I was at an artist talk this week with an artist who is well known, respected and quite accomplished.  She has a multitude of collectors, teaches all over the world, gets corporate sponsorships for advertising work and has been accepted into all of the most prestigious shows in her field and yet the story she told us would destroy the career of an emerging artist.

She explained that she had entered a juried exhibition submitting two slides for the show.  It shouldn't be a surprise that both pieces were accepted.  The next turn of events is what would send me spinning not only as the juror but as the people handling the exhibit.  One of the pieces was sold while at another show.  The artist didn't have the forethought to explain that the piece would be available after May 15.  The piece went to a hospital in the Midwest and then the artist had to contact the gallery and the person in charge of the exhibition to say that only one of the juried pieces will be showing up.

As I stated earlier, early on this would destroy the career of an artist.  As it stands there is some discussion about her professionalism.  To her credit she told the audience the precarious nature this puts an artist in and that she was very apologetic and would be more mindful in the future.

If you want to be considered a professional than you need to act like a professional.  Integrity is as marketable as your art so don't compromise yours.  Set up a system so that you know when your pieces are committed so you don't double book.  Have a clause in your contracts that states that while awaiting the jurying of a show, if the piece is accepted it will be available after a certain date.  Don't cut off your exhibition opportunities for one sale.

Professionalism is key...
Greg

coaching artists to success