How do I get my art in a gallery?

Question

At some point I'd love it if I could get some of my paintings in an art gallery. But I'm not really sure exactly how to go about this.

Should I just put together a portfolio, and then just take that to a gallery owner, or what? Would it really be that simple?

Answer 1

Keep your eyes open for open call shows or juried shows. That's one easy way to try to get work into a gallery.

Another way, is start browsing through gallery websites that are local to you, and see which galleries your work seems to fit with.  Most websites nowadays list a submission guidelines right there.  Sometimes its as simple as emailing some jps and other times it might be sending in slides, or no submissions at all.

You can also make postcards with art image on one side, and mail those out.

Answer 2

You would probably set up an appointment with a super involved employee and have them look over your work. They would probably not put your art up right away, because museums have "seasons" where they put art up and take other art down so there is new stuff all the time. Just call the museum you have in mind and ask if they have a "Local Artist" room in the museum where you could put your creations. Im sure any museum would take the time to look at your art. Who knows, you could be the next Picasso! And would they turn Picasso down? I think not.

Answer 3

You need to do some 'networkin'. Find galleries that sell the type of art you are producing. Then go to as many openings of art exhibitions in these galleries and make yourself known to the people who run the gallery. Once you've established some kind of contact, ask them if you could bring in some work for them to see.

It personality that counts. The gallery who sells my work has three criteria when selecting artist. They have to like the person, the work must be of a high standard and thirdly, it must be sufficiently different from the artists they have on their books.

It's the personal approach that works. Don't just give them a CD with images of your work. Let them see you and what you can produce.

Nick