I have more than 20 original illustrations/paintings and I *really* want to start shopping them around to galleries for a solo show. Maybe some of y’all have more experience with this than I do. Is it rude/presumptuous to email galleries and ask if they could host an opening reception/solo show? - ThreadSky

meganroseruiz.bsky.social • 15 days ago

I have more than 20 original illustrations/paintings and I *really* want to start shopping them around to galleries for a solo show. Maybe some of y’all have more experience with this than I do. Is it rude/presumptuous to email galleries and ask if they could host an opening reception/solo show?

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tonybones.bsky.social•15 days ago

I don't think it would be presumptuous at all. How else are they gonna find out about you? My friend who owns some local galleries is a total sweetheart and super approachable. Plus the other local galleries are very open to submissions.

jinelysart.bsky.social•15 days ago

I don't have experience, but I believe it wouldn't hurt asking them. We have to make connections somehow.

natedhernandez.bsky.social•15 days ago

I wonder if there are galleries for digital work bc I would also like to look into this.

meganroseruiz.bsky.social•15 days ago

I think for digital work, a lot of artists will make canvas or giclee prints for a gallery show!

sleepimali.bsky.social•15 days ago

I'm pretty sure it's okay! May wanna check if they have any guidelines for getting in touch on their website, but if not, a polite cold email should be fine as long as you think your art would be a good fit for the gallery.

shualud.bsky.social•15 days ago

Do you have a website?

That can help spread your work,
or to be used as a reference when you contact galleries—
to see if your style meshes with the space/demographic.

Don’t hesitate selling yourself.

They’ll all say “no”
until someone says “yes”.

✨🫶🏻🌻

noodleverse.bsky.social•15 days ago

Not at all! That’s how you do it!

drawingnikki.bsky.social•15 days ago

It’s best to introduce yourself in person, look at current shows, share their shows on social media, and possibly support the gallery by purchasing something. Shows you are serious.

davidwentworthart.bsky.social•15 days ago

To be clear, I haven't done a lot of gallery shows, but I think it might(?) be better to attend gallery openings and try to get to know the people who manage it, to see if it's a good fit, instead of emails. ❤️

bearcarps.bsky.social•15 days ago

My only experience is student stuff. But you have a professional portfolio with professional work. If I were in your position, I wouldn't think twice about emailing or stopping by any appropriate gallery to see if you'd be a good fit for one another or even just to get some feedback from them.

kaylinpak.bsky.social•15 days ago

If you do end up contacting galleries, I suggest Leanna Lin's Wonderland in LA! I think your art style would really fit in with the vibes of their art gallery/store

meganroseruiz.bsky.social•15 days ago

I think it would be a fun show because it also have a bunch of sketchbooks and doodles that go along with all of the original pieces!

probablynaut.bsky.social•15 days ago

make em include scans of these! it's a new angle! (don't compromise the originals but like. if i could flip through a facsimile sketchbook near the finalized work at a gallery? double admission! $$$)

meganroseruiz.bsky.social•15 days ago

Like I want to show my interest without unknowingly doing a faux pas

probablynaut.bsky.social•15 days ago

it's only rude if you're rude! would be my, "amateur's guess"

what's the old trite adage, have the confidence of a mediocre white guy?

riithewordsmith.bsky.social•14 days ago

I've only encountered one person who runs a gallery personally (at a small event), but the whole time I was listening to him he was like, "please tell me about your art so I can consider it for my gallery I want to find cool artists for it," so... Probably go for it.

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