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To participate or not to participate in group art exhibitions and art markets is a question I've often asked myself.

I live in southern Spain in the province of Andalusia where you are never far away from art exhibitions or art markets. As an artist I consider myself very lucky to have found the tranquillity of a typical Spanish seaside village, close to the mountains.

The natural surroundings and that special Spanish light certainly have an impact on my art work and specifically on my use of colours.

I'm not the only one who has decided to leave my country of origin (The Netherlands) behind and settle in the Spanish sunshine.

There are quite a few artists who have flocked to this region because of the beautiful light and scenery. I even wrote a book, - Reflections from La Herradura - about artists and what attracted them to the village of La Herradura where I live.

Because of the many artists in the region there is a rather active art scene and most Civic Centres or so-called 'Casa de la Cultura' buildings (house of culture) offer an exhibition space for artists to exhibit their work. They ask for a painting (which the artist me choose) in return which will then be used in public buildings. I think this is quite a nice deal. 

Sadly, due to the financial crisis many galleries have disappeared, so artists have to find other ways to show their work to the public.

These exhibition spaces run by the town hall are a great opportunity for the artists to show their work. There are many group exhibitions but also solo exhibitions by a large variety of both national and international artists. 

In the Netherlands I have held many exhibitions of my artwork in renowned galleries, large businesses and other exhibition premises. I arrived in southern Spain in 2004 and apart from having my work shown in some small galleries I've participated in a number of group exhibitions and also had quite a few solo exhibitions in different towns and villages, for example in Alfaz del Pi in Alicante, in Frigiliana, Torrox, Nerja, La Herradura and Almuñécar in the provinces of Malaga and Granada. Some more successful than others, but usually with positive reactions and some original art and prints sales.

Can there be too much art on offer?

The sad fact is that most local art exhibitions get very few visitors. The opening day of the exhibition is usually well visited by friends and family of the artists and some art lovers, but the following weeks most exhibitions attract very few visitors.

Perhaps this is because there are so many exhibitions. As if the market is saturated.There are also many hobbyist artists in the region, often pensioners who have taken up painting as a hobby. Some more talented than others but all with a keen wish to exhibit their work.

Especially group exhibitions and art markets can have a mixture in quality of the artwork. Something that, in my opinion, is not necessarily good for the more established artists. I get the impression that 'serious art collectors' don't tend to be interested in these types of art events and will look for art online or in important galleries.

However, artists are looking for opportunities to showcase their work and participating in group exhibitions and art markets is a way to be seen and get some publicity.

For many of the local artists this has become an important part of their artistic lives. Some have formed groups or associations and hold many exhibitions with that same group of artists throughout the year.

Exhibitions in public buildings in Spain are in itself very well organised. The exhibition halls are usually well kept with great lighting and good hanging material provided to the exhibiting artist(s). The town hall makes sure that information about the exhibition is send out to the local press and pay for posters that are distributed to various sites in the town or village.

Apart from donating one artwork to the council, the artist can keep all revenues from sales, so they don't have to pay a percentage to the town hall.

Art events and arts & crafts markets

Throughout my exhibiting years in Spain I noticed that I usually did sell some of my art work at my solo-exhibitions but not during group exhibitions. I did continue to participate in some art events and art & artisan markets in the village where I live, mostly selling some books and prints of my art work, but never selling a painting or a sculpture.

Another problem for me is that I don't really like participating in these types of markets. I don't mind talking about my books and art in general at an exhibition or a book presentation, but trying to sell my art prints displayed on a table at a market is not something that suits me.

So in 2019 I decided to not do this anymore and only have solo-exhibitions and in galleries and focus on promoting my work online as I have to come to the conclusion that a group art exhibition or an art market is just not the right place for me to showcase my artwork.