Brown Boiz Arttism Showcase
The Artist's Guide
This guide is open to all participants, families, and art enthusiasts. Specific deadlines and drop-off locations will be updated here dynamically 4–6 weeks prior to every active exhibition opening night.
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1. Welcome & The Heart of the Showcase
Welcome to Brown Boiz Arttism!
Welcome to a space created entirely for you. Brown Boiz Arttism is more than just an art program—it is a celebration of your imagination, your voice, and your brilliant talent.
From the moment you step up to your canvas, you are entering a zone of total creative freedom. There are no mistakes here, no rigid rules to hold you back, and no limits to where your mind can take you. Your unique perspective is your superpower, and this community is incredibly excited to see the world through your eyes.
Our Goal: Your Voice, Center Stage
It is easy to think of this event as just a standard art gallery, but it is so much more than that. This showcase is a dedicated, joyful space designed to put you and your artistic vision center stage.
Our ultimate goal is to give you a platform where your creativity is honored, your hard work is applauded, and your community can stand in awe of what you have built. When visitors walk through the showcase, they won't just see beautiful colors on a wall—they will be experiencing the stories, ideas, and dreams that only you can tell. This is your moment to shine, to speak boldly through your art, and to realize just how powerful your creative voice truly is. Welcome to the journey!
2. Canvas Selection & Sizing Guide
Choosing Your Surface: The 3 Canvas Tiers
- The Explorer Tier (Level 1 / Academic): Lightweight and budget-friendly. Perfect for testing new techniques, sketching out ideas, fluid paint pouring, or practicing before diving into a final piece.
- The Showcase Tier (Level 2 / Artist): True gallery-wrapped edges where staples are hidden in the back. This is the baseline standard for a polished, ready-to-hang look. It allows artists to paint right over the edges so the piece looks complete without needing an external frame.
- The Masterpiece Tier (Level 3 / Professional): Heavy-duty with a deep, "chunky" 1.5-inch profile that commands attention on a gallery wall. Built to handle heavy textures, thick acrylic layers, and mixed-media elements without warping.
Finding Your Scale: Canvas Size Categories
- Small & Mighty (Minis up to 10" x 10"): Best for detailed close-ups, quick concepts, or creating a cohesive collection (e.g., grouping three 6"x6" canvases together on a single wall display).
- The Classic Sweet Spot (11" x 14" to 16" x 20"): Best for standard showcase pieces. They provide generous room for expressive storytelling without feeling overwhelmingly massive.
- Big & Bold Statements (18" x 24" to 36" x 48"): Best for large-scale abstract works, energetic full-body brush movements, and pieces meant to act as the main focal point of an exhibition space.
Canvas Scale Reference Graphic
Visualizing canvas dimensions from a 4"x4" miniature up to a 36"x48" impact display hanging on a gallery wall.
Supply Purchasing Cost Guide
If you are purchasing your own blank supplies for the showcase, use this guide to estimate your costs. These ranges reflect standard retail pricing down to common craft store sales and multi-pack discounts.
| Canvas Size | Level 1 (Explorer) | Level 2 (Showcase) | Level 3 (Masterpiece) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3" x 9" | $3.00 – $6.00 | $4.00 – $8.00 | $6.00 – $12.00 |
| 4" x 4" | $2.00 – $4.00 | $3.00 – $6.00 | $5.00 – $10.00 |
| 4" x 5" | $2.00 – $5.00 | $3.00 – $7.00 | $5.00 – $10.00 |
| 4" x 12" | $4.00 – $8.00 | $5.00 – $10.00 | $8.00 – $16.00 |
| 5" x 7" | $3.00 – $6.00 | $4.00 – $8.00 | $6.00 – $12.00 |
| 6" x 6" | $3.00 – $6.00 | $4.00 – $8.00 | $7.00 – $14.00 |
| 8" x 8" | $4.00 – $9.00 | $5.00 – $10.00 | $8.00 – $16.00 |
| 8" x 10" | $5.00 – $10.00 | $6.00 – $12.00 | $10.00 – $20.00 |
| 9" x 12" | $6.00 – $12.00 | $8.00 – $16.00 | $12.00 – $24.00 |
| 10" x 10" | $6.00 – $12.00 | $8.00 – $16.00 | $12.00 – $24.00 |
| 11" x 14" | $7.00 – $14.00 | $9.00 – $18.00 | $14.00 – $28.00 |
| 12" x 12" | $7.00 – $14.00 | $10.00 – $20.00 | $15.00 – $30.00 |
| 12" x 16" | $8.00 – $16.00 | $12.00 – $24.00 | $18.00 – $36.00 |
| 12" x 24" | $10.00 – $20.00 | $15.00 – $30.00 | $22.00 – $44.00 |
| 12" x 36" | $12.00 – $24.00 | $18.00 – $36.00 | $26.00 – $52.00 |
| 14" x 18" | $10.00 – $20.00 | $15.00 – $30.00 | $22.00 – $44.00 |
| 16" x 20" | $11.00 – $22.00 | $16.00 – $32.00 | $24.00 – $48.00 |
| 18" x 24" | $12.00 – $24.00 | $18.00 – $36.00 | $28.00 – $56.00 |
| 20" x 20" | $12.00 – $24.00 | $18.00 – $36.00 | $28.00 – $56.00 |
| 20" x 24" | $14.00 – $28.00 | $20.00 – $40.00 | $30.00 – $60.00 |
| 22" x 28" | $15.00 – $30.00 | $22.00 – $44.00 | $32.00 – $64.00 |
| 24" x 24" | $15.00 – $30.00 | $22.00 – $44.00 | $32.00 – $64.00 |
| 24" x 30" | $16.00 – $32.00 | $24.00 – $48.00 | $35.00 – $70.00 |
| 24" x 36" | $18.00 – $36.00 | $25.00 – $50.00 | $38.00 – $76.00 |
| 24" x 48" | $18.00 – $36.00 | $28.00 – $56.00 | $45.00 – $90.00 |
| 30" x 40" | $22.00 – $44.00 | $32.00 – $64.00 | $38.00 – $75.00 |
| 30" x 48" | $25.00 – $50.00 | $38.00 – $76.00 | $48.00 – $96.00 |
| 36" x 48" | $30.00 – $60.00 | $45.00 – $90.00 | $55.00 – $110.00 |
3. Honoring Your Art – Value, Pricing, and Ownership
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Your Voice Has Value
Every time you pick up a paintbrush, you translate an internal concept into a tangible reality. Your artwork represents far more than raw materials; it is a manifestation of your time, focus, and perspective. Because your voice matters, your creations hold intrinsic economic and cultural value. Showcase visitors are engaging with your narrative. Learning to confidently value and price your work is a critical milestone in your artistic trajectory.
Pricing Framework by Scale
Determining a retail price can feel subjective, but establishing a consistent baseline ensures you are fairly compensated for your labor. We utilize a size-based framework to provide a starting point, though the final executive decision rests entirely with you:
- Small & Mighty Pieces (Up to 10" x 10"): Suggested retail range: $15 – $60.
- The Showcase Favorites (11" x 14" to 16" x 20"): Suggested retail range: $45 – $180.
- Big & Bold Statements (18" x 24" and larger): Suggested retail range: $100 – $450+.
(The Labor Premium: If a piece required intricate detail work, extensive layering, or an exceptional investment of hours, price your work toward the top tier of its bracket!)
The Power of "Not For Sale" (NFS)
A vital element of artistic autonomy is recognizing that you are never obligated to monetize your labor. If a piece is too personally meaningful to part with, you can proudly label it NFS (Not For Sale). This designation invites viewers to admire and connect with your work purely for its aesthetic value, free from commercial transaction.
Your Art is Super Valuable!
When you pick up a paintbrush, you are doing something amazing. You are taking a cool idea from your brain and putting it onto a canvas for everyone to see! Your artwork is special because you made it. It shows your hard work, your focus, and your awesome imagination. Learning that your work is valuable is a big part of being an artist.
Choosing a Price for Your Painting
If you want to sell your painting at the showcase, you get to pick the price! To make it easy, we have three simple price groups based on how big your canvas is:
- Small Canvases (Up to 10" x 10"): Great for desks or shelves. Good price: $15 to $60.
- Medium Canvases (11" x 14" to 16" x 20"): Great for a bedroom wall. Good price: $45 to $180.
- Large Canvases (18" x 24" and bigger): These take a lot of paint! Good price: $100 to $450.
(Artist Tip: Did you spend a really long time on your painting or add extra details? Pick a price on the higher end of the group!)
You Can Keep Your Art: The "Not For Sale" Tag
Guess what? You do not have to sell your artwork if you don't want to. If you want to keep your painting, we will put a sign next to it that says NFS. NFS stands for Not For Sale. It tells people: "I am very proud of this painting, and I want you to look at it, but it is too special for me to sell!"
Owning Your Value as a Creator
Artistic expression requires focus, technical skill, and the vulnerability to share your perspective with an audience. Your artwork represents your time, your focused energy, and your intellectual property. Because your perspective is entirely unique, your work has genuine market value. Recognizing the worth of your own labor and creativity is an essential step in your development as an artist.
The Pricing Framework
Attaching a dollar amount to your work can feel complex, but having a clear strategy removes the guesswork. We use a structured pricing framework based on canvas size, leaving the final executive decision entirely up to you:
- The Mini Collection (Up to 10" x 10"): Compact sizes. Recommended range: $15 – $60.
- The Exhibition Standard (11" x 14" to 16" x 20"): Standard gallery sizes. Recommended range: $45 – $180.
- The Statement Scale (18" x 24" and larger): High-impact pieces. Recommended range: $100 – $450+.
| Valuation Factor | Price Lower in Range | Price Higher in Range |
|---|---|---|
| Time & Detail | Quick execution / minimalist style | High detail / many hours invested |
| Materials Used | Standard flat acrylic paint layers | Heavy textures, mixed media, metallics |
Retaining Ownership: The Power of NFS
A major part of artistic autonomy is deciding exactly what happens to your work after it is finished. You are never under any pressure or obligation to sell your art. If you choose to retain ownership of a piece, it will be labeled NFS (Not For Sale). An NFS designation tells the gallery audience that the piece is a priceless part of your creative journey, allowing viewers to respect and admire your work without the expectation of a transaction.
4. Preparing Your Artwork for the Gallery
To ensure the exhibition looks professional and your artwork remains safe, please complete this Gallery-Ready Checklist before dropping off your final piece:
- The Signature: Sign your name clearly on the bottom front corner or boldly across the back of the canvas. Own your creation!
- The Edge Check: Look at the four sides of your canvas. If you used a Showcase (Level 2) or Masterpiece (Level 3) canvas, make sure the paint extends all the way around the edges or that the edges are wiped completely clean of accidental smudges.
- The Back Label: Using a permanent marker or a secure sticky label, write the following information directly on the wooden frame or canvas backing:
- Artist Full Name
- Title of the Artwork
- Age
- Price (or write "NFS")
- Hanging Hardware: To hang your art safely on gallery display walls, your canvas needs proper hardware attached to the back wood frame.
- DO: Screw in two small D-Rings (one on the left frame rail, one on the right frame rail, about 1/3 of the way down) and tightly secure a taut loop of hanging wire between them.
- DON'T: Please do not use sawtooth hangers, tape, hot glue, or yarn, as these easily fail under gallery lighting heat and can cause your painting to fall.
5. Telling Your Story (The Artist Statement)
Every painting in a gallery is accompanied by an Artist Statement card. This card helps the audience connect deeper with your work. Use the simple, fill-in-the-blank prompt blocks below to write your statement, then type or print it out neatly to hand in with your art.
Option 1: The Quick Story (Great for Younger Creators)
"The title of my painting is _______________. I chose to paint this because _______________. My favorite part of making this was _______________, and when people look at it, I hope they feel _______________."
Option 2: The Concept Breakdown (Great for Teens & Adults)
"In this piece, titled _______________, I wanted to explore the theme of _______________. I selected a canvas size of ____x____ because it allowed me to use _______________ brushwork/techniques. The choice of colors and textures in this artwork represents _______________. Through this collection, I want to show the community that _______________."
6. Deadlines & Showcase Day Logistics
📅 Important Dates & Deadlines
Please keep a close eye on these milestone dates to ensure your art is included in the official exhibition program:
- Submission Deadline: All completed artwork, back labels, and written Artist Statements must be dropped off by [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION]. Late entries cannot be hung.
- Showcase Opening Night: [INSERT DATE] from [INSERT TIME] to [INSERT TIME].
- Artwork Pickup: If your artwork was labeled NFS or did not sell during the event, it must be picked up on [INSERT DATE] by [INSERT TIME].
🚗 Safe Transport Tips
- The Dry Test: Touch the thickest layer of paint on your canvas gently with a clean finger. If it feels even slightly tacky, it is not fully cured.
- In the Car: Lay your canvas completely flat on a clean sheet, a large trash bag, or a piece of cardboard on the floor or trunk of your car. Never stack fresh paintings directly on top of each other, or the paint layers will permanently stick together and ruin both surfaces.
🎨 Showcase Day: What to Expect
Walking into a gallery show featuring your own work is an incredible feeling, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming! Here is what to expect so you can navigate the day comfortably:
- The Environment: The showcase space will have bright gallery track lighting, background music playing, and a lively crowd of family, friends, and community art lovers walking around to view the walls.
- Interacting with Visitors: People will look at your painting, read your story card, and might ask you questions like, "What inspired you to make this?"
- Your Comfort Checklist: Remember, you have total control over how you interact. If you feel proud and want to talk about your process, go for it! If you feel shy, overwhelmed, or just don't feel like speaking, that is 100% okay. You are allowed to smile, point to your written statement card, or simply say, "Thank you, I'm glad you like it," and step away to take a break. Your comfort is the top priority!