How to prepare for an art exhibition

So you have decided to exhibit your artwork in an upcoming art exhibition. First of all, well done on taking what is to most people a big step in their artistic career! Now you have to start preparing for the exhibition. The process of organising everything you need as well as choosing and preparing your artwork can be a little daunting at first, but this article will give you some ideas on how best to go about it.

With so many aspects to consider when planning for an art exhibition, I have listed all the major areas in order of priority below.

1. Make sure your website and social media pages are up-to-date.
(1 year – 6 months before the event)

It is important to ensure that your website and social media platforms are up-to-date and have plenty of content on them. Customers who are visiting exhibitions sometimes like to look at who is going to be there beforehand so they can plan their visits. By preparing your sites in advance, you can create a platform to showcase yourself and your work to the world before the event even begins. Make sure to let customers know the best method of contact, this is key if you want sales and visits.

A key factor for social media success is your ability to consistently produce interesting or good-quality content. When it comes to social media it’s about consistently posting week after week that makes the difference as opposed to 5 posts in one day and then nothing for a month. I usually only do one post a week for my company All About Framing, which is manageable and allows me to stay on top of things. Focus on regular posting with good content.

Having a great website and social media presence is a great way to build your customer base and create hype for the upcoming exhibition.

2. Share and promote your the event 
(6-3 months before the event) 

Make sure to promote and advertise your event in the lead up to the big day. It’s always a good idea to start sharing information about your participation in an exhibition before it happens. As your event date approaches, increase advertising and promote it as much as possible on your website or social media platforms. 

You can also create an event page on your website or any of your social media platforms so that viewers can easily RSVP.

3. Have business cards and leaflets available to hand out.
(1-2 months before the event)

A good way for potential customers to be able to find you after the event is to make sure that you have business cards and leaflets available for people to take home with them. Make sure to include information about your website or social media platforms, so that visitors can find out more about your artwork afterwards. 

Additionally, you can use creative promotional materials such as posters and flyers to spread the word about the exhibition, or even offer discounts to attendees. By doing this, you can reach more people and encourage more participation in your art exhibition.

4. Think about how you’re going to hang your artwork.
(1-2 months before the event)

It’s important to start thinking about how you are going to hang your artwork in the exhibition space, it’s worth taking the time to measure and check that they will fit correctly on the wall. If there is no specific hanging system in place, You may need to make some changes or alterations to your existing pieces in order for them to be hung correctly on the walls of the gallery. 

If you do have to sort hanging your artwork yourself, then it’s worth looking into a hanging system. Hanging systems like the ranges on offer from STAS make it incredibly easy to organise and rearrange your artwork without having to screw into the wall every time. Here’s a link to compare the different systems.

5. Frame your artwork in a way that stands out from other artists.
(1-2 months before the event)

When framing your artwork, it’s important to find a frame that will not only complement your artwork but also stand out from the rest. Consider visiting a reputable local framer and discussing your options with them. They will be able to guide you through the process of finding the perfect frame for your artwork. Though this may be a pricier option, it can increase the value of your artwork in the long run.

If you’re on a budget, there are still plenty of framing options available – ready-made frames, luxury ready-made frames (local to High Wycombe only), or even making your own picture frames with help from our team of expert framers at All About Framing!

Take a look at our services to see how we can help you frame today!
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6. Make sure your artwork is hanging correctly.
(1-2 months before the event)

For a successful exhibition, it’s important to ensure that all of your artwork is hung correctly and looks presentable. Especially if you have reused old or vintage frame as wonky frames can look particularly untidy and can potentially put off customers.
If you are unsure about the hanging of your artwork, then have a read of this article which give you 5 tips to prevent tilting.

7. Make sure your artwork is labelled and priced accordingly
(2 Weeks before the event)

In the last few weeks before the event starts you should have decided which pieces of art you will be displaying. It’s important for your artwork to have a clear and concise title and price so people who visit the exhibition know exactly what they are getting. If you are working with a group exhibition, then make sure that the title of the piece is clear and easy to identify.

If you have already got some ideas for titles in mind, then it’s worth looking at sites like Pinterest or Google Images to get some inspiration on how others have labelled their work. It’s also important to remember to price your artwork accordingly, as this can be an important factor of the sale. If you’re not sure on how to price your artwork then Artfinder has a great article on this: https://sellers.artfinder.com/article/385-how-should-i-price-my-artworks

8. Clearly sign post directions to your event
(On the morning on the event)

If you’re paying to exhibit at an organised event you won’t need to worry about this as it is normally included as part of the service. It is however worth advertising your exhibition stand number so people can find you.

If you’re exhibiting at a private or home event then It’s important to make sure that people know how to find your exhibition, especially if it is being held in a location not commonly used for exhibitions. It’s always worth posting clear signs up around the town or city where the event is taking place. If you have a website, then consider posting information about directions on there so people can refer back to it later on if they forget. 

And last of all, remember to have fun! Exhibitions are a great opportunity for you to meet like minded people, learn about new things and share your own work with the world.

If you are having trouble in any aspect of getting ready for your exhibition and need help, then please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call. We will be able to help you or point you in the right direction. 

 9.00 AM – 5:00 PM
Monday – Friday
🕻 01494 459545
✉️ sales@allaboutframing.com

I hope this article has given you some ideas as to how best to prepare for an exhibition

Interested in learning more about framing?

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More articles about framing

• The components of a basic frame
• How to cut a Mitre for moulding in picture framing
• How to join a frame
• Learn how to make frames on one of our courses