Well, I thought I'd post my first art fair review, despite the fact that it was my first juried art fair and I don't feel super qualified to do an art review. And despite the fact that I didn't do well at all at this art fair.
I had heard good things about Thunderbird Artists, so when I learned they were doing a new show in my hometown, it seemed like the perfect incentive for me to try to get into a juried art fair. It was very convenient for me that this show was in the town where I live, since it took a lot of pressure off me in case I forgot something. And I could sleep in my own bed at night, too. :)
Load in was pretty decent. They had a whole parking lot next to the soccer fields at the Surprise recreation area, and the row right next to the sidewalk wasn't too busy to get unloaded. They also had City of Surprise Recreation staff there with golf carts to help people get to their booth spots. I ended up dollying in my stuff because I didn't feel like waiting.
As for the art fair itself, the City of Surprise isn't known for art collectors, more for families with kids and a lot of retirees. So I wasn't sure, going in, how I would do in sales, especially with it being my first art fair and being new to it all myself.
Crowds were pretty slow. I would say Friday we had a lot of retirees, Saturday a mixture of folks but mostly families, and Sunday was off & on rain, and a lot slower. The slowness did allow for me to meet a lot of fellow artists and kind of pick their brains about everything and just to talk and hear about their experiences. I also had some critiques of my art and advice on selling techniques. I did sell one small piece the first day, making back only 1/4 of my booth fee.
I mostly saw lots of lookers. I saw small bags in people's hands, I think mostly food from the food vendors and some prints. And of course wine glasses, since this was a Fine Art & Wine Festival. The man across from me was selling copper discs he had bought somewhere in bulk (much to the dismay of my copper artist neighbor) that he had used a blow torch to make colorful patterns on, and he was quite the salesman! He and his wife could hardly keep the walls covered with them, they were flying off the walls so fast.
The woman next to me had done a number of art fairs and didn't do very well. I think she made her booth fee. And the copper artist next to me (not the disk guy) didn't do well, sales-wise, and said he wasn't coming back. He has been in the art fair world for over 20 years.
As for me, I have applied and gotten into two Thunderbird Artists' art fairs for this fall in more established parts of the Phoenix art fair scene. I still haven't applied for the Surprise one for 2014 and haven't for sure decided one way or another. I just think there are more families here looking for something fun to do, and not so many looking to buy art.
Comments
Great first show review Amelia :) Looking forward to hearing about more of your shows!
I do Fountain Hills weekly art walk too, lots of tourists. Small art pieces go, especially photograph. Price range? anything under hundred goes easily.
I did WHAM show at Surprise in Apr at the same ground. They allowed me to share booth with another artist. Everything you said about load in and out are the same, low crowd partly because the date was crushed with the Tempe show. I lucked out with 3 paintings sold, and my price is very low compare with many standard artists, I made barely half K. My friend only sold one package of cards. Mar to Apr supposed to be the best selling period for any art shows here. I participated Thursday Artisan Market for 3 months (from fall to Feb) and enough is enough! This is good place if you are selling craft or any 3D art work. Though the cost per show is smaller but added up all it would become a tower, plus all the effort to set up...and what more...I had a traffic fine on crossing red light(although I wasn't the driver).
Steve- Scottsdale isn't too bad, you can buy an annual license for $50. Carefree on the other hand is a huge pain. You must have Craefree listed on your AZ license, a $10 charge. Plus, pay $45 for a Carefree license each time and they do not offer an annual.
Thanks, everyone! :) I think I had really hesitated so long about writing the review because I really, really wanted that show to work. It's in my hometown, and they're trying so hard to bring art into the community here. So I felt bad writing a not-so-great review. But, it is what it is...
Anyway, I'm going to tuck away in my mind the suggestions on art fairs to try. I have to start slow, because I need to be making money at some of these before I can afford to pay any more booth fees. I'm glad to hear the good feedback on Carefree... I know those art fairs are the ones Thunderbird Artists is most known for, so I am cautiously hopeful.
The women at Thunderbird doesn't really have "Favorites" as much as a loyal group of artists that do many of her shows. Lots of western, cowboy art... and they also have loyal customers... but they tend to look for art for their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th homes in Scottsdale and Carefree/Cavecreek...
I used to live in AZ, and the show in Carefree is terrific. Try Fountain Hills, too - the city puts it on [keep in mind that Friday at Fountain Hills is mostly retirees and fellow artists]. It is a bear for load in and out, but gets a steady crowd for the rest of the weekend.
Amelia, thanks for the review. I live in Maryland, but it's always informative to hear how things are going nationwide in the art market. Good luck at Carefree!
Amelia, you now have your first review under your belt and you wrote one like a seasoned artist. Thanks so much for writing this. People seem to really appreciate these western reviews. Maybe yours will encourage others to write one, too.
Amelia, thanks for the review. i really appreciate it. I live in AZ. so every little bit helps
When I did the Scottsdale ArtBridge events in 2011, I just got an annual license... can't remember how much it was, but definitely a better deal than getting a one-time license.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next