Pinkfreud-ga has given some excellent help in the comments section
which I would check out if I were you and the information is complete
as far as it goes. But after you have gone to all the preparation and
created your portfolio, the leg work is up to you. Unless you employ
a graphic artist's agent or agency, you need to do your own publicity.
Since I have no idea what part of the world you are in , I will give
information covering the US and Canada. (ok, maybe even some UK) If
you are located elsewhere, please let me know and I will adjust the
answer accordingly.
First of all I would suggest entering some juried shows. If your work
is good enough, there is no better introduction to the art world than
the words "award winning" in front of the word "artist." The more
prestige the competition has, the better. If you feel you are not
ready for major league competition, then to me at least, that is a
sure sign you need to do it. If you only compete with those whose
skill levels you subjectively feel are similar to your own, you will
not have that great a pressure to make improvement nor the chance to
learn from the 'super-stars' in your chosen art.
The following is a list of some juried photo competitions which have
some "clout." You may find some of the show dates on these websites
are already past, but I am giving you annual competitions so you can
still get information, or get on somebody's mailing list for upcoming
events.
Soho Photo Gallery - New York - ( http://www.sohophoto.com/ ) - They
have a national competition as well as other competitions you can
obtain information about at the website.
State of the Art Gallery Ithaca NY USA - (
http://www.ithaca.ny.us/Orgs/SOA/ ) - This gallery has an annual
regional juried photo competition which is attracting increasing
national attention. This gallery also features another option you may
want to consider which is gallery membership. Start of the Art
Gallery exhibits member's work as do many other galleries offering a
"membership" option.
And last, but certainly not least, is Photography Competitions Around
the World -
( http://www.photocompetitions.com/ ) Use their search form to find
out what is going on both by subject and country.
The use of the key words, "photo competitions," "juried photography
shows," "international photo competitions," will take you to
thousands of other resources as well.
My next suggestion would be to apply for membership in galleries which
offer them. That was already covered above.
The PhotoForum's List of Links to Galleries and Societies Pages -
( http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/web-02.html ) - provides a list of
membership galleries and organizations worldwide. The key word was
simply "membership galleries."
Third, use a throw away morgue folio. That is, put together a
portfolio of work that you can afford to lose. Make several copies of
this portfolio and mail them to as many galleries as you have an
interest in. You may not hear back from all of them or even any of
them, but they now know your name if nothing else. There is no such
thing as 'bad' publicity for an artist. Anything that gets your name
out there is worth doing. And make sure they keep knowing your name,
mail 'em another portfolio next year.
Last in this list for 'self promotion' are "pay to exhibit galleries."
This includes everything from 'consignment galleries' to galleries
which purchase work directly then resell it at any price they want.
They exist by the thousands around the world , too many to even give a
sample listing. If you are interested in such a plan, use the key
words : "commission photo galleries," and "commissioned photo sales,"
will take you to many listings.
This one has a long title - "Photographers Agents listings of Resource
Advantage sourcebook for print photography production" - (
http://www.rasource.com/photographersreps.htm ) which has an
extensive list of photography agents in the US and Europe.
I took your question at face value: "How do I get my pictures shown at
a gallery." The above information covers the ways to do it. There is
not much left other than opening your own establishment.
If you want any of the information clarified or broken down further,
please let me know.
I wish you the best. Work hard. You may fall on your face a few
times. That's no problem. After you have worked hard, beaten the
knocks, thought about giving up, tried again and again, and at last,
make a score with a good show, then they will call you "an overnight
success." :)
Cheers
Digsalot-ga |
