Gallery Representation: A blog about getting your artwork represented by a gallery.
My name is Roberta Fallon, and I am an artist in the Chicago area. In this blog I will share my experiences, insights and ideas about getting your artwork into galleries.
Following years of work in corporate advertising, as well as teaching and illustrating, I have recently left the corporate world to pursue art full time.
I have always been drawn to fine art, but never had the opportunity to study art formally–until now. I am currently working on a Masters Degree in Fine Arts at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My studio practice focuses on sculpture and painting; my work has also been shown in group exhibitions such as Hyde Park Art Center’s Small Works Show and The Peoria Center for the Arts’ Open Studio Exhibition. For me, creating is a way of expressing myself, exploring ideas, making connections, and reaching out to others through both my art and this blog.
I have lived in Chicago most of my life. I am currently looking for opportunities to show my work in galleries around Chicago and beyond.
Getting your artwork shown in a gallery is a big step for any artist. There is no one way to do it, and every artist will have their own unique challenges. What follows are just some of the things I have done.
Getting your artwork represented by a gallery is not easy. In fact there are many galleries that will not show work by artists who don’t already have at least some representation. This makes sense for them aside from the obvious reason of maintaining profit, as showing art by unknowns puts an unneeded burden on them, especially in the areas of framing and insurance.
Trying to get your work shown in a gallery can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start or what they are looking for. Here are some places to begin:
1) Get your name out there:
Make sure as many people as possible have seen your work, whether it be through photographs or in person. Go to as many art shows and artist’s receptions as possible and talk to people about your work. Make sure they know how to contact you if they want to see more. Ask everyone you know if they would be willing to help out by passing on news of your work or helping with getting it out there such as posting flyers around town or going up to
This week’s post is focused on one of the biggest questions in the fine art world: “How do I become represented by a gallery?”
Getting your artwork into a gallery can have a profound impact on your career. Galleries have a direct line to collectors, museums, and other venues that will help you get your work seen. But galleries are not just stores that sell art. They are businesses that need to make a profit, and they have to be careful about who they represent.
Trying to get a gallery interested in representing your work can be intimidating. How do you stand out from the countless other artists trying to break in? What kind of information should you include with your submission? And what exactly do you say if you’re asked for a “resume”?
This week we’ll look at how to approach galleries, how to make sure you’re ready for them, and how to be sure your submission package is as strong as it can be. We’ll also look at how to handle yourself if and when you’re invited in for an interview or show.
Gallery representation is the most common path to selling art. It can be a lot of fun to show off your artwork to people who appreciate it, and it can be very satisfying to watch it sell. But gallery representation comes with responsibilities, and if you don’t know what you’re getting into it’s all too easy to end up in a situation that leaves you bitter and frustrated.
Here are some things to look out for:
The gallery gets all the money: You might think that if you sell something, you get the money. Not necessarily. Galleries usually take a 40% commission on sales, so even if you do everything right, you only get 60% of the sale price. In addition, galleries typically charge an entry fee just to be able to show your work in their gallery. And they will also expect you to contribute to framing costs and promotion expenses.
What happens when someone wants to buy something? If someone wants to buy something from you and they want it immediately or within a few weeks, should they buy from the gallery or from you directly? The answer depends on how much work it takes for the gallery to package and ship the item. If shipping costs more than the item itself, then the gallery should probably sell it for you (assuming that
Using the power of the Internet to reach artists, collectors and art lovers and to promote their work.
__We are a New York City based gallery representing contemporary artists nationwide. We have been in business for more then 15 years, and have helped hundreds of artists become part of the art world.
Despite the fact that we represent hundreds of artists, our passion is one-on-one communication with each artist whose work we represent. Each artist is valued for their unique talent and vision.
We represent a wide range of media and styles, from traditional to cutting edge. Our artists are from all over the United States and abroad.
If you would like us to consider your artwork for representation, please send us an email with a link to your portfolio or website and a description of your artistic style and media. We will respond promptly with interest or questions._
The art world is a business. Artists who want to make a living making art need to understand how it works, and that means understanding representation. Representation means that a gallery agrees to handle your work, show it to its clients, make sales if possible, and pay you a percentage of the sale price.
My name is Lizzie Kennard. I am an artist living and working in San Francisco, CA. My art practice is varied and includes drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and printmaking. I received my MFA from the California College of the Arts in 2008 and have had solo exhibitions at the Rosalux Gallery in Oakland, CA and Studio Gallery in San Francisco. I have also shown at galleries including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) and the University of Tampa Gallery.
