Is my art considered "Art"?

Hi everyone,

I am going on my second year doing shows. I am only able to do a few shows in the fall and spring season. I have two little kids at home that take first priority. I have applied to large art show such as the Gasparilla Art Festival and the Mainsail St. Pete festival, and I was declined to both. (well, Mainsail I was declined, then accepted, then declined again).

My question to you all is, is it my art, or is it my tent or something else that is preventing me from getting into these shows? If you could, take a look at some of my pics: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screenName=3q37zoort9gue

I pictures are professionally taken. My booth shot only has a few pieces in it, but at a show I usually have 25 pieces to show. I have flourish panels, which work really well because my art is SOOOO heavy, EZ up tent (the best for me b/c I usually have to set up alone).

I love doing smaller shows and I have done well at them. My feedback is amazing from vendors and patrons alike. I restore antique printers drawers and then fill them with dried flowers, beans and herbs to make wall art. To a jury, are fine artists limited to painters, sculpters and glass artisans?

Thanks for your input and I welcome the criticism. Maybe I should just stick with the Howard Alan circuit (which is great for me) and some other local shows and stay out of the big ones?

Thanks in advance everyone!

Lauren

High end shows are not for all of us. And that is just fine. Let them be all fancy without us. ;-) We all have our own niche to fill and we have to find where it is.

For my booth, I use a tall directors chair so that I am not suddenly looming when I get off of it (actually I end up shorter) and the chairs come in rich wood tones. They also have the artsy feel. :-) I think a soft green possibly with a leaf pattern would be a wonderful carpet choice- nothing busy or distracting, but fitting with your theme. I purchased my chair from Pier 1 and was able to choose my own fabric and they fold up well. I also have collapsable bookcases that can be used for packaging, credit card machine, cash box, sunscreen, etc. I found the best deal on these at Target and they have a couple of wood color choices. I have re-designed my booth many times to get it just right, but it does affect sales if your display is not welcoming. Good Luck!

Amy

One other thing about display: You have to catch their attention. With everything facing inward except for the ones 10' back, you will not catch them as well. If you could have a cube of gridwall or a stand of some sort to showcase your best piece(s) front and center, this could help.

Replies

Jacki Bilsborrow February 20, 2011 at 2:33pm

Lauren, I love your work. The colors are amazing. It doesn't look like there is any glass over the grains and things, how do you keep it in there and from getting all dusty over time? I certainly think that even if your work isn't "High art" there are lots of shows where you would do well. Concentrate on the shows that work well for you.

Jacki B
- Lauren Lasa > Jacki Bilsborrow February 20, 2011 at 8:11pm
  
  Hi Patricia,
  
  Thank you so much for your kind words and for sending me that link! Patricia's work is amazing and I appreciate that my work reminds you of it. That is a huge compliment. I am in the process of remodeling my tent and trying a few new techniques on my trays. My main goal this year is to get into one show that I didn't last year. This website has helped alot and the feedback has helped me become more confident. Thanks again!
- Lauren Lasa > Jacki Bilsborrow February 20, 2011 at 8:06pm
  
  Hi Jacki :) Thank you so much for your compliments and the good advice! To keep the dust away, I take a little hand vac to it or I just blow on the flowers a bit. I wipe the top of the drawer with a soft cloth. Thanks again!
Lisa B Wiertel February 7, 2011 at 5:45pm

Lauren,

Just wanted to say that I love your work. I think I have seen your work before. Maybe on another forum?

I know what you mean about doing shows and having small kids. I have 3 kids-10, 8 and 3 which makes my art a lower priority.

Good luck to you!
- Lauren Lasa > Lisa B Wiertel February 7, 2011 at 7:09pm
  
  Hi Lisa!
  
  I think I have seen you on either Facebook or Etsy! It is wonderful to see a familiar face :) Best of luck with your busy mom/artist schedule. Is there ever enough time in the day??? Take care and thanks for the kind words!
Amy Schulz February 7, 2011 at 5:14pm

High end shows are not for all of us. And that is just fine. Let them be all fancy without us. ;-) We all have our own niche to fill and we have to find where it is.

For my booth, I use a tall directors chair so that I am not suddenly looming when I get off of it (actually I end up shorter) and the chairs come in rich wood tones. They also have the artsy feel. :-) I think a soft green possibly with a leaf pattern would be a wonderful carpet choice- nothing busy or distracting, but fitting with your theme. I purchased my chair from Pier 1 and was able to choose my own fabric and they fold up well. I also have collapsable bookcases that can be used for packaging, credit card machine, cash box, sunscreen, etc. I found the best deal on these at Target and they have a couple of wood color choices. I have re-designed my booth many times to get it just right, but it does affect sales if your display is not welcoming. Good Luck!

Amy

One other thing about display: You have to catch their attention. With everything facing inward except for the ones 10' back, you will not catch them as well. If you could have a cube of gridwall or a stand of some sort to showcase your best piece(s) front and center, this could help.
- Lauren Lasa > Amy Schulz February 7, 2011 at 7:16pm
  
  Hi Amy,
  
  What FANTASTIC suggestions! I have already started scoping out Target and Pier 1 :) Those collapsable bookcases sound perfect and useful. I really appreciate your feedback. Thank you
Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney February 7, 2011 at 5:02pm

Lauren, I agree with all the other comments, but would like to add that your work is lovely, and based on my experience with regional and local fine art and fine craft shows, I think you'd probably do very well. I couldn't speak for my juries for my shows, but I'm guessing your work would be considered both unusual and artsy enough to make the cut. Best of luck.
- Lauren Lasa > Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney February 7, 2011 at 7:14pm
  
  Hi Barbara,
  
  Thank you for your kind words. I get great feedback from patrons and other vendors, But when you apply to certain shows, and you are declined, it kind of makes you question yourself, ya know? I guess it is all part of the art show business!
  - Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney > Lauren Lasa February 7, 2011 at 7:58pm
    
    As a show director, I can tell you that there are many reasons why you might be rejected, and a lot of them are not about your work, per se. Sometimes a show is just not a good fit. I've had jurors reject beautiful craft work because they felt it wasn't a good match for the parameters of our show. A jury with some of those same people will jury that artist into another show that has different parameters and accepts more high end crafts. You just have to try to find shows that are a good fit for you, where your lovely work will be appreciated and you'll make money.

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