6 Things To Consider When Organizing Your Own Solo Show
I was having a conversation with a client the other day and we were discussing her up-coming Solo Show. Over the next few days I was reflecting on things I wish I had planned better before my first solo exhibition. So here it is - a list of 6 things to think about when planning for your exhibition:
1 ) HANGING DAY
Consider who will be able to help with the hanging of the show? Do you have an artist friend who has experience? Will the gallery owner or someone at the venue help?
It's always good to plan a few weeks ahead and have 2 or 3 extra people on hand who can help with the set up. They can assist with exhibition layout and grouping of artworks, as well as the physical aspects of carrying your work from the car into the venue.
Allow for 3 to 4 to 5 hours plus + to hang your show (it always takes longer than expected) How long it takes really depends how difficult the work is to hang, how many pieces you have and if you have a clear layout and artwork groupings pre-planned already.
2 ) TRANSPORTATION
How will you deliver the artworks to the gallery? Will you use your own vehicle or someone else? What is the parking situation like near the gallery? It is important to be aware of this because the last thing you want is a parking fine on hanging day, for being in a loading zone that you don't have a commercial vehicle permit for (I learnt this the hard way)
3 ) EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
At the opening you want to be free to talk to your guests. You will need to be available to show people around, and talk about your art with potential buyers. This is important because it gives more depth and meaning to your pieces and mostly because if art buyers connect with the artist they are more likely to buy from you.
I would encourage you to organize a photographer for the opening event, to document the opening. The photographer can either be a professional hired for 1 - 2 hours for the opening event or a friend or family member. You want them to capture some snaps of you in front of your art, talking to guests and during the speeches.
4 ) REFRESHMENTS
You are planning a special event - why not make it enticing for your guests to attend with a lovely selection of food and drinks available at the opening? Have a discussion with the Gallery or event space. Will they provide refreshments for the opening? If so, ask for the details.
If not, ask the gallery or event space if they have a connection to a catering company, or organise some refreshments of your own. See what the requirements are for a liquor licence, if you are serving alcohol etc.
If you are catering yourself it's best to write a shopping list at least 2 weeks out and out-source to someone else, let them know the date that you need them to be available and book them in. Doing this will free up your time to focus on getting ready for your event.
5 ) ART SALES
Think about how you will process sales on the day - try and make this process as easy as you can for yourself and potential buyers.
Will you have a tablet/ipad set up as a point of sales terminal? carry a square card reader? Or will you use QR codes that link to your online store to allow buyers to process their own purchases using their phones?
Check with the gallery, will they be processing art sales for you? Make sure you are organised and have a clipboard and a printed price list for the person who will be managing sales for you. Set up your sales team member with a copy of your pricelist, red dots, tablet, or card reader to process sales on the spot at the opening event.
6 ) MARKETING
What are your social media channels? Where do other artists in your community advertise events - ask around you might get some tips for places to leave posters and event invitations. Local art shops or framers are a good place to start. Cafes, boutiques. The event venue and or gallery space.
If you don't have a mailing list - start one. Share a link on social media - have the link set up as a highlight and start encouraging people to jump on the list. Do you have your branding organised? Or do you need to hire a graphic designer to make some postcards or business cards for you? Or make it yourself in canva?
A good tip (if the gallery allows) is to release your work for sale on the website the day before the opening or at least a few hours before - so when online art sales go through you will already have several red dots on the wall for the event opening!
I hope this list is of value for those of you that are working towards an art exhibition - Happy Planning! Let me know how it goes by sending me a email. I’d love to hear about your experience :)
xx Laura