Expert: DJ Murphy - 5/10/2006

Question
-Thank you for the answer, which I found informative and hopeful. I imagine renting a space in a church or store is expensive - is that so? And will art critics or newspapers review such a show?
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Followup To
Question -
Seems like most so-called "emerging artists" already have extensive resumes. I've never sold a painting, was only exhibited once, and never finished art school. How can I build a resume with such a thin resume? How can I get a gallery's attention, since talent seems to be secondary?
Answer -
Hello.........first of all as the saying goes..."beauty is in the eye of the beholder".  In your case substitute "talent" for "beauty".

A resume is not the end all....it is just one of the things gallery's look at, along with your artist statement, and of course #1 is your art work.  Notice tht some galleries only exhibit a specific style of work, while others like a variety of styles and artists.

Take a look at Gallery Guide's website for a list of gallery's......or the Art Calendar website...for ideas as how best to present yourself and your work to gallery's.  It is a very good source for information.

Accentuate the positive in your resume.....you can list the type of art you create, your education, the exhibition you were in [if there was a newspaper announcement include that too....and be as creative with this resume as you are with your art work.

My experience with galleries is that they are in the business of making money selling art work.  So...suggest you produce your own art exhibitions first...get a record of selling works...and then move on from there.  You can rent empty store fronts for a week's exhibtion....or a church rec room...or even a bank's community room as suggestions for venues.  Do your own promotion with a simple news release...get some basic refreshments for the reception...invite your friends...their friends, family, etc.  If you have another friend who is an artist...do a two man show.

Best of luck,

dj murphy

Answer
Hello.......you'll have to do the leg work on the rental expense......every community has different levels of rent, but I am sure if you put your best effort, you will be able to find something suitable. Call a few realitors as a beginning, tell them what you propose...and you don't have much [if any] money and could they direct you to a few promising properties for a very short rental period.

Perhaps you could get also consider a local church group or service club [rotary, kiwanis, elks, etc.] to sponsor you and make it a fund raiser for their members and guests.....with a 50/50 split on sales.

dj murphy
p.s. Make sure you check out artcalendar.com for helpful articles for artists.