Open Studio Tips

Last night I attended a large open studio event here in Cleveland that included private artist studios, galleries, and auction house. It was a strange night and made me and my partner in crime feel as though we were in a David Lynch film. I had been in the building many times on the ground floor, but never saw how developed the rest of the property was — very nice spaces indeed. But, nice space isn’t enough to always look professional and not look completely shifty! It brought up a lot of points about open studios if you are planning on hosting one yourself. So, here are some tips…

Clean your space up! I understand if you want to have your space look like Francis Bacon because it is all “tortured artist” or something, but at least clear off your surfaces where it looks a little bit like you tried. This especially goes if you are a gallery or an auction house! I’m not going to buy something from you if it looks like you are going to lose my paperwork in a mountain of magazines and trash. It says to me that you are a disorganized mess.
No one is going to buy an old painting at auction that is cracked all to hell, because I can imagine paint chips eventually falling into my carpet.
Dust your artwork, especially if you are trying to sell it for $14,000.
Have business cards, hoping I remember your name to google later on isn’t such a practical way of trying to market yourself.
Lights, they’re handy, I can see things when lights are put on them.
Don’t tell me how you’ve never exhibited, or sold work, because that would then make you a commercialized whore for the dollar and you want no part of that. It isn’t cute, and it doesn’t make me think you are somehow noble.
Don’t try to sell damaged prints to people.
Don’t have acoustic music or weirdo neo-folk people play art openings. Please.
I can smell your pot smoke, we all can, you are fooling no one with the air spray.
If you have busted frames, throw them out and get new ones. No one wants to buy busted art.
Be present, being nowhere to be found when there is a possibility of journalists who might want to photograph or interview you does you no good. This goes for artists and the gallery owners.
Not leaving bio information of any sort near art that I actually want to know more about, it is a no-no. Especially if it is an artist not in attendance who can’t be there to promote themselves.
Not giving price lists anywhere, but instead saying to people, “make me an offer”. That is vague, and totally unprofessional. I mean dude, come on.