Doing Art Fairs

I've often been asked what it's like to do art fairs. I've replied that somewhere in my past I must have dreamed of either being a carney or a farmer because doing the art fairs seem very related. You travel, but rarely have time to see the town you're in and it's all contingent on the weather.

You meet great people, get to discuss your work and see what others are doing. You're never alone in celebrating or commiserating. And somehow even when it is a bad show us artists can have a good time.

At one show my booth was set up in the middle of an intersection and during break down another artist drove up to me and told me to move my booth out of his path. The artists on either side of me came to my rescue from his rude rant and told him to find another route since his demand and rancor was absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention the fact that the show had just ended. The guys on both sides of me decided he picked on me because I was the booth run by a short woman rather than either of them who were both male and not as likely to be able to push around. The guys did make the break down entertaining.

Let's also not forget you are also your own boss.Which there are pluses and minuses to that too, but at least if something goes wrong I only have myself to blame. I've done galleries and have had some bad experiences on that route. One gallery was selling out of my stuff and ordered more. I was called by his manager and told not to send more until I got paid because he was ripping artists off. The owners opinion was there's always another artist to replace one with and artist don't sue. Well this one does, but it only works if the subpoena can be served. Another gallery which was really working out well with monthly invoices and payment just disappeared with all our works and no notice and another went bankrupt and made frantic phone calls to us artists to come get or stuff because on Monday the bank was coming and they didn't want us to lose our work.

So for now the art show circuit for me.

I have been doing art shows for a few years now and after every show I would call my mom (in her 80's) and tell her how I had done. She had never had the chance to see my setup or to visit a show until last fall when I did a small festival 3 miles from her home that was more of a flea market than an art show. I knew that going in but I expected to make some sales because my art has a high impulse purchase factor so I figured I would do ok. My mother came and set with me for a few hours and I can't tell you how much she enjoyed seeing the reaction of the public as they walked by my setup. She now understands why I enjoy the art fair business, and I must confess that I enjoy just about every aspect of making and selling art.

As for being beat down, the festival that I mentioned above was the closest I have had to getting a beat down. I upcycle rusty junk, and the festival was in a small farming village in central Indiana. I got lots of "now I know what to do with all of that old junk I have behind the barn" and " my husband can make that" also the ever popular" I wouldn't pay a hundred dollars for that rusty junk" and I barely made expenses, but all of my family got to see just how nutty I am making something out of junk.

The not so nice vibs I get from other artist is that my stuff doesn't suffer from wind or rain and my raw material cost is penny's per pound, so I get some coments about that from a few artist.

I only have one gallery so I haven't had those problems yet. I have a number of gallerys approach me to use their gallery, but I have resisted selling my art that way.

Bill

Replies

Chris Hoyt May 14, 2010 at 7:14am

A perfect example of when life gives you lemons, you make lemonaide!

Cassandra Graham said:
Years ago I was in a new show in Grand Rapids at the Amway Center. It was to raise funds for a nature group and they pulled out all the stops....black tie opening, fancy t-shirts with gold glitter logo for sale, engraved invitations, an impressive roster of artists. Only problem was that no one thought to see what else was going on in Grand Rapids that weekend. We were on the lower level and the upper was hosting the National Black Shriners Convention. All the streets in the area were blocked off for the many parades. We could hear the marching bands as they passed overhead.
If we had 50 people come in, it was an exaggeration. The volunteers were huddled in corners crying. The bored artists decided to make the most of it and have their own parade down the aisles. We got the big flat dollies from the shipping area and made floats and had a King and Queen elected who threw tissue paper flowers from their thrones. A memorable show to say the least!
Cassandra Graham May 13, 2010 at 8:00pm

Years ago I was in a new show in Grand Rapids at the Amway Center. It was to raise funds for a nature group and they pulled out all the stops....black tie opening, fancy t-shirts with gold glitter logo for sale, engraved invitations, an impressive roster of artists. Only problem was that no one thought to see what else was going on in Grand Rapids that weekend. We were on the lower level and the upper was hosting the National Black Shriners Convention. All the streets in the area were blocked off for the many parades. We could hear the marching bands as they passed overhead.
If we had 50 people come in, it was an exaggeration. The volunteers were huddled in corners crying. The bored artists decided to make the most of it and have their own parade down the aisles. We got the big flat dollies from the shipping area and made floats and had a King and Queen elected who threw tissue paper flowers from their thrones. A memorable show to say the least!
Claudia Winter May 13, 2010 at 7:34am

I bought a set of ratchet tie-downs at Menards. It's a thick nylon strap with a cam
in the middle to adjust the length and an s-hook on both ends. So it doesn't clamp on to the tent, but I've never had a problem.
Where you store your stuff during a show depends on the show's layout, sometimes. If you are lucky enough to have the space behind your booth, then do a tarp under and over. But sometimes you have to make it work inside.

Sara Youngman said:
2 technical questions - what do people use to hang the weights from the corner of the tents? I tried buying - oh what are they called - carbinere? and they weren't big enough to clamp onto the frame. Couldn't find S hooks large enough either. I'm using a chain attached to my pvc 40 pound weight, so the clamp needs to have a hook onthe bottom to hook into the chain. I'm stymied.

So much so that I've forgotten my 2nd question. Just got the paperwork for the May 15th show and am freaking out a little. Panic mode often leads to lethargy and I have to avoid that. Yesterday's 2nd practice tent set up went well, but I had a friend helping. So much harder to do alone.

Oh - in the case of rain, when I must sit inside the tent instead of behind the back door, where do I store things? Outside under a tarp? I need to get to extra matted and framed pieces to replace purchased ones, plus the credit card machine and bags/tissue. Easy to place behind the tent in good weather, but in bad?

Thanks again.
Bill Morris April 9, 2010 at 12:45am

I have been doing art shows for a few years now and after every show I would call my mom (in her 80's) and tell her how I had done. She had never had the chance to see my setup or to visit a show until last fall when I did a small festival 3 miles from her home that was more of a flea market than an art show. I knew that going in but I expected to make some sales because my art has a high impulse purchase factor so I figured I would do ok. My mother came and set with me for a few hours and I can't tell you how much she enjoyed seeing the reaction of the public as they walked by my setup. She now understands why I enjoy the art fair business, and I must confess that I enjoy just about every aspect of making and selling art.

As for being beat down, the festival that I mentioned above was the closest I have had to getting a beat down. I upcycle rusty junk, and the festival was in a small farming village in central Indiana. I got lots of "now I know what to do with all of that old junk I have behind the barn" and " my husband can make that" also the ever popular" I wouldn't pay a hundred dollars for that rusty junk" and I barely made expenses, but all of my family got to see just how nutty I am making something out of junk.

The not so nice vibs I get from other artist is that my stuff doesn't suffer from wind or rain and my raw material cost is penny's per pound, so I get some coments about that from a few artist.

I only have one gallery so I haven't had those problems yet. I have a number of gallerys approach me to use their gallery, but I have resisted selling my art that way.

Bill
S. Michelle Babcock April 3, 2010 at 11:50am

Robin that's funny. I do find it exciting that people want to talk about my work and then actually buy it. One year I was doing a show in Kansas City and a man came into my booth three times really studying my enamels. Finally he asked for my card and then just nodded his head up and down and looked at me and said very simply, "nice, very nice". Later I was to learn that he was Robert Altman the director who was in town visiting his family. And he isn't known to readily give out compliments unless he means it. That just made my day.
Robin Chard April 3, 2010 at 9:53am

This thread is interesting. I do art shows because it allows me a forum to sell my work. I can make anything I want. And I find it amazing that people buy it! And since I tend to get a little isolated working on my silver, the shows provide welcome change. And did I mention they buy it?

Oh and I used to be a carney when I was younger!
Michelle Sholund April 2, 2010 at 9:50pm

I am liking your post. It makes me think about why I do what I do as well as make me wonder why others choose to do art fairs for a living. I, personally, get pushed, shoved and beaten down doing shows, but for some reason I still keep getting up. I wonder if I am stupid for doing so. After all in movies you see the "hero" beaten down until he/she passes out - with people chanting stay down, but they find that smidgen of energy, pick themselves up and win. I see this in myself and in many others. If we have a bad show, we still thank our lucky stars that it could have been worse (at least it didn't rain or at least I did sell something we tell ourselves). It just shows we really love what we do and against all odds we are resilient.

I think you will find issues no matter where you go - galleries, shows, whatever, just stay focused and stay smart. People can and and do make money at shows, it might not always be at every single show making 10x booth space, but I do believe you can do it. We get up, set up, and put our best foot forward at the opening of each show - with some luck, great art, realistic prices and so on success can be had. With luck, Michelle
S. Michelle Babcock March 28, 2010 at 10:58am

I've never know an artist to retire until his health demands it. My father was in his studio until five days before he died. And even though he was in much pain and his hands were shaking he had his models in so his artist friends and his artist family could continue to draw in his studio.
My brother in law helped us at a show in his town last year. He is a colonel in the airforce. His comment after the show at dinner was, "I thought you did these shows for the money, now I realize it's much more then that. Something much deeper...it's about the art."

Connie Mettler said:
Just wear your big girl panties and sharpen your elbows and get out there, Michelle! It has great rewards -- and the success isn't only determined by your bank account.

As my friends have retired with some okay pensions and I have kept working they justify it to me by saying, "well, Connie, but you've been having fun all this time while I've been working 8 to 5." There is some truth to that! Every winter trips to Florida, summer trips to Denver, all the excitement of Ann Arbor...

I had friends who were always asking me where were the great places to eat in Chicago because we went there all the time. Let's see, I know Old Town, I know Naperville, 57th Street, Oakbrook -- are there restaurants near these places?
Connie Mettler March 27, 2010 at 8:18pm

Just wear your big girl panties and sharpen your elbows and get out there, Michelle! It has great rewards -- and the success isn't only determined by your bank account.

As my friends have retired with some okay pensions and I have kept working they justify it to me by saying, "well, Connie, but you've been having fun all this time while I've been working 8 to 5." There is some truth to that! Every winter trips to Florida, summer trips to Denver, all the excitement of Ann Arbor...

I had friends who were always asking me where were the great places to eat in Chicago because we went there all the time. Let's see, I know Old Town, I know Naperville, 57th Street, Oakbrook -- are there restaurants near these places?

This reply was deleted.