This list was given to me by a successful gallery owner:
1) Don’t show up at the gallery expecting to show your work or meet with the gallery owner without making an appointment first.
2) Don’t submit your work to a gallery that is not appropriate for your work. Do your research!
3) Don’t argue with the gallery owner’s decision, especially when it is “no.” These are often very difficult decisions to make, but given the volume of artists that submit they are necessary.
4) Don’t just send a mass submission email out to galleries with a link to your website, facebook or flicker page. Take the time to approach each one individually for their submission guidelines.
5) Don’t submit your work to a gallery that is too close in proximity to a gallery that already shows your work (unless the work is drastically different). You don’t want to oversaturate an area with your work.
6) Don’t oversubmit and inundate the gallery with too many examples of your work. Be specific and concise with the number of pieces that you submit as examples.
7) Don’t be sloppy. Proof your submission for typos, image quality, image size, etc.
8) Don’t hassle the gallery with emails or phone calls regarding your submission. Be patient. Many galleries have specific times of the year that they review submissions. Wait for an acknowledgment or communication from them.
Destructive Testing 