What is the best way to show art work in a big city gallary?

Question:

What is the best way to show art work in a big city gallary?

Where do I start and are there guidelines to meet

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

1. call the place and ask ask them what format they prefer. Some places still want the old 20mm slides while others take a cd format.

2. Write your cover letter. Tell them why you are interested in them

3. get your artist statement ready. Make it short but sweet

4. get your bio ready. Include all shows, awards....they wanna know that you can handle getting a show ready and that publicity stuff.

5. get you work shot and formatted. I think 20 peices is usually the standard. The earmark of a professional artist is a consisistant and recognisable style. If you have several styles, now is the time to pick one.

6. Business cards....Oh, yeah, go get business license if you dont have one already "Blah Blah Studios" or whatever. This will give you more rights as an artist, and will help keep you out of trouble with the IRS....an LLC is nice.

7. May want an online portfolio

8. Artist description...tell them about yourself, sometimes this is the header of the bio..sometimes separate.

9. Put all this crap into a pretty printed forlder thing with your name and best peices slathered all over it...it has to yell "CHECK ME OUT!, I'M GOOOD!"

10. mail it

Whatever you do. Do not just go into galleries with your art. This is called "Cold Knocking" and they will definately say no, or not look at it at all. If you just drag your work in, the only thing on their minds will be getting this crazy person to leave without hostility.