Journal

Why the stories behind artwork matter just as much as the artwork itself?   When we first experience a work of art, our attention is often drawn to what we can immediately see.  The colours. The composition. The textures. The emotion it evokes.  But every artwork carries another story, one that isn’t always visible at first […]

What Happens Before an Exhibition Opens?  When people visit an art gallery, they often see the finished result.  Artwork is displayed.  Labels are printed.  The space feels welcoming and complete.  What many visitors don’t see is everything that happens before the doors open.  Behind every exhibition is a considerable amount of planning, coordination, communication, and […]

Why Community Matters in the Arts  When people think about the arts, they often focus on the finished result.  A painting on a wall.  A sculpture in a public space.  A performance on a stage.  But behind every creative work is a much larger story involving people, relationships, support systems, and community.  The arts do […]

What Kind of Gallery Are We Building?  As LJL Galleries continues to grow, we are often asked what kind of gallery we hope to become.  The answer is both simple and evolving.  We believe galleries can be more than places where artwork hangs on walls.  They can become places where artists grow, ideas are shared, […]

What Does a Gallery Actually Do?  When most people think of an art gallery, they picture artwork hanging on walls.  While exhibitions are certainly part of what galleries do, there is often much more happening behind the scenes.  A gallery’s role is not simply to display artwork. Galleries help connect artists with audiences, provide opportunities […]

When people think about art galleries, they often assume they all operate in similar ways.  Galleries can have very different structures, funding models, goals, and responsibilities. Some operate as publicly funded or community-based organizations, while others are independently owned and operated. Both play important roles within the arts ecosystem and help contribute to the cultural life of a community.  Understanding these differences can […]

There are moments in every creative journey when a pause becomes necessary. Like many businesses and cultural spaces, LJL Galleries closed its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. What was expected to be a temporary closure eventually became a much longer pause. For nearly four years, the gallery remained quiet while life, priorities, and the world […]

Organization Matters More Than You Think  One of the most common mistakes artists make when submitting to galleries is assuming the artwork speaks entirely for itself. While strong artwork is important, galleries also need to understand the artist behind the work. A clear and organized submission helps galleries understand your artistic direction, creative practice, and […]

For many artists, submitting work to a gallery can feel uncertain.  Questions often arise long before the submission is sent. What do galleries actually look for? Is technical skill the deciding factor? Does an artist need years of exhibition history? How much does presentation matter?  While every gallery has its own curatorial direction, audience, and priorities, most thoughtful review […]