Testimonials

"I previously attended your masterclass on Personal Statements and I thought if anything this one worked even more successfully as I found all the very specific and actionable advice very useful here. I think the use of the chat box for questions at intervals throughout was a very effective format. I feel like you covered a nice range of things and I certainly have a clearer idea of the overall aims and strategies of online marketing. I would have liked to have heard more about what it looks like to market to curators but then I did not think to ask that during the session. Generally the whole thing worked very well from my perspective..I’m looking forward to more of your inspiring and insightful masterclasses".

"Your constant reiteration and fleshing out of the holistic idea of 'your personal story' being at the crux of everything you do, really resonated with me. It's one thing to say but it's quite another to understand how critical it is to everything from your studio practice to marketing to selecting materials. And it shifts the focus away from the rather awful idea of branding. Branding, I now better understand is a subset to the personal story. It is not the driver of an art practice. Phew! Also it was so reassuring just to be in a class with other artists who raised similar concerns to mine which they put in the chatbox. And your ability to maintain a personal touch with a group of people is, of course, a great support."

"It was really useful - the talk. I feel like the business end of art is something I've not invested time in understanding, and it's time I I got on top of it now, no point being naive for ever! I'm not motivated by money, but getting money does mean I can keep doing what I do, and I'm interested in that.

By the way, since your Intagram advice I radically changed how I approached the platform. And, I have sold 5 works amounting to roughly £500, from a £30 from a first time art buyer and a framed collage for someone who bought a cheaper print from me before. And we only talked three weeks ago. It opened my eyes to how enjoyable the whole process could be for me. I found an authentic voice I enjoy using and can enable me to begin selling my work. Many thanks! Your advice unlocked this for me."

"The section on price formulas really helped. I was over the moon to find that the formula and factor I’ve been using for the last ten years was the one you presented as ‘best’. I had previously been using a factor based on LxH of work that had sold but as you described ran in problems when applying it to much smaller/larger work. I don’t sell lots of work but enough to build a picture over time of what people are prepared to pay. It was a framer who suggested the 'plus’ model and I found out, reverse engineering my factor from my sales records, that my factor is 20. I do tweak this up and down between 18 - 23 depending on the nature and importance of the work. Other times I’ll add on the costs of framing or other material costs if either re outliers. So in short, to see ’20’ mentioned as a factor you have worked in a commercial gallery setting made me feel on the right track. I guess it just goes to show sometimes validation is as important as revelation."

"There were so many useful tips it’s hard to select one, but what keeps coming to mind is the frank insight you gave into the art world. It was good to have the mix of practical pointers along with a sense of the smoke and mirrors, all from first hand experience. The title 'Pricing & Selling' doesn't do justice to what you can get out of this masterclass. Not only do you learn about how to price your artwork professionally, which I did not learn during my BA and MA, you get real insight on the current art market drawn from reputable sources. Highly recommended to all who want to invest in their professional development".

"I have been working with Ceri for the last 6 months or so. From the very first session with Ceri I knew I was engaging in something that would be transformative for me and my work. Ceri has an enormously positive and encouraging approach to mentoring. Her incredibly insightful, intelligent and intuitive way of engaging with her artists, has given me the courage to stop feeling like an imposter, and helped me unleash the confidence I needed to tackle my ideas and start producing new work that is braver and bolder than anything I’ve done before. Signing up to work with Ceri is the best thing I have done for myself in years!".

"Ceri combines a remarkable skill-set from over 25-years working in the arts - a creative coach, curator, commercial gallerist and arts organiser - which together make for an exceptional mentoring experience. Having worked with Ceri for almost 12-months my practice has developed more than I could have imagined. Like Ceri I have extensive arts management experience and returned to an art practice only recently. It was important to have the support of someone who really knows the machinations of the art world. But I was not anticipating how she would help me grow meaning and content in my work. She has taken me on a step-by-step journey, by no means passive, based on mutual trust and encouraging me to focus on the immediate task ahead and not look further. In this way I have learnt to be more patient, trust my instincts and develop an inner confidence in my own voice as an artist".

"The support and encouragement Ceri gave me was incredibly energising for my studio practice and having set tasks to develop and consider really helped focus my creative output. She is very warm, approachable and generous in sharing her experience and expertise. The coaching sessions helped me analyse and understand how my work comes across to other people and therefore think about what I want to give audiences going forwards. I needed guidance to help me take charge of my own direction and be proactive in making opportunities for my work. Ceri has helped direct that shift, she confirmed the value of what I’m doing and, in her words, helped me ‘turn up the volume!’ After talking with Ceri I have created more space/structure for my practice within my life and, going forwards I feel emboldened to connect with people, even if they are outside of my immediate artist friendship circle".

"I have previously worked with Ceri on a project. So, when I found out about her mentoring sessions I thought, 'I've got nothing to lose by giving it a go'. The initial 1 hour session I had booked turned into many more and her supportive mentoring has absolutely exceeded all of my expectations. Ceri's insight and unbiased opinion has given me a new perspective and enabled me to view my work differently. She has helped me to define and articulate my art practice and identify common links within my body of work. I appreciate the personal and professional development her sessions have provided for me and would wholeheartedly recommend her mentorship".

"Here at Manchester School of Art we pride ourselves on preparing our students for professional life after graduation. To do this we run an award winning cross-faculty project, which spans all year groups and disciplines, and encourages practice within a public environment.

Ceri has been an invaluable external consultant on this exciting project, offering one-to-one portfolio feedback sessions to our final year and postgraduate students. Feedback from attendees has been testament to Ceri’s knowledge in the creative industry, and I have found the links she maintains in the North of England have been a great asset to our students. With Ceri’s input students are able to emerge not just with a portfolio of high end gallery standard, but also an informed perception of what to do next.

I hope Ceri will join us again in the 5^th year of our Unit X project which, with relationships such as this, becomes stronger and more successful each year."

Adriano Digaudio, Collaborative Engagement Coordinator, Manchester School of Art

"I have known Ceri Hand for many years, having worked with her in both the public and commercial sectors. Ceri has always been a strong advocate for visual artists. Throughout her career, she has shown great passion, enthusiasm and considerable eloquence in promoting and supporting artists and their practice. Most recently, Ceri has made studio visits to artists in the West Midlands as part of our Artist Development programme delivered in partnership with Turning Point West Midlands. Artists can apply for a studio visit from a named arts professional who will supply feedback and advice. Ceri is always a popular choice. She researches thoroughly in preparation for her visit and provides informed advice and encouragement as well as practical guidance. As a mentor to artists, she is highly professional and well respected and we will certainly continue to work with her to develop our programme."

"Acme Studios has been fortunate to benefit from Ceri Hand’s support and vast knowledge via studio visits to some of the emerging artists we work with as part of the Residency & Awards Programme. Ceri has that rare combination of a genuine breadth of experience coupled with a generosity to share that knowledge with artists in a way that inspires and encourages. Importantly, her open approach allows artists to ask the difficult questions of a curator one rarely gets to ask.

Her passion to simply talk to artists, listen to them, find out what makes them tick and identify ways to support that is instrumental in enabling the artist to develop their practice and confidence. The feedback we receive from artists Ceri meets is without exception positive and we hope to continue to work with Ceri into the future."

"I first met Ceri when she gave a talk to artists in South East London about her career as a gallerist. I was impressed by her evident passion for her work, her commitment to the artists she had worked with and her direct yet approachable manner. I subsequently booked an initial half-day session with Ceri in my studio. Ceri was open and easy to talk to, professional and focused. I felt her analysis of my work was honest, concise and critical where it needed to be; her approach was sensitive, constructive and encouraging. During our discussion Ceri helped me to see ways to overcome obstacles and fulfil my potential. As a result of the session I have a clear idea of what work I need to do to develop my practice and a plan of action to achieve my goals. I can see great value in building a relationship with Ceri and would recommend her services without hesitation".

"I was not sure what to expect before meeting Ceri, but from the first few minutes I felt a real empathy. I think she really looked at the work - and (amazingly) seemed to 'get' it in the space of a few hours of meeting me. She also (most importantly) really picked up on my failings and clarified them to me. This is extremely useful, no one does this after art school (often not even during, the egos are so big), you just get left with a blank or a like, that's it. I am just thrilled about our meeting and cannot wait to get on with it! Thank you Ceri - you really are a star!."

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have had Ceri's invaluable support after leaving college last year. This is a tricky point where one simultaneously struggles to build a career strategy whilst dealing with a new sense of isolation, particularly when practising outside the capital. Yet Ceri has been consistently available to answer any questions by email about pricing, CV or copyright, and also longer, more personal conversations about portfolio or gallery representation. It's hugely comforting to have her insight and knowledge just a phone call or click away. I can't thank her enough for taking the sting out of everything."

"Working with Ceri Hand gave me the opportunity to focus and kick start my practice back into action. he mentorship was about refining what I do, and tuning it into the professional art world. Ceri's broad knowledge of art practice informed and guided me through the mentorship, Ceri gave honest, straight forward, informative and constructive advice to help with my artistic development and professional presence. The outcome of the mentorship is that i have since gone on to become a studio member with The Royal Standard an artist led gallery/studio/workspace to further make and promote my work, and to gain a presence in the art scene."