Studio Visits
You may go your whole career without ever hosting a formal studio visit, but I doubt it. Many curators, consultants and gallerists use studio visits as an opportunity, not only to see an artist’s work in person, but also get to know them a little and gauge their level of dedication. In addition to formal studio visits, many artists find inviting colleagues over to share ideas and give critiques extremely helpful. Give it a try and see if it’s something you find beneficial. If it is, consider setting up a regular exchange with one or more artists.
Your primary responsibility when hosting a studio visit is to be a gracious and considerate host:
• Make the visit worthwhile. You should have at least two or three finished works and a few more underway to justify a studio visit. If someone asks if they can come for a studio visit and you don’t have enough to show, tell them you’d love to have them over, but are just finishing up new work. Ask if you can contact them once you are ready. Then don’t drop the ball or let too much time go by. Get to work and follow up as soon as possible.
• Be prepared. Take a minute to get organized before your guest arrives. Have the works you want to show, or the visitor is interested in seeing, on display. Know where other important pieces are stored in case the conversation creates an opportunity, or the need, to pull out additional work.
• Manage your expectations. Rarely will someone offer you a show during a studio visit. What is more likely to happen is they will ask you some good questions, give you some constructive feedback, and keep you in mind for future opportunities. It’s perfectly OK to tell a curator or dealer that you like what they do and would be thrilled to be included in a show. Just don’t ask “So, are you going to put me in a show?” at the end of the visit. Let them invite you.
• Treat your visitor like a person. Ask questions if you have questions. Offer them at least a glass of water and a clean seat. If you have pets in the studio, let them know ahead of time in case they are allergic or afraid. Make appropriate arrangements if that is the case. If your studio runs really hot or really cold, mention it so they’re prepared. Simple considerations will help make your visitor more comfortable and lead to a better visit. When I was a gallerist in New York, I’d pack several studio visits into a single day, based on the area. Often I’d get up early on a day the gallery was closed and see four or five artists, schlepping in rain, snow or heat on the subway and in cabs. It was often inspiring, always exhausting, and sometimes the visits ran long and the whole day would back up. I always appreciated showing up to a visit and being offered a glass of water, cookie or some other little snack. I also rarely turned down a beer or a glass of wine, particularly towards the end of a long day.
• Be safe. If a collector or other unknown person (or person you kind of know, but not really) contacts you and wants to visit, use your judgment. Don’t ever be alone with a stranger or anyone you don’t feel 100% comfortable with in an isolated space. You can still book the studio visit gracefully. Just ask your studio mate to be present at the same time, or if you have a solo studio, ask a friend to sit quietly at a laptop in the other room or close by during the visit. Just tell the guest that your friend is helping you update your website or catalog work.