Organizing an Independent Art Show with The Fifty-One Percent Collective | Art Crush

Have you ever thought about bypassing traditional galleries and putting on your own group show?In Season 3, Episode 21 of Art Crush, host Paula Telizyn sits down with her fellow members of The Fifty-One Percent—an international women’s artist collective featuring Fi Marks (UK), Susan Gardner (UK), Jela Prancic (Toronto), and Paula Telizyn (London, Canada). Together, they are pulling back the curtain on exactly what it takes to organize, curate, and promote an independent, immersive group exhibition from the ground up.As they prepare for their upcoming UK show, The Wild Within, the collective discusses why they stopped waiting for the traditional art world's permission and decided to build their own table. Whether you are an established creator, a marginalized artist, or simply looking to collaborate with local talent, this episode is a blueprint for taking control of your art career.In this episode, we cover:Solo vs. Group Shows: The distinct logistical, marketing, and creative differences between curating your own work and collaborating across borders.Leaving Egos at the Door: How to navigate disagreements, find a cohesive vision (and why naming a show takes forever!), and ensure every artist's voice is valued equally.Bypassing the Gatekeepers: Why you don't need a gallery or a curator to validate your work—and how renting your own space can lead to a better experience for both the artist and the buyer.Designing an Immersive Experience: A sneak peek into the lighting, animation, and audience engagement planned for The Wild Within.About The 51% & The Wild Within: The Wild Within opens on October 23, 2026, at the Artcore Gallery in Derby, UK. Join us for a seven-day immersive art experience!---About Art Crush:Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business.We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity.Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms.Connect with the hosts:Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com