Withdrawing from Shows? A Newbie Question

Hi all! I am new to this forum, and this will be my first year participating in art fairs!

I've applied to 5 shows, and have been accepted to 4 of them, and I should be hearing back from the last one in a couple weeks. I have heard from others that it's a good idea to apply to more shows than you think you want to do because you will likely get rejections from some of them. However, if I get accepted by all 5, that might be a problem. None of the shows overlap dates. My issue is that I don't know if I will have enough inventory for 5 shows (although I have no idea how well my work will sell either, but that's a whole other topic entirely! You can see my work at www.kguentherart.com )

My question is- Is it common to withdraw from shows? Do the show organizers frown upon it? 2 of the shows I applied to give refunds for withdrawal before a certain date, so that tells me that people do withdraw from shows sometimes...but I don't want to start out by getting on anyone's bad side.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you!

Promoter are in business. And so are you. You have to pick and choose. Inventory is always my issue, because all of my work is original. So, I can't print more when I run out and I won't sell any prints of my work because they don't translate to a one-dimensional surface well. I will overlap some dates, and I always try to be moderate with my overlapping because it can be costly - some jury fees are high. There are some shows I have applied to for years in a row and have never gotten in for one reason or another (usually fine art judges who have a tendency to snobbery for anything other than the traditional) or my product photos suck (I've used them before to the same shows or they are not current three years). One way or the other, I mark them off the list for a couple of years. Yes. promoters know that there will be a certain number of withdrawals, and it is a common thing for artists to overbook. That is why wait lists are developed. And some shows will not refund any booth fees, and none of them will refund jury fees. Do what you need to do for your own business. They don't take anything personally.

Replies

Kristy Guenther May 2, 2018 at 12:16pm

Thanks everyone for your insight. I really appreciate it!
Larry Schneider May 2, 2018 at 7:37am

Kristy. your work is very nice and you will sell well. Promoters dont sell cancellation insurance like a cruse ship line. Youre gonna have to get used to loosing a little money now and then
Brenda Flynn May 2, 2018 at 7:22am

Promoter are in business. And so are you. You have to pick and choose. Inventory is always my issue, because all of my work is original. So, I can't print more when I run out and I won't sell any prints of my work because they don't translate to a one-dimensional surface well. I will overlap some dates, and I always try to be moderate with my overlapping because it can be costly - some jury fees are high. There are some shows I have applied to for years in a row and have never gotten in for one reason or another (usually fine art judges who have a tendency to snobbery for anything other than the traditional) or my product photos suck (I've used them before to the same shows or they are not current three years). One way or the other, I mark them off the list for a couple of years. Yes. promoters know that there will be a certain number of withdrawals, and it is a common thing for artists to overbook. That is why wait lists are developed. And some shows will not refund any booth fees, and none of them will refund jury fees. Do what you need to do for your own business. They don't take anything personally.
Richard L. Sherer April 30, 2018 at 4:45pm

I usually apply to those shows I feel certain I will get accepted to and I don't double up on them. I did have to cancel on Jackson, WY before jurying was completed because of unexpected surge in studio work. I donated the jury fee to the art association putting on the show. Always stay on the good side of show producers.
Larry Berman April 30, 2018 at 12:26pm

Yes, Artists cancel for a variety of reasons. Conflict in schedule, ran out of inventory, illness in the family. That's why shows have waiting lists. But to be fair to the show you should cancel as soon as you know you can't do the show. If you're worried about not enough inventory, I wouldn't cancel until a few days before and loose the booth fee. What if it rains and you don't sell anything for a show or three?

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
- Kristy Guenther > Larry Berman April 30, 2018 at 4:01pm
  
  Thank you Larry! I appreciate your advice

This reply was deleted.