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This post is by guest author, Jean McLean. This article has been edited and published with the author's permission.   We've promoted this post to feature status because it provides great value to the FineArtViews community.  If you want your blog posts listed in the FineArtViews newsletter with the possibility of being republished to our 48,000+ subscribers, consider blogging with FASO Artist Websites.  This author's views are entirely his own and may not always reflect the views of BoldBrush, Inc. 

This June I have a solo show scheduled at Queen City Framing & Art Supplies in Helena Montana. The show will be up for a month. I am going to be their "featured artist." The business began having featured artist shows about 5 months ago, so I did an inventory of what work I had completed, what work was in progress, and how much time I would have to finish a few more pieces to put together some kind of cohesive show. All things considered, I decided I could have enough decent work finished and framed in four months to hang a show. So, I guess #1 would be to do an honest assessment of the work you have verses the work you would need to have in order to do a show.

When I stopped in to discuss the possibility of scheduling a show down the road, they said they had just had an artist back out of a show scheduled to go up in a week...could I fill that slot? Otherwise the next month that would be available for an artist was June. Realistically? As much as I would have loved to help them out of that scheduling jam, I nailed down the June slot. The second thing (#2) then, is making the contact with the folks at the show venue and looking at the available space to determine not only how much space is available, but also what kinds of work will be the best fit for the space and confirming the dates and details (eg., Will there be a reception? If so, who pays?) of the show.

The next thing (#3) is what I am in the process of doing now: working on painting enough pieces to fill out my inventory. I am painting small ones so that I can dry well enough to be framed in time for the show. I am painting smallish paintings at this point, because it's faster! More bang for the buck. And honestly? Buyers like smaller pieces because they are more affordable and don't require a huge amount of wall space to be displayed.

I ordered invitations today (postcards, actually) so that I can mail or give them out to everyone I know. The store will do advertising, too, but I like to do this added bit of marketing prior to a show. So mailing those invites out will be #4. I also tell everyone I run in to about the upcoming event. Oh, and I update my FASO website home page with the event as well.

#5: would be to prep all of the cards to hang with the paintings. My cards are done on cardstock with my inkjet printer and indicate the name of the work, medium, and price. I always take sticky putty to hang the cards on the wall. Sometimes the shop owner will want a price list, and I do that too, just in case.

#6: is a photo and bio to put somewhere near the display. People are interested in the artist. I always try to describe why I chose to paint the subjects featured in the show.

#7: Load everything up in the back of my SUV on the designated date so that the show is up and ready for the start date. I use towels and cardboard between the paintings. That works really well. I may need to make a lot of trips, but this system works for me.

And finally, #8: the evening of the reception I show up early, relaxed and ready to meet and greet! I love to display my work in these types of venues, and I have had very good success in selling work in these shows. 

Do you like showing at small businesses? What would you add to this list?

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You can view Jean's original post here.

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