#100 MASTER CLASS — THE ART OF THE SHOW (Nick & Ann)
Making art alone in one’s studio is one thing, showing it is quite another! What does it take to prepare for a show? What makes a cohesive body of work? What considerations come up regarding a solo or a group exhibition? Nick and Ann dive into these questions and much more as they reflect on their recent shows. Nick tracks the evolution of his solo show from start to finish, and Ann shares the development of her group show with two friends. This Master Class covers mindset, process, promotion and hospitality — all important considerations to put your best self forward with confidence and joy!
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Me again with a question for both of you. When you stepped into your show, did you have a gut reaction about your work that informed your path forward? Did you see something more clearly?
Last April I walked into my solo show and instantly felt that I could go further. And the paintings felt stiffer than they needed to be.
That was my takeaway. What was yours?
We can always go further Lori. The work often feels ahead of me and I’m not quite ready to let go in a way I know I want to. What are the conditions I need? This is what I ask myself. It’s always more freedom, physically and mentally. Some baby steps get me closer. I wonder if I can really pull off what I want to and that mental game can’t be useful. I have time, I have good health, I trust I will get there eventually.
This was so wonderful to watch and experience, the way you both shared your lived experience with us and wove your stories, your courage, your “Yes-ness into your story. I leave feeling inspired and with thought, “well maybe someday, that could be something I can do!” I feel refreshed and enlivened. First goal is to someday attend one of the workshops. Again, thank you both so much.
Anne and Nick, this was great. I have had 25 or so single shows and I am always so nervous that I won’t have a “cohesive” show, or that if I do something different, the gallery will be shocked, and the fears go on and on. It is paralyzing. Your processes and words gave me some bravery I was needing for the next opportunity. Also the arrival of the work three weeks prior to the show is what gives the gallery the opportunity to get the excitement going. I am going to suggest it to one of my galleries. Thanks for all of the tips! I especially like planning the sizes beforehand.
Thanks so much Ann and Nic!! Inspirational and fantastic advice as usual!
Nic, you said you start the process with canvases already stretched to the sizes you want to include in the show. Do you go to the gallery beforehand to imagine the sizes on the walls before making this decision? Or is it more an intuitive process?
Ann thank for the heads-up re group shows. I love the idea of deciding on a selection of sizes (that 20×20 grid looked fantastic), and also the idea of the palettes being complementary! A lovely way to bring a group show together even if the audience are not aware of why it works so well! Love it! thanks xx