What is the value of unexpected exhibition opportunities, even in non-traditional venues?

Say yes to unexpected opportunities and let go of ego about where your work is shown. Don’t dismiss non-gallery venues. One artist displayed work in a mail store window on a high-end shopping street—below the painting was packing tape and shipping supplies—and that led to a top realtor becoming a repeat client for big paintings. Another hung framed prints in a salon’s front room with QR codes. While these weren’t immediately profitable, they grew her email list and exposure. The key is recognizing that you don’t control outcomes—wealthy collectors walk everywhere, and you never know where connection will happen. When a door opens and it resonates, try it. Stay open to unconventional opportunities rather than waiting to be ‘discovered’ by traditional galleries. Each exposure plants seeds that may take years to sprout.

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Asked by a painter discussing various exhibition experiences · Answered by Terry Sauvé and Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-12-10