All you need to know

Not sure where to start when planning your exhibition?

Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to make it a success!

Framing

Hanging your work

Titles, Statement & Signage

Produced by Square Edge

Invoicing

Framing can elevate or detract from your artworks. If you can manage it professional framing makes a huge difference. Square Edge have our own in-house framer Keith Stewart: http://www.artofframing.co.nz/

Presenting your work

Artist Contract

Professional presentation of your work for the exhibition can have an enormous impact on how viewers perceive the works. The extra time that this might take is well worth the effort and does not have to be expensive.

If you are framing works yourself then there are a few tricks that can help you to create a more professional, consistent body of work:

Ensure your frames all one colour (unless you want your frames to be a feature of the work)
Tape the backs
Attach D rings and string
Label the back with the artist’s name, the title of work, media used and price (please ensure that this cannot fall off when the work is hung)
Allow time for your works to be framed either by yourself or a professional framer.

Square Edge provide assistance with curating and hanging your works. It helps us if you have ideas about how your works might hang and the groupings that make sense conceptually. We are happy to work with you to plan your installation. A few tips that can help:

Group similar sized, shaped, and coloured frames together for hanging
Group similar coloured or shaped artworks, or works that complement each other together
Provide a layout sheet of the works if you have a specific format you would like on the wall (lay works on the floor and photograph)
Ensure that you have provided a secure method of hanging the works

A title and statement template will be sent to you in the months leading up to your exhibition. This includes a main exhibition title to be printed in vinyl lettering, individual artwork titles and an artist statement.

These are formatted and produced by Square Edge so it is important these are submitted by the deadline given.

You are required to sign a contract, agreeing to the terms and conditions laid out by Square Edge. Please read this carefully. This will need to be returned prior to works being accepted for installation.

An invoice will be sent out to you in the months prior to your install date. This must be paid at least one week prior to your installation date. If payment is not made we will be unable to hang your works.

Professional Practice

How you prepare yourself, your work, and your publicity materials — and how you engage with a gallery — makes a real difference. Well-prepared, professional artists are more likely to have proposals accepted and be invited back for future opportunities. Staying organised, meeting deadlines, and communicating clearly are all part of professional arts practice.

Exhibiting can feel intimidating, but our team is here to support you. If you have questions or need help at any stage, just ask — we’re happy to guide you.