Lesson #5: You are your work's best spokesperson

 You know your work inside and out.  You know decisions that have been made regarding your stuff from its conception to right now.  You know how it makes you feel and how much time you've spent thinking about nothing else.  If you're like me you've probably had so much of your current work that you're thinking about doing something else!  No, don't do that - you're too close to show time! 

Ok, you need a flyer or a brouchure that tells people about your show.  There are a number of ways to go about this but most importantly ask yourself, what is my first priority?  When doing a show you want people to come to the opening.  So, advertise the opening!  Draw up a plan for a postcard, post flyers, and tell all of your friends.  But, remember, there is a fine line between tasteful advertising and wanting to get every single person in the world to come.  Consistency is key again in advertising and to judge whether your advertising is good, go back to the work.  My work was about what it means to be a modern day lady.  So, for me I tried to make most elements of my project as formal and as elegant as possible while still appealing to my target market - most of which being my college peers.  

Lesson #6: Formal invitations are a nice touch

I had postcards made and I did formal invitations to each of my honored guests.  Make people feel that they want to come and that there presence will be appreciated, because it is - they don't have to come to your show.  They are making a choice to come to your show and you should always be honored when they show up the night of your opening and be appreciative of their support.   

Lesson #7: Make a mailing list

A mailing list is vital to an artist's livelihood.  Make sure that you always keep an updated one on hand and even put out a book or paper at the opening to give those not currently on your mailing list a chance to get exhibition updates keep up with your progress as an artist.