How to make the best of your time together? How to make the best of a studio visit on your own terms?
Studio visits are a vital part of every artist’s practice. They offer relationships, critical thought, and fresh perspectives, which can all open doors to new opportunities.
In this talk, we’ll explore how to approach studio visits with intention and confidence. We’ll begin by identifying your motivations: why you want a visit, who to invite, the timing, and how to reach out. Then we’ll dive into strategies for getting the most from the visit itself — including how to ask better questions, talk about your work meaningfully, and say the quiet parts out loud. Finally, we’ll look at how to reflect, follow up, and take action after the visit.
All tools and resources shared during the session will be made available for free.
We’ll cover:
- Clarifying your motivations
- Who to invite and how to approach different people
- Preparing for a visit
- Making the most of the time together
- Talking about your work and building meaningful connections
- Following up effectively
The session will conclude with a Q&A, where you’ll have the chance to ask Georgia your questions directly. Scroll to read our FAQs.
Georgia Taylor Aguilar is ACAVA’s Curator for Professional Development. Previously at Yorkshire Contemporary (formerly The Tetley), Leeds, she was Exhibitions and Artist Development Curator. Selected shows include Hibiscus Rising: Creating a memorial for David Oluwale with Yinka Shonibare, Afra Eisma: splashdown tender and Emily Hesse: The Witches’ Institution. She has worked internationally with partnerships across India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Grenada. She was an Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy fellow, holds a BA in Fine Art (Leeds) with MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies (Manchester). She co-founded Index; an artist-led festival to coincide with Yorkshire Sculpture International (2019) and was Cultural Co-Producer with Yorkshire Visual Art Network (YVAN/CVAN). Partnerships include with Cosgrove Hall Films Archive, Jerwood Arts, Art Night, LUX Scotland, European Artistic Research Network, British Council, Slung Low, LEEDS2023 and Opera North.
About ACAVA Talks
This event is part of ACAVA Talks our professional development events programme for creative practitioners. Whether you’re looking to refresh your practice, take risks, make a change, or simply reconnect with purpose — this programme is for you.
Through knowledge sharing and skills development it aims to support, and foster connections between creative professionals navigating a shifting and complex cultural landscape
We’re proud to be sponsored by Smartist. Showcase your artwork, without all the hard work. Smartist are offering a 30-day free trial and a discounted annual subscription for ACAVA Talks attendees.
Designed by artists, for artists, Smartist makes it effortless to create stunning, realistic mock-ups in seconds. It’s the most downloaded art visualisation app, trusted by over 1 million creatives in 175 countries. With powerful customisation options, artists can fine-tune everything, from interiors and frames to layouts and perspectives. Do you have a collector who wants to see your work in their own home? Upload their room photo, and Smartist will seamlessly and professionally place your artwork inside.
ACAVA Talks
How to work a studio visit with Georgia Taylor Aguilar
Friday 20 June 2025, 11am–12.30pm
Online talk and discussion
Ticket pricing:
Standard: £5
Concession: £1*
Free for ACAVA studio holders
*Concession tickets are available for those on low incomes or unwaged. For those able to pay the full fee, we are a registered charity and income from tickets directly supports the ACAVA Talks programme and reaching more artists.
Recordings of online events will be available to all ticket holders after the event.
Access
This event will be hosted on Zoom Webinar. Select ‘online ticket’ on the booking page and you’ll be sent a link to join the live stream on the day of the event.
This event will be closed captioned using Zoom’s automated captioning service. To enable these, please select the green closed captions button at the bottom of your Zoom screen.
This session will be recorded and accessible to ticket holders.
Book your place
FAQs
ACAVA Talks are open to all artists, no matter your career stage. Whether you're just starting, mid-career, or well-established, the sessions are designed to support you in developing your practice, refreshing your approach, or gaining new perspectives. You don’t need to be an ACAVA studio holder, everyone is welcome, including those working from home studios, bedrooms, sheds, or hotdesks
Smartist is a leading art visualisation app, designed by artists for artists, that helps you showcase your artwork in realistic, professional mock-ups with ease. Over 1 million creatives in 175+ countries use it to present their work beautifully.
ACAVA Talks attendees can enjoy a 30-day free trial and a discounted annual subscription from Smartist.
Want to show a collector what your work would look like in their home? Just upload a photo of their room and Smartist will do the rest.
For online talks, Zoom links are emailed the day before. Talks are automatically captioned; just click the green “Closed Captions” button in Zoom. We’ll also explain this at the beginning of the session.
A BSL Interpreter can be provided with one month’s notice. To request this or share any access needs, email Georgia at profdev@acava.org.
For in-person talks at Barham Park, we offer:
- Accessible toilet
- Drinking water
- Seating
- Quieter area
- Step-free routes (with a temporary ramp)
We don’t have a dedicated prayer room, but please get in touch ahead of time, we’ll do our best to find a suitable private space.
Yes, online talks will be recorded and made available within a month after the event. Recordings will be emailed to the address provided during booking. Please note that in-person talks will not be recorded due to the interactive nature of those sessions.
Studio holders will receive a booking code via email to claim a free ticket. Didn’t get yours or need help? Email profdev@acava.org for assistance.
Each talk lasts 90 minutes:
- 60 minutes for the speaker’s presentation
- 30 minutes for a live Q&A session
You’re welcome to use the chat function to interact or ask questions during the session.
ACAVA Talks is sponsored by
