This will be my 5th year of art fairs. I hope it won't be my last. I had been doing 4 to 6 shows every summer but this year I will (hopefully, as I have not been confirmed yet) be doing only 2.Doing only two shows per season sounds pretty pathetic but it's all I can afford to invest in booth fees and truck rentals this year. I stuck to two favorite shows that are less than 10 miles away and hope to make some profit. (My wife also retired)I can't afford the upkeep of a van or truck so I rent U-Haul vans. They're OK for short distances but anything with a few hours' distance and you pay per mile which adds up significantly. Standard vehicle rental companies have a fixed rate and free mileage but that fixed rate is also high.I was told by veteran artists last summer that they usually experience a down year in sales in an election year. Well, this is will be a post election summer but I don't know that it will be like a regular one what with the turmoil and uncertainty at the top (!) Then again, my art is sort of on the low end in terms of prices so perhaps customers will buy more from me since I'm less expensive.I have found in my short art fair experience that it is almost impossible to predict or gauge how one will do in any particular show. There are just too many variables.An artist friend who is a jeweler does very well in one particular show that takes place about three hours from me. He told me two years ago that he had been doing that show for 8 years and each year he had been doing better and has regular customers. I decided to do that show and though it was a nice one, I didn't do well at all. He told me that it will take time for the locals to get to know me and my customer base will grow. Perhaps he's right, but I cannot afford to do that show anymore or any other show any fair distance from me since the vehicle rental and hotel (though reasonable) are just too much.I thought about my friend's success and came to a conclusion. A jeweler sells various pieces that become collections. A fair attendee purchases a beautiful ring and the following year looks for the same artist and buys matching earrings. The following year they may get a bracelet and then a necklace. Since all his artwork is hand made one of a kind, it's not difficult to understand that he could continue to attract repeat customers at just about any repeat show he does as well as one time shows.I, on the other hand, sell artistic photography art pieces of a diverse subject nature and style. I have done a few shows three years in a row and not once have I had a repeat visitor or buyer. I'm not saying that it can't happen, I think it's less likely to happen for me than for a jeweler or any other artist that has similar unique style pieces or items that can be assembled as a collection.I'm ranting with no particular point to make other than just writing out loud that it's been a strange year and almost non existent winter. I think this lack of a typical midwestern winter (no measurable snow for February, a first in 146 years) and mostly Spring temps have affected me in an indescribable manner.Hope everyone has a better sales year than before.Good Luck
Hi Brenda,
I had to chuclkle when I read the "keep trying" part. Many a time I've been told: "keep up the good work" or: "great artwork, really love it" and they never consider buying any...
I started to upload a sample of artwork images to some web galleries that only take a percentage if anyone buys any work through their site. I got a list of over 350 sites (from http://artsyshark.com) though many of them require a monthly fee whether or not any sell. It's a tedious process since each site has their own means of listing the work and the images uploaded need to be of different sizes. I started with three so far and perhaps will add a few more but I'm not very optimistic.
I thought I had turned the corner when the first two shows I did last summer turned out well and I believed it was due to a change in my approach I had employed as a result of a workbook I had purchased. I did my very best at every show but after the first two, the other two were not successes. Maybe I need a refreshment read but I honestly feel it was just not working in those shows due to reluctant attendees. I followed the same steps as the first two shows but it was to no avail.
I hope it you can get your artwork to be displayed at galleries. I have not considered that route yet as I feel that it would be an expensive as well but perhaps that is a misconception on my part and may be route I shall take one day. Good luck.
I'm in a similar situation, Bari, with a similar number of fairs over the course of about 5 years with similar disheartening results. I sell work, but never enough to cover the costs of doing art fair business. I determined last year that the cost of doing art fairs made no sense for me/us. I've stopped and am developing my artwork and will approach galleries or put work in the attic till I die rather than just hemorrhage money paying art fair organizers. All the well-intentioned folks saying "Keep trying!" are, of course, well-intentioned. And we pour more and more money into a system that works for some artists, but not for others. And works for fewer and fewer after 2008. Those are my thoughts. Know when to try something else, I say.
Hi Suzanne,
I have used rental minivans (a Town & Country and a Dodge Caravan) before and they worked fine. I drove one to Mystic, CT and back (from the Chicago area). As I mentioned before, rentals are expensive and the consideration to purchase one, even a used one was not realistic from the upkeep and insurance perspective. We have a two car garage but the minivan is too tall to keep in it and parking it outside is not a good idea with our typical winters. I am not working regularly and my wife retired a few months ago so putting money into a vehicle when I have never really made decent sales in the past four years is not a smart thing to do. We are still in need of our two cars (13 and 15 year old) as public transportation around here is negligible. We may need to go down to one car one day (ironically, my 15 year old Honda has far less mileage than my wife's 13 year old Honda! So I suppose it will be hers that we'll sell).
My wife was considering renting garage space but I just can't see justifying a monthly fee on top of whatever cost we'd have to pay on the vehicle.
Have you considered a mini van Bari? That's what use. I have 3 sides of break down panels and 4 desks. Plus other stuff. But it all fits thanks to my husband's ingenuity.
My artwork and everything else used to fit in my car before it was framed. This was in my first year and it was very difficult to fit it all in and drive my car. Now I have four bins for my mostly 24x18 frames and a few larger metal prints as well as another bin for tools, and various other equipment. I have panels that break down and don't take up as much vertical space but still take up volume. I have a 15 year old car that has low mileage but I would not want to tow a trailer with. I also feel uncomfortable about towing any trailer and having to maneuver it into awkward and small spaces and I don't have anywhere to park it. That means that I would have to pay rent to park it at someone else's garage.
I too have learned that some artists do well at specific shows where other don't and vice versa. It comes down to doing shows that don't put you out too much as far as distance, set up procedure and booth fees. We may not earn as much as some at prestigious shows but if we cannot afford to attend those shows it doesn't matter. We just won't lose as much...
That is a valid concern Suzanne. I am aware that some jewelers do well and some not so much. Jewelers also have to contend more with buy/sell that manage to sneak into legit art shows.
Last year I was at a show where the first place winner stated that her jewelry was hand made by her but it was obvious that she just purchased the parts ready-made and assembled them. there were laser cut pieces that could not have been produced by hand and had the label of the manufacture on them! This happens largely because of ignorance on the part of promoters and the visitors.
I see the same situation in shows that have a large number of artists in the same category. It shouldn't really be a problem since most artists have different pieces and styles. The majority of visitors look around for something that interests them and attracts them to a booth and hopefully don't care of how many artists of different categories they visited. The majority of visitors that have come into my booth have had positive remarks and many have taken the time to describe what they like about my work. I don't think I would have continued to attend art shows if I had gotten only lukewarm comments or indifference. I decided to show my work only after I received positive encouragement. I think that there are some types of art that are more difficult to sell than others. I have heard that photography is a tough sell. My artwork is a collection of traditional photos and processed ones. Lack of a distinct style can be problematic but I don't think it had hurt my sales. The higher quality art shows don't invite me anyway, so I'm not "bringing down" their quality level. I have had some experience with the arts/crafts shows where the average items are very inexpensive and perhaps that's why I didn't have many sales there.
I'll do the two shows this year and maybe get a feel for how general sales are going. I may be able to pick up another show or two that don't require registration months ahead. It's a pity that there has to be so much financial investment to get into shows before realizing any profits. It is mostly an expensive endeavor, almost a crap shoot.
Thanks for your wishes and I hope you do well at shows this year.
Well I make jewelry and it's not always as profitable as you might think. Usually about 1/3 of the artists are jewelers. So that's what we have to contend with. And only a few return, probably in part because there are so many choices. Been there and done that so to speak.
But as to your dilemma, I don't have answers except to hang in there and honestly evaluate your work. Good luck with your art journey.
Bari, I have similar dilemmas: add a disability that makes it impossible for me to set up my booth without my husband, so I really have to stick close to home. A couple of thoughts. First, in my experience, jewelry artists do fairly well at MOST shows, and have their own personal favorites where they do VERY well. I've learned I can't ask these friends about shows because they will do well in places where 2-D artists such as myself (I do acrylics on canvas) will zero. I think it makes the best sense to ask other photographers where they do well. Second, about the truck. Is it possible for you to buy a kit trailer or a used trailer? You could transport just your tent and panels in the trailer, keep the artwork safely locked in the car. Take the cost of a truck off your expenses and you can travel farther afield and the cost of every art fair would be less for you. Some thoughts. Best of luck!
Comments
Because art fair optimism is lovely, but art fairs aren't for all of us, and that kind of positivity can bankrupt some of us . . .
Bari, if you want to chat off-site, I'm at helt0010@umn.edu :)
I had to chuclkle when I read the "keep trying" part. Many a time I've been told: "keep up the good work" or: "great artwork, really love it" and they never consider buying any...
I started to upload a sample of artwork images to some web galleries that only take a percentage if anyone buys any work through their site. I got a list of over 350 sites (from http://artsyshark.com) though many of them require a monthly fee whether or not any sell. It's a tedious process since each site has their own means of listing the work and the images uploaded need to be of different sizes. I started with three so far and perhaps will add a few more but I'm not very optimistic.
I thought I had turned the corner when the first two shows I did last summer turned out well and I believed it was due to a change in my approach I had employed as a result of a workbook I had purchased. I did my very best at every show but after the first two, the other two were not successes. Maybe I need a refreshment read but I honestly feel it was just not working in those shows due to reluctant attendees. I followed the same steps as the first two shows but it was to no avail.
I hope it you can get your artwork to be displayed at galleries. I have not considered that route yet as I feel that it would be an expensive as well but perhaps that is a misconception on my part and may be route I shall take one day. Good luck.
I'm in a similar situation, Bari, with a similar number of fairs over the course of about 5 years with similar disheartening results. I sell work, but never enough to cover the costs of doing art fair business. I determined last year that the cost of doing art fairs made no sense for me/us. I've stopped and am developing my artwork and will approach galleries or put work in the attic till I die rather than just hemorrhage money paying art fair organizers. All the well-intentioned folks saying "Keep trying!" are, of course, well-intentioned. And we pour more and more money into a system that works for some artists, but not for others. And works for fewer and fewer after 2008. Those are my thoughts. Know when to try something else, I say.
I have used rental minivans (a Town & Country and a Dodge Caravan) before and they worked fine. I drove one to Mystic, CT and back (from the Chicago area). As I mentioned before, rentals are expensive and the consideration to purchase one, even a used one was not realistic from the upkeep and insurance perspective. We have a two car garage but the minivan is too tall to keep in it and parking it outside is not a good idea with our typical winters. I am not working regularly and my wife retired a few months ago so putting money into a vehicle when I have never really made decent sales in the past four years is not a smart thing to do. We are still in need of our two cars (13 and 15 year old) as public transportation around here is negligible. We may need to go down to one car one day (ironically, my 15 year old Honda has far less mileage than my wife's 13 year old Honda! So I suppose it will be hers that we'll sell).
My wife was considering renting garage space but I just can't see justifying a monthly fee on top of whatever cost we'd have to pay on the vehicle.
Perhaps we'll work something out for next year.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Have you considered a mini van Bari? That's what use. I have 3 sides of break down panels and 4 desks. Plus other stuff. But it all fits thanks to my husband's ingenuity.
Hi Brenda,
My artwork and everything else used to fit in my car before it was framed. This was in my first year and it was very difficult to fit it all in and drive my car. Now I have four bins for my mostly 24x18 frames and a few larger metal prints as well as another bin for tools, and various other equipment. I have panels that break down and don't take up as much vertical space but still take up volume. I have a 15 year old car that has low mileage but I would not want to tow a trailer with. I also feel uncomfortable about towing any trailer and having to maneuver it into awkward and small spaces and I don't have anywhere to park it. That means that I would have to pay rent to park it at someone else's garage.
I too have learned that some artists do well at specific shows where other don't and vice versa. It comes down to doing shows that don't put you out too much as far as distance, set up procedure and booth fees. We may not earn as much as some at prestigious shows but if we cannot afford to attend those shows it doesn't matter. We just won't lose as much...
That is a valid concern Suzanne. I am aware that some jewelers do well and some not so much. Jewelers also have to contend more with buy/sell that manage to sneak into legit art shows.
Last year I was at a show where the first place winner stated that her jewelry was hand made by her but it was obvious that she just purchased the parts ready-made and assembled them. there were laser cut pieces that could not have been produced by hand and had the label of the manufacture on them! This happens largely because of ignorance on the part of promoters and the visitors.
I see the same situation in shows that have a large number of artists in the same category. It shouldn't really be a problem since most artists have different pieces and styles. The majority of visitors look around for something that interests them and attracts them to a booth and hopefully don't care of how many artists of different categories they visited. The majority of visitors that have come into my booth have had positive remarks and many have taken the time to describe what they like about my work. I don't think I would have continued to attend art shows if I had gotten only lukewarm comments or indifference. I decided to show my work only after I received positive encouragement. I think that there are some types of art that are more difficult to sell than others. I have heard that photography is a tough sell. My artwork is a collection of traditional photos and processed ones. Lack of a distinct style can be problematic but I don't think it had hurt my sales. The higher quality art shows don't invite me anyway, so I'm not "bringing down" their quality level. I have had some experience with the arts/crafts shows where the average items are very inexpensive and perhaps that's why I didn't have many sales there.
I'll do the two shows this year and maybe get a feel for how general sales are going. I may be able to pick up another show or two that don't require registration months ahead. It's a pity that there has to be so much financial investment to get into shows before realizing any profits. It is mostly an expensive endeavor, almost a crap shoot.
Thanks for your wishes and I hope you do well at shows this year.
Well I make jewelry and it's not always as profitable as you might think. Usually about 1/3 of the artists are jewelers. So that's what we have to contend with. And only a few return, probably in part because there are so many choices. Been there and done that so to speak.
But as to your dilemma, I don't have answers except to hang in there and honestly evaluate your work. Good luck with your art journey.
Bari, I have similar dilemmas: add a disability that makes it impossible for me to set up my booth without my husband, so I really have to stick close to home. A couple of thoughts. First, in my experience, jewelry artists do fairly well at MOST shows, and have their own personal favorites where they do VERY well. I've learned I can't ask these friends about shows because they will do well in places where 2-D artists such as myself (I do acrylics on canvas) will zero. I think it makes the best sense to ask other photographers where they do well. Second, about the truck. Is it possible for you to buy a kit trailer or a used trailer? You could transport just your tent and panels in the trailer, keep the artwork safely locked in the car. Take the cost of a truck off your expenses and you can travel farther afield and the cost of every art fair would be less for you. Some thoughts. Best of luck!
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