Exhibiting Work

See what happens when you make a resolution to do more exhibition work...blogs get neglected! I do have that smug feeling of well-being now, having accomplished what I had on my to do list - start a whole new body of work and complete two new exhibition pieces. Something had to give as I said in my last post way back in January, and it turned out to be this blog!

As far an entering exhibitions I would encourage anyone to do so - it is a learning experience. Here are some things that I have learned from exhibiting my work in the past:

• Making exhibition work is very different from making production work for me, no time and cost restraints, very freeing, but also very demanding as there is no excuse for mediocrity.
• Working to an unbendable deadline - find out if you work well under last minute pressure.
• Working with a group - can you be part of a team putting on the show together, can you take instruction from the group leader?
• Solo show - will you crumble under the pressure of doing it all yourself or is this your dream?
• Can you handle the picky details of labelling all your packaging materials, giving precise instructions on how to display your work, handing over your work to others to display?
• Will you be miffed if the image of your work you submitted is not chosen for the show poster?
• Will you enjoy the opening party or do you hate these kind of events - too many big egos?
• What will you do with your unsold exhition pieces?

Lots to ponder. Meanwhile if you live in the Kootenays come along to Connections Materialized at the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar March 11 to April 24. Come to the opening party on March 11 at 7pm.

Beachcomber in sterling silver and found objects

Exhibition

I just had an email from the art school where I studied jewellery-making for three years - Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson BC. They have invited me to take part in a faculty exhibition of work next year. I used to teach part-time in the jewellery dept several years ago before the school became part of the larger Selkirk College and they down-sized the course, needing fewer instructors. I have been there since as a Visiting Artist (giving a slide show) and recently have given some Continuing Ed classes, when enough people sign up, so it is nice of them to invite me into a faculty show.

I've spent this morning putting some info together for them along with three images, all needed right away. I keep copies of all the artist statements and bios I've written, as I can often use them over again, maybe with a small change here and there. Today I rewrote both in bullet style format for a change, I think it is easy to read that way and since they wanted the info quickly, it was quicker to write too.

The best thing is that the exhibition is not until spring 2011 and I will have time to produce new work for it, it is always so exciting to think ahead like this and imagine the amazing, incredible pieces I will produce!