I am updating this material due to changing trends in the market over they years.
First and foremost: know your marketing target: how does each specific gallery want to receive your presentation? You can either scour through the gallery's web site for information how to submit your work, or simply give them a phonecall asking whether they're accepting submissions and if so, in what form do they prefer?
Below are some very general suggestions of what to include in your packet. Presentation material is one of the most important things to beginning a successful career in art. This page is geared towards fine artist silk painters presenting their work to galleries in hopes of signing on as talent, having a show or joining in some gainful endeavor.
Below is a list of some presentation materials generally necessary for obtaining gallery representation.
One of my favorite new things that works great for mailings to galleries is the Itoya portfolio. I like the small ones that run about $3. You don't need to flood a gallerist with dozens of images on the first greeting. Most gallery people can tell if you're their speed just by looking at a few pictures.
Good photography is the most important thing about your presentation material. Hire a professional. When you get pictures developed, work it out until you have satisfactory prints. About ten 8x10 glossies is the ideal, as described by the majority of galleries I have surveyed on what they would like from artists.
I have revised my opinion on mailing discs. Many galleries still want you to burn a disc for them. If that's what they want and you want to get into their stable, then you do it. But if you don't have to, or if you have any doubts, don't. When in doubt, don't. Sending out discs of your artwork is practically asking for image misuse. It hasn't happened to me that i know of lately, but it has happened to too many people I know. So, avoid the risk if you may. Another reason is that gallerists, like anyone other computer user, have to wonder whether this disc is safe for their computers, whether it's worth the effort to insert it, etc., why bother? Mailing glossies is the fastest, easiest, most direct way to get your pictures in front of the people you want to see them. No fussing with program compatibility and security software interaction. Present the goods as conveniently and politely as possible. Again, the Itoya portfolio is a good thing to use, just drop the glossies into the see-through sleeves.
Drop your resume, CV, anything pertinent into the sleeves... Follow up on your efforts by checking in to see of your packet was received and whether there were any questions. Offer to help. Present yourself as not too difficult to deal with but serious enough to beg reckoning.
Below are the old notes on presentation material from 1999. Good luck with making your portfolio. Remember to research your target before you mail. Are they looking for new submissions? Do you have the right name in the address? Have you used the right format for your submission?
Research galleries thoroughly for whom to address your submissions to, whether they are accepting submissions, and what their requirements are. Increasingly, technology is leveling the playing field. Galleries are beginning to accept CD's of artists artwork for submissions. A good CD includes the usual suspects: a Bio, Resume, and up to ten images of your work. Because a CD is so affordable, it is not really necessary to include a SASE for return of your submission. Everyone serious about getting into galleries should invest in a CD burner and learn how to fashion a good CD submission of his work. Do not forget mail it in a labeled jewel case. Make an insert with a table of contents. There are a number of handy mailers on the market just for CD's.
