How a Contemporary Art Gallery Online Opens Doors

 In the life of an artist, the most incredible moment is when a stranger stops in front of their artwork to admire it. Not when a friend, a relative, or someone you know says you are talented; you feel ecstasy when you witness a stranger looking at your artwork; it's a moment, the very first one that an artist remembers all his life. But for most artists, this moment does not happen in an offline gallery anymore because the world has turned digital now. And now, it is more difficult to gain access to an audience in the contemporary art gallery online setup. 

Through a screen, thousands of viewers have access to thousands of artworks, and if your art has views, it is because you have made something deliberate happen along with you being talented. And that's a part that nobody tells you. Your talent is the start, and it's where the story is going to start, not finish. So, after a few years, it's not just skill that will keep you going as an artist; it will be decisions about exposure, putting your work in front of the right audience, which comes from regularly participating in online juried shows, art exhibitions, and fairs, etc. 

Why "just keep making art" isn't enough? 

The old model- the traditional one- of getting discovered by international art competitions, by a local gallery owner spotting you, or by a critic writing about your art so that the word spreads, is an old method, still ongoing, sure, but old. Because they weren't accessible to all, and now, through online platforms, the world is seeing everything. The favoured artists used to be those who had good connections, lived in the right big cities, and knew the right people. So the common thing now and then is that just keeping on making art is not enough. 

The infrastructure has changed in the digital world; everything is upfront now, recorded and shared through many platforms. Juried art shows, online exhibitions, and art fairs are also hosted by many international art galleries online as well. The difference is, you don't need to have connections; it is easier to participate now and make yourself seen based on your talent. 

This matters because online juried shows can create context for you, a background which is firm that a social media post can't do. A painting or artwork that is judged and selected by a jury panel is vouched for, something that creators and curators pay attention to differently than a post. 

What actually moves the needle!

Stats and studies based on talking to different artists who have had a breakthrough, whether it is through online art competitions or gallery representation, art fairs, or exhibitions, the things that keep showing up are:- 

Exposure is not a single event: A single viral post, or winning an online art contest, will not build your entire career. It will be everything; you need to keep participating and keep showing up. You have to be disciplined with your exposure to the world: a feature, an exhibition, a juried show at a time. Each event you will participate in will become your CV that will make the next opportunity even better. 

You are never ready: Universally, not just artists, but every professional in their field says that they don't feel ready. But many artists state that they wish they had started earlier, started submitting their works then they did. 

They picked the right platforms: This is a tricky part, but an important one - the part where you have to be careful, because the internet is full of opportunities, though it is essential to check if the platforms are connected to collectors, curators, and press. Platforms like TERAVARNA are the best place to start: a contemporary art gallery online, with clear policies in place, an independent jury for juried art shows, and an immersive VR Showcase to boost your profile. 

What to actually look for in an Art Call?

If you are looking for an opportunity, here are some of the things that you can check to ensure that you are submitting your artwork to the right international art gallery: 

• What is the track record of the organization? Do they have past winners, past exhibitions held by them, over the last few years?

• What is their jury process? Do they have a process in place or not?

• Does winning in their online art competitions lead anywhere, like a physical exhibition, marketplace exposure, or a cash prize and promotions? 

A contemporary art gallery online, like TERAVARNA, is running online juried shows and physical exhibitions in many big cities like Los Angeles, Paris, etc., where you can participate both physically and digitally. Digitally, your artwork will be displayed on a big screen at the physical art fair. There are also many online art competitions, juried calls in which you can participate, and theme-based art calls like landscape, abstract, color, water, etc. 

Summing Up 

The broader point is that the artists who get discovered today are the ones who acted for themselves. Galleries are open; their doors are open for you, and even if you don't feel ready, as an artist, it is essential that you participate in online juried shows and art fairs or exhibitions to step forward in your career. To actively build your portfolio, submission by submission and exhibition by exhibition, keep moving, and the opportunity will present itself. 

Don't keep your finished pieces in your studio; don't overthink it, and take action right away. Get your artwork in front of curators and collectors with TERAVARNA contemporary art gallery online.