This is my first year doing outdoor venue shows, and I have about 10 I am doing this summer. I've been pretty excited thus far, and have had to go through quite a bit of horrific weather for the first 3 shows I had been in, but still managed to make booth and over at each of those despite the bad weather. I was in hinsdale the weekend though, and finally lucked out because there was beautiful weather. HOWEVER... even though the weather was beautiful, the people were not in the buying mood, or at least not on my end of the pond.
I was told that this show would have a lot of buyers, and I would do amazing since I do abstract oil paintings. I was actually told at a show before this one that I might want to up my prices because people in hinsdale have a lot of money and would think my work was too cheap and not want to buy it on principal. I took that advice with a grain of salt, but upped them just a little bit, nothing outrageous. I was also told that this was an artsy town with a lot of money to spend, big homes (million dollars +) and an appreciation for local artists.
The traffic was fair to poor, the people were seemed as though they were just taking an afternoon walk, not even looking in the tents to see what there was, OR bee-lining it to jewelry booths only, or photography booths only, and no looking at anything else, which I've come to find pretty normal at most shows, but the lack of engaging in conversation with anyone is what threw me for a loop. I also only saw one volunteer for the entire two days I was there. The girl brought water around one time each full day. (not that this is the volunteer's fault, she's just doing what she is told). I didn't even meet the person who ran the event until halfway through the second day, and it was a quick, hellothankyoubye. Very nice woman, understandably busy, but not what I was expecting really.
I have reasonably priced work ranging from $100-$1,000, the $1,000 being a 4'x5'x1.5" original oil painting, and I had some people look at my prices (from the outside of my booth) make faces then smile at me, and continue on. This is always disappointing, pricing I have come to find is the hardest part of this whole deal, and unfortunately people do not understand. I am all about original work, the buying is the only person who has that piece of art, and that is it, no prints, no remakes, all by hand. To me, that is fine art, that is what the people should be paying for. I barely saw anyone leaving with anything at all come to think of it except for maybe a little bag of jewelry every 50 people?
I was overall just very disappointed, and felt the trip was a complete waste of time. With amazing weather, and slow traffic, it was a bit mind boggling. The other artists around me were great, very nice, all said were kind of in the same boat of shock to the lack of people buying or even being there period.
Everyone I talked to was ready to pack up and leave halfway through the second day, and all of the artists were lined up to pull their cars in at exactly 5pm, but were stuck waiting for the Rotary Club to pack up and leave before the artists could even get their cars into the spots by the booths, completely rude and ridiculous and unorganized. And I've heard some artists tell me they had to move before we could get in there, but honestly, I walked all the way down there from my end to help my car get through, and they did not need to move first, the could have let the artists in before packing up, there was plenty of room before they got their stuff together. Needless to say, I didn't sell a thing, not a single thing, which to me was baffling.
I understand that I am a baby at this art show thing, but to leave completely empty handed when I had taken off work this weekend to make money was just not what I was wanting to have happen. I do not recommend this show to anyone who has original one of a kind work and does not live within the chicago area, it is just too much of a crapshoot to make it worth it, and I have traveled 7 hours away to bumble oklahoma and somehow still made booth and above at a much smaller show, so this, was just sad.
I'll keep my chin up though, there is always another show, another weekend, this one just wasn't my time. :/
Comments
Thanks Connie, I will listen.
AND -- I did a podcast with Barney Davey last fall, full of solid tips about selling and pricing. If you haven't listened to it visit the "Radio" link at the top of this page and click on that podcast. He has been in this business a long time working with big NYC events and really knows his stuff.
Erica, I too am a newbie to the fair circuit and have shows where I didn't sell anything. I agree it's heartbreaking and we take it personally even though I'm sure it isn't meant to be. I see on your website that you have quite a few sold pieces. Take heart in that. I think your work is beautiful. Barney Davey and Jason Horejs , (Xanadau Gallery) , have posted a couple of very good videos on pricing and blogging for artists. I think they were done on Google Hangout. I think if you look up either Jason or Barney, you will be able to find them.
Erica, I also checked out your website & the text needs to be bigger, especially the list of shows. I have been doing shows for over 20 years & sometimes I still have a zero weekend, which is disheartening. I will caution you about the 2 "Lincoln Park" shows on your list. I live less than a mile from them both & I would not try the Lill Street Craft Fair if they paid me to have a booth. It is mostly a music/beer fest with the artists over on a side street. I know plenty of Chicago jewelers that don't recommend that one. The Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival is a bit better, and I know of one sculptor that sold her most expensive piece there one year, but any time the focus is on music, I find 2D a more difficult sell.
Also, consider linking your shows to each show's website, so people can click through to see the hours & exact location easily.
Good luck!
I'm so sorry to hear the show was a bust Erica. I've found that many people like to see you repeatedly before they invest in a piece, even a $100 piece and if it wasn't the right demographic for you either, that would have compounded the problem. I hope that the next shows are successful for you.
Just one small critique about the website--I tried to check out your website and it uses Flash Player which is not accessible on apple devices. You may miss out on a lot of people who want to see your work, but cannot. Just FYI. I am anxious to hear how your other shows go this year. :)
Erica -- just went to your site and it's working fine. Your work, btw, is powerful and fun. And you've posted so many pieces, a buyer could spend a long time perusing. Nice job! P.S. You might want to increase the font size on your text so it's easier to read.
www.ericawagnerart.com
Thanks for all the advice, sorry for the bitter speak, and keep the advise coming, always appreciated!
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