Surface Gallery

Behind the scenes - My week with Surface Gallery

I am a second year photography student studying at Falmouth University. I decided to go about my work placement here at the Surface Gallery. I have chosen to do my work experience here, as I've always wanted to gain some insight how a gallery works.

I have always enjoyed visiting galleries and exhibitions, but as I progressed through my degree I wanted to know more, I wanted to get 'behind the scenes'. I had questions like - How do they entice people to visit the exhibitions? Whats it like in the art world ? How do you get your work in an exhibition? To name a few.

So Monday morning arrived here and was warmly welcomed by Chris, who had arranged my work placement at the gallery. Firstly I was shown around the gallery, which was much bigger than I expected, from looking in outside. I also fell in love with the space on the top floor which was flooded with light due to its spectacularly large windows, a photographers dream. It then occurred to me that most of the walls were blank. I then felt a gleam of excitement, as it occurred to me that I was to part of the team that was going to fill those deserted white walls.

After arriving on Monday, I was offered the opportunity to explore the streets of Nottingham, as the gallery was preparing for the Street Art Festival, happening early this summer. Without hesitation I grabbed my camera with gusto, as I prepared to capture some of the astonishing, eye popping street art dotted around the city. This showed me that the local art is not just restricted to the gallery, As we came across an exhibition out here on the streets of Nottingham. Nottingham seems to be quite the city of art, with its variety of art galleries spread across the city and its vibrant street art.

On my second day at the gallery I gained a better appreciation of the time and effort that goes in to promoting the exhibitions taking place at the gallery. The gallery is very involved in social media, and utilize this to keep people updated with events and features within the gallery. This task was most enjoyable for me, reach out to the public. It also gave me the opportunity to learn some new skills. Social media is essential in today's professional and business life, it soon became obvious that the surface gallery seem to have this aspect of communication spot on. Though it needs to be said, Its not all about the internet ! On my third day I had another great opportunity to explore Nottingham's streets. In complete contrast from yesterday, this allowed me to participate in promoting the gallery in the old fashioned way, by handing out leaflets. Kate the gallery intern and I, scowled the shops, galleries and cafes of Nottingham dropping off leaflets. Hopefully when your out and about the city, looking for a new frock or popping out for a bite to eat your still updated on information on the galleries recent exhibitions. Luckily for me and Kate, we were also blessed with the hottest day of the year to help us on our way, and felt blessed to be out of the office and out in the blazing late spring sun.

On my Second to and last day I got to put my artist eye to work. I was lucky enough to help curate Nicolas Sibertin-Blanc's show 'In The Moment' with volunteer Nadia. This task was quite challenging working out which images were best suited together. Even though this sounds like one of the easier task I would argue that its NOT! But this task was well worth the time and thinking put in .In the end after lots of thought we agreed that the images were in perfect order for your viewing pleasure. I hope you will agree.

I thoroughly enjoyed being welcomed as one of the Surface Gallery team for the week. I indeed got to see ‘behind the scenes’ and so much more. Anyone who is considering working with the team I would more than recommend that defiantly do! The volunteers are not paid no but rewarded with the joy of the surface gallery experience which is why I think everyone puts there all in and welcomes others to be part of all the fun.