How To Exhibit Your Art For The First Time

You've been making work for a while now. Maybe years. You've posted it online, shown it to friends, maybe sold a few pieces through Instagram. But you've never had your work on a gallery wall.

You want to. You just don't know where to start.

This is the guide we wish someone had given us when we started. No fluff. No art world jargon. Just the steps.

Step 1: Decide what you want from exhibiting

Before you apply anywhere, figure out what you actually want. There's no wrong answer but knowing your goal changes what you do next.

Do you want to sell work? Then you need a show with collectors and buyers in the room.

Do you want exposure? Then you need a show with a strong audience and good promotion.

Do you want a line on your CV? Then you need a show at a recognised gallery or venue.

Do you want all three? Then you need to be selective about where you show.

Most emerging artists just want to get their work off the screen and onto a wall for the first time. That's a valid goal on its own.

Step 2: Find the right opportunity

There are a few ways to get into an exhibition.

Open calls are the most accessible route. A gallery puts out a call for submissions, you apply with images of your work, and if you're selected you exhibit. This is how most emerging artists get their first show.

Artist led shows are another option. You and a group of artist friends rent a space and put on your own exhibition. More control but more work and more cost.

Gallery representation is the traditional route but it's almost impossible for emerging artists. Most galleries won't look at you unless you already have an exhibition history.

For your first show, an open call is the fastest and easiest path.

Step 3: Prepare your submission

When you apply to an open call, you usually need a few things.

Images of your work. Good photos make a huge difference. Natural light, clean background, no distractions. Photograph your work straight on, not at an angle. If it's a painting, make sure the edges are straight and the colours are accurate.

A short description. Not an essay. Just a few lines about what you make and what drives your work. Write it how you'd explain it to a friend.

Your details. Name, email, location, medium, size of work. Basic stuff.

That's it. You don't need an artist statement written in academic language. You don't need a CV full of past exhibitions. You need good images and a clear idea of what you do.

Step 4: Choose your work carefully

Don't submit everything you've ever made. Pick your strongest one or two pieces. The ones that represent where you are right now. The ones you'd be proud to see hanging on a wall.

If you're unsure, ask someone you trust. Not another artist who might overthink it. Ask someone who doesn't know anything about art and see which piece they respond to. That's usually the one.

Step 5: Understand the costs

Most open calls have an exhibition fee. This covers your wall space, venue hire, promotion and the event itself. Fees vary widely depending on the gallery and location.

Some galleries charge hundreds of pounds and give you very little in return. Others offer a fair price and actually promote the show. Do your research. Look at past exhibitions. Check their social media. See if they actually have an audience.

Be wary of any gallery that charges a fee and also takes commission on sales. That's double dipping.

At Streeters Gallery, exhibition fees start at £120 for one physical work and we take zero commission on sales. If someone buys your piece, the money is yours.

Step 6: Prepare for the exhibition

Once you're accepted, there are a few practical things to sort out.

Framing. If your work is on canvas it may not need a frame. If it's a print or photograph, get it professionally framed or mount it cleanly. Presentation matters.

Transport. You'll need to get your work to the venue. If it's local, bring it yourself. If it's in another city, you can post it. Package it properly with cardboard corners, bubble wrap and a rigid outer box.

Pricing. Decide on a price before the show. Research what artists at a similar level charge for similar work. Don't price too high because you're emotional about it. Don't price too low because you don't think anyone will buy it. Find the middle.

Labels. Make sure the gallery has your name, the title of the work, the medium, the dimensions and the price. Most galleries handle this but check in advance.

Step 7: Show up

If you can attend the opening night, do it. This is where you meet collectors, talk about your work and connect with other artists. It's nerve wracking the first time but everyone in the room felt the same way at their first show.

You don't need to stand next to your work all night. Walk around. Look at other people's pieces. Introduce yourself. Have a drink. Enjoy it. You worked hard to get here.

Step 8: What happens after

Your first exhibition opens doors. It goes on your CV. You can reference it in future applications. You've proven to yourself that your work can hold its own in a gallery setting.

Take photos. Document everything. Share it on social media. Tag the gallery. Keep the momentum going.

Then apply to the next one.

Ready to exhibit?

Streeters Gallery runs weekend group shows in London, Paris and New York. Our open call is live. All mediums welcome. No experience needed.

Apply at streetersgallery.net

Streeters Gallery. The gallery that actually lets you in.