If you are an artist at university, getting your work out there can be challenging. This is especially true if you aren’t studying art at university due to you focusing on another interest as your degree.
But this doesn’t mean that you should not continue to work and promote your art if it is one of your passions.
There are many different ways that you can promote your artwork, get it out to the public, or have it viewed by people or potential buyers.
Below are some of the ways that I would suggest doing this, after speaking to some university students. My specific focus is on Betty Williams, an art student studying at Falmouth University. She has provided some brilliant insight into how to continuously promote your artwork while also managing your studies.
Posting your Work
Social media is a great way to show your work to people and get them interested in what you are doing. Regular posts of what you are working on or creating can be a positive way to actively keep your work at the forefront of people’s minds.
At university, they have specific art clubs where you can go to improve your knowledge, understanding, and skills surrounding the arts that you wish to pursue.
Doing this may lead you to some exciting opportunities, or even the chance to have your work on display and potentially sell some of your pieces (if this is your aim).
Seize Opportunities
Williams (21) told me how she tries to get her artwork out there and what tips and tricks she uses to be successful.
She described how she was painting in her front garden, and when leaving one of her biggest artworks out to dry, a passer-by took interest and offered her space to sell some of her work.
This, as well as promoting and demonstrating her skills via social media, has led to her being able to sell some of her works, while also having some of her pieces up on display.
Pictured below are some of her abstract pieces that are currently on sale for £35 and over. I will link her social media pages below if you wish to contact her about her skills or to purchase one of her pieces.
Betty also advised people not to be shy when showing others your work. She highlights how not everyone will have the same taste in artwork. However, if you are passionate about what you are doing, this will come through in what you are designing or making.
This advice is something that I think artists at university should carry with them through their studies. If you get knocked down or underappreciated, it doesn’t mean that you do not have the talent or skill. If you persevere, this shall pay off if you are doing something that you love.
