So you are having your first art show...

What an honor, what an event...and so much more!  There is nothing that compares to your first art show.  For me, it felt like "my" Academy Awards--complete with the "Green Room" after party! (which had it's challenges too!)  Ahhhh...those challenges!   Hoping it is helpful- I would like to toss out some tips and lessons learned so your first art show is a wonderful, memorable experience. 

First up...and a biggie-LIGHTING!  Oh my gosh...this is a must!  Galleries of course understand this and are outfitted with the biggest and best- LIGHTING sells-don't take this lightly (pun not intended) ;).  Visit the venue your art will show in at different times of day/evening---is it natural light? Fluorescent? Full Spectrum?  And so on.  If the lighting is not sufficient to really make your painting "pop"...it must be addressed.  Either you or your host venue will have to furnish additional lighting.  There are little flexible lights... called "Mighty Lights" and larger lights-ML-19 JSL Super Wide Music Stand LIght- which might work for you.  Make certain the clamp on these lights fit your frames.  Also note the later light has a "bluish LED" light which might or might not taint your painting colors.  The Mighty Lights are a "Cleaner, brighter, whiter" light but the clamps may not work on larger frame widths.  These are in the 20.00ish price range.  Do some internet shopping for the best deals---note these are from the music/orchestra lighting area.  Also know you will probably only use these when YOU are there to turn them on---may just be your opening night...but, if a 20.00 light sells a 500.00 painting---I consider that to be a good investment!

Happy Painting!
Liz Czerewaty