I'm new to this site. Had a chance to listen to several podcasts from Art Fair Radio this weekend and found them very helpful. Question: How do you filter through all the info to determine which show are right for you?
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When I was first starting a few years ago, I didn't have AFI to learn from. So glad it's here now! What I did was attend as many shows as possible. This area, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA, has a lot of small and mid-sized shows, in addition to a few bigger shows. There's at least one show every weekend from late March until late June, then September through early December. At the shows I paid attention to setups, and talked to as many artists as I could. In addition to talking about the show that day, I also asked them about other shows.
I always suggest to people that they start out with small local shows. This give you practice in setting up and tearing down, with talking to your customers, and with your display. It's also a way to build up a local clientel. Sometimes it's hard to find these shows in advance, and that's where talking to other artists comes into play. Join an Art Association if there is one in your area.
Good luck!
Good advise Dave.
I started small and still 7 years later do many of these local affairs, for many reasons!
First- I wanted to get experience with set-up tear down, building my confidence in salesmanship, etc
Second- doing jewelry, and having a home studio- I needed a local customer base,
and lastly, but not leastly- having done these local shows in my line up, I learned what works for me, and what doesn't, without it being a COSTLY lesson. Local shows will sometimes not require jurying, which can get costly, without any guarantee on getting in to make sales. Local shows- no hotel /motel fees, not a lot of travel, which has two benefits- less costly, not as exhausting!
Consider it practice, or "Art Fair" school- the first year or two doing shows, you are usually in the process of getting your display optimized- acquiring the "equipment" you want or need for chosen medium, You are still learning how to create a friendly, accessible, safe and interesting display, to draw people in to your booth, lets face it-selling your Art or works is VERY personal for you, and you need to find that "sweet spot" or selling technique, that is comfortable for you and works for the consumer. Doing the local shows gives you the experience, confidence, and sheer muscle you need, to do the larger, more critical shows.
Hi Ray and welcome aboard :)
Reviews are incredibly useful to work out if a show might be a good fit for you. Do a search for shows in your area (or areas you're willing to travel to) using the search function a the top right of the page.
Thanks Annette