Hi all - just finishing my rookie year of exhibiting photography at fine art shows, and am now planning year 2. This year I was able to call on sympathetic family members to help me with booth setup and teardown -- surprising how physical that process can be.
Next year I need to make do with less family help, and am wondering about reliable sources of temporary labor ... i.e. where can I find an able helper to help me with setup for 3 hours on a Saturday morning, and a couple more hours when the show closes on Sunday?
Another artist mentioned Labor Ready but I wanted to put this out to a broader group for feedback.
Thanks in response for your thoughts!
Dana
Replies
Thanks for all the great ideas. I'm with Barrie - my preference would be to call on an art student. I should have plenty of schools to pick from.
I hope you call an art student.
I know people who have used Labor Ready and used it once myself. Highly recommended: http://www.laborready.com
I've also seen good results from Craigslist -- but I'm just repeating what the others are saying. There are people who would be pleased to get a little pick up money. Let us know what you do, it will be helpful to all of us.
If I recall correctly, an metal sculptor with large heavy pieces used Craig's list and paid $20/hour for set up and take down in Jackson, WY. I recall his wife telling me they had to up the price to compete with local labor market. All in cash too. I have used homeless guys asking for work loading when it was raining at $10/hour plus a couple beers.
Thanks for your ideas - very helpful!
Linnea - hope the knee gets better soon.
Dana
I have been wondering about this as well.
Normally I tell people that over time, you get stronger. During the off season I go to more weight training sessions per week, and by the time show season rolls around I can step seamlessly into gear. I set up solely by myself almost all the time, and have done so for 28 years. I still recommend that to most people. But it takes a while to get to that point, though.
But I injured my knee last year at the end of August. My last month of shows was very painful. It is a torn knee cartilage. I have been doing physical therapy but progress is so slow. Setting up at shows requires putting a heavier load on all the joints, plus using a greater range of motion than in everyday life. Having had healthy joints all my life, this is a real life changer. Now I am starting to apply to 2016 shows. I question whether I should be applying at all.
If I thought there was reliable help available, it would relieve some of the fear of doing further damage. I am not ready to give up doing art fairs.
check with the show director.. often they can point you to help. I know when my son is with me he often will help other people set up/tear down/load in/or out. It may sound crazy but call the local boy scouts (yes my kid is one) they may have some boys available who need some community service hours
You might contact university art departments. Many of them have students in work study programs who help install exhibits in the department. Very reliable source, plus by using students you are showing them a way to make a living with their art. You might even want to have them help during show hours.