by Kellie Hall

Created on: February 22, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

As an artist, I have an idea of what is working for myself and others. Exposure is important, and something is better than nothing- but certain ways are better than others.

1) Vanity Galleries- galleries where you pay for spots on the wall- are almost never a good idea. Their money is coming from the artists, so there is no practical motivation for them to sell your work. However, if you already have a solid customer base, and you believe your customers would be likely to visit in order to buy (as opposed to, say, visiting you at your home), then it could be worth doing.

2) Traditional Galleries- notoriously difficult to get into, it can be a discouraging process, but rewarding, under the right circumstances. Brace yourself for rejection, and create a cohesive portfolio- a definite style. Be ready to offer yourself in pictures, slides, and professional looking, framed (if they're two dimensional) pieces. Be polite, but insistent. Do not approach the gallery owner while they are obviously busy, especially if they are trying to make a sale. When you do approach, do it in person, with materials, asking for an appointment- it is more difficult to refuse a real, live person in person or over the phone than through the mail. If you come to an agreement, then there should be a contract written up, and you should review it carefully. Also, do not jump in the deep end with a gallery that you cannot visit regularly- you have to remember that not all of them will be reputable. If you believe your clients will support the 40-60% commission that a gallery will request, then it can be a wonderful, hands-free methods of selling your artwork.

3) Art galleries/ Frames shops- Personally, I have never seen this one work, but I am sure it could. Set up in a style that works with the rest of the store, and understand that- if their income is mostly coming from the frames, not the works- your pieces will be used more as a look-how-nice-we-can-make-your-stuff-look examples than anything else. Put your contact information on a small but visible tag next to your work, as well as a price if they will allow it, and try to make sure that the contract is open-ended, since you don't want your work tied up forever somewhere if it does not make you any sales.

4) Alternate Venues- these are places like cafes, restaurants, libraries, bookstores, art supply stores, that sort of thing. Often they ask for little to no commission, and you can put tags and contact information on the pieces themselves.

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