Hello, everyone - I've been in a few art shows that have a spring component and a fall component. In the past, I've done the Paradise City show in both spring and fall, and had pretty good success in both, overall.
But in the spring Tucson and spring Stockley Gardens shows, one thing that struck me was that people who bought my paintings were excited because I hadn't been in either show before.
Their comments got me to thinking that maybe there's a saturation level? I've long wondered if it is smart to do the same shows year after year, even if I keep having sales. Now, I wonder if it is smart to do spring and fall in the same place.
I work hard to keep my paintings evolving, to learn and grow and keep things fresh for myself and the buyers. Of course, I am sometimes more successful at that than I am at other times.
I'd really love to hear people's thoughts on these conundrums!
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Here in AZ we tend to get the same people attending shows year after year. I find it good to be at shows consistently and close to the same spot if possible. I get people saying "oh thank goodness I found you" and buy something, usually first couple hours of the show. Seems like the locals & snowbirds take a while to actually buy something because they assume they will see you at the next show. It's usually the vistors that pull out their wallet without hesitation.
I try to do just one of the shows mostly because I still work full time and I have to fit shows into my vacation time. I did do both spring and fall Stockley last year and I did not do well in the spring or the fall. I had done well the previous fall. I suspect that show gets the same attendees year after year.
I found by accident sometimes a new spot in the same show will help!
That is a truism. When I did a show for a number of years, I asked for a different spot away from my original one. It was like being a first timer. Not only did I rejuvenate sales, but many exhibitors thought I was a first timer and were giving advice on what the show was like.