Is it just me, or does it seem like we’re stuck in a constant election cycle? It feels like there’s always something to be enraged about, and no matter where you go—online or in person—there’s a chance you’ll get dragged into a political argument. Today, I want to offer an alternative: When it comes to selling your art, I suggest stepping out of the political madness altogether.

Now, I know that even making this suggestion may upset some readers. If you don’t believe me, just scroll down to the comments, and I’m sure you’ll see a few people who are enraged that I would even suggest such a thing. But I hope you’ll hear me out.

There’s an old adage that says you shouldn’t mix business with politics or religion, and I think many of us forget that, as artists, we are in the art business. And in business, certain topics—especially politics—are best left off the table. My experience has taught me that engaging in political conversations while trying to sell art is counterproductive.

The Pitfalls of Political Conversations in Art Sales

Let me be clear: Nothing good comes from engaging in a political conversation with potential buyers, gallery owners, or even other artists. Suppose you disagree with each other—well, you risk alienating them, possibly even ruining the chance of a sale. On the other hand, if you agree with one another, you’ll likely spiral into complaining about how terrible the other side is. But here’s the kicker: You won’t be talking about your art, which is the real reason you’re there in the first place. And losing focus on your art is fatal to making a sale.

Instead, I encourage you to focus on your art. Keep the conversation centered on the beauty, emotion, and inspiration that your work can evoke. Building a warm, friendly relationship with potential buyers will do far more for your art career than getting into a heated political debate ever could.

I also want to make it crystal clear that I’m more than happy to sell art to people of all political persuasions. Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Conservative, or something else entirely, I don’t care. If you love art, I’ll sell it to you.

This isn’t because I think that art sales are more important than politics—though, of course, they’re important to those of us who make our living in the art world. It’s because I believe that art has a unique power to transcend political divides. Art can help people see the world from different perspectives and bring us together in ways that political debates often cannot.

A Story of Misplaced Rhetoric

Years ago, I met an artist who, while talking with me about her work, somehow veered off into a rant about how much she disliked a particular socioeconomic group. I listened to her diatribe for several minutes, not saying a word. But all I could think was that, in my experience, that very same socioeconomic group she was ranting against was the group most likely to be interested in and qualified to buy her artwork.

I couldn’t help but wonder what she thought she was accomplishing with her rant. What good could possibly come from alienating potential buyers? I’ve found that once you start getting to know people outside of their political or social “tribes,” you’ll often discover common ground. But when we stay entrenched in our grievances, we accomplish very little.

This is why I encourage you to avoid political conversations when interacting with potential buyers, gallery owners, and even fellow artists. Stay focused on the art—your passion and livelihood—rather than diving into political debates that won’t benefit your career.

Should You Avoid Politics on Social Media?

I’d suggest taking this a step further: Avoid engaging in political debates on social media, especially in venues where you might encounter potential art buyers or collectors.

If you have social media accounts that you don’t use for your art business, I suppose it might be “safe” to engage in political conversations there. However, I’d argue that even your personal life will improve if you choose to avoid the arguments.

And if you have buyers or collectors who follow your personal accounts, my advice is simple: Stay away from politics altogether on social media. Focus instead on fostering a positive and inviting presence online that draws people into your art, not into divisive political discussions.

Are There Exceptions to This Rule?

I understand there are exceptions. Some artists create work that is inherently political or socially conscious. If that’s the core of your work, it’s going to be much harder to avoid political conversations because your art is naturally going to attract buyers of a certain political or social bent.

In those cases, being politically engaged might be a part of your brand, and that’s completely valid. But for most of us, who aren’t creating work that’s explicitly political, there’s no real benefit to bringing politics into the conversation.

Civic Engagement vs. Art Sales

Before I close, I want to be clear on one point: While I’m suggesting that we separate politics from our art business efforts, I’m not suggesting that you stick your head in the sand and avoid being civically engaged. Civic engagement is vital to a healthy society, and we should all participate in the political process.

But there’s a time and place for everything. When we’re engaging with potential buyers about our art, we should build a fence around it and keep politics out of the conversation. This approach will help us foster positive relationships, focus on our creative work, and ultimately sell more art.

What do you think? Is it possible to keep politics and art sales separate? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below—just keep it civil and thoughtful, please😊🙏.