Ashley Biggs Business of Fine Art

Monday morning I helped pack up a glass exhibition at Alfstad and Contemporary. It was my first time being hands on and behind the scenes in a gallery. They had a printshop in the back which I found really cool. Laura Donefer, the artist, and her husband were there and we all sat around chatting and wrapping glass feet together. It was surprisingly informal and relaxed. When I think exhibition my mind goes to New York big name artists where there's probably a ton of protocol into how work is handled but I've never thought of other artists so the experience was very insightful.

Going gallery to gallery around campus, one idea that really stood out to me was the use of space. It had me thinking what type of spaces I want my work to be shown in and in the case I show at a space that doesn't necessarily fit my work, how I can adapt.  After the readings for this week, I started thinking of the marketability of my artwork. My art is different, it's strange and not something people would not probably want on their walls. But there are plenty of artists whose work is more grotesque. How do they make their money? I'm assuming it's just more of a niche market. I think I'm going to research if the artists I'm thinking of are represented by anyone. Maybe that will give me some sort of clue. I mean Murakami's artwork is different but it also has a 'cute' feel to it. 

I walked into class thinking about how I could apply concepts from business of fine arts into my future career working in a hospital setting. My interest in finding a way to be a part of the 'real' art world grew as the hours passed by. Despite being a senior, I transferred to visual studies rather late and am hurrying to catch up. Now I find my interest growing in being a practicing artist alongside my arts in medicine career. Now I find myself wondering is it possible to be successful if my art isn't my primary income or focus?