Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight
Making connections is your way of getting the word out about your work, getting people to your shows and selling your work. As the saying goes, it is who you know.

Key is being genuine, maintain a pure heart, it will attract the right people to you and soon your circles will grow.

Another way to grow your circles is to take your work to a new city in search of new opportunities. There are three approaches you can then take: the Best Way, visit the city of your choice go on a scouting mission to it, make a list of exhibition spaces return home write letters to all of them, then return a month later with your work. The Second Best Way is skip the scouting trip. The down fall being you will end up showing your work where it may not be appropriate but on the up side you save on travel expense in one trip. The Still Okay Plan is to skip the travel, you won’t see the exhibition spaces therefore harder to decide where you’d like you work displayed and it will be harder to bond in relationships so use the phone as much as possible. But this is still an okay plan.

Reality is nothing but a collective hunch. Lily Tomlin

During your scouting trip take the opportunity to interact with the staff of galleries. Introduce yourself and ask their name, talk about works you like, ask about approaching the gallery for a show, mention you’d like to send a packet and ask who it should be addressed to. Be sure to carry with slides or a CD on the chance they ask to see your work then. Be sure to the courtesy of showing as much interest in the gallery by looking around as you would like them to show you in your work.

When you return from your trip send out thank yous on color post cards of your work to all those you had real interactions with. Mention you were in the gallery and what you spoke to them about and that per their suggestion you are sending them you packet.

When choosing lodging for your trip make it somewhere centrally located. You will be exhausted, be sure it is somewhere you can relax. Sharing the trip with another artist could be a good option.

A handcart that you can strap your portfolio to is a great tool to have while going from gallery to gallery. Choose a portfolio to protect your art that is easy to open and show your work. Place your best work first to capture attention. Your portfolio should carry 15 to 20 pieces.

Always be nice to those younger than you, because they are the ones who will be writing about you. Cyril Connolly

Carry your laptop with you and methodical keep track of all your appointments.

A cell phone is a must. Start making appointments.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt

Rehearse showing your portfolio on friends, formulate questions to answer.

Another way to make connections is to volunteer at nonprofits art spaces, museums or art galleries.

Attend gallery openings, rub elbows, and mingle.

Use family and friends connections.

Apply for a residency at an art gallery.

Become an art writer.

Enthusiasm is the electricity of life. How do you get it? You act enthusiastic until you make it a habit. Gordon Parks