The Art You Don’t See at an Art Show
If you've ever walked through an art show, you've probably noticed the paintings first. The colors. The textures. The subjects. Maybe one piece catches your eye and makes you stop for a closer look.
What you probably don't notice is everything that happened before those paintings ever made it onto the wall.
As I prepare for this year's Cool Art Show, I've realized that getting ready has become an art form of its own. This won't be my first time exhibiting at the show. In fact, I've participated before, and every experience has taught me something new.
But this year feels different.
A glimpse into the prep work
Instead of bringing as many paintings as possible, I'm taking fewer pieces—and being much more intentional about which ones make the trip. For the first time, I'm thinking less about filling a booth and more about creating a cohesive body of work. That turns out to be much harder than it sounds.
Because if you know me, you know my brain loves to chase whatever inspires me in the moment. One day it's florals. The next it's a shoreline. Then a palm tree. Then an abstract idea that refuses to leave me alone.
Curiosity is one of my favorite things about being an artist.
Creating a cohesive collection while honoring that curiosity? That's the challenge.
As I've grown as an artist, I've also realized that the experience matters just as much as the paintings themselves.
Where should the large painting go?
Should paintings be grouped by color or by subject?
How many is too many?
Where should the price tags go?
Will the logo stickers on the bags be noticeable enough?
Where can I hide extra bags so they're easy to reach without making the booth feel cluttered?
These probably aren't questions most visitors think about.
Artists think about them constantly. And then there are the checklists.
So many checklists.
Every inch of our house right now has paintings and merchandise packed up and ready to go.
Did I sign every painting?
Do any need one last touch-up?
Did I print enough business cards?
Did I pack the Square reader?
Did I test the Square reader?
Did I remember the hanging hardware?
Did I remember the extra hanging hardware?
Years ago, I had a wire break while hanging a painting at a show.
Instant panic.
Now I carry extras. Lots of extras. Experience has a funny way of teaching us what we'll never forget again.
Although...
There was also the time I packed absolutely everything for a one-day art show......except the original paintings.
Yes, really. I stayed and continued set up while my husband raced home to pick up the paintings. He got back just in time to hang them before the show opened. All was well - except that I will never live that down!
Fortunately, I realized it before getting too far, but it remains one of those stories that keeps me humble—and one more reason my packing checklist continues to grow every year.
When visitors walk into my booth, I hope they notice the paintings. But more than that, I hope they feel welcome. I hope they slow down. I hope they smile. I hope they remember visiting, whether they leave with a painting or simply with a moment of inspiration.
Because that's the experience I've been creating long before the doors ever open.
If you visit an art show this year, remember that there are so many meaningful ways to support artists beyond making a purchase.
Follow them on Instagram.
Visit their website.
Leave a comment on a blog post.
Share their work with a friend.
Those small gestures mean more than you might imagine. They remind us that someone connected with what we created.
And sometimes, that's exactly the encouragement we need to keep showing up.
And if you happen to be visiting the St. Pete area on July 18th or 19th, I'd love to meet you! I'll be exhibiting at the Cool Art Show at the St. Pete Coliseum. Please stop by, say hello, and let me know you found me through the blog. It would truly make my day.
A Few Things I'm Taking With Me
🌿 I'm learning...
That creating a cohesive body of work is just as much about what I choose to leave out as what I choose to include.
💙 I'm grateful for...
Every lesson, every mistake, and every art show that has made this year's preparation a little less intimidating.
✨ I'm curious about...
What visitors will notice first when they walk into my booth this year.
