After looking at the varying venues that you can hire to hold art shows in and wanted to offer some of the snippets of information I had come up with while finding the many sources you can use to make the exhibition edgier than what you might normally have.

The first thing you really need to think about is the site if you are going to be showing some amazingly contemporary or modern artwork what is the best setting for the pieces that you will be showing. Modern art is often shown in huge whitewashed spaces with plenty of room to let each piece breath without distraction, other pieces require a more intimate feel to put you close to the imagery that is being shown.

Don’t be shut down by known art venues there are so many ways to get just the feel you want without being caught up in the normal venues. If you find a site on the top of a hill, in the middle of a field, a disused industrial site or a scrap yard all can be adapted to add to the uniqueness of your event. You can go entirely industrial and rent MAC containers to house each painting forming a walk round event each secure container providing its own edgy setting for every piece. On the other hand you could use a marquee hire firm to place a beautiful canvassed area in a stunning natural setting to offer a romantic space which could house your collection or hire several smaller marquees to once again offer a walk round for your event.

A simple way of looking at it is to think about modern artists such as Damien Hirst, Jack Vettriano or Beryl Cook and see instantly the differences between each artist. Damien Hirst’s work is dependent on what his collection is at that time but Jack Vettriano’s pieces need a more intimate seductive setting, Beryl Cook on the other hand would be well set in a Seaside dance hall to get a taste of the fantastic scenes she reveals.

Lighting and sound can also play a part in how a collection is taken Jack Vettriano’s pieces needing a more subtle atmosphere in comparison with Beryl Cook’s pieces. Whatever you do make sure that when you start to organise a collection you have the funding in place if hiring sites and housing and catering. If you are doing it on a shoe string talk to local business owners to see if a space that you think would be perfect can be used at a reduced rate. Industrial areas are often closed on the weekend so it is worth approaching people in the week to see if you can tap into these spaces.