work fresher and creates more personal challenges. Great info RB on exhibiting. All artists need to experience this.

My art was included in a student production which is posted on YouTube CLICK HERE

Recently I came off a show with several other great artists in Maryland, USA CLICK HERE

And I am showing with some beautiful and awesome women artists in Brooklyn New York USA CLICK HERE

Yes I have to agree that exhibiting still terrifies me in so many ways. I can’t cope with the stress of it alone and thanks to RB, I am making more friends and contacts and slowly that fear is diminishing. My work has received so many mixed comments that I am often at a loss which way to go.

Galleries tell me my work is too European and traditional, not contemporary, for Australian clients so I’ve realised that I’m going to have to carve out my own pocket of the market. Just another frustration I find aggravating in this business

I made my own photography exhibition on 2008 and yep, i made some of the suggestions like posting posters around cafés, or exhibition places, as also college. I made it all by myself, except for the design of the poster. It was a success, radio invited me to talk about it, and i had a visit from around more than 100 hundred people on an unknown café at that time.

Sometimes you have to move things around to get some success

Right now i’m working on a one-year project sponsored by a culture organization and hopefully i’ll exhibit something more later

I’ll be sure to keep you posted..and take some photos…Thanks so much

I do sooo want an exhibition. My wife says I’m always making an exhibition of myself, so I should be good at it by now.

It would be soooo cool if RedBubble had a permanent little red button link to a list of all the exhibitions that members were holding (or part of) throughout the world. Not only could we support each other but also it would demonstrate further the wonderful community spirit and achievement that IS Redbubble.

Really great timing for such an article!!! I am currently trying to organise my first solo exhibition (very exciting!), which is coming up in August.
Thanks very much for your little tips, although I have helped organise many exhibitions, there are still things you forget!!

Thanks for the great info I am considering qrganizing a photo meet up goup in my area and this gives me some information and insentive on where to start

awesome! Always happy to share what i have learned and what i know :) Pick away lol

This is very helpful! I’ve had solo exhibitions and group exhibitions and every little bit of info helps. You just gotta plan.

ok, I am kind of uncomfortable blowing my own horn, but the full month of August I will have center stage at a place called The Curious Cup .
Photomojo and my Niece, Kasey have both shown here as well. It is a nice local coffee shop that supports artists. These suggestions will help me so much ! !

this is a great contribution to the information here on RB, Rhana, and thanks to everyone who contributed :)

Great subject to bring to the fore guys! And thanks for all the tips, information and links….. While I have never had a solo exhibition (but am considering it) I have been exhibiting my work for the last four years in open exhibitions (a group of artists entering two pieces of work or similar into a themed major exhibition) and it is always a buzz to see your work hanging in professional galleries – especially amongst other amazingly talented people, even winning awards, or better still, wearing that red “sold” dot! (or should I say the “redbubble” lol)
I also work as a gallery assistant so have some hands on experience at laying out, and hanging a professional exhibition, as well as knowing all the hard work that goes into the “behind the scenes” from both the perspective of the artist AND the gallery or its assistants.

The most prohibitive factor I have found personally in this whole process is the cost of producing the work and framing it. While producing one or two pieces for a major exhibition (obviously with digital work, no hard copy exists until you spend the dollars on printing) is generally enough to leave a huge hole in my budget (or credit card), the thought of turning out more artworks for one exhibition is very daunting.
The cost of printing a large artwork generally runs between $80-$200 depending on whether it is paper or canvas, and framing can be up to $250 per piece depending on frame (stretching canvas costs a lot less).....(Even though I work for a great picture framing gallery and get good discounts!)......then if you put your work into a gallery, they generally take one third commission on sales, which at the end of the day forces you to put exhorbitant prices on the work to merely get a return on your costs…..often the prices required are a turn off to buyers…....and there is never more than a few dollars left over, if at all, as payment to the artist who did all the work. Sorry if this sounds negative, but this has been my experience with producing and selling work in public galleries and art outlets where I live.
If anyone has suggestions as to how to combat this, I would love to hear, but I cannot frame my own work due to physical disability…..

The name of my collective is The Urban Individualists..we are building a website as well
www.theurbanindividualists.org (still in the making, have many artists to add as well as press, more venues etc..)

I am working on many proposals for the upcoming year….any connections anyone has with galleries would be wonderful!

i have been trying to get my friend on here for a long time. he is leaving for atlanta gorgia friday for his art exhibition if anyone is going to be in that area in the next week go see him. to see his website google the elizabethlucas company he does amazing work! and on another note, redbubble im dying for those loose prints!! wheeeeeeen will we have them??

elizabeth lucas company

I belong to a women’s art group independent of RB – we have been showing together since 1999 and are thinking about finding a place for a 10-year anniversary show. We just had a big personnel change so hard to say if it will happen but we have been quite successful through the years. Having a group is great – you don’t have to produce as much work, for one, which can be daunting when you show a lot, plus the expenses are shared and you have a bigger mailing list. Most of the time we do all the curating and hanging ourselves but once in a while we find a place that takes care of it all for us – quite a blessing!

Thank you very much for the encouraging support! Thanks to members such as Barssell who’s talent, phenomenal skills and guidance I think I can finally find the courage I need to embrace the big bad world of art lol. Thank you, it means a lot to hear such gracious words and to know I am supported. This is the best art site EVER! hehehe

I own a little gallery in Torquay, outside of Melbourne. It’s a pretty friendly space that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and shouldn’t be intimidating for artists. While it’s pretty quiet over the winter, I have had some very successful shows, and am always interested in seeing fresh new work from Red Bubblers if it fits the shop style. I don’t bite!

All the info you have given is fantastic and very helpful, thank you RB….There is a coffee shop come take away in the central Victorian area that is in the process of being renovated, and the owner haslooked at a fair bit of my images and has asked if I would like to hang some of my works in there with the potential of selling them and also to advertise. Once again thanks for the help

Very helpful. Thank you for this.

This is like a dream come true… all my questions answered in one go!!! Thank you to everyone at RB but also all of the bubblers above who have had some fantastic ideas. The laptop idea by Vanessa is very useful as I never know which of my images I should have framed. I have always felt like a drop in the ocean but today I feel more like a puddle.. LOL xx

Muchas gracias, RedBubble. Thanks for sharing.

its great to know there is so much support in RedBubble to turn to! i hope one day to get enough guts to GO FOR IT! xx

I’ve been in group and solo exhibitions and have curated several exhibitions, would be happy to help out anyone in Melbourne who wants to be part of a group show or just needs advice.

I have a few questions… How long is the usually exhibition? Is it better to do it at day or night? Do you think live music would help or distract? What type of sponsers are best, large companys, or small local companys? I was thinking about have an exhibition once i move. Thanks!

at the risk of repeating myself, its true, it can be done…. i did it this year and raised over £600 profit…. it was fun, a great learning experience, and successful, and it has been requested that i do another one next year. For a quick look at what it was all about go “HERE”http://www.redbubble.com/people/lindabob/journal/2714021-exhibition-tips

Late last year I dipped my toes in the water and entered my work in a group exhibition run by a local community venue. It was a really great way to start, as they did all the organising and publicity, because it was a fundraiser for them. You can read about it here. A solo show is a long way off, but I’m on their mailing list now, which means that I’ll know when future group shows are coming up.

thank you. this is perfecting timing for me. i was just starting to look into it.

The information above is useful and helpful. One thing that I also wish to add, when exhibiting, to present a book and pen at the entrance, for comments from visitors. Apart from critique, it’s a worderful mememto. I still have from 1980, my first exhibition. Each exhibition is always a great experience, even if one don’t sell. Meeting other artists and art lovers is so exciting and invigorating.

Thanks for all the great info everyone!

For all those photographer that would love to exhibit but are a little too scared to take the leap (myself included), The Photographers Lounge in Dorset (UK) has launched a biannual contest at www.openshutter.co.uk. They select 3 photographers every 6 months and exhibit and sell their work in a month long exhibition. Each exhibition is launched with a special ‘showcase’ evening and you also get continued exposure on their website. It sounds like a great place to start!

Also, Lightsmith mentioned earlier that it would be good to have some way of letting everyone else here on RB know about each others exhibitions. I think that would be a great add to the site too. An area where everyone can add a link or a few lines about an upcoming exhibition. It could even be sorted by place and could appear in our activity feeds or as a box like the group section in My Bubble. Just now, people tend to mention it in Journal entries or in forums and a lot of it goes unnoticed. Just a thought!

Wonderful info here. And yes, it can be scary. I was showing a friend some of my photography and she suggested that I have a show. She gave me tips on where to start, and I did it. Called “First Annual Art Display”. I had family help me, and the day arrived. It happened to be the only day ever, that my area was hit with the tail end of a hurricane. The main road to the hall I rented was flooded and nobody could get through. I was devastated. Finally the winds and rains stopped, and the people started to file in. In less than 3 hours, I made $600.00 and took orders for future photography pieces. My devastation turned into thrilled. Word got out and now I am being approached with questions on when my next show will be. I learned a lot from the first show and now planning “Second Annual Art Show”. The best part of the whole deal, is how much fun it was to put this together. I encourage everyone, who has given it the thought, with fear, to do this. It does involve some leg work and it is a confidence builder just to see the people appreciating your art.
Gerry Myers

I was hesitant until a film maker I know gave me the best advice – “You don’t have to justify yourself to anybody. You’re a photographer! It’s what you do!

I’m so sure given the chance at doing one Exhibition of my work I would jump at it, However there are agreat many things I don’t know about exhibiting, I have taken part in art shows in the past and my work although many sold I felt the need for something different, Perhaps a solo exhibitionn or combined one would fit the bill, Food for thought, Ken Melbourne Vic Australia

Hi Rhana. Thanks for putting this informative journal together.

well people in the sydney area should check out sydneys guide to exhibitions group and join,especially as there are spaces where u can hang ur work for free etc also u can ask questions about exhibition practices. just get ur work out there and enjoy showing it and don’t give a shit about wot anyone thinks, just enjoy doing it! oh yes at least just check the real quality of ur work b4 u hang it, sum times wot the people fink of ur work is true even if ur not worried!

great info.. thanks :)

and i would like to invite every one that has read this to the next huge exhibition i shall be putting on at TAP Gallery darlinghurst hanging on the sun 22-11-09
it’s called
I’M RUSTED , I’M CRUSTED ,I’M FALLING TO BITZ!
you can interpret it in any fashion u please in any artform or media. the shows i put on usually attract around 60-80 artists and 125+works anyways stay tuned in the group “sydney’s guide to exhibitions”

This is such a great idea! In the old-age home where my mother lives, they always exhibit artwork, photos etc. down along the hallways. Sometimes with pricetags so one can buy it. But I never would have thought of contacting them for my (!) work. I guess I’m not confident enough. And beside that, to buy about 30 frames…. oh lala…
Maybe something on canvas or so…
Well, the idea is born, now I must look if it will grow a bit more :) Thanks again for all interesting information!

Hi Rhana (redbubble!),.....the only thing that makes me source elsewhere is size restrictions….I generally produce work over one metre (in any direction) on canvas or paper, and I don’t think RB outputs work in sizes that huge …otherwise I would be more than happy with the quality and pricing you guys deliver! (in fact, how i wish!) thanks for your reply….. :-))

I just did my first art show a couple weeks ago and now I’m doing a two-day one this Friday and Saturday. I practiced arranging my booth at home a few times which really cut down on the stress and time of setting up. I smiled and said hi to everyone who walked slowly by my booth, which often made them linger. I would say it’s a great experience to see people’s responses to your art – there’s nothing like it and I’d also encourage people to do it, even if it’s just a small arts and crafts show. That was my first one and it was small and a good intro to the world of exhibiting. The one I’m doing this weekend is going to be larger and strictly art, so I’m still a bit intimidated, but it really helps to have that small one under my belt! I’ll offer any other tips I learn after this next show.

very handy info – I’d been wondering where to start and what might be involved. Thanks to all who contributed above!!!

I had my very first exhibition at Sunnyhurst Spiritual Fair Bridgetown last April…it was wonderful seeing my work up on the wall and the comments were great…hope to be sharing an exhibition with four other artists next April and yes it’s not about the money…..although that is a bonus….thanks so much for all the ideas….Panda

Di, it helps to seek out Call for artist shows as well as small arts and crafts shows in towns in your area. Look for town festivals for the latter and see if your state has a website for a state arts board which lists events for artists. I’m in Minnesota and there’s a good site for our arts board and it lists exhibiting and show opportunities – from juried galleries and such to town festivals. I have found show organizers and contact people to be helpful in understanding what goes on and what’s required. Also, more importantly, look at a show’s website and application materials – those are really helpful for giving an idea of what a particular show is like, what’s expected, etc.

For my first exhibition do you think the matt prints from here would work, they look to be an A4 print in an A3 matt border. The exhibit spaces are 1.5m sq behind a glass screen

Thank you sooooo much!!!

Wow So Much Is Possible…..And Im just Starting Out …Exhibition!!!!!....Thank You for The Info Way Down The Track For Me

Im going to try and get a few Scottish Bubblers together for a show…....I have Two spaces in Edinburgh that are ready willing and able…..Yayyy…..One is in the heart of the city and the other is not but both have a good amount of people passing…....It may take a wee while to get it together as a lot of people don’t have the money to buy a lot of prints ,but a meet up and a budget would be the Start….........I don’t know how long it takes for to get a show together but I have organised a few music festivals before so reckon it would take the same time…..Always on the look out for a good set of sliding spot lights…....and not to forget that if its Glass it will reflect…..............Thanks for this information…..........A question I have for you is about Insurance for yourself and for the space…..Do you know if you need Public or Private????.....Or is it the person who has the space?...............Doreen…..xxx

CALL FOR ASSISTANCE: WORKING ON EUROPEAN EXHIBITION FOR AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTISTS

Thank you soo much for all of this wonderful information and all that.. I’ve never done an exhibition before.. I don’t think I’m THAT good yet.. lol.. but It’s something to aspire for.. So I’ll be doing my homeworks on this one. Thanks a million for the wonderful resources here.

The opening night of my first exhibit was the most exhilarating wonderful evening! It was a group exhibit so I felt more comfortable than if it were a solo. It went well until SOMEONE BROKE ONE OF MY SCULPTURES!! Nobody would own up to it though, so I ended up with no sale on the piece and a broken beyond repair sculpture.

I’m ready to do my first solo exhibit, but haven’t done so because of the cost of getting my digital art printed…the costs would be too much at this point. It IS a goal of mine for the future though. :)

We’re at the Holmfirth Art Exhibition in Yorkshire, England from the 5th to 11th July and the Mocha lounge in Liverpool from 23 July until 31 August (that’s England as well!) We have summer art markets in Wirral and Liverpool where artists ‘rent’ tables and display to the passing public. It’s great when the weather is as good as it is right now. Don’t forget the insurance guys, both on your work and public liability.

Great post; many thanks for collating all this valuable info and links – this is just what I need to learn more about right now ;)
I DID have several one man & group shows some 15 years back, but I’ve been so out of touch (until jumping back into painting a couple of months ago), that I see this thread as GOLD!
Thank you :)

I’ve had shows in galleries, and it is exciting and good exposure for you as an artist. I just wish I knew about Red Bubble then, as the production for a show would of been much easier if I could of called on my RB producers to do the image production. I’ve also seen several galleries that are now using flat panel displays to display digital images, rather than framing and matting everything perhaps this is a wave in the future that would give RB another sales channel and cheeper for the artist. I’d encourage everyone who want to get started to look to their local art associations and camera clubs. They usually offer a show once a year. You can also find other local artist to go into a booth at an art show with you so you don’t have to bear the entire expense. Just some thoughts.

Don’t now if I’d ever have the courage to do all that. Interesting info, thanks.

I hold Exhibitions 4 times a year and I recommend this to everyone.I meet all sorts of people and also sell works every time.I don’t make a fortune but it suits me to sell at a good price and gives me reason to kep painting.
Go on,take the plunge and you won’t regret it.
Good luck to all of the people who take the first tentative steps to getting your work “Out There”.

great information and yes …..well just maybe yes…if the courage comes I and my daughter will have a combined exhibition..so just need the time and away we gooooooo….....will be referring to this column many times to get it right! thanks so much….

We started a group of KY Women Photographers and we have had 7 shows in the last two years. We also wrote a grant and got funding to bring in a nationally know photographer to do a workshop.

We are experimenting with inexpensive says to mount and display works without frames to save money. We are having fun sharing our knowledge and growing in our art and knowledge.—Rene

I’d always love to exhibit my work overseas. But since the handling expenses is always a huge problem for me, I got to decline many times. I hope there’s would be a solution for some overseas artists who wanted to exhibit. For now I just got to joined local exhibitions but still looking forward to broaden my audience. By the way, I’m from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia :)

Thanks! very valuable insights!

Thank you for all. I think you can we can

Thank you for this article and all the comments, all very timely for me as, on Saturday week, I am having my first exhibition in local cafe and apart from my opening function, I hadn’t thought about publicity at all!

Visions of Light: A group of 14 talented Adelaide photographers are collaborating to exhibit a set of stunning images from around Adelaide during the 2009 SALA Festival. The exhibition is on display from Monday, 3 August to Sunday, 23 August at the Hotel Richmond, Adelaide. Check out Visions of Light

I had an exhibition in May and sold work on opening night. All of my work was printed and framed and shipped to me by RedBubble. I’ve also since sold more work as people who came to see the exhibition were very impressed with the quality of printing and framing and even though they didn’t have the funds at the time, did later on.
An exhibition is a great way of getting your name out there, and yes, it’s a little scary at first – but well worth the effort.

To have a better opportunity of displaying your work in an exhibition, try joining a photography club, this way, you get invited to include your work and you don’t have to organise everything yourself. At the moment, I have 4 of my images displayed at a local gallery along with other members of the club. It is the first time I have displayed work at an exhibition and what has made it even more exciting for me, is that on the opening night I sold one of my photographs!!

I had a local exhibition last summer, which went rather well… BUT there was one major problem – people were so impressed with the finish of my RB mounted prints that the kept lifting the damned things up, to see how it was all done & by whom! I know for a fact that 2 local professionals now use RB for their art prints as a result.

Thanks for sharing all this info. I have a few solo exhibitions and it was wonderful as well as nerve wracking. I am very willing to help anyone with info if they need it.

Hey Rhana
This all sounds familiar
I thought this link might assist – seems relevant. Great topic and description!
And wasn’t it fun!

Hey Guys,

Some great advice here! I had an exhibition last summer and some of the tips here would definitely have come in handy.
Thanks for sharing :-)

hmmmm I am about to embark on a world tour of 101 countries, 120 live event performance artscapes and collect 100 million signatures for an extension to world peace Day… and I was in a quandry about how to exhibit my works … well redbubble you’ve dertainly helped with excellent direction thanks
love life
T.O.L.A.

Wonderful, scary, sleepness nights, euphoria, dissapointment, mental block, creazy fun…:) A mixture of extreme high and low, depending on how well the exhibition went. I’ve had 2 gropu exhibition so far, one good, one bad. Gallery went out of business and they still owe me my paintings!!! SO ya…have fun but do your reserach. Exhibit with people that have similar work style & theme. It’ll strengthen everyone’s work when seen altogether. Just my 2 cents worth. :D

Sounds great I’ve been wanting to do this! I’ve started something to help people sell their art and maybe if it goes over well I’ll start an Exhibition of my own. Thanks RB. I love your website..we should hangout lol :D

When choosing a gallery space make sure you know what you can and can not do in that space. Will they allow you to use nails on the walls? Paint the walls? Can you hang stuff from the ceiling? Know the maximum number of occupants for the room. Know what type of lighting you’ll have (natural, yellow, dim, bright, etc).

Know your space.

I have just set up a joint exhibition between myself and Carrie Gardner
I had to clean my own space, rubble and dust literally.
No carpet I had to beg carpet titles, only enough to tile half a room.
Manager claimed that if I produced a small film of his shopping centre and advertised it with my creation “Monitor man” then the space was free of commission. Then he later started moaning about commission after I had made film. Eventually I forced him to sign a contract so all should no be well… Oh and air conditioning does not work properly and so I had to buy 2 orbital fans…Ha!

Thanks so much for the great information! I really needed this!

I’d like to show off my photography, but knew I couldn’t afford the rent space at our local cultural arts center right now, so I’m thinking of going for some local clubs, like the women’s club or even my brother’s biker’s club. ;) Who knows they might take an interest in my art and not just my money to rent the place for a few hours. I may be able to get my brother to rent the police lodge for me as he’s an officer. Wow! It’s crazy that I never thought of all of this until reading your information! :)

I’ve been thinking of having a slideshow presentation for my family and friends in September. They’ll all be here for my brother’s wedding, and it’ll be a great opportunity for those who don’t have access to the net to see my work. Several have asked, but I just don’t have enough money to print and share each photo, and then have them not want but one copy if any at all.

Again, thanks so much for this. I always felt a bit overwhelmed when thinking of trying to put together a showing of my work.

Take care!

This is excellent information, I have always wanted to know how to do this!

My first photo exhibit runs through July 10th at the Chicago Photography Center. Funny that none of the images in my exhibit are displayed here which goes to show you that as much work as you think it is to exhibit your work, it’s more. And it’s a lot more money mounting, matting, framing, etc., than you’ll most likely get back in sales. Just remind yourself that it’s all about the art!!

just wondering when i sell something does RB handle payments made via credit cards or do i have to set up some sort of website payments tool for my bubblesite

Great post. It has been brillant to read through everyones reaction to it.

Wanted to add the idea of using empty commercial and office property which we all pass by – these could be used as temporary spaces by artists and community groups. This idea was highlighted by a British woman earlier this year, she is pioneering using ‘slack space’ to display artists work in the UK: read more
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/feb/18/slack-space-vacant-shops

Good luck to all of those who decide to go for it!

Oh and I wanted to add this link also http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/06/saltz_glimpse_arts_near-future.html

a cool collective ‘No soul for Sale’ offical website http://x-initiative.org/

I am one of four Brisbane artists having an exhibition at the Art Factory Gallery Merivale st South Brisbane opening 24/7 6pm – the exhibition is called “4 degrees of connection” the blog www.4degreesofconnection.blogspot.com. This is the second time I have exhibited at this venue and find it a wonderful space. Once you hire the gallery its all up to you – promotion, hanging and opening night. It’s great to be in control of the whole process and if you get together with other artists you can do it all fairly reasonably. If you are in Brisbane on the 24/7 please come along and introduce yourself.
.

Thanks very much for this info. Reinforces much of what I’ve learn’t and some things I’d forgotten.
Just did a joint exhibition with another Bubbler Smarti77 at a Coonawarra Winery with great results. Now heading into another starting Monday 13th of July at the Millicent Civic Centre Art gallery which will be fun. All images from a series I call “Elements of Nature”.
It’s great when you start an article like this one, it gives us all so much of an opportunity to learn from others, I love some of the comments listed above.

I am the manager of the Mill District Arts Gallery in Minneapolis Minnesota so if anyone in the Twin Cities area has any questions about exhibiting in this area I would be glad to help and we are always looking for proposals for exhibits. We have 3 galleries on two floors and 2 of the 3 are set aside for exhibits.

There was not much mentioned here about pricing but we have a 40/60 commission schedule in our gallery and that is typical in this area. We are a bit unusual that we do allow some of our artists to “work off” some of their commission but performing some art related tasks for the gallery in exchange for a lower rate.

Our next exhibit opens Friday, July 10 from 5 to 8 if anyone in the area wants to see one in person. www.milldistrictartsgallery.com

Thanks for the tips “Toughcookie” . I have just entered two works in two exhibitions in Sydney, and though a little stressful & demanding (especially getting the framing organised.) Theres now this huge sense of anticipation as Iv’e asked a few friends to come. First exhibit this Sat 1107 @ Casula Powerhouse Museum. Then Bankstown Art Soc Wed 1807. EXCITED, GRAHAM.

If you are looking for places to exhibit your work, check your local www.craigslist.org site under Artists. There are often several “Call For Artist” posts a week of coffeeshops and salons looking to display art, often commission free. I have had good luck with the exhibits I have found so far and have a solo exhibition at a pizza parlor already lined up for October!

Great information for me! Thanks

Question for Wendy Slee, my name Hal Newhouser, would you be interested in selling my art work prints or originals in your area. I have some on www.redbubble.com and www.fineartamerica.com I am disabled and unable to get out. I will pay a percent of the sale. Please. R.S.V.P. artisthal@aol.com

GUESS WHAT DUDES ? i WON A “HIGHLY COMMENDED ! WILL POST PICTURES SHORTLY…............GRAHAM.

I found most of my shows was out of town ..and had to set up motel …getting car ready /..loading art and making sure i’m ready to go…The rest was left up to Gallery i showed at..Some do the lunching and set up for you..but ask frist..so you’ll know what your sulpose to do…I was blessed ..most I had to do was show up and take art in..they did the rest.

Just a tip from experience , you could also provide a comments book for visitors.Its nice to know the enjoyment you have provided and glean feedback , favorites etc and its also a nice keepsake for you of all your venues and dates and your progress over the years!

fine but visit www.motorworld.tk and www.starred.tk and www.champion1.tk enjoy

fine but visit www.motorworld.tk and www.starred.tk and www.champion1.tk enjoy

fine but visit www.motorworld.tk and www.starred.tk and www.champion1.tk enjoy

fine but visit www.motorworld.tk and www.starred.tk and www.champion1.tk enjoy

fine but visit www.motorworld.tk and www.starred.tk and www.champion1.tk enjoy

I will have my first show in September. I am nervous and excited. Mostly nervous because I have to create my own set-up, down to the walls. Any advice on buying or renting a display? The place is an indoore warehouse. My space will be approximately 10×10. I have learned a lot from my research and may post some tips as I learn more. Thanks for the post and useful tips.

Thanks for this. Is it bubble eq to place five links to your site on a comment stream?

Inter-Medium

A group exhibition of artists exploring sculpture, painting and photography

August 30 – September 6 2009

Opening: August 2 – 6:00pm

Tap Gallery Sydney

Cnr Burton & Sherbrooke Streets
Darlinghurst NW 2010

www.tapgallery.org.au

=========================================================

Featuring

Franka Zaumseil / Szilvia Gyorgy

Geneviene Robey / Jo Fedora / Pascale Baud / Mindy McGregor / Faith Hunter

Nahomi Yoshizawa /Nina Todorovic

Andrew May / Sylvia Baxter / Rebecca Donald

The Inter-Medium artist group is a Sydney based collection of artists
whose members produce work across the creative mediums of
Photography, Painting and sculpture.

___________

I want to thank Redbubble and all the other artist. I finally figured out how to start sell my art work. I am disabled and I enjoy hearing from all the other artists and seeing there great art work. This is art at its best. I can’t set up an outdoor set-up any more. This is a great forum for all artist an I love all of you. I have seen so many inspiring pieces of art. Its great. Thank You Hal

Interesting info! Very useful! I´ve already had one small photography exhibition in my hometown in Belarus. Now I´m staying in Lima for a while and thinking about organizing one exhibition here.
RedBubble is a great place to learn, improve and grow! :)
Thank you!

Thank you for the very helpful information!

Thankyou for putting this together everyone! I do have a couple of questions- obviously it’s a big layout to get the products together- how did you take orders? And how do people pay? Just cash and cheque- or do you then direct them to RB? Thanks to anyone who replies!!! Good luck!