Just want to set the context before I begin.  So many of the clients I work with are emerging artists, without gallery representation.  Frankly, I'm a big fan of having more freedom and flexibility, but that's me.  I make this distinction because the information I'm going to share is for those who are choreographing, staging, curating their own shows (whatever word appeals to your sense of creativity).

Walking through the public library I always look to see the work of the featured artist.  It's a great way to see local artists and makes the library that much more of an interesting place to spend time.  The artist featured this month is Bill Sherrell, a photographer.  His nature/wilderness photographs show his eye for framing the shot and the color he captures is terrific.

Here's the staging part.  We all know that the recent trend in real estate sales is staging.  Staging is when you organize and refresh the home with new furniture, accessories, etc to make it more appealing to the masses.  Couldn't we incorporate that same philosophy when we're working on selling art? 

When selecting a site for exhibiting consider the amount of freedom you may have to orchestrate the show.  The photographs that Bill shows are all outdoors.  Consider what would compliment the work.  Maybe music with sounds of nature to bring in the auditory sense.  I remember years ago on a trip to Japan the hotel piped in birds singing to augment the serenity of bringing the outdoors in.  Consider the lighting,  maybe you need to bring in some up lights to create shadows. 

Part of the selling process is about creating stories.  Maybe it would be helpful to create a short video sharing your process with buyers/collectors.  The more engaged you can make the viewer you increase the likelihood that they will spend more time with the art, increasing sales.

Remember we have 5 senses...
Greg

helping artists create successful and sustainable art businesses