To make a virtual gallery, choose five or so works, photograph or export them cleanly, upload them to a 3D gallery room, set the wall color and lighting, walk through the space as a visitor would, and share the link. With a free plan like Xibit360's (one room, up to five artworks), you can create an online exhibition for free in an afternoon. No coding and no 3D skills are needed.
This guide is only about the steps. If you'd like the background first, read What is a virtual gallery? and then come back here.
Before You Start: What You Need
You don't need special equipment or technical knowledge. Most artists already have everything:
- Your artworks as image files. Photos of physical pieces or exported digital files both work.
- A short list of details for each work: title, year, medium, and size.
- About two to three hours. Most of that time goes into choosing and preparing your images, not into the software.
A quick note on why many artists start here: renting a physical gallery is often cited at roughly $200–2,000 per week (estimate; varies widely by region, as of August 2026). A virtual show won't replace every part of a physical opening, but it lets you exhibit without that upfront cost. For a broader look at that decision, see how to hold a solo exhibition without renting a gallery.
Step 1: Decide What Your Exhibition Is About
Before touching any tool, write one sentence that describes your show. For example: "Five small paintings about the walk from my apartment to the sea."
This sentence helps you in three ways:
- It makes choosing works much easier.
- It gives visitors a reason to walk through the room in order.
- It becomes the first line of the message you'll send when you share your link.
Keep it short. A clear theme matters more than a clever one.
Step 2: Choose Your Artworks (Start With Five)
It's tempting to include everything. Try not to. A small, focused selection feels like an exhibition; a large one can feel like an archive.
Five works is a good starting size. It is also exactly what the Xibit360 free plan holds, so you can plan your first show without paying anything.
When choosing, ask yourself:
- Do these works belong together under my one-sentence theme?
- Is there one strong piece that can be the "anchor" of the room?
- Do the works vary in size or intensity, so the walk has some rhythm?
If you later want to add a sixth piece, extra artwork slots are a one-time purchase ($3 each). There's no need to decide that now.
Step 3: Prepare Your Image Files
Your images are what visitors will actually see, so this step is worth a little care. You don't need professional gear:
- Photograph flat works straight on. Stand directly in front of the piece so the edges look square, not tilted.
- Use soft, even light. Daylight from a window, without direct sun, is usually enough. Avoid glare on glossy surfaces.
- Crop to the edge of the artwork. Remove the wall, easel, or floor around it.
- Check the color. Compare the photo to the real piece on screen and adjust brightness gently if needed.
- Name your files clearly. For example,
01-morning-tide.jpg. It saves confusion later.
Common formats such as JPG and PNG are generally what you'll want to prepare. Exact supported formats and maximum file sizes in Xibit360 should be checked in the upload screen.
Step 4: Set Up Your Room
Now open your gallery room. On Xibit360's free plan you get one room, and you can adjust two things that change the mood of the whole space:
- Wall color. A neutral white or light grey keeps attention on the work. A deeper color can suit a darker or more intimate theme. Pick a color that supports your art rather than competes with it.
- Lighting. Brighter, even lighting feels open and clean. Softer lighting feels quieter and more focused. Try both and see which matches your one-sentence theme.
Don't overthink this. You can come back and change it at any time.
Step 5: Upload and Place Your Works
Upload your prepared images and place each work on a wall. A few simple guidelines help the room feel intentional:
- Put your anchor piece where visitors will see it early or at the end of the walk. Either works; choose on purpose.
- Give each work some breathing space. Crowded walls are tiring, even online.
- Think about the order. Visitors will naturally move through the room, so arrange the works in the sequence you'd like them to be seen.
Keep your list of titles, years, and media nearby so you can add details wherever the editor allows, or include them in your share message.
Step 6: Walk Through It Like a Visitor
This is the step most people skip, and the one that makes the biggest difference.
A walkable 3D gallery is different from a scrolling page: people move through it, turn, and stop. So walk through your own room from the entrance, as if you've never seen it before:
- Is the first thing you see the thing you want people to see first?
- Does any work look too dark, too small, or oddly placed?
- Does the lighting flatter the colors, or wash them out?
- If possible, open the room on a phone as well as a computer.
Adjust, then walk through again. Two or three rounds are usually enough.
Step 7: Share Your Link and Invite People
Every Xibit360 room has a shareable URL. That link is your exhibition's front door.
A simple invitation might include:
- Your one-sentence theme from Step 1.
- The dates you'll be actively promoting it (for example, "opening this Saturday").
- The link itself.
Post it on social media, add it to your portfolio site, or send it directly to collectors, friends, and teachers. A clear "opening day" gives people a reason to visit now instead of "sometime."
After Opening: Use the Guestbook and Basic Analytics
Your room includes a guestbook, so visitors can leave a note, much like signing the book at a physical opening. Reply to the messages you receive; it's one of the easiest ways to turn a visitor into a follower.
Basic analytics show you whether people are actually coming. If visits drop, try sharing again with a different image from the show, or a short note about one of the works.
Growing Beyond Your First Show
Once your first exhibition is live, you might want more. On Xibit360, everything beyond the free plan is a one-time purchase, with no subscription:
- Extra artwork slot: $3
- Extra room: $25
- Video Pass: $20
- Storage and themes: $5–10
For a fuller explanation of how one-time pricing compares with monthly plans, see virtual gallery pricing without a subscription. If you're a student planning a group show, our guide to running an online grad show covers that case specifically.
FAQ
Do I need 3D or coding skills to make a virtual gallery?
No. You work with ordinary image files and simple settings like wall color and lighting. The 3D space is already built; your job is choosing, preparing, and arranging your work.
Can I really create an online exhibition for free?
Yes. The Xibit360 free plan includes one room, up to five artworks, custom wall color and lighting, a shareable URL, and a guestbook with basic analytics. You only pay if you choose to add more, and those additions are one-time purchases.
How long does it take to set up a virtual exhibition?
For five works, most of the time goes into preparing images. If your photos are ready, setting up the room and walking through it can take well under an hour. Preparing images from scratch may take an afternoon.
What if my artwork photos aren't professional quality?
Clean, straight-on photos in soft daylight are usually enough. Focus on square edges, accurate color, and no glare. You can always replace an image later with a better one.
Is a virtual gallery a replacement for a physical exhibition?
Not entirely. It's a different experience. A virtual gallery removes rental costs and lets anyone visit from anywhere, and many artists use it as a first show, a portfolio piece, or alongside a physical exhibition.
Start Your First Walkable Exhibition
If you have five works you're proud of, you already have a show. Give your art a space people can walk through: create your free room, or walk through the demo gallery first.
Photo: laura adai / Unsplash