Expert: DJ Murphy - 10/10/2008

Question
Hi, I'm a student studying art in Limerick, Ireland. A few of us here are looking at the possibility of organising a self initiated exhibition (contemporary work consisting of combined media, painting, sculpture etc.) here in our city center. We have been scoping out possible locations and are due to have a meeting with the county council networking group next week. The setting will hopefully end up being an alternative one, not the usual white walled space. We want to promote the hell out of it and get the word out as much as possible... This is a DIY affair and its the students taking matters into there own hands.
Would appreciate any advice/suggestions/links you would have on insurance, organisation, promotion, consistency in the work. Any relevant advise at all would be great.
Thanks for your time.
Shane.

Answer
Hello Shane,

Having visited your area a few years ago, I wish you all the best in this exhibit.

I would visit your newspaper...with all details in writing so that they can help promote the event.  Also since you are involved in arts...have some of your members create outdoor signage...and post these signs where ever there is heavy traffic.....also create flyers and distribute to any location that has bulletin boards....and just a few days before the launch of the exhibition....put them on automobile windshields in that huge multi store mall [can't remember its name right now].  

If you have a number of students in your group....split them into small committees....promotion, site selection, art work selection, etc., etc.,have them put in writing the objectives of the committee and who is going to do what....to make sure it gets done.

Also....get your faculty advisor involved.....see if he/she has any good ideas for your exhibition.

If the art work is going to be for sale...make sure the pricing is on or near the work displayed...with the name of the piece as well as the medium....and make sure you have available workers to handle the sales.  Each should have an identifiable badge, shirt, or something so the public knows who the staff is...

Good luck,

dj murphy
www.galleryonemain.com