Should The Amateur Exhibit His Work?

There is no hard and fast rule about this. Common sense should be the final arbiter. Participation in amateur shows is fine, but it is wise for amateurs to think twice about trying to compete on a professional level. There are unscrupulous galleries which offer an opportunity for anyone to exhibit at a fee, regardless of merit. The temptation is very strong, I realize, and people who fall for the bait can't entirely be blamed. But I have seen the heads of some students turned (it is a fact that critics are generally lenient with people who exhibit for the first time) to the point where they ceased growing—and this is the worst fate that can befall any painter. I would say that the amateur has much more to gain by the enjoyment of painting for its own sake. The hazards and pitfalls, too numerous to mention, that one encounters once he enters the professional domain are, if anything, inhibi-tive of creative growth—unless, of course, he's ready to make a full time job of grappling with its many complexities.