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How To Create Art Gallery Buzz At Local Festival?

Posted by al on 4/28/2012 at 9:12 AM ET 250 Points

We are a new art gallery and will soon be participating in our city's local Art & Music Festival. My goal for this event is not to sell anything, but rather create major buzz for the gallery. Since we are on the opposite side of town as the art fair, I was thinking of having some sort of contest in our booth were the participant would need to actually visit the gallery to participate. For example, take a picture of themselves in front of the gallery and then post on their Facebook page for a chance to win a private function at the gallery.

What do you guys think of this idea? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Posted by PhilGrisolia4Results on 4/28/2012 at 12:52 PM Accepted

Keep it simple. And don't require (force) potential customers to do much of anything.

I don't understand why you seem unwilling to actually sell art pieces at the event. Any sale will help defray the costs of your participation. You might want to rethink that one, really.

As for a "private function" at your gallery, keep in mind that while most people love art and are occasionally willing to pay something to have it in their home, few are in a class where they'd feel comfiortable inviting friends/family to a 'gallery function."
Posted by Gary Bloomer on 4/28/2012 at 4:18 PM Accepted

What city are you in and in which country? What kind of art do you sell? Who is your ideal buyer? What are your price points? Which artists do you represent? Why would your ideal buyers care to visit your gallery?

To generate major buzz, consider hanging an exhibition of white canvases on white walls. Or host an exhibition of invisible art and have long labels, explaining what each "piece" is about but simply hammer hanging hardware onto the walls, where the art would ordinarily hang. Then be sure to call your local television news company and get them to feature your gallery.
Posted by michael on 4/28/2012 at 4:35 PM Accepted

Get a rickshaw and do free rides ONLY to your gallery
Posted by al on 4/29/2012 at 11:19 AM Author

Thanks all for the responses.

Phil:
Most of the gallery's paintings go for $1000's, do you actually think it's a smart business decision to go up against the street artists at this art festival? I would like to keep this classy and on a marketing/promotional level only. We paid $150 for the space, not much costs to defray. The gallery is in a fairly upscale area, so there will be plenty of people that would be jumping at the chance to be able to host an event at the gallery.
Posted by al on 4/29/2012 at 11:22 AM Author

Gary:
The gallery is in the tri-state area of NY. Our price point ranges from $100 to $20,000, local, national and some international artists, so we really try to have something for everyone.

Love your blank canvas idea, that's sure to turn some heads and draw people in...
Posted by al on 4/29/2012 at 11:24 AM Author

Micheal:
Interesting idea, not sure the city would allow it though.
Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 4/29/2012 at 3:58 PM Accepted

What do you mean by "major buzz"? Are you looking to simply collect people's email addresses for upcoming email blasts or is there a particular event you're trying to drum up interest for?
Posted by al on 4/29/2012 at 4:14 PM Author

We are the newest (and most impressive) commercial gallery in the area, so we simply would like to use this event to help spread the word of our existence to the festival goers.
Posted by carrie77 on 5/9/2012 at 8:35 AM Moderator

Hi Everyone,

I am closing this question since there hasn't been any activity in 10 days.

Thanks for participating!
Carrie (Production Editor)

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