SaltSpring Photography Club

                August 2024 Newsletter

Launching a photo show at the SSI Public Library

     A presentation to the SSI Photography Club

                     Gwen McDonald          

                    August 14, 2024

Planning stage:

Decide on a theme (eg B/W, Street photography, nature, portraits, eclectic, etc)

Evaluate the space in the library Community room so you can estimate the number of images you will be able to hang.

Select images (fine to have a few extras in case you sell some and need to refill the space)

Reception? Yes or no. If yes, and wish to serve liquor, you will need a liquor license, a certified pourer, and insurance. (perhaps a non-alcoholic punch instead? )

Sitting the show? Yes or no. if yes, decide dates/times  you will be present in the room, and include this info in all publicity

Decide on pricing (low prices do not necessarily mean more sales)

Make labels for each image. Avery brand business card stock comes with a downloadable app that provides a template for creating the labels on your computer.

Source poster putty,  preferably white (the blue tends to leave a bit of residue). Can be pricey, so buy off-island well in advance if possible.  Usually available on-island at Dragonfly, Mouat’s, and the stationary store, but options are limited.

Consider writing your own publicity article with photos for the Driftwood. If there is space, Gail Sjuberg is usually willing to print what you write. If no space available the first week, she will typically try to place it in the next week’s issue

Create a biography with a photo of the photographer to post with the show. Looks best if printed on photographic paper. Be sure to include contact info for questions and sales.

SSI Library Guidelines:

Community room is not available for public viewing when other events are scheduled for that space

A reception is fine including after usual library hours, but must have a liquor license, a certified server and insurance, if serving alcohol. The photographer is responsible for cleaning up after the event.

There is no space in the Community room for either a guest book or a receptacle for unframed photographs.

Hanging wires, clips, and ladder are provided by the library and are of good quality.

Only Poster putty can be used for attaching information to the wall.  The use of masking tape or any other product likely to damage the paint on the wall is not allowed.

Library is responsible for oversight of the show, but takes no responsibility for any aspect of sales.  If someone is interested in buying an image the library will facilitate connecting the buyer with the photographer.  No images will be allowed to leave the library without the express permission of the photographer.

The Library charges a 15 % commission on all sales.

Library Liaison: Sophia Vom Bauer

Sophia does an initial vetting of the photographer’s work and will ask for sample photographs

Poster preparation: Sophia will help design and format a poster if you wish. We drafted a mock-up poster, which Sophia refined using a poster app that allowed her to move content around, attach a Library logo, etc. Once designed, you can print them yourself or have the library print them for a fee. We had 20 copies made… seemed about right for the number of bulletin boards on the island.

Sophia asks for a list of the images being shown, their dimensions and the price.

She makes sure the room is clean and the equipment available on hanging day.

She provides ongoing oversight of the show, keeps a close eye on foot traffic, knows the “regulars”, and provides feedback regarding how the show is being received.

Note: the library loves having these shows, as they are an additional attraction that brings people into the library. Library users indicate that they appreciate and value the shows. And the 15% commission is an additional benefit for the library. Altogether a “win win”.

Publicity

Posters:   There are approximately 25 locations on SSI suitable for posters,  including bulletin boards and shops willing to post notices in their windows. Don’t go any larger than 8 1/2 x 11. Bring extra tacks, and perhaps a small hammer. Be prepared to cull bulletin boards, removing outdated posters as you go. Hang close to the opening date for the show.. too much in advance and people forget.

Small handouts: can be very useful, especially in places like the Visitors Information Center who can hand them out to interested visitors coming in to the center.

The Driftwood: Several options for publicity:

• Write a notice for “What’s Happening”, being sure to get the information to Gail Sjuberg by the Friday prior to the week the show opens. No fee for this
• Article about the show (as previously discussed), including information about the photographer; a brief description  of the show; previous shows, awards,  Include show details (dates, time, place, reception info, etc)
• Paid ad for the Driftwood: this, of course, assures publication

Salt Spring Exchange: There is no fee to post in the “Events” section. Quick approval process

Fish Bowl: paid ads only

Personal email lists: messages sent to family, friends, acquaintances

Hanging the Show:

Allow approximately three hours

Library equipment excellent

Bring your own white poster putty

Double hung images (ie. Two photographs hung one above the other on the same wire) tend to swivel.  To get around this problem:

• Slice a cork in half crosswise, put white putty on both ends of the cork and affix to the bottom two corners of the image, thereby holding the photograph base away from the wall just enough to allow it to hang without swiveling. (seems to work fine doing this to only the uppermost image.
• Use two wires, spaced equally toward the right and left sides of the images, hanging both photos on both wires. This spreads the downward pull to each side of the images, thereby stabilizing the images.

Affix the bio and labels to the wall using the white poster putty.  

Reality Checks:

People tend to hover at the door when you (or others) are in the room, appearing hesitant to come in. You may need to invite/encourage them to come in and view the show.

People often come in looking for the washrooms. This problem is being addressed by the library but as of this writing it is still a big issue. We provide directions, but also encourage them to come back and see the show.

People seem to enjoy looking at the show but most did not come in with any intent to purchase.

Benefits of having a show:

Good exposure to your work

Feedback is fun/rewarding/validating

Opportunity to sell your work, cull your collection

Opportunity to become better known locally as a photographer