The Basics of Art Exhibits

One aspect of the art business is marketing your art. It is important to display your work in the best light for potential buyers. And in this day and age, artists have a lot of options to market their artwork. Aside from working with an art gallery, you can become a self-styled art curator. You can independently mount your own art exhibit featuring your work in a selected location.

Here are some things you should think of when mounting a display of your work:

• Theme. What overall look and image would you like to your visitors to see? Is there a theme or topic you would like to highlight (i.e. family, the environment, culture)? Your overall concept should be one that piques and feeds the interest of potential clients who will be excited to come to your exhibit.
• Plan in advance. Make a thorough inspection of the location where you will hold your art exhibit. Ask questions such as: “How many frames can the walls accommodate?” “Are there hooks or mechanisms in place to facilitate the hanging of the frames?” “How about lighting? Is there appropriate lighting?” “How accessible is the place to your target art market?” “Do we need additional equipment (i.e. projectors and screens)? If so, does the location have it or do we need to get it from another source?” It is good to ask these questions as you take a look around the site. This way, you can more thoroughly prepare all the things necessary for your exhibit.
• Mount artwork properly. Mounting is an important step, as it ensures that the artwork is properly “anchored” to the mounting board and will not be in danger of creasing, buckling or losing its rigid shape over time. Make sure that you mount using reversible techniques. That is, you should be able to remove the photo or artwork with ease and without risking and inflicting damage on the artwork during the process of removing it from the frame.
• Choose the right picture frames. The way you present your art will have a great effect in how people perceive your art. Choose quality materials and frames. This indicates the value you place on your work and tells your clients the level of respect you give to the artwork. Use archival materials – these will preserve your work and prevent damage in the long-term. Always remember that a well-chosen frame can do a lot to increase the “oomph factor” of your work. However, you should also note that the frame designs you choose should serve to highlight your work and not overpower or distract from it. InLine Ovals has an amazing selection of quality frames that you can choose from – whether you are looking for frames with simple lines or for frames with ornate, antique picture frames. InLine Ovals also offers a wide range of shapes – from round picture frames to vintage oval frames.
• Prepare your artwork. The frames should already be fitted with hanging equipment. For most locations, it is highly recommended that hanging wire (preferably stainless steel braided picture wire) be already placed at the back of the frames. This makes for quick and easy hanging so that you minimize the set-up time at your chosen art exhibit location.
• Install the artwork. It is important to plan the arrangement of the exhibit meticulously. The arrangement should be able to provide a visual and emotional experience for your viewers. Your placements should aim to attract and surprise the viewers, so much so that they would want to take a piece of their experience back into their homes.