Unconventional Places to Sell Your Art in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Ladies Who Design
4 min readOct 24, 2023

--

Keywords: Selling Art, Airports, Hospitals, Interior Designers, Hotels, Artistic Journey, Selling Art Online, Unconventional Platforms.

The landscape for selling art is changing, and Ladies Who Design is here to help you navigate it. Beyond the conventional galleries and online platforms, a myriad of opportunities are available. Let’s delve deeper into some lesser-known areas where art is not only admired but can also be a lucrative sales venture.

Airports: A Global Gallery

Airports are no longer just transit zones. They’re evolving into vibrant cultural hubs, capturing the essence of cities and countries. With 24/7 operations and global visibility, artists have an unparalleled opportunity to display and sell their work to a diverse audience.

Photo of a sprawling international airport terminal with grand glass facades reflecting the surrounding activities. The shimmering lights of the runway can be seen in the distance. Diverse travelers, men and women of different descents, are in motion, some rushing to their gates, while others pause to admire beautifully illuminated art displays showcasing local culture.
Created using ChatGPT and DALL-E3 — Prompted and curated by Ladies Who Design

Benefits of Airport Art Displays

  • Open 24/7: Airports operate round the clock, ensuring maximum exposure for your artwork.
  • Diverse Audience: With travelers from all over the world, your art gets global visibility.
  • Increased Footfall: As travel reopens post-pandemic, airports witness high foot traffic, translating to more eyeballs on your art.

How to Get Started?

  • Focus locally: Airports often prioritize local artists to showcase the region’s culture.
  • Research and Approach: Visit the airport’s official website to understand their art display policies. If they don’t have an existing art program, seize the opportunity to pitch one.

Hospitals: Healing with Art

Recognizing art’s therapeutic value, hospitals around the world are integrating artworks into their spaces. Beyond just decoration, these pieces play a crucial role in patient recovery, providing comfort and relief in challenging times. For artists, it’s a chance to connect deeply with viewers, making a difference in their lives.

Drawing of a contemporary hospital hallway bathed in the warm glow of sunlight from expansive windows. Artworks of different styles and themes grace the walls, capturing attention. Among the hustle, patients of varied genders and descents, staff, and visitors take a moment to gaze at the artworks, finding comfort and healing in their midst.
Created using ChatGPT and DALL-E3 — Prompted and curated by Ladies Who Design

Benefits of Displaying Art in Hospitals

  • Constant Visibility: Like airports, hospitals operate 24/7.
  • Emotional Connect: Art can provide solace to patients and families, enhancing its value.
  • Community Engagement: Local artists can engage with the community, providing therapeutic sessions or art tours.

How to Get Started?

  • Connect with Local Hospitals: Understand their art display policies and check if they conduct rotating exhibitions.
  • Volunteer for Art Recovery Programs: Engage with patients, offering them a chance to heal through art.

Interior Designers: Tailoring Art for Spaces

The booming interior design market is a gold mine for artists. As interior designers curate spaces, art becomes an essential component, bringing life and emotion to every room. With the right collaborations, artists can find repeat buyers, ensuring their art finds a home in numerous settings.

Hand-drawn illustration of an opulent living room with cutting-edge design elements. Amidst the comfy seating arrangements and chic decor, a grand abstract artwork captures attention on the main wall. Standing next to it, a female interior designer converses with a male artist, both envisioning the future look of the space.
Created using ChatGPT and DALL-E3 — Prompted and curated by Ladies Who Design

Benefits of Collaborating with Interior Designers

  • Repeat Business: If your style aligns with a designer’s vision, they can become regular buyers.
  • Wide Reach: Designers work on multiple projects, ensuring varied audiences for your art.

How to Get Started?

  • Stay Updated: Understand current design trends and tailor your art accordingly.
  • Network: Attend design events, join design forums, or directly approach designers after researching their style.

Hotels: Luxuriating in Art

Hotels, from boutique inns to luxury resorts, offer artists a vast canvas. With spaces ranging from lobbies to guest rooms, there’s always a spot craving artistic touch. For artists, it’s a chance to engage with a global clientele, making every stay memorable with their creations.

Watercolor painting of a modern hotel lobby reminiscent of contemporary styles. The space boasts cheeky decor elements, complemented by polished marble floors. Diverse guests, men and women of different descents, mingle and engage in lively conversations. Artworks with a blend of whimsy and glamor are strategically placed throughout the lobby, echoing both local and global art influences, enticing visitors to explore deeper.
Created using ChatGPT and DALL-E3 — Prompted and curated by Ladies Who Design

Benefits of Selling Art to Hotels

  • Local and Global Audience: While local guests get a taste of regional art, international travelers get exposed to local culture.
  • Diverse Spaces: From grand ballrooms to intimate suites, artists have a variety of canvases.

How to Get Started?

  • Target Boutique Hotels: Small, boutique hotels often give preference to local artists and are more approachable.
  • Engage Early: If a new hotel is being constructed, approach them beforehand to discuss potential art collaborations.

Conclusion:

Expanding your horizons beyond traditional sales avenues can not only increase visibility but also offer rewarding experiences. The world is vast, and so are the opportunities for artists. Embrace these platforms, and let your art shine in unexpected places.

Like what you see? Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. Collab with us through Passionfroot. If you want to support our work, buy us a coffee.

--

--

Ladies Who Design

We strive to build a strong community of female designers and creators through mentoring, collaborations and support. Follow us on IG @ladieswhodesign