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Private reports from the art buyers

Posted by Connie Mettler on August 13, 2012 at 10:57am in Marketing & Sales of Your Art and Crafts

Did you have a chance to listen to the podcast, "Who is Buying at the Art Fair and Why"?

Since we did that podcast I get recurring reports from people who attend the shows and they share their impressions. Hopefully these will continue. I plan to copy them here going forward and hope you'll find them helpful.

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Tags: buyers at the shows, podcast, selling art
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  • Connie Mettler October 3, 2013 at 10:39am

    Comment from 10/3/13:

    Art in the Barn (Barrington, iL) covers the media, but there is a heavy over-supply of jewelers.  Turnout is terrific - the place was packed.  The parking lot is far away. but they provide the free shuttle.  The artists do not seem to have IDs on their tents so you really have to have to look for an artist.  Layout of the tents is poor, as they go in all directions.  We were never sure if we saw everyone.

  • Connie Mettler September 18, 2013 at 11:36am

    Whoops - forgot to include this one from 9/4/13:

    Oakbrook is really fine arts with paintings and jewelry (it is always there).  There were a couple of glass and wood artists.

    Lake Forest continues to become better.  All the media is represented (as always there is jewelry and quality was really good.

  • Connie Mettler September 16, 2013 at 11:11am

    Something more from my "secret shoppers":

    Downers Grove was packed and was a very good show.  We enjoyed seeing old friend artists.  There were some great shops along the street.  It was up one side and down the other, so no confusion.

    Deer Park was a small show, but they are growing.  It was brought by the folks that give you Deerfield in June.

  • Connie Mettler August 30, 2013 at 12:12pm

    My "secret shopper" has just weighed in on his trip to last weekend's (August 23-25, 2013) Chicago area art fairs. The report:

    Evanston was a terrific show with a number of new people added, as well as a number of emerging artists.  Unfortunately]y, there was lots of construction on the property, as well as a longer walk from parking.  There was a free bus.  There were a number of fiber artists with jackets and sweaters for the fall.  Lots of wood, ceramic metal and jewelry.
    Port Clinton is back up to more new artists and a good selection of old friends.  It was definitely back to being a good show.  The crowds were large from early on.
  • Connie Mettler November 9, 2012 at 10:41am

    Here's a report on the very big deal SOFA last weekend in Chicago from my roving art fair collector:

    LASTWEEKEND
    We did SOFA last weekend.  At $15 it was worth the price.  Our first sight was a 6 foot long and 4 foot high bull with horns.  It looked like an ad for Meryl Linch.  It was $365000 and was sold.
     
    There were many sold items in the $50000-$100000.  Where is the economy in trouble?
     
    Although a gallery show, many brought at least one artists, so we got to talk to old friends.

  • Rod Melotte August 28, 2012 at 12:16pm

    Excellent podcast and mirrors many of my opinions.  Oddly before I started doing Art Fairs 3 years ago I honestly believe I had only been to ONE fair in my life (isn't that odd??).  I had ZERO idea what to expect (or how hard it was). 

    My question is that the people on your panel had experience with Door County. I've been to Door every year of my life and for the 1st time last year tried an "Art Fair" which was a total failure (Pumpkin Patch Festival).  Obviously I was in the wrong fair as it was more "craft" and beer drinking.   Oddly Door County is the one place I have had bad luck with my art which boggles my brain.

    ANYWAY - back on topic - I'm rethinking my walls, maybe six large pieces is too much.  I have also felt MORE is not better and some booths just have way to many things going on.  

    Another interesting thing in the pod-conversation was the draw of "color".  I've been told a large number of times that people were drawn to my canopy because of the color.  In fact I have two pieces up that never ever sell BUT, draw people into me canopy.  Once in I evaluate, do they want to talk? are they just looking?  It's a fine line but I'm there even at 105 degrees smiling and laughing.  Selling Art has two words.  Selling and Art.  You gotta do both.

  • Connie Mettler August 16, 2012 at 1:10pm

    New comment from the collectors:

    I went to the Glen ArtFest this morning. Some good work. I thought the mix was very good but a letdown on some quality. I took your wife's advice as I walked past the booths and waited for the artist to engage me. About 30% are sitting behind the booths out of sight and of course texting or on the phone. The photographers I have seen in every show and there are some good ones. Photography seems to be growing each year––very affordable on some of the big prints.

  • Richard L. Sherer August 15, 2012 at 5:09pm
    Listened to it with the B/S podcast this morning. Excellent information and a window on the psychology of buyers. Lots of practical booth info for artists. Found common ground in I am running out of wall space too and wife told me "no more bronzes". Also took a look at my reasons for buying ( or trading for art).
  • Connie Mettler August 15, 2012 at 3:30pm

    Here is another patron's approach to the shows:

    ... I have a different outlook.  Art is the artists' expression.  Some I love, some I like, some I do not care for, some I ignore and some I hate.

    However, I do not express myself against the artists.  This is the artists work that they have put much effort in.  Someone out there likes them or they would not be doing it, or it is their expression that makes them feel good.

    So, I do not deny them the right.  You can always walk by, but don't knock someone because they do not agree with you.  Art is in the eye of the beholder and each has their own.

  • Connie Mettler August 13, 2012 at 10:59am

    Comment from 8/3/12:

    I too am a collector along with being an artist. My long time art education background serves me pretty well but it also works against me at times in artist to artist comparisons as I move through a show.

    I have traveled to Santa Fe many times for the art and location. I have purchased many pieces of art, R.C. Gorman, large and small Kachina Dolls, belts, sculpture and jewelry artisan crafted. I also love going to Art Tours visiting artist's studios and seeing and conversing with them as they work––Mineral Point, WI (Oct), Eagle River, WI (Oct) and my favorite show The Celebration of Fine Art, Scottsdale 10 weeks long mid-Jan through March every year. This is the show I would love to be in. Artists are in their booths working on pieces for 10 weeks engaging with collectors. Fabulous setting.....

    As an artist I appreciated the art show booth presentation tips. Stay off the smart phones. Make the booth attractive, uncluttered, colorful and approachable. Artists engaging with customers seemed to resonate well with you and Judie. Greeting collectors is good. Making a connection on art level and be able to talk about our art with enthusiasm. Having unique pieces mixed in can get attention. Keep booth clean, organized and uncluttered. Geri again was different. She could care less about the artist and interaction––to her, the art was key. Like or dislike. Period. Her style serves her well I guess.

    All 3 of you like art prices displayed.
    Ed, I like your line that some art is "undercharged." You feel like you are going to a museum at times and are able to take home the art. Nice observation.

    Cluttered booths make the art look cheap. Be selective I heard more than once. Evolve the work if one shows a lot.
    Collectors familiar with a particular artist are looking for "what's new."
    From my observations at shows most people tend to go down one side and return down the other but there are the "zig-zaggers!

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