Making the Most of Being a Featured Artist | by Jacie Rivas | February 22, 2020
You’re going to be a featured artist – now, how do you get the word out?
Here are some ideas to build publicity for your reception and gallery exhibition. If you have other ideas to share, we’d love to hear from you! Please send your ideas to jacierivas@yahoo.com for consideration to be added to this list!
Design a poster, print it and hang it in high-traffic areas. Here are some websites* that provide tools for design and print, or you can create your own on your computer and take to a copy shop, such as FedEx, the UPS Store or Staples, to print them.
Contact the local media (examples below) and submit a press release. Fellow LCAC Member George Dillon has provided a Press Release he’s used below.
If you have a website, create an announcement and post it on your home page.
Request a list of Gallery Member email addresses from the Gallery and send an email blast. (Any LCAC Member can request this list)
Don’t forget social media! Post your reception and exhibition details on your own social media (such as Facebook or Instagram) and reach out to others in your network to do the same. You can also connect with organizations in the area and ask if they would post on their page(s) on your behalf.
Design postcards and mail to Gallery Members and to other people you know. You can also distribute a stack of postcards around town, including at the Gallery. Here are some websites* that provide tools for design and print, or you can create your own on your computer and take to a copy shop, such as FedEx, the UPS Store or Staples, to print them. (Any LCAC Member can request an address list of LCAC Members)
* Lodi Community Art Center is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the website suggestions above, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. Websites are provided as examples only.
Press Release Example (credit to LCAC Member George Dillon)
This is also a good template to use for sending an email blast.
Cover Letter / Email Copy
The following is a press release for my featured art exhibit in August at the Lodi Community Art Center. I would appreciate any publicity you can extend. I have also included a more extensive biography piece in case you need additional information.
You will also find several pictures for some of the art in the show in case you are able to use one or more.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
George Dillon
209-772-2892 | george.dillon1@comcast.net | georgedillonstudio.com
Press Release Copy
Valley Springs Artist to be Featured at Lodi Community Art Center Through August
George Dillon, who has been painting professionally for the past 20 years, strives to get each observer to have an emotional response of some type to his creations. His style is most often surreal or modern and was influenced by Picasso Matisse, and Georges Braque as well as his first encounters with African art and travel. His imagination and whimsy have all been inspiration to him. Viewers’ sensibilities will be challenged by sometimes humorous and/or penetrating looks at culture and its surroundings. Many of his titles will stir the observer to examine their own awareness of what they think is being conveyed.
Currently George is a member of the Calaveras Arts Council, the Amador County Artists Association and the Lodi Council of Arts. His works have been on display in several venues in the Bay Area, Sacramento, as well as the California foothills and the Lodi Community Art Center.
Through the month of August, George’s current works will be featured at the Lodi Community Art Center located at 110 W. Pine Street, Lodi. A free reception, open to the public, is being held on Friday, August 2nd from 6-8:30 pm. For further information call (209) 333-3885.