I am half way through my second year of participating in Art Fairs and thanks to all of the suggestions and Art Fair critiques each show I have done this year I have been in the "black". Last year I was fortunate enough to "break even" (booth fee, gas and food) at each show and considered it a "learning year". Following are my learnings from last year and how I adjusted this year with great results.
- Research the shows that are a "fit" for your work. Because I still work full time at another job, I keep my shows local and the price point for booth fees is $100. That helped with expense and was a good price point to let me give this a try without going broke. I am still struggling a little with "what sells" but am not ready to give up on any of the shows I did last year. I realize sales results can change from year to year and the market is finicky so I look for local, well organized shows.
-While at the show take the time to walk around and look at displays that are the same medium as your work. In my case photography. I also spend time with other photographers asking questions about the display and what has worked and not worked in the past. As stated over and over on this site, a professional display will bring in buyers. Last year I had such a "hodge podge" of work displayed, I see now how fortunate I was to make any sales. I don't know how customers could see what I had for sale. No rhyme or reason, the framed pieces did not match what I had in the baskets. Also my framed pieces were on a small shelf. I invested in mesh panels, all pieces are framed in black and my baskets only have reproductions of what is on my wall. Keeps the inventory down to something manageable.
-Respect the space of your neighbors and do not complain out loud about your sales or the way the event is organized. Move your vehicle when you are done unloading and don't encroach on their space. I realize I have to spend a weekend with my neighbors and don't want to burn any bridges with the organizers. I know that if my sales are not very good, at this point in my experience with Art Fairs it could be the show is not a fit or I need to adjust my display or sales technique. Be genially happy for those around you that are having a good show and take the time to congratulate them. I find staying positive makes the weekend much more enjoyable.
-Get to the show with plenty of time for set up. I have forgotten a few things and was glad I had time to run to the local Walmart for replacements. (Last show I forgot the table cloths for my tables). When those around me saw my dilemma they all were so helpful. One of the artists offered her rugs for my table but a local caterer gave me some table cloths to use. (One of the things I have found I love about doing Art Fairs is the camaraderie of all of the Artists and the locals.)
-I have learned to pack a cooler with plenty of water, lunch and snacks. Also I learned the hard way to make sure I have comfortable chair to sit in! I dragged around a card table chair all of last year and have switched to something more comfortable. I would like to get a directors chair so I can sit and be eye to eye with customers, but that will have to wait until next year.
-Read Art Fair Insider blogs and keep learning from the veterans! And contribute to the Art Fair reviews so others can get the same benefit that I have gotten from this group.
My second year has been great so far. Not enough in sales to quit my "day job" but the sales are trending up so that is encouraging. I plan on adding to my list of applications for next year and am looking forward to continuing this venue. My heartfelt thanks to all of you!
Comments
Stacy
Thanks Ann, great idea to see what shows other "like" Artist participate in....
Quick tip - was so helpful to me when I was a "newbie" although certainly not genius. I spent an hour or two a day researching art shows in my area, first thing I did was click on all of the artists "upcoming shows" looked at their work and saw what shows they were doing, if I considered my work to be comparable to theirs. I watched for patterns, particularly shows in my area which was the northeast and it didn't take long to discover the artists I liked did Paradise City Arts shows, Artrider Lyndhurst shows, the October Kiwanis at Morristown and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, particularly the Deleware and Rittenhouse Square shows and although a little far the . I even called a few artists and asked questions and they were all so eager to help and give advice - that's what I love about this community of artists. After trying a few outdoor shows such as Lincoln Center a few years (sounds impressive but awful), the RoseSquared shows - very well run, well attended but too many dogs and strollers admiring each other instead of the work, and we gave up outdoor shows a while ago. I'll mention that St. James is always interesting - did it twice once did amazing the next year okay, but I learned which of the shows to apply to from another artist, also which spot to ask for - and what a help! Love tha show, just getting a little o-l-d for the work.
Also, after giving "donations" to Longs Park, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Smithsonian it occurred to me that I wasn't going to ever make it in so gave it up, lots of work applying and money for jurying and Longs Park seemed to have the same artists year after year so why pay a jury? (My humble opinion).
So: click on artists and check out the shows they are doing and give them a call. People like to be asked for advice and I picked up some invaluable tips.
So four months ago we relocated to Nashville, Tn and have been researching shows in this area. In the fall I'm doing Centennial Park, was lucky enough to get into the competitive Artcletic (university school of nashville) and chosen as one of three feature artists to "teach" the students, and a new show "The Hermitage." The Hermitage may take a while to catch on but I'm going to support it as the money goes to charity) supporting the home of Andrew Jackson and beautiful Park.
Okay, I have a house full of guests coming in the next few days and shouldn't be sitting here writing this now but wanted to get it off and slight ulterior motive. any tennessee artists: I'm at annlight@aol.com, annlight.com - any advice appreciated. Let's all help each other out.
Ann
Thanks for posting what you learned. We have learned very similar lessons and are reworking our booth based on practical experience and what we have learned from reading online and in some e-books. Glad your sales are trending up ... it must mean you doing something right!
Nice rundown for beginners, Anne, and its good you learned from the others on this site. There is so much good information out there there is no reason not to learn from it. It surely beats making all of those mistakes yourself.
I hope your upward climb continues as each little piece gets polished, you have the perfect display, your work finds it audience, your creativity grows and you continually challenge yourself to explore your media, which is the best source of satisfaction.