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Hosting Open Studios
by Anna West
Open studios are a popular, inexpensive way to expose new people to your work. It works best if you can organize with other artists in your neighborhood or town. Any event that can coexist with your open studio will encourage more people to stop by.
Once you decide to participate in an open studio there is much to do ensure your opportunity is a success:
One month ahead:
- If the official card is not ready, make your own via color photocopier. If there is an official card, hand write or use a label with your address on the card writing "Start at my studio." If there are many studios, people get tired and quit or their eyes get tired. Think of ways to entice them to start with you.
- Invite some sympathetic friends. Ask them to dress up and come at staggered times. Strangers feel safer and more comfortable (and so will you) if a couple of people are hanging out eating cheese.
2 weeks ahead:
- Get a blank book for addresses that you can add to your mailing list.
- Start cleaning and organizing your studio, bathroom and kitchen. Don't leave this for the last minute. You might want to repaint walls. Lay out out everything, frame as much work as you can afford, and look at it for several days. Give yourself time to change your mind. Hang and rehang.
- Send either your postcard or official card, so everyone will get 2 cards from you.
Day of event:
- Keep your prices low. People expect bargains. After all, you haven't had to ship your art or give a commission to anyone else.
- I always hang several small drawings at $50 or less near the larger, pricier work; this gives people a chance to start collecting.
- Provide an assortment of food and drink. The longer they spend in your studio, the easier it will be for them to appreciate your work.
- Be prepared to talk intelligently about your work and prices. Remind people to sign the blank book and include their address.
After the event:
- Make notes on comments heard and reactions to various pieces.
- Send thank you notes to organizers, friends and buyers.
Anna West
Brooklyn, NY