At your opening, it isn’t only your art that’s on display—you are, too. And as the artist, you are a host of the event.
Even if the gallery or venue sends the invitations and pours the wine, people are showing up because of you and your art. That makes them your guests. They’ve taken time out of their lives, navigated traffic, and chosen your event over countless other options. Your job—as the host—is to make them feel welcome, comfortable, and appreciated.
Openings can be awkward for everyone. Guests don’t always know what to say or where to stand. And for artists, the spotlight can feel overwhelming. But with a little intention, you can ease that tension and create an experience people will remember fondly.
The late Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos, wrote about this idea in his bestselling book Delivering Happiness. He was talking about customer service, but the title applies just as well to art openings. You’re not only presenting your work—you’re delivering happiness through the way you treat people.
Here are eight ways to do that.
Help Them Get There Stress-Free
Don’t assume everyone knows where to park or how to find the entrance.
A quick note in your invitation or reminder email can ease frustrations before they start. Share parking tips, warn about construction, and point out landmarks that will help them feel confident walking through the door.
Good hosts think about the experience from beginning to end—and that starts before guests even arrive.
Set the Scene
Details matter.
Check that restrooms are clean and easy to find. Make sure there’s a coat rack or designated spot for jackets and bags. If you expect a crowd, add extra seating.
Even if the gallery staff normally handles these things, no one cares more about your guests than you do. Create a simple table display for your promotional materials—business cards, postcards, or even a notebook with details about your work.
That extra effort signals that you’re taking your role as host seriously.
Be Early, Not Fashionably Late
If your opening starts at 6:00, you should be ready to greet people by 5:45. No guests should arrive before you.
As a host, your presence sets the tone. Showing up early ensures you’re calm, prepared, and available to welcome your first arrivals with genuine attention.
Greet and Be Seen
Wear a name tag. Smile. Make the effort to circulate.
You must be seen.
You can’t stand by the door all evening, so ask a friend or family member to act as greeter.
Once you’re mingling, focus on remembering names—say them out loud when you meet someone and repeat them to yourself silently. That extra step goes a long way.
Being a host means making people feel seen and acknowledged, even in small ways.
Connect People to Each Other
You’re likely the only person in the room who knows everyone. Use that to your guests’ advantage.
Introduce people with something they share in common: “Maria, this is James. You both love plein air painting.”
These small gestures help your guests feel more comfortable and make your event more dynamic.
Hosts don’t just welcome guests—they help them feel like they belong.
Teetotal It
You’re the star of the evening.
Stay sharp, composed, and approachable. A single glass of wine (or none at all) keeps you present.
Remember: no one wants to buy art from an artist who seems tipsy—or worse, spills on them. A gracious host always stays in control.
Stay the Entire Time
Whether it’s a solo exhibition or group show, you owe it to your audience (and your venue) to be present for the duration.
Guests may plan their evening around arriving later, and they’ll be disappointed if you’ve already left.
Surprise Them With a Gift
If the scale of the event allows, consider sending guests home with a small token—a postcard set, a notecard, or even a modest print.
Not only does this make them feel appreciated, but it also puts your work into more hands, extending the memory of the evening.
Delivering happiness isn’t about grand gestures.
It’s about the small, thoughtful details that make people feel welcome and cared for.
When you do that, your art isn’t just something to look at—it becomes part of an experience they’ll remember fondly and talk about long after the show closes.
This article was first published on August 4, 2014 and has been updated with original comments intact.
16 thoughts on “Deliver Happiness at Your Art Openings”
Thanks so much for this valuable info. I am about to do my first open studio this Fall and expect some good people to attend. I love the idea of treating them so well and making them happy. Happiness breeds happiness and why else are we here? Thanks for all you do – I appreciate all your hard work on part of us artists.
I may be moving West next year… who knows, I may get to meet you yet!
Penny
Thanks, Penny. Good luck with your open studio.
And, of course, I’d love to meet you.
Thank you very much for the article Alyson!!… I am yet to do shows here…but now will be well prepared… 🙂
Sandhya: Thank you. I look forward to hearing about your first show in India.
Hi Alyson… wonderful article about treating your guests as royalty. This has me thinking that this could extend to other ways that people might interact with us and our art… like on our website and blog… how can we make our visitors feel at ease, comfortable, engaged, and have a happy experience.
Absolutely, Mary!
Always enjoy reading your suggestions. You are AWESOME! Thank you, Happy Painting.
Aw, thank you, Lori. That means a lot to me.
Thanks Alyson! I always love creating a warm and welcoming environment at openings. I really think having some sort of music (my choice would be soft Brazilian jazz) playing in the background is an effective ice-breaker. Music creates an underlying atmosphere that makes people feel more comfortable and lets them talk without feeling everyone can hear them!
I also do feng shui and so, if possible, like to use those concepts when hanging my work.
Of course, providing some nice munchies also helps get people there. 😉
Of course! Music! How could I forget that? And Brazilian jazz would be lovely.
Thanks for the information, as always, very useful. I like the idea of the small gift. Easy to do and not expensive. I’ll be doing a Studio Tour again this November so a small gift is great idea leading up to the holidays.
Let me know what you do, Susan.
I host an annual open house/wayzgoose every fall. The studio is a separate building behind the house. But we empty out the living room, front bedroom and dining room of the house and turn them into a gallery. Folks enter at the front, find someone to talk to and are given time to read the work on the walls since I do literary/visual broadsides. I am totally on during the time of the event which is limited to 3 hours. There is plenty of food, good wine (I don’t buy the cheapest wine, I buy wine I want to drink but drink only water during the event), desserts, etc. Attendees are invited to pass through the house and out to the studio where the printing press is set up with someone coaching each individual to pull a broadside/print for themselves. Each year we design something new to be printed. We also give out a specially designed simple keepsake that is given freely. The format of that is the same each year so some folks have a complete set. It is a lot of work, but also lots of fun and I have found that the sales are very good. I consider it a community service and educational event as well. It is now an event that folks ask about and in those 3 hours we host almost 300 folks.
Sandy: This sounds delightful! Do you sell much as a result (during or after)?
I can’t believe I’d never hears of a wayzgoose. Do you do it on August 24? Thank you for introducing me to them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayzgoose
Alyson, Thank you for the help and guidance you gave during the planning process. Being part of the Gold Mastermind Group, and The Art Biz Makeover helped establish and form my goals and timeline.
I strongly encourage fellow artists to attend and get the help that will make the difference in a successful Exhibit.
Thank you for helping and believing in my goals since 2009!
Karen McLain
Thank you, Karen. That means a lot to me.