Professional Curation Services
Sonya Sparks at Sparks Gallery - Art Curation - photo credit @createwithgusto
Expert Art Advice
from a Professional Curator
I’m Sonya Sparks, owner and chief curator at Sparks Gallery in the vibrant heart of San Diego, CA. My mission is to pair clients with affordable, accessible, and thought-provoking artwork, so that their spaces weave compelling narratives.
Each year, I have the privilege of collaborating with hundreds of diverse clients who are on a quest to acquire original contemporary artwork.
If you live in Southern California, you may have seen my curated exhibitions for: the Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance, Allied Craftsmen of San Diego, Cannon Art Gallery (Carlsbad, CA), and the Escondido Arts Partnership.
Artists:
No more guessing why galleries are not taking your calls and emails. At the end of our first meeting, you will have personalized, actionable guidance on what direction you should take for preparing your portfolio and marketing materials, building your credentials, experimenting with new work, and where to find opportunities to show and sell work. I provide guidance so you can have clarity on how to approach galleries, and a support system from me personally to form your foundations to reach your goals.
This session is ideal for emerging artists who are not sure what direction to take to prepare their portfolio and to catch the eye of galleries, or artists who have had a long pause in their career and are starting up again. This session is not for the purpose of proposing your work for gallery representation at Sparks Gallery.
In our 1:1 art consultation, you will discover:
- 5 things every artist needs to have before getting into a commercial art gallery
- How setting up your foundations will allow for a solid base to build your artist "brand"
- How to propose exhibitions/work to galleries
- Inspirations based on my impression of the direction of your work
- Actionable advice for your personal art journey
2024 RATES
- Virtual art consultation (ONLINE) 1 hour: $265
BOOK HERE:
What artists are saying:
Collectors and Art Appreciators:
Whether you are just starting your collection, or have a large collection, I am here to support your personal art collection. I will meet in your space to provide guidance for your overall collection and provide visual recommendations to curate your space. Interested in full-circle support for your collection? We will discuss appraisals for insurance, packaging pieces to store, expert curation for physical display of the work, cataloging the work in your collection along with documentation, and legacy/estate planning for who will inherit with work. I provide guidance so you can have clarity on any needs for your collection, and you receive a support system from me personally.
This session is ideal for collectors who would like to feel confident that their collection is visually and/or thematically cohesive, presented appropriately, and would like guidance on what is recommended for the health of their collection.
In our 1:1 curatorial session, you will receive:
- Guidance based on your existing collection
- Placement suggestions based on visual rhythm throughout the space
- Recommendations for maintaining and servicing your collection
- Your artwork may be curated digitally from photos of your space, and provided to you to help guide your visual planning. Max 4 rooms included in this package.
- Recommendations for full-circle support for your collection.
RATES:
- On-site consultation - 90 minutes - $800
BOOK HERE:
What clients are saying:
Examples of Notable Past Curatorial Projects
Chief Curator, Sparks Gallery, 2012 - present
2021 Juried Biennial, Cannon Art Gallery, Co-Juror with Andrew Ütt
2021 Art Glass Association of Southern California 40th Annual Members' Exhibition at Spanish Village Art Center Gallery 21 in Balboa Park, Co-Juror
Escondido Arts Partnership, “The Big Little Art Show” 2020, Juror
References available upon request.
"Sonya is a visionary and consummate professional- from the overall mission down to the finite details. Her open minded collaborative style, while keeping on a productive schedule, resulted in a spectacular exhibition and series of events for my solo show! I look forward to all opportunities to work with her.”
-Alexandra Hart, 2017 “Symbiosis” Solo Exhibition Artist
