Tips and Guidelines
AS YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE 2019 STUDIO TOUR:
Please remember that many of your visitors take the tour every year, so it is imperative that artists have a substantial volume of new material each year to keep the experience fresh and interesting. All participating artists are expected to play an active role in promotion.
EXHIBITION GUIDELINES
For Newcomers:
Tips for all studio tour artists:
For further information, or if you require a venue, contact artist liaison:
Tour Chairperson - Margie Hildebrand
Phone: 204-822-6679
Email: chasmarg@mymts.net
Please remember that many of your visitors take the tour every year, so it is imperative that artists have a substantial volume of new material each year to keep the experience fresh and interesting. All participating artists are expected to play an active role in promotion.
EXHIBITION GUIDELINES
For Newcomers:
- Try to attend a studio tour the year before you plan to join. Visit as many studios as you can to gather ideas on how to set up your display. Compare various exhibits to decide what worked best and think about how to apply those strategies to your own display.
- You might choose an experienced studio tour artist, someone you know, as a mentor/advisor who can help you and answer your questions. Better yet, see if you can join him/her for your first exhibit.
Tips for all studio tour artists:
- Ensure that the space chosen is well-presented and clean. This includes the yard, walkways, entryway, etc. Your venue should look welcoming in all respects.
- Ensure that there is adequate lighting. Windows are great, but if you don’t have them, you’ll need good overhead lighting or directional lighting of some kind.
- If you are displaying two-dimensional artwork, have as many pieces as possible carefully and attractively framed.
- The appropriate height to hang artwork, or display a sculpture, is about 1.5 M (60 inches) from the floor. This may not always be suitable, but don’t place art near the floor or ceiling, if possible.
- Most studio tourists like details. Plan on having each piece labelled with its title and medium. If you are sharing a venue with others, it is essential that each label have the artist’s name on it as well. Labels should be consistent and neat-looking.
- If your work/exhibit has a theme, it’s a good idea to print up a vision statement for people to read, which summarizes your philosophy/approach to your art. Make sure the text is large enough to read easily, not much longer than 200 words, and mounted either on the wall or an easel of some sort. Consider creating a corner where your process is on display. Some artists actually work on their art during the tour.
- If your artwork, or copies/prints, notecards, etc., are for sale, make sure that prices are clearly marked for each item. Have a receipt book handy, esp. if you are selling big- ticket items. If the buyer can’t take a piece with him, be prepared to provide shipping and packaging costs. Pieces not for sale should be labelled NFS.
- Don’t ignore people or be shy. As soon as new guests enter your venue, approach them immediately, introduce yourself, and welcome them, even if it means excusing yourself from a discussion you were having with someone else. At the very least, make eye contact, wave, smile. It’s your party. People want to know and meet you. Avoid getting involved in lengthy discussions if there is a lot of traffic coming through.
- Soft, unobtrusive background music is nice, but not essential.
- Some artists like to provide a little treat of some sort – beverage or candy.
For further information, or if you require a venue, contact artist liaison:
Tour Chairperson - Margie Hildebrand
Phone: 204-822-6679
Email: chasmarg@mymts.net