Pricing Paintings in an Art Exhibition
Pricing is always the most difficult part of the process. Particularly when you are on your own. There has been a lot written about pricing art, so I won’t go into detail here, but generally I rely on instinct. I keep a list of my paintings, both on the computer and in hard copy, with thumbnails, sizes and prices on which I update regularly.
Each of your paintings in the show will need a title/price card, which in its simplest form can be the back of your business card or, as I do now, a small clip frame beside each work, which looks more professional. I often make a mini ‘exhibition guide’ similar to my paintings list for people to take away with them, but if your paintings are well priced, I don’t think that is absolutely necessary. They are, however, useful for tracking your pricing structure over the years.
Having Something for Everyone in an Exhibition
Not everyone can afford to purchase original work, so I try to have something to offer those who cannot. For instance, I have had Giclee prints made of some of my more popular pieces, and I always have a selection of greetings cards which I make on the computer, available during the exhibition. I find these sell very well. There are wholesale outlets for purchasing really nice card stock, envelopes, plastic wrappers, etc. I use a company in England called Craft Creations; a company that makes a low-cost version which is perfectly okay is Vistaprint.
Organising an Exhibition Preview
I love a good party, and I usually invite my friends to a preview evening, prior to the event actually opening. It’s nice to have that support, and it can be as simple or complex as you wish, but I find that wine and light finger food works well. One of the good things about being in a restaurant is that they can always stay for dinner afterwards if they wish. Another thing I have done in the past which works very well for me is to plan a fundraising evening during the run of the show. I have friends in this field, and together we have raised quite a lot of money for various charities, and it has brought more people in to see my work. They will generally promote it themselves, so it is certainly another audience to consider.
And, most of all, during the preview party, enjoy yourself. Enjoy your friends, and most of all, enjoy the accomplishment of seeing your work on display. Take compliments and feedback with grace, and get ready to make a trip to the bank. I sold three pieces on my first preview evening for 500 pounds, 375 pounds, and 75 pounds. It was hard to believe that people would actually part with their hard-earned cash for my work. I keep a photograph of that evening where I can see it all the time. It gets me through the difficult times.
Part One of this Feature: Planning an Art Exhibition
