Getting ready to print first show.. a few questions

I think it's time for me to print an exhibition. Growing up, living, and working around Gettysburg, PA there are plently of places to show work and I have a few oppurtunities that have already been arranged. I have a few questions for others who have shown their work.

First of all, how many photographs is suitable? I was thinking around 10 to 12? My first show will be in a resturant. So there will not be a huge amount of wall space. Is there a general rule for number of photographs, or does wallspace dictate?

What about the size of photos? I can only print up to 11x14 and many of my images are square which means 10x10" prints. All my work is silver printed, toned, black and white.

My other question is should the show have a theme or should it be all my best work thus far? This is the main thing I'm struggling with. Why all my work is landscape, rustic architechture if I showed all my best work it may be a bit too "scattered." I was thinking of just showing my work from within the county, so there would be a local theme. Then I could title the show and keep things similar. Any thoughts? Ideas? Thanks!

Ok maybe I'm asking too many questions. I guess the main question is how many prints are acceptable for a first show?

I'd hang as many photos that will look good in the available space. For a first show, the response to a variety of your best work may help shape future shows.

From hanging many art shows, I would urge some restraint -- that is, don't cover every square inch of available space. Having a bit of room around each piece can help to create a sort of isolated space where the piece can be viewed without distraction. That said, in some venues such as restaurants, you may not find too much choice in such matters. I would think in a restaurant type venue, where there is a decorative function to it all, probably a dozen to two dozen pieces could be plenty. In a solo gallery situation that number could be expanded substantially. But in all cases, it will depend on the size of the pieces and the size of the space.

A photo show in South Jersey back in January had about 45 pieces hung through rooms of an old house that's now an art center. Last year they had about 95 in the same space. As one of the people whose pieces were declined, I might have wished they'd tucked a few more in, but I have to admit the effect of each piece being hung on a cloth covered panel by itself was quite dramatic!

DaveT

2cents worth.
Some folks would agree with Jim about a range of your work and I would agree with his reason, but many gallery owners would recommend a coherent set of images (the popular phrase today is a "body" of work). Sitting here thinking if I was you, I might go with my gut feeling on this, or, in other words, what I was most excited about.

I would also say, go with 10 x 10, no smaller, unless it's a really small space, or unless your images work better small (the size of the room, and the available space are two different things). If you have any prints framed, you might be able to try some out after closing, just to see the scale of them in the space. Doing this once, I reprinted everything from 11x14 to 16x20, just because of what one of the 11x14 images looked like in the space.

Have to agree partly with George coherency is important, don't make it a greatest hits, or favourites show. It's not a lot of prints and people remember work better if it has a theme.

In addition it would stand you in better stead if you want to approach better gallery space later on.

Ian

Thanks guys. This is good advice. I think I am going to pursue my idea of a show consisting of images from within the county. That should bring local interest, as many people in the area have pride in the history and landscape of our county.

As far as size, I'm going to shoot for most images printed up to 11x14 paper. The square images will be 10x10" and the non-square ones approx. 9x12". I would love to print bigger and agree that larger is better in most settings but I just don't have the space nor the budget to print on 16x20 paper.

That sounds like a good idea, and actually those sizes looks fine.

Ian

Thanks Ian, it's a go!

Nothing to offer but best wishes, Brian!