Have you ever wondered how to get your art seen in public?
When I was starting out as an artist I have no clue how to shown anyone my art, other than posting some poorly lit pictures on Instagram. Over the years, though, I’ve found several different ways to get my art out into the public sphere, and I want to tell you about them!
The First Time My Art Was In Public
I actually wrote about this way back in 2017. It was a scary experience for me, because I hate making phone calls, but it all turned out so well! I had been making art (again, after starting and stopping many times) for about a year at that point, and I knew this particular coffee shop regularly hung local artists’ work, so I figured they were a good place to start, and they were. I sold several inexpensive pieces on paper and lower-quality canvas and was so, so excited that I had done it. That same year I signed up to have artwork in a local gallery (they’re take anyone local, so it wasn’t too scary to apply) and really felt like I was getting somewhere with having my work out in the public.
In the years since then, I’ve shown my work at multiple cafe’s and restaurants, the local library, and since 2021 my work is always up and available at a larger gallery, Woolworth Walk, in Asheville, NC. The pandemic has shifted things a bit (and coincidentally, my art was back hanging in that same local coffee shop when the pandemic first hit and shut everything down in March of 2020!) and I’m focusing mostly on selling my work online, but getting your stuff out in front of people is a terrific feeling and can really help you gain confidence.
How to Get Your Art Out There
Okay, so how do you actually do this?? Here’s how:
Notice which coffee shops, restaurants, and other local businesses are already hanging art. I happen to live in an area where there’s a decent arts and crafts scene, so many places seem to already be in the habit of showing off paintings and other pieces of work. The hardest part is reaching out and asking if it’s possible for you to hang your art, too! Once I started doing it, though, it became easier.
Ask your local friends and family to keep a look out for places you might be able to put your work. A friend of mine who lives half an hour away sent me a text one day with contact information hanging right in a restaurant in her town asking for local artists. I sent an email right away, and hanging my art there was incredible for me; I had just finished about 25 smaller (aka affordable) works, and sold over a dozen in the month or two I had my stuff there.
Look for local and regional galleries that are calling for work. I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about galleries. After all, they generally take half of the cost of your commission and you don’t get to personally correspond with or get the contact information of the buyer, but it might still be a good experience for you. If you live in an area that has a small gallery, look at their website or call them about calls for work. I’ve found in small towns local artists are often exactly what they’re looking for!
Contact local businesses. You never know, a place like a meditation center, doctor’s office, or dentist’s office might be looking to add some color or beauty to their walls! As I mentioned above, I also asked at my local library and was able to display some art there for a month or two one summer.
Keep looking for places to hang your art!
If you see artwork on the walls, assume it’s a place you could have your work, too! In my lovely mountain community even the airport has a gallery that calls for work from locals, and the opportunities really are endless! The hardest part is asking, but the worst someone can do is say no.
The more you get your art out there, the more people will know about you. Who knows? A year from now local businesses may be reaching out to you instead of the other way around.
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