Lately there are few people asking me about my work and how I get them exhibited locally. So read this if you are an inspired artist and would like to showcase your work in your city:
WHERE AND HOW CAN I GET STARTED?
Ever checked out your school, community center, or even fitness center’s hallways? Do you have any public art gallery nearby? That’s where you can get started and you won’t have to pay a cent for the space! Have some samples of your best work and put together a small personal portfolio. Once you get approved, prepare for the show… If you are on a tight budget, make your own prints at home or have them done cost-effectively at your local photo processing places. Purchase discounted pre-made, standard size, frames (such as 5”x7” or 8”x10” ) for your artwork or make your custom frames if you are crafty. With some effort and planning you can have a nice public exhibit without spending all your savings on it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Before you continue, you should know that things really got out of control for me... I really enjoy photography as a hobby and I get easily inspired by just about everything I see. This past year I went from a basic Canon Digital Rebel XT to an EOS 30D, then bought a new EOS 1D Mark III and a bunch of Canon lenses and miscellaneous Bogen-Manfrotto accessories. Like I said, it got out of control!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED ON EXHIBITING YOUR WORK?
The first time, I approached a public art gallery and asked them to check out my portfolio (about 300 individual 8”x10” prints). I requested for some space and a month of exposure. In exchange, I offered to donate all profits from my sales to purchase new books for the local public library. They immediately gave me three consecutive months of exhibit time. After the initial couple of weeks, a local newspaper published an article about my work and objective; subsequently they gave me an additional four months at the gallery. Another art gallery director heard about my photos and booked me for two separate exhibitions at a nearby city... that was last year.
WHAT TYPE OF PRINTS DO YOU MAKE?
All my earlier prints were produced by CMYK printing presses on vinyl, boarded, laminated then framed. Each one of them measured approx. 28"x20" in size and cost me a small fortune for production. For every month there were between seven to fifteen prints exhibited at each location. My basement is full of framed and unframed prints from my previous exhibits. Sometimes I hang them up then switch them around my house, depending on the season.
HAVE YOU EVER SOLD ANY OF YOUR WORK?
Few dozen large prints were eventually sold to local businesses and private clients. Three additional prints made their way to Brazil and I never reproduced any of those unique prints as of today.
HOW DO YOU FUND YOUR PUBLIC EXHIBITS?
Fortunately, I have a career in international business (which I enjoy) and it pays for all my public exhibition materials, travel fees, photo equipment and other cool toys. Although money isn’t an issue, time is always critical… Those people that think “time is money” are wrong! Most people on Earth can make money, somehow, but none of us is capable of creating time. Therefore time is not money--it is life. So if you’re still young, spend your time wisely and have a good life. If you’re getting older, live the rest of your life as if there’s no tomorrow.
WHO DECIDES WHAT YOU EXHIBIT?
This year I only chose to do three local exhibits (August, October and December) and volunteered to conduct two community workshops due to my busy schedule. Those free workshops focused on showing others, based on my limited experience, basic photography and digital imaging. My current exhibit consists of a dozen autumn photos, grouped in sets of three, in matching contemporary small frames. Fortunately, the art gallery’s director allows me to choose my subjects and freedom to frame and hang up my own work.
WHY DON’T YOU HAVE A dA PRINT ACCOUNT?
Why… would you buy my prints? Seriously, it’s not my intention to seek approval, recognition, nor make money from selling prints. My goal is simple: show my work to the public and hope to inspire somebody else in getting out of the house and taking photography as a new hobby. Based on feedbacks from those visiting my exhibits and some fellow deviants, I believe I’ve done a decent job thus far.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I’ll be taking a break from work at the office and be with my family and friends during the next few weeks. Plan on doing some traveling to neighboring states around mid-east USA (with my photo gear of course). Hopefully I can get another assistant trained by next February so my younger brother and I can head out west and hike some canyons once again.
Remember: if I can do it, you can too!
Happy shooting & spread some joy!
Exhilarated
Welcoming
Jolly
Zeal
