LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP
Getting Art Ready For Galleries
A Joint Workshop hosted by Sonya Sparks, Sparks Gallery owner, and Michael Carini, gallery exhibited career artist
Knowing what you need to be prepared to work with galleries will give you the confidence to approach and be accepted into more galleries, and welcomed back for more exhibits.
Necessities:
– framing
– signing work
– hanging equipment
– pricing
– consignments (basic intro)
– basic statement about your practice
Important to have to stand out from peers also applying:
– piece specific statements
– professional demeanor and correspondence
– online portfolio
– and more
Audience: Fine Art Painters
Medium: Any Medium
Stages: Aspiring, Emerging
Session Dates & Times:
September 28th, 2026
5-7 pm PDT / 6-7 pm MDT
8-10 pm EDT
10 am-12 pm AEST (Sept 29)
$53.90
50 in stock
WORKSHOP Description
This workshop will cover all the basics of what is needed to work with art galleries, straight from both a gallery owner (Sonya Sparks), and a career artist (Michael Carini) who has worked with galleries professionally for many years. Our combined knowledge of what galleries want and how they work will give you the confidence to begin working with galleries and to be welcomed back for more exhibits as you prepare the essentials, and more.
🎥 WORKSHOP RECORDINGS available for 1-YEAR after the workshop ends!
🎥 NOTE: Workshop Recordings may be offered for sale at a future date at Mastrius, with the consent of the instructor.
High School, University, and College students get 20% OFF. See FAQs at the bottom of page.
Supply List
Just bring yourself and something to take notes with.
Instructor Bio - Sonya Sparks
I’m Sonya Sparks, and I have worked closely with artists for over a decade. As an artist myself, I saw no local galleries showing young artists’ work, so I created my own gallery in San Diego, California. When I could no longer serve every artist within one space, I founded Gateway to Galleries, a mentorship and artist education platform that gives artists the tools, strategy, and confidence to build successful gallery relationships.
Before this work, I learned how to creatively market online as an SEO strategist and worked directly with representatives in global markets to grant product distribution rights. With an International Business degree and Art minor from the University of San Diego, my business and art knowledge is both practical and honed through experience.
Today, my work centers on the belief that local artists can be empowered to bring transformation to those around them, and through art, connection and inspiration deepen one’s life experience.
For artists building their business, I’m here to empower you.
My work and programs have been featured in media outlets including Art Business News, Art&Object, Art World News, Modern Luxury (Power List), and Good Morning San Diego.
Instructor Bio - Michael Carini
Don’t be afraid to be different…Be afraid to be the same Michael Carini is a neurodivergent artist with Tourette’s based in San Diego Michael Carini received his artistic training in Los Angeles, studying at Loyola Marymount University while simultaneously serving as an apprentice under respected artists Jane Brucker and Roland Reiss. Graduating at the top of his class with honors including the Scholar of Distinction Award in Painting, Carini
returned to his hometown in San Diego, where he currently maintains his studio. With over 100 exhibitions nationally and internationally, he has received over a dozen major awards and was named Emerging Artist Of The Year by Art Design Consultants. Carini’s art can be found all over the world in the collections of celebrities, businesses, and major collectors.
