What You Must Do After Your Art Exhibition

Shan Fannin is an artist from Austin, TX, and recognized internationally for her vibrant and bold paintings of vehicles. She possesses superb artistic skills and attention to detail. Her solo exhibitions include the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and she was the featured artist for the 2018 annual Lubbock Arts Festival featuring artists from around the U.S. Her art is in numerous collections. Fortunate for us, Shan Fannin is also a former Marketing Director and has graciously offered to share her marketing expertise in this article “What You Must Do After Your Art Exhibition”. ~ Renée Phillips

Here Are Important Steps to Take

By Shan Fannin

Congratulations! You made it! Your show was a success and all that hard work has paid off. Well done! Take a couple of days to decompress and relax. You’ve earned it. Here are some important after show steps to take!

Express Appreciation
After your break, be sure to send notes to your gallery curator or organizer thanking them for their hard work. For those that purchased your work during the show, send them a note as well. This is also a good time to mention that you provide a return collector discount, if you offer one. Personally, I offer a 10% discount (prior to tax and shipping) for repeat clients.

Show Off Your Star Quality
Post images of your show on social media and your website. If works sold, post a photo of that artwork thanking the new collector and gallery. Be sure to hashtag the gallery and yourself in all posts. Also encourage others to share their photos using these same hashtags from the event.

Give Acknowledgements and Rewards
You may receive messages from collectors inquiring about your artwork either at the show or on your website. Make sure to ask where they heard about you. If it was through the show, the gallery has earned commission on that sale.

Put Your Accounts in Order
All the purchases you’ve made for your show can go towards your taxes. Marketing, postage, brochures, food, rental equipment, music, etc. that you personally made count. Putting all these receipts into a folder along with notes really helps at tax time.

Plan Ahead
What is next for you? Think back to the feedback you’ve received from collectors, attendees, and media regarding your show. What did they like? What would like they like to see more of? What do you wish you had on exhibition? This is a great time to find a quiet spot, grab a drink, and write down your thoughts and goals for the future. Where do you want your career to go from here? Writing down your goals and referring back to them periodically keeps you focused on what is important to you. Do you have galleries you want to work with? A series of works you want to create? A set figure for annual income? Write them down and get started!

Moving Forward with Strength and Confidence
The important thing to remember is that having a solo or small group show is hard work. It will take a balance of creating, marketing, networking, and some financial investment. However, your efforts will be rewarded far past your event. Galleries and future collectors will remember you. Your professional resume will be stronger. The best part is that you will gain confidence in yourself and clarify of vision for your future. The saying “Hard Work Pays Off” is spot on. Work hard now, you will reap the benefits in the future. Happy Creating!

Visit Shan Fannin’s website shanfannin.com

Join Shan Fannin in Social Media
Facebook.com/artbyshanfannin

You may also want to read
Ideas to Help You Create Successful Art Events.