Studio visits are an opportunity to show your work in person and discuss it in your own words.

 

Studio Visits.

This guide to studio visits was created by the Upward mentors in collaboration with independent curator Ann Shafer.

Getting in Touch

  • When you meet gallerists, curators, art advisors, and collectors, try to collect email addresses so you can create lasting relationships.

  • Don’t be afraid to initiate a studio visit.

  • If your potential visitor is from out of town, consider when they might be visiting your city for an art fair, but also keep in mind, they might be very busy during a short visit.

  • Have a reason to reach out (for example, a new body of work).

Before

  • If a curator, gallerist, or collector initiates the visit, ask if there are specific pieces they want to see, or if they are hoping to get an overview of your work.

  • Be prepared to pull out other work if appropriate.

    Tidy up your space and bathroom.

  • Have waters on hand and perhaps a light snack, but don’t go overboard. Your visitor will feel badly about not eating anything (particularly if it is a masked visit).

  • Put out materials from past exhibitions.

  • If you share a studio, inform your studio mate. Perhaps he or she won’t mind staying away during the visit or at least can be prepared not to be disruptive.

  • Think about questions to ask your visitor to generate conversation. (For example: What's your experience with collecting? How has the art you're drawn to changed over time?)

  • Communicate directions about how to find and enter the studio.

  • Trade cell phone numbers.

During

  • Be prepared to run the visit.

  • Start with a formal welcome (for example: Thank you for coming. I'm going to show you a few pieces today from three different series and share a bit about my process.).

  • Try to get a sense of how much time they have planned for the visit.

  • Be prepared to talk about your work – address the content/imagery/meaning of the work, your motivation in making it, and something about technique.

  • Be prepared to talk about your price point and be open to discussing it.

  • Don't hold your visitor hostage by an unending monologue. Break up your presentation by being conversational and asking the visitor questions. Pause for and invite questions from the visitor regularly to ensure that the exchange is engaging.

  • If you have extra brochures or catalogues from exhibitions, offer a copy.

  • Don’t be afraid to ask if your visitor is interested in your work, but don’t take no as a rejection. Their reasons may be multifold.

  • If it feels right, ask if your visitor can connect you to other people who might have an interest in your work or ask for advice about making it in the art world.

  • If your visitor brought a guest, ask for his or her email address. (Unless the guest is a client of a gallerist or art advisor.)

  • Look for social cues that they want to wrap it up.

After

  • Right after the visit, send a thank you note with a tailored price and availability list, including everything you showed. This will both add value by providing details and create a channel to stay in touch.

  • Don’t expect any follow up. Remember, the studio visit itself is the marker of success.

  • Add your visitors to your mailing list.

  • Keep in touch when you have a new body of work or upcoming exhibition, but do not bombard past visitors with frequent emails. Unless you develop an on-going relationship, no more than three or four updates a year is appropriate.

  • If your visit was with a curator, be aware things move slowly in the museum world. Manage expectations. Know that the curator is now familiar with your work and will remember you if an opportunity arises.