Art
Organizations

Alternative
Galleries

Mainstream
Galleries and
Museums

Cafes,
Business
and Public
Spaces

Open Studios
and Festivals

More listings
are added
periodically.
Submit 
yours, even if you don't have a website!

Section Manager:
Seeking volunteer

Walls for Art in the Bay Area

So you want to show your work? What is your primary goal? Do you want to sell your work, or just "show" your work? How much experience do you have? You could start out by showing with a group like an art organization. It’s good exposure, and you can make some sales, especially with smaller or lower-priced work. Join one of the art organizations in your area.
    You can get more exposure, faster, by showing in cafes and public spaces and, according to Johnny Davis of ARTwork, you might actually make more sales. Cafe shows can also lead to gallery shows.
       Do you want gallery representation? If so, you could show in an ‘alternative’ gallery. These include non-profit, cooperative and art organization galleries. Alternative galleries don’t have as much status in the 'mainstream' art world, but they lead to shows in other galleries, and some sales.  Are you at a level where you might attract mainstream gallery representation? For either type of gallery, follow the steps listed below:

• 1.) get slides shot of your work (or very good prints)
• 2.) get duplicates made, label them, and put them in slide sleeves or sheets (keep the originals someplace safe)
• 3.) write a nice, short cover letter
• 4.) write an artist’s statement about your ideas, your work, and techniques.
• 5.) write your resume - include where you’ve exhibited, awards, your art education, other art background, art organization affiliations, and publication credits (if any)
• 6.) go through our lists of organizations and galleries by clicking on the links at left, (or the Yellow Pages) and call them:
  - find out if they’re currently looking at work
  - and if they show your kind of work
  - and who to contact
• 7.) include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your materials
• 8.) and start sending out your letters, resume and slides now!

The initial response rate is roughly 10-20%. That is, for every 50 galleries you contact, 5-10 will respond. For every ten responses, the odds are good that one will show your work. If you keep in touch with the others, they may show your work next year, or the year after. They plan their calendars at least six months to a year in advance. Those who return your slides will probably respond to future mailings of updated slides, so don’t discount them because of an initial rejection. Instead, keep them informed of new work by sending them new sets of slides from time to time.
       If you make a friendly contact with a gallery owner, you can also invite him/her to your studio to see the actual work. But they’ll always want slides first.

Good Luck!
Li Gardiner, Executive Director