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Basic 6 · Creative Arts · Displaying and Sharing

Planning an Exhibition of Functional and Decorative Artworks

In this topic you will plan an exhibition of your own functional and decorative artworks, including a catalogue and pricing.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Select and prepare functional and decorative works for display
  • Prepare labels and a simple catalogue
  • Plan display, publicity and sales

What you already know

  • Creating functional and decorative artworks

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Visual Arts
Sub-strand
Displaying and Sharing
Indicator
B6.1.3.4.1 – Plan an exhibition of own functional and decorative visual artworks

Introduction

Craft fairs and exhibitions let artists show and sell their work. Planning carefully helps visitors understand, enjoy and buy artworks.

1. Steps in Planning

  1. Choose a theme, such as "Made in Ghana: Useful and Beautiful".
  2. Select the best functional and decorative works.
  3. Finish, clean and repair artworks.
  4. Prepare labels and a catalogue.
  5. Plan the layout and display methods.
  6. Decide on prices if items will be sold.
  7. Advertise the exhibition.
  8. Share roles: guides, sellers, security, cleaners.

2. Labels and Catalogue

Information on a label
ItemExample
title"Rainbow Basket"
artistKwesi Boateng, Basic 6
mediumdyed raffia
typefunctional
price (if for sale)GH₵20

A catalogue is a small booklet or sheet listing all the artworks with their numbers, titles, artists, media and prices. It helps visitors find and remember works.

3. Displaying Functional and Decorative Works

Display methods
ArtworkDisplay
pots and basketson tables covered with cloth, at different heights
beads and jewelleryon boards or stands
fabrics (tie-dye, batik)hung on lines or draped over frames
paintings and wall hangingshung at eye level
A school craft exhibition with pots, baskets and fabrics on tables
Figure 1: A craft exhibition Draw a plan of how you would arrange your exhibition.Illustration: Sirbus

4. Pricing Artworks

To set a fair price, add the cost of materials, the time spent and a small profit. Compare prices of similar items in the market. Keep a record of all sales.

Money raised can buy materials for future projects or support a class charity. Be honest with buyers about what each item is made of.

Example

A basket used raffia costing GH₵8 and dye costing GH₵2. You add GH₵10 for your time and effort. What is the price?

  1. Materials: 8 + 2 = GH₵10
  2. Add time and effort: 10 + 10

Answer: Price = GH₵20

New words

exhibition
A public display of artworks.
catalogue
A list of artworks with details.
functional
Made to be used.
decorative
Made to beautify.
pricing
Deciding how much to sell an item for.
profit
Money earned after costs are paid.

Summary

  • Plan the theme, works, labels, catalogue and layout.
  • Display items according to their type.
  • Price by adding materials, time and profit.
  • Share roles to run the exhibition smoothly.

Class activity: Exhibition Plan

  1. Prepare labels for five artworks.
  2. Make a one-page catalogue.
  3. Calculate a fair price for each item.

You need: Learners’ own artworks, Label cards cut from manila paper, String, Clothes pegs

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. A list of artworks with details is a…

    • A. catalogue
    • B. poem
    • C. timetable
    • D. register
    Show answer
    Answer: catalogueHelps visitors.

  2. 2. Pots and baskets are best displayed…

    • A. on cloth-covered tables
    • B. hanging from the ceiling
    • C. on the floor in a pile
    • D. outside in the rain
    Show answer
    Answer: on cloth-covered tablesAt different heights.

  3. 3. Materials cost GH₵15 and you add GH₵10 for time. The price is…

    • A. GH₵25
    • B. GH₵15
    • C. GH₵10
    • D. GH₵5
    Show answer
    Answer: GH₵2515 + 10.

  4. 4. A label should include the artist's name.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueAnd title, medium.

  5. 5. Prices should ignore the cost of materials.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseMaterials must be included.

  6. 6. Money earned after costs are paid is ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: profitReward for work.

  7. 7. List four items of information on an artwork label.

    Show answer
    Answer: Title, artist, medium, type (or price).Any four.

  8. 8. Explain how to set a fair price for an artwork.

    Show answer
    Answer: Add the cost of materials and time, include a small profit, and compare with similar market prices.Pricing steps.

Homework

  1. Design an invitation card for your class exhibition.