Hi all,
I'm new here and I wanted to talk about shows. I am new to the show world as well as this group. I've done a few small shows here and there, but I just got accepted (actually bumped from the waiting list) for the dallas city arts show next month. I am a little nervous to accept as I am afraid of not breaking even in the end.
Is the economy effecting shows lately? What has been everyones experience with shows lately? Has anyone participated in this particular show? According to their website 115,000 people attended last year and it has advertising so those are all pluses to me, I'm just not sure what else to expect. Any thoughts/advice anything at all would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance!
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
Hey Katie, I hope CityArts turned out well for you. I made around $600 for the whole sweltering weekend. I'm not going to do another show in Dallas in JUNE! Too hot! The crowd was there but not in the buying mood for my art. I do hope that they loved your jewelry. I didn't get down Flora to see your display.
Dawn,
I stopped by Artfest and it didn't seem like anyone was doing very well that weekend. The rain might have hurt a little bit, but it also seemed so spread out that I didn't even see all the vendors. I'm on pearl for Cityarts, and I keep seeing advertisements everywhere so hopefully there will be a ton of people out there. I hear it's a pretty decent show, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for the both of us! Thanks for your input!
-Katie
I just got done with ArtFest a few weeks ago that is sponsored by 500inc. who also does CityArts. I will admit that I think they are struggling to make these shows work. I felt the artists were not priority. I am on Crockett St. for CityArts and don't expect much traffic flow for the four of us that are there. I am disappointed in the spot but I also haven't done this show yet so I want to wait and see if it turns out alright. I've Google mapped it to see what it looks like and it's smack dab in front of the Meyerson which is nice. Are you on Flora? or Pearl? I will also admit my sales were way down at ArtFest and so I am trying not to expect too much at this one. With a 115,000 visitors you would expect there to be some who come for the art festival but I'm also wondering if most people are coming for the free entertainment and free museums. I guess we'll see. I don't mean to be such a downer as I think it's neat to just get some experience and try these things out. I love to do them and no matter what I get to share my art right? I just wanted to be honest with you on some assessments I've heard. God bless! Hope to see you there.
Hey Linda! I am doing this show for the first time too. It looks like a good one. I do 4-5 larger shows in Dallas every year with some smaller ones in between and I have to say that I don't think the economy has affected Dallas/Ft.Worth like some others cities. Don't get me wrong, i think people are still going to look and then look and then look but when they settle on the piece they want I don't think it keeps them from buying. Or that's been my experience in 09. I pray all blessings on you Linda. Just have a ball.
Welcome to this fine group Katie,
I looked at your website and you have very nice jewelry. I'm guessing you will do fine. Charles is so right - never any guarantees. You likely know the economy in Texas so price your items accordingly and make a strong presentation with a professional looking booth. What I have found this show season is the attendance may be a tad lower, but most of the people that come are still prepared to purchase. They are just a little more careful about what they spend it on. Have confidence and enjoy the experience of your first big show, whatever the outcome. Oh, and let us know what you experienced.
Thanks! I wanted a real not sugar coated answer, and that's exactly what you delivered. Very helpful information.
Luckily I work in sales, and it does come naturally to me unfortunately I fear what people think so much I'm sometimes not very confident in myself...if I can get past that for this show then I know I will end up doing a lot better than I think.
I know that this is not the type of answer you were looking for, but being an artist means you have to take risks. Nothing in this line of work is guaranteed. I'm guessing that you will do better than you think, and that you will regret it if you don't give it a try.
Over time you will figure out what type of crowd buys your art and what shows bring in those buyers. You just have to do your research, ask questions, and have a game plan. Don't get discouraged if you don't hit a home run right away. The other advice I would stress is to have a marketing and selling plan.
If you aren't a natural saleswoman, get a few books on selling and closing a sale. Learn to market your work with mailing lists, local media coverage, community involvement, find galleries to take your work etc. etc. You can easily ruin a show that has great potential by not having the skills to make the sale.
Replies
I stopped by Artfest and it didn't seem like anyone was doing very well that weekend. The rain might have hurt a little bit, but it also seemed so spread out that I didn't even see all the vendors. I'm on pearl for Cityarts, and I keep seeing advertisements everywhere so hopefully there will be a ton of people out there. I hear it's a pretty decent show, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for the both of us! Thanks for your input!
-Katie
I just got done with ArtFest a few weeks ago that is sponsored by 500inc. who also does CityArts. I will admit that I think they are struggling to make these shows work. I felt the artists were not priority. I am on Crockett St. for CityArts and don't expect much traffic flow for the four of us that are there. I am disappointed in the spot but I also haven't done this show yet so I want to wait and see if it turns out alright. I've Google mapped it to see what it looks like and it's smack dab in front of the Meyerson which is nice. Are you on Flora? or Pearl? I will also admit my sales were way down at ArtFest and so I am trying not to expect too much at this one. With a 115,000 visitors you would expect there to be some who come for the art festival but I'm also wondering if most people are coming for the free entertainment and free museums. I guess we'll see. I don't mean to be such a downer as I think it's neat to just get some experience and try these things out. I love to do them and no matter what I get to share my art right? I just wanted to be honest with you on some assessments I've heard. God bless! Hope to see you there.
I looked at your website and you have very nice jewelry. I'm guessing you will do fine. Charles is so right - never any guarantees. You likely know the economy in Texas so price your items accordingly and make a strong presentation with a professional looking booth. What I have found this show season is the attendance may be a tad lower, but most of the people that come are still prepared to purchase. They are just a little more careful about what they spend it on. Have confidence and enjoy the experience of your first big show, whatever the outcome. Oh, and let us know what you experienced.
Luckily I work in sales, and it does come naturally to me unfortunately I fear what people think so much I'm sometimes not very confident in myself...if I can get past that for this show then I know I will end up doing a lot better than I think.
Thanks for the reply!
I know that this is not the type of answer you were looking for, but being an artist means you have to take risks. Nothing in this line of work is guaranteed. I'm guessing that you will do better than you think, and that you will regret it if you don't give it a try.
Over time you will figure out what type of crowd buys your art and what shows bring in those buyers. You just have to do your research, ask questions, and have a game plan. Don't get discouraged if you don't hit a home run right away. The other advice I would stress is to have a marketing and selling plan.
If you aren't a natural saleswoman, get a few books on selling and closing a sale. Learn to market your work with mailing lists, local media coverage, community involvement, find galleries to take your work etc. etc. You can easily ruin a show that has great potential by not having the skills to make the sale.
good luck, hope you do well.