First Solo Exhibition

First Solo Exhibition at the The Wharf, Tavistock

In February 2008 I held my first solo exhibition at The Wharf in Tavistock. This was quite a step up from taking part in joint exhibitions with other artists, where if I was lucky I'd have maybe up to 4 of my images on display. This time it was going to be all my own images on display and was going to take a lot of planning and a lot of work.

Before I even started out on this adventure I had to find a gallery that would display my work. I had been to The Wharf a few times to see some gigs and noted they had a gallery there. After a phone call I arranged to meet the gallery curator, Chris Burchell. In early 2007 I met Chris and showed him some of my work. He was impressed and there and then we booked the exhibition for February 2008 (I learnt that booking exhibitions is done way in advance, up to a year in fact).

I had to decide the theme for the exhibition, how many images I would/could display, the layout of the images, publicity, press releases and a lot more. I soon realised that this was not going to be a walk in the park.

I spent an hour at The Wharf measuring up to see how many images I could hang, taking in to account I had small, large and panoramic images. Once I had worked out roughly how many images I needed I began sorting through what I had and what I would take. This didn't take too long but what did was the printing, mounting and framing. I really do not like framing. Just when you think you've cleaned off every little speck off the print or mount another one appears. Once sorted I had 6 small, 9 large and 9 panoramic images ready to go. The last thing was some labels about the prints and there prices and a bit of a write up about me and my photography.

The next step was publicity and press releases. I had a bit of and idea of what I needed to do from exhibiting with other artists but this time it's all down to me. I wrote a press release which Dave Hotchkiss from the Plymouth College of Art and Design proof read and amended for me. I knew the big magazines like Devon Life had a 3 month lead in time for the magazine so I sent off the press release and about 6 images at the beginning of December 2007. The local news papers have a 3 week lead in time so I sent the same off to them at the beginning of January 2007. I had no idea if I would get any thing printed so just had to sit back and wait. I also sent out and put up about 40 posters to various places.

Chris Burchell from the The Wharf asked if I would be having a private viewing evening prior to the exhibition going public. I knew this would cost me but thought this is my first solo exhibition so lets make it special and something to remember. I ordered free wine, nibbles and hired the bar for the guests. I sent out about 75 invitations to the private viewing evening. Chris said that I might get about 30 people turn up (I was in for a surprise). Nearer the time Chris rang me to inform me that the Major of Tavistock would be coming to the private viewing evening to officially open the exhibition. I was impressed and thought this was going better than I expected.

At the end of January I went to my local newsagent looking to see if there was any mention of my exhibition in Devon Life and there it was on page 115 of the January 2008 issue, details of my exhibition with one of my images. The image and write up took up a 1/3 of a page (see press release page). Over the next few weeks more articles appeared in the Plymouth Herald, Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette, Totnes Times, Dartmouth Chronicle, South Devon & Plymouth Times, Tavistock Times Gazette and the Ivybridge & South Brent Gazette. This was so much more than I ever expected.

The day of the hanging I took 22 mounted and framed images and spent 2 hours putting them up. It took a while sorting out which images go with each other and getting them all straight. Once up and I stood back it looked good. To see a complete gallery displaying just your images is quite a sight.

On the night of the private viewing evening, 27 January 2008, I arrived early and waited in anticipation. I had no idea how many of the 75 people I had sent invitations to would turn up. A few glasses of wine soon settled the nerves and I thought I can't do anymore now. What happens now is in the lap of the gods. Well I needed not to worry as 50 guests turned up. Friends, family and people I hadn't seen for a while turned up. It felt strange being the centre of attention but at the same time it was quite a buzz. I received lots of fantastic comments for my images and for what I had achieved. Some people thought the exhibition would be a few snap shots stuck up on a wall but were taken aback when they saw what was on display and were very impressed.

Halfway through the evening the Major of Tavistock, Councillor Mrs Anne Johnson, made a speech to welcome everyone and officially open the exhibition. This was followed by my speech. Any nerves I had were completely gone by now as the wine had been flowing for a while. I kept it short though, thankfully the wine hadn't completely let the tongue loosen up to the extent of babbling on. I thanked the Major, Chris and everyone that had helped me, supported me and come along. What a fantastic night it was. Something to remember for as long as my memory allows.

When I took the exhibition down Chris told me that I had sold 3 images. I asked if that was good for an exhibition at The Wharf. Chris replied "put it this way, you've sold 3 more than any other photographer has that has exhibited here". That was the icing on the cake. Not only had I sold 3 of my images I was also the first photographer to sell a photograph at The Wharf.

From the first phone call to Chris, to seeing my name and images in print, the preparation, the hanging, the private viewing evening and the exhibition itself has been an experience that has taught me a lot about setting up an exhibition and about myself.

Now that I have held my first solo exhibition I will never get the same buzz as I did from this experience as this was my first but I will still get a feeling of pride, achievement and satisfaction from whatever I go on to do next. If you've never held your own solo exhibition do it. It's a fantastic experience.

Mark