Starting Somewhere: How to Get Your Art Into a Gallery
"This was the first thing I was taught at art school. Literally on day one, my professor told the class, 'That’s a cliché. Don’t do it. You look desperate.'"
Starting Somewhere is our new series that highlights practical advice from our guests in their area of expertise. Whether you’re a creative who’s interested in starting a similar venture or already have an existing project you want to improve upon, we hope this series can inspire you to take the next steps. If you know someone that could use a nudge to start their own project, send this to them!
Alex Leav stumbled upon painting by accident. While focusing on photography during her MFA at the School of Visual Arts, she began painting on a whim and quickly realized she wanted to move past the limits of the lens to create something entirely new.
Just a few years later, she’s been in multiple solo and group exhibitions- the most recent being a solo show at The Grove in London. Beyond that, she manages to expand her portfolio, seek out new opportunities, and balance the demands of a day job in New York’s notoriously competitive art scene. While making it into the gallery circuit can feel completely out of reach for the new artist, Alex helps break down what it really takes to get your artwork into galleries and provides new ways for creatives to share their work. Listen to our interview with Alex on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
6 Tips for Getting Into a Gallery
1. Don’t show up at a gallery with a portfolio
This was the first thing I was taught at art school. Literally on day one, my professor told the class, “That’s a cliché. Don’t do it. You look desperate.”
2. Develop your voice. Work on your work!
I’d like to believe that the most important aspect of any artist’s career is what they create. The work (or, a visual manifestation of an idea) is what people want to see and what gallerists are interested in. So, spend as much time as you can developing the work. In the studio (or whatever space you can find for yourself), nothing is off-limits. Experiment with different techniques and materials. Go crazy, see what happens.
Ask yourself, what are you trying to communicate? Why are you making anything at all? And, if you do know the answer to these questions, ask yourself: what might be the best way to convey my message?
3. Consider inviting people to a studio visit
Developing one’s craft is (hopefully) a lifelong pursuit, but, once you’re at a place in which you’re semi-satisfied (for the time being) and you have a cohesive “body of work” (or a series), consider inviting people into your studio for a studio visit. Studio visits can be arranged with gallery dealers, art consultants, other artists, non-profits, curators, or anyone who has the time to look at your work in person and talk about it with you. Studio visits provide an opportunity to practice talking about your work and to hash out new ideas.
4. Use Instagram
Share your process, inspirations, final pieces, etc. Find your niche. Identify galleries with programs that your work might fit into and follow them. Follow artists who you admire. Engaging with the art world on social media will 1) allow others (gallerists, curators, etc.) to become familiar with your work and 2) allow you to connect with other creatives. Networking is just as important in art as it is in business.
5. Don’t get discouraged!
There will be a lot of rejection, but it’s important to not let it get you down. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! No one signs up to be an artist thinking it’ll be easy.
6. Make your own opportunities
Your work doesn’t necessarily need to be shown in a gallery for you to be considered an artist. Create your own route. Turn your local coffee shop into a gallery space for a night. Have an exhibition in your living room. Get creative!
Have you considered trying to get your artwork in a gallery? What other questions do you have about the art world?
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Wow great advice! And love this new series 💓