Beth Livingston is a professional artist with a BFA from Parsons The New School For Design who competes in shows nationally, and donates her work annually to The Zimmer Children's Museum's in LA. In this interview, she reveals her secrets for getting your work into art shows.
Finding Shows
Alina Bradford: How should an artist find art shows to enter?
Beth Livingston: Look through trade publications, usually in the back towards the advertising section for "open calls" for artists. Familiarize yourself with magazines in your discipline such as crafts, painting or sculpture. You will find a plethora on the magazine rack at any good book store. There will be show advertisings in these magazines.
Make notes and inquiries of the ones that interest you, even if they appear "out of your league." Better to know what the art world is expecting and achieving so that you can become a better artist in your own right. Also, search online for "open call for artists" and try the back pages of your regional non-profit art organizations. Google to find them if necessary, then become a (free) member and keep yourself informed of local and national events and opportunities by receiving their monthly newsletter.
Making a Good Impression
AB: How should an artist present himself to make the best impression?
BL: Make sure your resume and CV are updated. Shows will often ask for a sampling of your work in order for you to be considered for a place in the show. Make sure to submit your work in whatever format they designate. If you are asked to submit a CD with 10 jpegs no larger than 1 MB each, comply with these guidelines. You have one chance to make a good impression. Art directors see a failure to follow directions as an immediate "out." I like to send my submissions with delivery confirmation added to the service. With this service, I am able to track when my packet is received, and know that it has met the submission deadline.
Guidelines
AB: What types of guidelines should artists be aware of?
BL: Show curators will often give parameters for specific mediums they are looking for in a given show. Look for shows that conform to and and illuminates your work. Guidelines are often given regarding maximum size requirements. Remember your shipping options if you cannot hand deliver the piece. You should know UPS and Fed-Ex's maximum shipping dimensions, and do not exceed these dimensions (unless you are feeling rich) It will cost dearly if your piece is too large to send with one of these standard delivery services. Other options for "over the limit" sizes are freight carriers such as Yellow Freight. Pack pieces for freight incredibly well, as they will generally not offer insurance for art pieces.
Shipping Your Work
AB: What things should an artist consider when shipping artwork to a show?
BL: Whenever possible, within budget, send your artwork with the fastest delivery service. The longer your work is "in transit" the greater the likelihood that it will be damaged when received on the other end. Always send "touch-up" kits along with your work for the curator or art director if you have any doubts about the condition you piece will arrive in.
The show directors will care for you piece within reason and do their job of hanging your work and creating a beautiful show, but if your piece needs attention, they will be too busy to run to the hardware store for a quick fix. Send the proper glue if you think something may fall off a multi-media piece or touch-up paint if perhaps you sent something a bit wet and you think it might need it. Cover all bases so your piece is the best it can be opening night of the show!
The Installation of Your Work
AB: Are there certain things an artist should know about show installation or framing?
BL: Never make assumptions. Know who will be on site installing your work and what tools they will have to work with. If your piece is large and heavy have the space where your artwork will hang be described to you. Ask if there are any studs in the wall or any other structural members for you to anchor your piece to.
You can help make sure your artwork fits the space and looks its best. Supply any supplemental hanging devices your piece needs in a separately packed envelope inside the shipping box. You do not want the curator to miss the hardware in the box when the frenzy of receiving all the artists work is at hand.
Make sure your fastening devices can handle in excess of the weight of your piece. There will be weight guidelines on the packaging. I have had wire and eye hooks snap under pieces that I have hung that were too heavy for the fasteners engineering. No need to start the show off with a "big bang" indicating that your piece has just crashed to the floor! Better "smart" than "sorry."
Alina Bradford - Alina Bradford is an artist with around 20 years of experience and 12 years experience as a professional writer.
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