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Career & Business

Exhibiting Your Work With A Creative Edge

By Frank Bruno, Artist and Career Coach

Contibuting Editor, Manhattan Arts International
The most exciting news for most artists is having been granted a solo exhibit. I myself have had quite a few and have always come up with ways to maximize the creative edge for presentation.

Many artists come to me for advice on how to present distinctive receptions and memorable experiences at the galleries. My advice is: Use your imagination. After all, we're artists!

Of course the gallery director or owner must accept your idea and most of the time in the form of a proposal.

 Try to think outside of the box and give people something they don't expect.

Example 1: A fine art photographer working in black and white prints came to me with the question about a more expressive exhibit. My idea was to play off of the black and white theme utilizing black and white everything including invitations, paper plates and plastic wear, balloons, napkins, cups, streamers, cookies, etc. His three young children even agreed to dress up in black and white mime costumes to greet visitors. The exhibit was most memorable.

 Example 2: An earlier solo exhibit I had at The Artworks at Doneckers in Southeastern Pa., allowed me to actually paint a draped live model in a mock up studio environment while the reception was taking place. This included live music from a local (affordable) jazz trio along with me painting quick small impressionistic portraits of some of the patrons during the model's break. Three pieces sold at the reception plus many contacts were made.

Frank Bruno, "Solar Bridge", oil on wood panel, 24" x 48".


Remember, however, nothing should take away from the show itself. I once had an opportunity to borrow two dozen mannequins for a figural exhibit but turned down the free offer thinking that their presence would detract from the work and the gallery owner agreed.It doesn't take a large budget to be creative if you give it some thought. Stay resourceful and always develop friendships with other artists in order to help each other. This has always helped me, not only in the material sense but in the actual execution of setting up ad taking down a show and handling a variety of reception tasks.

Most higher-end galleries will have their own plans as to what the exhibit will be like. However, I still make it a point to offer my suggestions for taking things to another level.

Sometimes they go for it… other times not. One thing for certain is that they'll always be impressed by any input which could offer advantage to their gallery business as well as your name awareness while under their roof.

I believe that if it works for you it works for the gallery. Anticipate what questions or concerns they may have against your ideas. Come up with more than one or two plans and present them with confidence.


Newer gallery spaces may hesitate taking risky approaches. Be aware of the gallery's location and their clientele. Find out what they've done (and haven't done) in the past. Most of all, keep your creative edge!

Frank is available for consultations and coaching. You may email Frank at frank-bruno@comcast.net and visit his website at www.artistfrankbruno.com


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Frank Bruno is one of the editorial contributors to the book Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists, Revised Third Edition by Renée Phillips, published by Manhattan Arts International. In addition to a sample gallery proposal by Frank Bruno the book also contains sample presentation materials, gallery agreements, artist's statements, resumes, biographies, business letters, press releases and more.


Learn more about the book.
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