Emailing Commercial Galleries

fad-cate · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 4 Location: Canberra

I was wanting to have a show in a commercial gallery in either Sydney or Melbourne but as I don't live in either I am wondering whether they would be put off by an email with a link to my website. I've noticed the highly-regarded galleries are finally getting a web presence but does this mean they don't mind getting emails of potential recruits (I've heard some are really fastidious about the way you approach them)? Has anyone got representation or a gallery show from sending an email?

marri · Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: Western Australia

I have no experience in this but will make a comment. If I had work in a "gallery far far away" then I would seek one that will communicate by email. Otherwise you end up playing phone tag with each other to communicate.

Stefan Maguran

Most, if not all galleries respond to emails, in spite of what people think.
Getting representation depends on so many other factors though.
Sending an email pointing to your website is generally not a recommended practice. Sending a few images of your work and a link to your website, plus your CV, artist's statement works much better.
But before you do that, you need to do your homework, study the gallery and see if your art fits their mission statement (written or not). Like you would do with any gallery.

fad-cate · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 4 Location: Canberra

Thanks for your insight Stefan, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

gggraph

I would agree with Stefan - don't expect the gallery to do the work, make it easy for them (how many websites do YOU look at when a business sends you an email with a URL in it?)

I would consider sending it as a PDF file (if you can create one). That way, you can place the images at reasonable quality and they can print it out and keep on file if required.

Cheers

Grant

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Some galleries won't open attachments by unknown senders due to concerns about viruses. Some won't accept unsolicited submissions at all and some will. Some prefer hard copy and some emails.

I'd suggest phoning the galleries in advance and asking how they prefer to receive submissions. If you strike it lucky they might just ask for your website then and there while you are on the phone (I've had that happen), so just make sure your website is absolutely as you want it to look before you phone.

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

Allot of Galleries have their submission guidelines on their websites as well.