doctoral candidate in rhetoric and scientific and technical communication
art
I am interested in promoting my photography at a local coffee shop. That’s where I’d like to hang my first shingle, so to speak.
This particular coffee shop hangs the works of people all of the time. I’ve seen a wide range of artistic endeavors taking place there – from projects from the local high schools to senior citizens’ works (and everything in-between). I want to hang my works there for a few reasons: 1) It’s a small venue; 2) It’s local and, therefore, may be more willing to hang a local’s work; 3) It gets great traffic.
I’m intimidated and don’t know how to to go about asking though. I wouldn’t even know where to start. And, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if my work is good enough to hang anywhere. I like it but there is no accounting for my taste.
I live in one of those communities where art is spelled with caps. It is not simply art, but ART.
I live in one of those artsy communities where people take art seriously. We have galleries all over town. We have photographers who shoot for major magazines living here, who have traveled the world to get that perfect shot for a layout. We have world-renowned published writers and painters and sculptors living here.
For a small city, this is an artists’ enclave.
So for someone who knows that she isn’t a professional and may not have the same skills as others, it is intimidating.
How do you break in? How do you know if your work is even good enough?
For what it’s worth, I think your work is great and you’d do well to start sharing it even more with the world.
I’ve called galleries and cafes before and asked if they’d be interested in seeing my work for display. I’ve never been turned down. At the very least, you can ask what their process is for featuring artwork (if they have a schedule or waiting list, etc).
But honestly, you are incredibly talented. I can’t see what person in their right mind would turn down the opportunity to display your work.