Class Notes

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Period:

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Presentation & Exhibitions

1. Matte Vs. Mount
• Matte- is a heavy weight board used to create a frame around the piece.  These usually come in two colors, one side may be black and the other side white.  The surface is often pebbled on higher end matte board and comes in single or double thickness.  A matte may have a larger bottom to allow for visual rest, this is called a drop matte
• Mount- a paper support that the original artwork is adhered to.

• When is it appropriate to matte?  Mattes can be used for any artwork on a paper or board surface.  Canvas boards may be matted if they are to be framed.  In general any piece that will be put in a frame will be matted. 

• When is it appropriate to mount artwork?  Mounts are useful for work that cannot have any of the image covered or where the paper is being showcased (deckled edges on watercolor/print papers). 

• When mounting or matting it is important to use acid free adhesives for longevity.

*Ikea frames are extremely affordably priced and come with pre cut mattes.  I personally use these and make all of my prints/drawings to fit these frames.  Note that customers are much more likely to buy an artwork that has been framed, making it easier and cheaper for them to simply hang the work in their home.

2. Framing-
• Frames should not distract from your work, it is simply there to enhance the work and provide a clean presentation.  Think of the way a chef “plates” an expensive dish at a restaurant, usually on a minimal white platter.  There are generally two schools of frames, elaborate or ornate frames and modern minimal frames.

3. Hanging your work-
• When hanging your work one should strive for a good “flow”.  Generally you should hang your strongest pieces at eye level and begin and end with strong work.  There are innumerable ways to arrange the work, from chaotic installations to very orderly structured approaches.  The arrangement of the work should coincide with the subject matter or concept of the works.

4. ARTIST STATEMENTS-
• These are best written after completing a body of work.  An artist statement is meant to help your audience better understand your work and the ideas you are striving to communicate to your viewer.  Think of this as a safety net to ensure your audience understands your motivation and ideas.  Avoid using overly flowery language and making things up to sound more “artsy”, DO NOT EXCEED ONE PAGE!

5. ACQUIRING EXHIBITIONS
• Start small.  Coffee shops, restaurant, hair salons are all great places to start exhibiting your work.  Many of these local business owners are happy to display local artists works (as long as they are professionally presented). 
• Look into group exhibitions and juried shows (judges choose the work).  Use the Internet to connect with your local art scene… check local art school websites for exhibition opportunities etc.
• Have a small portfolio of your work on your cell phone or Ipod.  This makes it much more difficult for them to turn you away because of your age.
• Make sure to be very polite and respectful when speaking with the business owner.  You are not your “outside self” rather you need to present your “business self”.  It is extremely important that you learn to differentiate the two!
• Businesses may ask you to agree to a contractual division of the monies earned from sold work.  These generally are 40% to the gallery 60% to the artist.  50/50 and 40/60 is also fairly common.
• As a student it is to your benefit to price your work on the lower end of the scale.  If you would like some way to calculate the cost more objectively it is helpful to consider what hourly rate you feel your expertise is worth and multiply that by the hours you spent completing the piece.  Always add the price of the frame to this figure.

6. PROMOTION-
• The internet is your friend!  There is an assortment of social media website suited for promoting your works.  Facebook, Deviant Art, Tumbler, Etsy, Instagram, and blogs (blogger.com) are all free and wonderful ways to access a much wider audience then your friends and relatives.  I’ve even sold artworks on Ebay…
• First Friday- Every first Friday of the month olde city galleries (and galleries throughout the city) open their doors to show off their newest exhibitions.  These receptions or parties tend to have snack food and beverages for guests to enjoy while they view the works and smooze with the artists and other socialites (artists, business owners, art collectors etc.)  This is a fantastic place to meet other artists and movers and shakers in the art world in your city.
• Business cards may seem a little dated but without a doubt if a person hands you a well designed business card you are sure to walk away thinking to yourself “Wow that artist really has his/her stuff together!”.  A quick google search will yield several companies who are willing to produce these free of cost as long as you allow their logo on the back.
• Cell phone/Ipod portfolios-Having images of your work to show potential clients is a must!
• Never burn a bridge!  Word of mouth is still the most important type of promotion.  Make sure you present your best self and are courteous to those who may be buttering your bread.
• Craft and art fairs are pretty commonplace in the spring summer months and do require you to put out money reserving a table but are often fruitful.  Make sure you are aware of the crowd.  The local ladies at the church may not be entirely receptive to your remix of The Garden of Earthly Delights.

Click Here to see the Etsy Sellers handbooks, a great resource for those starting out selling their work.
Follow This Link to read another inspiring article about a young artist making his way in this tough economy.