Trying to Get Seen

I think  the goal of almost every artist is to get seen and sell art. There may be some content to give it

away, but I think that deep-down you want somebody to like your paintings enough to buy it. Even

my granddaughter at age 6 wants to have an art show and sell her art.  I have tried different things for

exposure and while I am still working at trying to get myself out there and things sold, these are a few

ideas I have done in the past. Very few are free.  Some are juried.

1) Join and art group. There may be member shows,  art crawls, different opportunities that you might not have alone. Sometimes they have contacts with hospitals, contests, coffee shops etc. You may enjoy the social aspect meeting and networking with other artists.

2) Check into membership at an art museum. Here, in Hudson, Wisconsin there is The Phipps. In July they have a call for artists for their museum but also for the local hospital and other things. They also promote the big art fair in the fall on the shore of the river.  There are other opportunities through them - their member shows, Holiday shows. They may have fees and commissions but they are cheaper than if you are not a member. They also are a nice place to find out about other opportunities. They offer space for classes also.

3) Fairs - County and State. - dependending on the state, to get to that level you might have to pass a lower one first. I think everyone can apply to the county fairs. Our country fair also has a market on the Saturday. While some things may be craftish, I may try that with art.

4) Libraries - some have galleries so they may have contacts  to share and contests and calls for art.

5) WRAP - in Wisconsin there is the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program. It is with the Extension service through the UW system. They have groups that have a WRAP event that is meant to help you build your art,business and network. You have 3 pieces of art on exhibit (# depending on location and room) for a month.There is a seminar by somebody and also it is judged and critqued to help you improve. I have participated in River Falls, Tomah, and  Barron County in Rice Lake. The top ones go to the Annual event for competing.

6)  Online shows and events. Right now I am trying out Daily Paintworks. They have a spot for your gallery but also offer an auction area that you can list in and also contests. I am new to this and stlll need to list more.  I have had my art on Etsy along with vntage items and may tweek that to a separate site. I am just starting some on Ebay. I know there are other contests, and events out there that you can find and research.

7) Art Crawls and Fairs - The fairs tend to be expensive. Some of the Art Crawls are through a group or location so it may not be as much to participate. The fairs require the photos of your work, display, etc and mostly a jury fee and space rental. Besides the fees you have the equipment,tents,and racks to display things. I would like to do this for hopefully better sales but the jump is expensive. Right now I have been doing more inside things because  I do not have a tent and and know cheap ones are just that - cheap. Some also require insurance.

8) Art and Craft Shows - This gets into the iffy area because people may not be looking for art. I have done craft shows for homemade paper and honey but may try a couple of the larger ones with a few paintings but some of my prints, postcards and cards. At those I can bring my lotion bars and it would be find if I let them know. I just need to decide if I want them touching my art stuff with still greasy hands. This is a maybe but only for a select few.

9) For painters - the Plein Art events. Not everybody likes to do this, but it is a way to meet people, paint, get known. There are awards and prizes, and often gallery showings and sales. Some people like going to see plein art. There also is the contact with possible customers as you are painting.

10) Flea Markets - don't go there if you are wanting to sell your nice things at a big price. They are looking for deals.

11) Open House at Home. I list this last for me because I have bees and that might put shoppers off. I may have to do the City Garage Sales with my granddaughter at her house because she wants a sale to sell her art.

Anyway, as I am getting back into it, it seems like once you get on some lists, people send you more opportunites to show your art. It makes it encouraging.