A Jump Start For Artists Wanting to Show Their Work -

Start smart, start small. Before diving into the deep end; gather information, test the waters, and find where the best place for you and your work, really is. You can begin by showing your work at art fairs, "Open Studios", Juried shows, and Alternative Space exhibits.

Art Associations - Los Gatos and the Santa Clara Valley have several wonderful art associations that regularly offer opportunities to show and sell art in the community. This includes, hanging in local businesses, and City Buildings, as well as annual juried shows, and a number of art fairs and festivals, both small and large. Many of these forums accept work at all levels - see links at bottom of the page.

Open Studio - Open Studio is the best opportunity for you to show and sell your work to the public either in your own studio, or with one of the many small groups on selected weekends though out the year. Some artists make most of their contacts, and sell most of their art, through these Open Studio promotions.

Coffee Houses - Most of the Coffee houses in LG take submissions for one man shows. Just walk in and ask if they are accepting, and what the criteria is . I had a full month one man show two years running sponsored by a high profile business in LG, just by going in, and asking!

Most artists assume that they want to be "in a gallery" but often find that the realities of having to produce, participate, deal with businesses as a wholesaler, and consistently charge more for their work doesn't really work for them - once you are in a gallery, you can no longer sell wholesale or offer large discounts to the public on your work, as it would be unfair to your gallery - they discover that they are much happier selling at art fairs, though Open Studio, Artist Collectives, competitions etc.

If you do all this, and you are still convinced that your work really belongs in galleries, began by visiting as many galleries as you can. If you find a gallery that you and your work would be a "good match" for - and you can never know this from just one visit - get some post cards of your work made up -
see links below - offer a business card, and post card, and ask what their submission criteria is.
Remember , An art gallery is a business. Their time is very valuable, so please, be respectful and do not waste it. If you walk in, in jeans and a Tee shirt, uninvited, with art under your arm, expecting to be given an on the spot interview, you may very well be killing your chances of ever being invited back.

Getting your work out there, listening to public response, and comparing your work to that of others whose work is similar, will give you a better idea where your work will fit in, and if you and your work are ready to show professionally, or if you still need some polish before going pro. Good Luck, and keep painting!

(The following links are suggestions, not endorsements.)

Art Associations
- Los Gatos Art Association web site http://www.lgaa.org
- Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society http://www.scvws.org
- Open Studio http://www.svopenstudios.org
- Art Deadlines http://www.artdeadlineslist.com
Postcards
- Modern Postcards http://www.modernpostcards.com
- Color K Graphics http://www.colorkgraphics.com

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