Every artist faces the question at some point: is it worth showing my work in a community venue, like a library or civic building? The opportunity seems straightforward—empty walls, willing organizers, and a chance to get your art in front of people. But like many choices in an art career, the answer isn’t black and white.
The Upside: Visibility and Momentum
There’s undeniable value in getting your work out of the studio and into public view. A local exhibition can energize you with a sense of progress and create motivation to produce new work. It can also plant seeds of recognition within your community—neighbors and passersby may begin associating your name with your art.
Even if sales are rare in such venues, exposure alone can provide intangible benefits. A well-placed exhibition might lead to invitations for other opportunities or help you build your mailing list. At the very least, it keeps your work circulating rather than gathering dust in storage.
The Resume Question
Artists often ask whether listing library shows on a resume could make their work seem less “serious” to galleries or collectors. A few selective mentions are fine—they show initiative and involvement in the community. But a resume stacked with page after page of library exhibits can give the impression that you’re stuck in a rut of low-impact shows rather than steadily advancing toward stronger markets. Moderation is the key.
Watch for Diminishing Returns
The first or second time you hang work in a library, the novelty and visibility can make the effort worthwhile. But by the fourth or fifth time, the benefits usually flatten. The audience overlaps, the chance of sales remains slim, and the energy you expend on setup and promotion could be directed toward more fruitful opportunities.
Look for Value-Adds
Not all community shows are created equal. Some venues invest in proper lighting, professional presentation, and structured events such as receptions or artist talks. These extras can dramatically improve the impact of an exhibition, creating genuine opportunities to connect with an audience rather than simply filling blank walls. Before saying yes, ask yourself: does this venue give me something more than just space?
The “Hell Yes or No” Filter
Over the years, I’ve watched many artists fall into the trap of saying yes to every opportunity that comes along—library shows, community centers, coffee shops—simply because the offer was there. The result is often a schedule filled with commitments that don’t move the needle. I’ve come to lean on a simple filter: if the opportunity doesn’t make you say “hell yes,” then it’s a no.
What does that mean in practice? It means asking yourself whether the prospect genuinely excites you, whether it feels like the kind of event you’ll look forward to and be proud to promote. If you’re only agreeing because it’s easier to say yes than no, that’s a red flag.
I’ve shared before that in my own business I try to apply this test. I have more potential projects, events, and invitations than I could possibly take on. If I don’t narrow with some discipline, I risk scattering my time and energy. The same principle applies for artists: you only have so much bandwidth, and the way you spend it will shape the trajectory of your career.
When you say yes to a show, it should be because you see genuine potential—whether that’s exposure to a new audience, the chance to build your portfolio with professional photos, or a platform that aligns with your long-term goals. Anything less is just busywork disguised as opportunity.
Community venues can serve as stepping stones, but they’re not a destination. Say yes when the opportunity feels strong, document it well with photos and publicity material, then move forward. The goal isn’t to fill walls for the sake of it—it’s to keep building momentum toward the places where collectors are ready to buy.
This is a great subject. I’ve been invited numerous times to show my art and yes if you don’t say hell, yes it’s not worth it. City Of anaheim reached out to me as they do a monthly art show in their circle C gallery, which is part of their community center small venue everything is locked up in cases, but the show runs for one month They create a reception. They had wine, charcuterie, board fruits, vegetables that kind of sucks and I invited about 50 people maybe 26 of them showed up city Staff was there. Nice reception sold one little print opening night show ran for 30 days the last day of the show Someone from the city said how much for the whole collection they ended up buying two originals and six prints and a month later they bought two more originals and four prints so it was a great show overall I suggest if you have the opportunity and you think it’s worth saying hell yes then do it best of luck.
This is a great subject. I’ve been invited numerous times to show my art and yes if you don’t say hell, yes it’s not worth it. City Of Anaheim reached out to me as they do a monthly art show in their circle C gallery, which is part of their community center , a small venue, lots of visitors , nice things is all the art is shown in display cases which are locked up . The show runs for one month . The city staff created an opening reception. They had wine, charcuterie, boards that and I invited about 50 people , maybe 26 of them showed attended along with city staff . They created a nice opening reception and the show ran for 30 days , the last day of the show , a supervisor from the city said how much for the whole collection ? they ended up buying two originals and six prints ,
a month later they collected two more originals and four prints , so overall it was a great show . I suggest if you have the opportunity and you think it’s worth saying hell yes , then do it , best of luck.
Thank you for this .article. I am ,for the first time , showing a painting in a library. It is a juried show.
Always hesitated about it.
However this time I did , and to my amazement an other artist also juried in the show purchased my painting. Wow! So honored.
I’ve been thinking about this, too. I have some stuff in our local library only because the staff librarian is a friend. I don’t think it is a make or break situation. Sometimes I just want to get stuff out of my studio, because as you said, it’s a lot of inventory. It ppl don’t go to the library to see or buy art; it’s just something to cover blank walls. Again, i appreciate your advice.
I began in local venues.. I did equine art and a local tack shop let me hang my small horse watercolors in the entrance. They were happy to do it and even provided the wall units. I would go in and paint horses two or three times a week, demonstrating my process. I got tons of commissions and that allowed me to expand into what I actually wanted to paint. I was there for about a year and built a nice client base and my work became known around town. Now I’m in galleries, I’m actually one of your studio artists but I still take the occasional equine commission just to stay connected to my community. Local venues are a great starting point but you eventually outgrow them if they’re in a small community.
As you pointed out, there are lots of pros and cons to exhibiting artwork in a public venue. Personally, I don’t find it worthwhile. For example, showing in a public library. People go there to read books, not buy art.
Every once in a while there’s a sale, but not often. For emerging artists, it looks good on a resume.
With the Fall and pre-Holiday gift shows popping up everywhere this is was very “timely”., I’m new to the community and venues, so I have been submitting to gain some recognition perhaps and to learn what’s happening. A hospital cafeteria is unlikely to be a hotspot … lol…. And it’s horrible Winter driving, no parking, etc.,Thanks for the help!
I submitted some 10-15 paintings for a library show through a local art group. It was installed in the meeting room. After the work was installed, I went back to see how it looked–I found tables stacked 4’high and 5’deep around the perimeter of the room in front of the paintings. There was no way anyone could see them. I also noticed a ding in one of the canvasses–whoever hung the paintings was careless and damaged one of my paintings. I went back the next day and took it all down. Never again.
I contributed one of my paintings to a library exhibited sponsored by the local art organization. When I came to pick it up it was moved to the bottom of the wall behind a table where no one could see it. You can imagine how I felt. At another art fair I sold it! Jason, is right. Be selective. Still, it’s hard to know in advance how things will turn out.
I was invited to do a solo exhibition at the Rancho Mirage CA library a year ago and it resulted in a commissioned work by the mayor. I did it to avoid storage fees for all my work during off-season. I was fortunate to get the commission. I would not do a library show with other artists.
Excellent topic for sure. I have received recognition showing locally in restaurants and it’s a good feeling to your art hanging where people can see it instead of stacked on the floor of the studio or stuck in storage. The down side is you really don’t get a lot of feedback because it’s just there… and you can’t see their reactions. However when you get that unexpected sale….. it is a nice feeling. Its good for locals to be able to view your work. Especially if it’s a small town. I personally would recommend it.
Cheryl Nancy Ann Gordon
Dzień dobry, chociaż mieszkam na innym kontynencie i mówię inny językiem , twoje posty są inspirujące i pomocne. Dziękuję. Artystka z Polski
Good morning, even though I live on a different continent and speak a different language, your posts are inspiring and helpful. Thank you. An artist from Poland.
I have a summer house 3 hours north of my NYC residence. During Covid, I mounted a show of sculpture in the town hall. It was a giveback to the community. I introduced myself, and the townspeople got to find out a bit what this city guy made in his woods as they stood in line for their vaccines. I was very happy to show my sculptures to the postal workers, store owners, mechanics and others that knew me but didn’t know what I did. I didn’t do it for sales, I did it as a gift to my neighbors. I loved the comments and it brought me closer to feeling a part of the town.
You always have a very fair and measured response to these questions that I appreciate. When I first started out I participated in these venues. It gave me the experience of knowing what was involved. Now my prices are too high for this type of venue, and I have moved on to galleries.
I live in a town full of artists and you see art in almost every possible venue; libraries, coffee shops, medical facilities, restaurants, etc. I now think all of these places rely on the artists in town to provide their decor. That being said, I have hung work in these venues and sold paintings. I also know many artists that have sold work this way, but I agree with the points you mentions, especially the “hell yes or no” filter.
Thanks again for a thought producing post.
Our local arts council has regular shows in the town hall. It’s a long corridor and art is hung on both sides. It is a small town with few venues for displaying art. It is a nice service to the community to showcase local art in a public space. Sales do happen, but they are for smaller, less expensive pieces.
I have received a couple of commissions from showing my art in public spaces. But it is mostly just a way to keep my work in front of my community and out of my closet.
As a Fine Art Photographer I am finding it near impossible to find any venues that want
to include Fine Art Photography it seems that no matter of the degree of high art value.
Photography has fallen as a hobby and lacks the professional level it once had .So in
Southern Arizona it falls to local calls for entry where I always place but low to no sells as the buying public I feel is uneducated in collecting Art these days.I fear this is the now and future .It is so disheartening not to be able to show in a gallery as I once did . As you stated inventory is a constant issue as well.
I would love to hear any feedback .How are others handling this state of art collecting . Is this our new reality ?
I always find your Blog most insightful and encouraging to always be on the latest updates in the Market
Never in a place that’s not specifically for art- no shops or cafes, even though my first ever, public, unsolicited sale was from a restaurant many years ago(I worked there), it was a fluke. My other experiences are two libraries for one-person shows and more recently as part of a juried exhibition about local landmarks in a government building. Whenever I see art for sale on walls of a restaurant I think the place is cheap and the art is rarely interesting or well done.
I’ve shown at my local city hall and community center. Although I received a prominent spot at city hall it really had no real gains. In the 5 months it was there I didn’t even get one follower or sign up on my email list. However, no real way to track it. The show was “juried” and sponsored by the local art society. They let everyone in who is a member so it was not curated. I think there could be a benefit if done properly, but believe most around the country are the same.