Four Ways Art Educators Can Pursue Student Exhibitions

Given the importance of exhibits, what display techniques can teachers use to ensure that the needs of both artists and visitors are well-served?

Exhibitions, even small ones, have always been an important and exciting aspect of any art program. They offer a creative challenge to young artists, and an opportunity to connect with families, friends, and the wider community.

Much of this advice comes from a presentation by Gallery System’s managing director Christine Regan Davi and director of marketing Peter Dunn at the Massachusetts Art Education Association (MAEA) annual conference.

You can?read a full writeup here. We are grateful to Christine O'Donnell , owner of Beacon Gallery , for her assistance.

#1 — Start by Exploring the Whole Creative Process

Education in art is synergistic with education in other disciplines, including the STEM fields, and this moment when both scientific advancement and basic human needs are top-of-mind issues offers new opportunities.

We spoke with Gregory J. Barry , an?artist?and art teacher at Oakmont Regional High School , who pointed out that while some students are naturally creative, many will be unfamiliar with, and perhaps uncomfortable or nervous about, making and showing their artwork. “Some may know right away what their art is ‘about,’ but others might need time to think and discuss,” explained Barry.

Art teachers at High Point School of Bergen County ?utilize a stairwell wall to place students' artworks in front of a large audience.?

#2 – Adapt the Eternal Search for Venues to a Pandemic

Even in “normal” times, finding exhibition venues and audiences is challenging. Art teacher Ashley Wood of the Francis W. Parker School points out that “artists have always had to find clever ways of getting their works in front of people, in part by being opportunistic and thinking about ways of taking advantage of places where people are gathering.”

Discreet signage, printed on transparent film, gives visitors to?this open studio event insight into the works on display. Simple printed handouts are also?effective, and can be taken home by visitors. Choose?fonts and sizes to ensure easy readability; Laura Howick of the Fitchburg Art Museum notes that Americans With Disabilities Act guidelines recommend a minimum of 18-point type for labels.?

#3 – Always Provide Context

Laura notes that the best community gallery exhibitions follow standard practice of museum shows by offering viewers some background on what they’re seeing. She suggests a few helpful questions that are equally applicable to online or virtual displays:

? Did the works being shown come out of a particular lesson, or a particular technique you’ve been teaching?

? Was there a question you asked the students to consider as they worked on their assignments?

? What criteria were used to select the show pieces?

#4 — Don’t Forget the Storytelling Aspect

We’ll close with an essential piece of advice from our esteemed collaborator, Christine O’Donnell. As a gallery owner, she’s developed a show-planning approach around a simple but effective question: what are you trying to say with your work? Or, what story are you trying to tell?

You can see some of Christine’s tips on making the story visible in a physical exhibition in?this article, and many of the basic principles can also be adapted to other types of showing.

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If you’re an art educator and have a suggestion or success story to share, we hope you’ll let us know by emailing?social@gallerysystem.com. We’d love to share them with the Gallery System community, much as we share projects and displays?in?our Community Gallery.

Originally published in full on GallerySystem.com