The Art of Artist Etiquette
There comes a time when an artist must understand the Art of Artist Etiquette while in a gallery, at an art event, or getting their art to or from an event. Artists have a responsibility to be on time and always be professional - to the gallery, art group, art show, and to their fellow artists to know and show good manners. That is what it all comes down to, right?
Art Do's and Art Do Nots, and No, You Di'int
There are do's and do nots for everything, I suppose. As they say, people are people are people...and artists are artists are artists that are people. Occasionally artists are very different people, but that could be another blog post. I look at that as we are all human; people are gonna do what people are gonna do; we all make mistakes - but we can all learn from our mistakes.
I am going to hash out some of the often nonspoken, Artist Etiquette here (and hopefully in a mildly humorously way) because on occasion, we all forget the unwritten rules, including me. You may not feel like you should have to say some of these, but yeah, you do.
Check and Recheck Your Art for the Show
Make sure your art is hung the way the show expects it to be hung. The Calls for Art sends or has guidelines, and those are very important. While checking in art at various shows over time, I do believe we've seen it all.
- No wire? How are we supposed to hang it? We aren't setting it on the floor.
- No, it is not up to the show people to wire it for you. Seriously.
- Didn't create a label or sign your artwork? That's on you, you mysterious artist, you. I wonder who will get the check if it sells?
- Forgot your inventory list or other expected documents? Oops, get to writing.
- Didn't finish the edges? I guess someone missed reading the directions.
- Be very aware of copyright infringement. <- That's a very serious and important one folks.
Art Pickup and Art Drop Off
When the dates are set for art pickup and drop off, the show will send those dates and times out along with a reminder just prior to them. It is up to the artist to abide by those dates and times, mark their calendars, create an alert or to contact a friend or family member to help them if they cannot do that date or time PRIOR to the schedule. Most venues typically suggest that if the artist has no one else to handle the incoming or outgoing art and to sign in or out that art, to let the volunteers that are handling the event know - or contact one of your fellow artists and make arrangements with them PRIOR to that date.
- Most galleries and art groups state in their documents that if a time or day do not work for you, to contact them in advance and they would be happy to accomodate you.
When
artwork is juried into a show - especially with limited space - the
coordinators for that show are EXPECTING your work to be there, possibly
even having measured a layout for your art to fit a space. If the venue knows they can only accept X amount of art and yours was selected to show, and you don't show up...you have potentially blocked someone else from being in that show.
If you have a change of mind about showing, let the coordinators know PRIOR to the event. Someone may already have created labels or other expectations in your art's acceptance.
- Several
times, I've been on hanging committees and we started or had the art
pretty far along (OR have left for the day) in the hanging process and
an artist shows up to drop off art HOURS after the deadline. Not cool.
Not acceptable.
Volunteers
are often helping to coordinate the art on display and they are doing this
FOR the art group, art venue, and each every artist in that show. Even more often, they do not get paid for
the time and effort they are putting in. From email announcements, blog posts, website
updates, Facebook posts, creating art labels, to using their vehicles to drive to the space,
spending HOURS at the space, and on and on - so the expectation is that our fellow
artists to have the decency to cooperate with set times and dates - no matter where you are potentially showing your art.
Artists must remember that it is not the gallery or the showing space's responsibility to store your artwork after the show (there may not even be space for it), nor is it the responsibility of the volunteers that are spending their time and effort to handle your art any more than they are already volunteering time to hang or take down your art. We have lives the same as you.
- Besides, that monster canvas of yours will not fit in my car or in my house!
There is also a consideration of "abandoned art" if art is left for a period of time and not picked up. I've seen this one happen where MONTHS went by without hearing from the artist. The gallery or group can just sell or donate art at a certain point, with no regard of a cut to the artist. The other part of this is your art could potentially be ruined when its abandoned because of someone having to shove the abandoned art in a corner somewhere. And don't expect the venue to wrap it up for you.
It is about respect - for yourself, your work, and your fellow artists.
At an Exhibit, Art Reception or Art Show
- If you know an art exhibit coming up and one of your fellow artists would be a great fit for it, share the knowledge.
- It is not a competition, even if it is a competition. What I mean is that you aren't competing with other artists even though a juror may be judging a specific art show and handing out ribbons or cash prizes. That part is out of your hands really. Just as someone may purchase one painting of the Washington Monument but not the one you did. Your job is to create YOUR art, the best it can be, and presenting it correctly.
- Think about it, if you are in an echo-y gallery, maybe at an art reception and someone is talking loudly or negatively about a piece of art - or even about YOUR art. Gasp!! Not cool. But you stay cool. And the loud speaker needs to tone it down some notches. This is the place to use your "indoor voice" and be respectful of everyone's art.
- If it isn't your event, you shouldn't be promoting your stuff.
- Divas are a pain in everyone's butt. It usually is not all about YOU, especially if you're in a group's art show - or even if it is your solo show.
- Know if the gallery allows nudes, political, or controversial" art or not. It might be very well done art, but family friendly isn't expecting their child to see it all hanging out there.
- It is always a good idea to ASK before taking photos at an event (unless you are the photographer for the event).
- Make sure access ways are not blocked by you or your fan club, I mean, the people that are talking to you. This is something you see happen at group art shows when multiple artists are showing in a tent, and someone is blocking the aisle to get through. Which means that a fellow artist's work was prevented from being seen. (Insert here, "STAY OUT OF THE TENT!")
- Sold something, AWESOME! Well, I certainly hope you know that the gallery or show venue is taking their cut first before they send you the check. KNOW what the venue's cut is too! Most of the galleries around Northern Virginia that I have seen take 25% to 35% of the sale, but it CAN be higher. As they say, know before you go and I hope you priced it accordingly. Also, understand the time frame of when checks are sent out as it is usually in writing somewhere.
- I've had and seen this happen: I'm speaking to someone that is asking ME about my art, and another artist nearby hears a keyword and butts in and says, "I've got some artwork with that!" And leads my potential client/fan away to show that piece. Grrrrr.....I did consider biting the artist's ankle.
- Learn, grow, get a book, take a class - never stop learning, especially when it comes to art basics and fundamentals. Correct Proportions in art work is a pet peeve...unless its done intentionally.
- Keep your pricing consistent offline and online.
- There is no space for negativity or self-doubt about your own art. Don't talk your own artwork down. Be proud, be bold.
- If you say you are going to do something, DO IT.
- If you join an art group, actually BE a part of the art group. Join a committee. Be active. You'll be in the KNOW and be able to help others when they have questions. The rewards are worth it.
- Dress appropriately for the venue and occasion.
- Do be professional, that is paramount.
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
