After many years dreaming of holding an exhibition.

I finally bit the bullet and went for it!

It all started when I met Tom Hobday at The Newbury Riding for the Disabled Autumn Fair. We were chatting about my work and my future intentions when he said to me that he would love to contribute to me holding an exhibition. After a couple of weeks sitting on his offer of support, I finally decided to call him.

From that call it was full steam ahead!

Tom

Is an Equestrian Property Specialist, he is also Chef d’Equipe for the U21’s British Dressage. Tom has worked within the Equestrian Industry for many years, Tom is considered one of the best property specialists in the area, he promises his clients a committed, one-to-one relationship. He comments, “All of my clients deal with me from start to finish. I act as a personal advisor who takes care of all their property needs. I am aware that buying or selling a property is very personal, so discretion is key. I have a substantial list of clients who are looking for equestrian properties, but don’t have the time to visit them and want an experienced eye to ascertain their suitability. I also have clients who have placed their property with me to sell as I have other clients waiting for properties”. 

Getting started

There was so much organising to do. Finding a venue was at the top of the list, this was made easier with my mothers help and knowledge on where to look and who to contact. Once dates and venue were set I then had to research how to display the photographic art work. It was a complete minefield! I called several outlets of display walls to which I have to say was like pulling teeth. I really don’t think I was being treated like someone who was serious about her intentions. Being asked many times what my budget was and treating me like I could not afford such an exhibition. It was the way I was asked that was so unpleasant. This actually made me more determined. I finally called someone who was understanding of my needs, he was out of the country visiting his father but he still gave me the time and all the answers I needed to my not knowing what I’m doing questions to. I can highly recommend Conex Walling

The walling was organised and booked, I chose to have the company to erect the display walls on the Thursday before the event which was to take place. This would give us Thursday evening  and Friday to hang the frames.

Images

Now to choose the images to frame. This was a mammoth task !! Which images do I chose, what size should I go with, what paper to print on, which frames to use… ahhhh so many variables!!

Without the knowledge and help I maintained from my suppliers with whom I always work very closely with, I could not have done it. They were hugely supportive, the help I received was immense. A HUGE Thank you to Sara, without her knowledge on print paper and mouldings I would have been at a complete loss. I truly believe if I didn’t have the amazing business relationship with my supplier I could not have proceeded.

The all important finer details, Invitations, PR, photography,  etc.

So many wonderful people involved in getting the finer details done. Below is the list of people many long standing business associates and friends. I like to keep everything as local as possible and use people that I know and will supply me with their

Anne – Branding – Phase Two

Fiona Johnson – PR – Fiona Johnson

Rachel Mullins – Event photographs – Rachel Mullins Photography 

Dolphin Outsourcing – Guidance and Design – Dolphin Outsourcing

Artis Studios – Corporate Photographs – Artis Studios

Muddy Berks Stilettos  – Media – Muddy Stilettoes

Made in the Shire – Shop Local – Made in the Shire

Fifi and Moose – My outfit for the evening – Fifi and Moose

Hanging the images

This also had to be well thought out and planned before the hanging process. The images had to flow, this I had learnt from setting out my Licentiate and Associate panels with The Societies of Photographers

All life experiences come into play sooner or later.

Almost last but absolutely not the least!

The biggest thank you goes to my husband, family and friends… I am in dept to them all forever.

They all worked tirelessly and with so much enthusiasm to make this event such a success. The support and belief they all had in me was outstanding!

My mother ‘Dottie’ wrote all the words in poem form that went with each and every image. These words bought my images to life and gave the viewer a taste of what we both see in each of my images. Mum served drinks and canapés all evening and talked to  guests and visitors through the evening and during the next day along with all other kinds of help, I’m just unable to name them all.  Steve my step father whom a few months prior to the exhibition had been sadly diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, he worked so hard hanging all the images, sorted all the outside lighting and signs out. Dismantled the walling the day after the event, served drinks and canapés and so much more! He was an absolute superstar!

Daughter Jenny and my sister Nicole who at many times got mistaken for me… but then we are identical twins. They both helped me to keep sane hahaha and to keep everyone informed of the images as best they could, they did a wonderful job in helping people to purchase my work, they served drinks and canapés and kept everyone in good spirits in more ways than one!

Mark my hubbie, he kept me going through the whole process, during my melt downs he would say the right things to get me back in the right mindset to carry on. My friends who gave me their continued support and help throughout. Samantha, Lisa and Catherine thank you so, so much for believing in me and for listening to my ups and downs through the whole process. Thank goodness it wasn’t a year long project and only took a couple of months to organise from start to finish hahaha and we are still great friends!

I have now come to thank everyone that ventured out to view my exhibition.

You are the ones that made it the huge success that it was. I was completely blown away by the amount of wonderful people who came along and to all those that now have my images hanging in your homes, you have made it all the more special.

I have been sitting on cloud nine ever since the exhibition. I now need to climb down and move forward to create images for my next exhibition

 

 

A few words written in my comment book..

‘What an incredible exhibition! So beautifully observed – A stunning tribute to the horse. Congratulations’

‘Absolutely amazing! A talented eye and the words!!’

‘This is the most magical of exhibitions. Transfixed by the majesty of these wonderful works of art. Thank you so much for sharing’

‘Beautiful images and so well presented! Well done on a fine exhibition’

‘A moment in time, a lifetime on the wall, Karen’s images say it all!! Beautiful’

You can find more Equine Photographs at karenbennettphotography