Soon, I’ll be showing my artwork at the office as part of the employee art wall that was recently established. Any exposure an artist can get is always a good idea. There are numerous opportunities to put on an art show if you know where to look.

Try going to places where you love to hang out. More than likely, if you like the environment, the place will love your artwork. And everyone likes supporting the local talent. Visit your favorite coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and local hangouts to see if they exhibit any art on the walls. Speak with the manager to get on the list of exhibiting artists. Sometimes, they’ll want to see a portfolio, which is when a CD of digital images comes in handy. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to have a portable and disposable portfolio on hand.

Look in the local newspaper for creative opportunities. There are usually call-for-artists or group gallery openings being advertised, and it’s a great way to get a foot in the door. It never hurts to submit art to competitions, charity events or small galleries, because you never know who might see it.

Next, create labels for each piece of art, including the title, sometimes the medium, your name, your Web site or e-mail address, and the price (or NFS if it is not for sale). These local shows usually last about a month, which is just enough time to get a few more sets of eyes on your work. Even if you only get a few phone calls of interest, it is worth the effort.

Make sure each work of art is ready to hang. Usually, the walls of any restaurant or gallery will have hooks or cables to hang artwork, but having a wire across the back of each piece is always helpful.

When you show in coffee shops and bars, things can get messy. Something I learned the hard way is to always protect your work. Find a way to protect the surface of the work. I paint mainly in acrylics, so I always paint a clear varnish over the entire piece when it is finished. It is easy to clean if any unfortunate spills occur. Watercolors and drawings should always be mounted under glass or Plexi, and oil paintings should have a clear coat applied to the surface. When you leave your work in a public space, you’ve got to assume that people are clumsy.

Protecting your work also involves security. Always photograph your artwork after it is hung on the wall, and even consider drawing up a simple contract to sign with the owner of the establishment (if they don’t have their own contract). Get details on exactly how long it will be hung up and if they take out any commission from art sales.