WHAT MAKES AN ART SHOW GREAT?

​Recently I attended three very different art shows, not one of which I had to curate, promote or sell. I have to say I really enjoyed it!

It was great fun to be able to visit with not only my represented artists who participate in guild exhibitions, but also see the many artists I have come to know through my workshops, talks and past art shows. It is also fascinating to see the variety of work that is coming out of studios now.

The first show I attended was at Mulberry Row in Sherman Oaks for the talented members of Women Painter's West including Marian Fortunati and Terry Romero Paul. (Photos below) I gave a zoom talk to the group a few years ago that you can find on my PRESS PAGE. The venue was small but the paintings mighty and Terry not only won first place but sold her painting Rippled Reflections. (Congratulations Terry!)

The second show I attended was the LA Art Show at the Convention Center downtown. (Photo above is of yours truly with Julie Snyder in front of Alessandro Casetti's mixed media pieces).  I attend the LA Art Show each year with Julie Snyder which is fun because she loves art and seems to know everybody through the workshops she conducts through her company, www.workshopsinfrance.com. (If you are an artist, I would encourage you to check out her international offerings.) Julie has wonderful stories about many of the artists whose work is on display and we always have a grand time critiquing the work which is brought in from all over the world.

And yesterday, I attended the Pasadena Society of Artists (PSA) Centennial Exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of History. That exhibition is open until June 1st and will be on view for ART NIGHT on Friday March 14. I enjoyed seeing the work of members past and present including Bonnie Lambert whose vibrant painting, The Corner was getting much attention! (See photo below)

SO WHAT MAKES AN ART SHOW GREAT?

A great art show celebrates the unique skill and voice of each artist. The art is lit well and displayed at an eye level that reaches the majority of viewers. (I wrote about this in my handbook, A Gallery without Walls: Selling Art in Alternative Venues.)

In a great art show, the art is displayed in such a way that the pieces talk to each other. They seem to be in conversation with each other even if they are very different. This is a curatorial thing, but I have often seen art shows where everything is rather disjointed and the entire exhibition suffers because of it. (I am afraid I found the LA Art Show lacking a bit this year partly because of this. There were too many blank areas - not enough sculpture and the booths were not positioned to best show off what each artist/gallery owner was trying to sell.)

In addition, a great art show is one where, during the reception, people are having a good time looking at the work and visiting with the artists getting to know more about their process. Energy fills the space and helps attendees connect with the artwork which was certainly true at the Women Painters West show in Sherman Oaks.

And finally, if you are the gallery owner or curator, and the work is indeed for sale, a great art show is one you sell out!