We are two artists (painters/husband & wife) who regularly exhibit together (galleries/alternative spaces) and would like to do this in art fairs as well. So far, we have participated in only a couple of art fairs locally- these were unjuried.
For the better artfairs, we know we need not only a professional looking set up- but also images representative of our work-- we get stuck and have yet to enter a show because we don't know if having images from both of us (our styles are quite different) will be Ok with jurors.
What is your experience? We are at this point thinking whether it is worth to invest in pro panels/professional set up-- or if it will actually be too difficult for us to get in shows because of our work.
We can not afford to do shows separately.... and part of the reason we enjoy showing is because we are together.
Thanks for your input,
Claudia & Sergio
our studio tour vid w/both our work is here http://youtu.be/GMlm3OWQPbE
sites:
ClaudiaOlivos.com
SergiOlivosM.com
Replies
My husband and I do shows together. I am primarily a painter while his main emphasis is pencil drawing. We both do photography.
If a show allows for booth sharing we submit work from each of us for jury. If booth fee is low enough we submit seperately to get two booths and request them side by side.
If only one artist is allowed per booth and booth fee is high - we submit my work as I currently have the larger body of work.
We will always do shows together - whether both of our work is in the booth or not. That's just how we do it. It's a team effort regardless of who's pieces are available and who's work sells.
As you get more familiar with shows in your area - you'll work out a system that works for you. We're still fairly new at this - but are gaining more confidence with each show.
Best of luck to you!
Thank you so much! I think we will have to see 'show to show'.... though we are still uncertain if it will work out for us, thus we are a bit shy about spending $1,000.- for panels.
It most def is a team effort for us as well.... that is the piece that makes the whole thing fun for us :)
Lucky for all of us out there who get to do this with our partners!!
My wife and I have done shows together for a long time. And we have many husband/wife friends who also do shows.
We all have a saying; "If you don't get divorced during setup or teardown, wou never will."
Thanks Chris! Sounds about right!! Set up teardown.... and the drive over to boot! lol!
How do you do your applications?
The show we do are craft shows, not art shows, so the apps are a little different. We fill out the app with our product. We both are involved in it. Lately I do the shows alone as my bride is not as healthy as she used to be and doing outdoor or multi day shows puts a strain on her. But I've been doing shows for so long, standing for 3 days by myself is no big deal.
Driving to and from a show was never a big deal. I drove, she slept.
Chris,
My best wishes to you and your bride for continued success and adventures!
Thank you for your advice,
Claudia
Diane is right - read all the fine print. One other note, we've had at least 3 shows where we both apply, one of us has been accepted, the other waitlisted. In each case once the show director was aware that we were a husband and wife team who would share a booth anyway, they were willing to list us both as accepted artists in one booth. So we have had some benefit in being able to apply separately, but again, read the fine print and when in doubt ask the promoter.
Ruth...that is very interesting information! I had no idea promoters/directors were so open to artists. So do you always apply separately? We are really not sure if to apply as collaboration or.....
thank you!
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