Baby Steps - Exhibiting While Inexperienced

Today’s Topic: What does it feel like to exhibit for the first time? 

“My first ever show came upon me by surprise.  I was challenged by a friend, I agreed without thinking too much.  Seemed like a good idea.  I would have been intimidated otherwise. For me, it was  necessary to prepare but also to keep the expense under control.”

This is a story that I hear often and it may It is an experience shared by many, however far you may have travelled since.

So, maybe there’s are more Potters out there who have questions on starting out...

What were my priorities?

• Make sure of the day, time and facilities (will you be stood in the rain?)
• Does the venue provide tables or any other supports?  If so, what size and how many?
• Most people cover their table with cloths.  My first were black weed suppressant, cut to size so as to hide the space below the tables, for storage and neatness.  
• Good sturdy boxes to transport the pieces and a folder for the paperwork.

I felt like a pioneer, an explorer of my own life, a scared but excited space traveller on my very first outing. I am a self taught potter and still finding my way.  I was talked into bringing my pots to show at the local Village Hall, where a number of other craftspeople and artists were exhibiting. It felt like a huge undertaking. At the time I didn’t belong to any group and felt very isolated and uncertain.

Many Potters come from a much better informed background, some with an awesome university degree in art, some with a teaching background, some with a familiarity with events of this kind.  Each personal experience is unique and all are valid and enriching.

My intense desire is to persuade you that your work is unique and your example valuable to others in the community. Your courage to open your work to viewing a source of strength and of information for future direction. We are social creatures, let’s be sociable!

I set out my work on the usual table on offer in the Village Hall. I remember being very critical of my own display, though I had made an effort, using black weed suppressant for a cloth and some very white pebbles from the garden centre scattered around the pieces. A little plant material from the garden sticking out of a tall pot...

All seemed to be going very well until someone asked if I had insurance. And business cards. And postcards with envelopes.  Panic.

The insurance is necessary and it may be risky to avoid it: Artists’ Newsletter (An) offer the necessary cover for a reasonable rate; (https://www.a-n.co.uk/news)

Business cards are a good way to publicise your work. I bought some blanks from a stationers’s to start with and printed my own.

As for all the other paper based goods on offer by so many colleagues, well, I decided that I am in the business of clay not paper.  To meet the argument that people like your work but don’t immediately want to invest a substantial sum on it,  I opted to make a quantity of small pieces with my mark and email on the back and offer them for a nominal sum. Personal decision...

Despite an amount of preparation, the day still seemed fraught with danger and challenge, excitement and doubt on the morning.  The actual experience was anything but.  I have always enjoyed the companionship of these events.  I was surprisingly grateful, not hurt or humiliated,  by feedback, curiosity and comment from visitors. And I immediately benefitted from the many pearls of wisdom other artists share freely about materials, resources and solutions.

So, GO FOR IT!

Next time I will move on to topics such as The Art Market, Social Media and Transporting, Packing, Planning your Space.