Creative projects
Draft a label for something you made
A label should tell viewers what they couldn't learn by looking. Give the materials, how you made the piece, its dimensions, and what you want viewers to understand. The draft should use only what you provide.
A text to start with
Help me draft a label for a piece I'm showing. Title: [title]. Medium: hand-stitched wool on linen, about 18 by 24 inches. I made it over about six months, working from a grid I drew by hand. The imagery comes from [describe source, such as a map of my grandmother's street]. I want viewers to think about memory and repetition. Keep it under 80 words and use plain language.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.What to check before printing
Read the draft against what you supplied. If a sentence claims a meaning or influence you didn't state, cut it or rewrite it in your own words. A label that assigns intent you never expressed can feel off when viewers ask you about it. Confirm the dimensions and materials, since those are the facts most likely to be copied elsewhere. If the gallery has a word limit or format, share it before drafting.
Getting the label to print
Read the label aloud beside the piece and see whether it points attention where you want it. If the tone feels too formal or too casual for the venue, share a label from the same gallery whose tone you like and ask for a revision to match.