Sometimes taking the first step is the hardest. Venturing outside your comfort zone and making the first move can be intimidating but often it can produce the results you’ve been waiting for.
Artist and Praxis student Sally learned for herself the value of approaching galleries. With the support of her teachers and her community, she found the confidence to begin reaching out to galleries and inquiring about whether they would be interested in her work. This is never an easy process, but Sally persisted. In her own words:
“I am very excited to have signed on with my first real gallery! Glave Kocen in Richmond VA. This was the one I reached out to and they were interested in seeing my work in person. I brought several paintings in and they brought me on board! Next body of work will be dedicated to them.”
It is a big moment when a gallery decides to take you on. But as an independent artist, it certainly isn’t the end of the journey, it’s merely the beginning. It is critical to continue reaching out even after you have been brought on board at a gallery. As long as you are producing work, you should be putting it out there for the world to see.
Sally didn’t let her invitation to join Glave Kocen slow her down. She continues her pursuit of other galleries.
“I also have stopped in on several other galleries while driving down the coast to Florida. Had a lot of great conversations with gallerists. Need to submit my work officially to them ASAP while they still remember my face.”
Sally’s last point is an important one. That is, there is a certain momentum that needs to be maintained during this process. After you have met face to face with a gallerist who has shown interest, do not let too much time go by before reaching out again with a follow up and samples of your work. We humans have short memories. A busy gallery owner who encounters many people on a daily basis will not remember you for long. If your work seems to make an impression, follow up fast.
With the knowledge and support of a community like Praxis Center, you can truly find the courage to start making your own dreams come true. Don’t wait another minute, your destiny is out there. It’s up to you to go and find it.