I had my first gallery show opening last week. This is the first exhibition I have had my work in since creating my business Michaela Made and features a lot of my popular work I've created in the past year.
In grade school I had done several art competitions but was never accepted into an exhibition or gallery that lasted more than a day or a weekend (like the school ones, so basically a grown up gallery for grown ups…cause I’m a grown up…).
Here’s my process on how I got into the gallery:
I originally was looking for more Denton markets. I found a new page on Instagram and followed them: @dentoncomicexpo.
But after reviewing their website, I realized I missed the application date, for their upcoming event, Denton Comic Expo. I reached out to the organizer, and he was kind enough to encourage me to apply next year but there would be a Nerd Adjacent Exhibition coming up that I could apply for.
I jumped at the chance to participate in SOME way at this event even if I wouldn't be vending.
How I prepped:
- I emailed and asked questions about the number and size of the pieces I needed to bring.
- I coordinated on dates ahead of time and made sure I could drop off my pieces at the right time window for the show (since the gallery was about an hour away for me)
- I got frames & framed my work. It didn't have to be uber professional, and I got my frames for about $20 at Jo-Ann's.
Pro Tip: Jo-Ann's typically has sales and is more undrrated than Walmart or Michael's so it's worth checking out what Joann's has other than just fabrics. - I then delivered my work to the gallery
- About a week before the event, I reached out the the coordinator via email and asked if they had a reception and they in fact did. So I was able to attend the reception
What I learned:
1. Remember Price Your work
This might seem obvious, but most venues will ask what you are selling your work, so have a price ready to tell them. I was a little too indecisive and I didn't have them include a price. Looking back, this was a missed opportunity to to get a sale because gallery visitors might not know that my work is for sale without a price next to it. Lesson learned for next time!
2. Have a QR Code ready
QR codes might be kind of ugly, but they are an excellent way for people to quickly find your work or shop your site, so if the gallery asks for it, go ahead and include this. With that said, I don't have a lot of data saying that I got much website traffic from this specific QR code because I have no way of tracking what where website visitors came from. So hoping to experiment more with this for future shows.
3. Go to the reception, you might make a sale!
For an introvert like me, making public appearances at formal spaces can be a little anxiety inducing, but I was glad I attended this reception. I got to meet some of the other artists who were featured at the show and so if you find a very talented artist at your gallery, it's cool to have a more intimate one on one opportunity to talk to them. Another big reason is that people who come to the gallery openings also might be interested in buying your work! I hadn't considered this until we were getting ready to leave and I spoke with one of the organizers on my way out and she was interested in buying a piece! I ended up making a sale that night and it felt really great getting to talk to an appreciator of my work in-person!
4. Share your experience!
This is straight forward, but every experience is helpful to others, so if you get into a gallery or do a market, share how it went! You never know who is watching or looking up to your work or might find you through a different avenue through a specific event you're doing.
So that's all I've got, but it's been fun sharing about this gallery experience. Looking forward to my next one!
