How to Curate a Successful Solo Art Exhibit
September 1, 2025 · Fei Wu
I recently wrapped up one of the most exciting projects of my life: helping my mom (artist Xiang Li) produce and curate her solo art exhibition at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Massachusetts. This project stretched me in ways I never imagined — from planning and logistics to PR, tech tools, and visitor engagement.
The exhibit is on display from June 14, 2025 to October 12, 2025. Be sure to stop by if you are in the area!
I want to share what I learned in case you’re an artist, art administrator, or just someone curious about how to pull off a show like this.
Planning Starts Long Before the First Painting Goes Up
This exhibit was confirmed in summer 2024, but installation didn’t happen until June 2025. That means nearly a year of planning, scouting, and follow-up.
One of my biggest lessons? Visit your venue — more than once.
Even if you know the space well, seeing it with fresh eyes and thinking through how your work will be displayed is crucial. We visited Tower Hill in the fall, then again in the spring. Each time new questions and challenges came up.
For us, the challenge was how to hang large silk paintings (my mom paints on 100% silk). Not every gallery clip or rail system works for soft, flowing fabric. We had to test different systems and sometimes order new supplies to make it work.
Installation Is a Team Sport
When it came time to install, it was all hands on deck. My partner Adam, our friend Jorge, the incredible gallery manager Leah, and I worked for nearly two full days.
We installed:
- 12–14 massive originals (about 4 × 2 meters each)
- 60 canvas prints, each organized by dynasty
To make the process smoother, I numbered each canvas (1 to 60). That way, even those unfamiliar with Chinese dynasties could help place them in the correct order. Pro tip: spread your artwork out first to visualize spacing before committing to the walls.
Hosting the Opening Reception
Our reception felt like a small wedding — in the best possible way.
We used Eventbrite to estimate attendance, capped at 50 seats with catering and drinks. The evening included speeches from Tower Hill leadership, a short talk from me (and translations for my mom), and live music and mingling.
I hired a photographer and videographer so I could focus on hosting. Friends like Tryy helped greet guests, introduce the art, and keep the evening running smoothly.
Blending Art with Place
A question I get a lot: How do you connect an art collection to a venue like a botanic garden?
In our case, the link was natural: Chinese empresses are often depicted with flowers, birds, phoenixes, and dragons — themes that resonate beautifully in a botanical setting.
But no matter your medium, think about the story you want to tell. For us, it was women’s leadership across centuries, framed by the beauty of nature.
If you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I’ve even used ChatGPT to brainstorm how to frame exhibitions for different venues. It’s like having a thought partner on demand.
Tech Tools That Saved My Sanity
Running a solo show is a lot. These tools made it manageable:
- Adobe Express → I designed exhibit signage, artist statements, and dynasty descriptions using reusable templates.
- ChatGPT → Helped me research historical flowers and symbols, summarize conversations with my mom, and draft materials.
- SignNow → Managed contracts across multiple venues. Simple, organized, and secure.
I can’t stress enough how much these tools helped me stay on top of everything.
Engaging Visitors Beyond the Walls
An exhibit isn’t just what hangs on the wall — it’s the experience.
We hosted:
- Walk & Talk tours: guiding small groups through the galleries, sharing stories behind the empresses.
- Pop-up tables: outside the café, selling scarves, cards, and prints. Hundreds of people stopped by!
- Talks and presentations: including a packed 40-person session where we showed a video and expanded on my mom’s journey.
We also worked with Tower Hill to place a short video on a large TV at the gallery entrance, showcasing Xiang Li’s past exhibitions. It helped visitors connect before they even entered.
This exhibit deepened my appreciation for the art of collaboration — not just with my mom, but with the garden staff, PR team, friends, and community.
If you’re an emerging or professional artist, or someone supporting the arts, I hope these behind-the-scenes details give you practical ideas and inspiration.
Curating a successful solo show takes patience, planning, and heart. But when you see visitors connect with the work — when they lean in to ask questions, or leave feeling inspired — it’s worth every late night and spreadsheet.
If you’d like to see more details, I’ll link the video recap below. And as always, I’d love to hear from you — what are your challenges or tips for curating art exhibitions?