Well, seems that I was wrong in thinking I was doing everything correctly! I was going to participate in the East Lansing Art Festival this weekend, but upon arriving at the border yesterday morning those plans quickly changed! It was brought to my attention that as a Canadian Citizen I am legally not able to sell goods (art work in my case) inside the United States. This could be a much, much longer post, but for information purposes I am keeping it shorter.
I was detained yesterday (Friday morning) at about 4:15am, and was held until about 8:30am. I was photographed, finger printed and questioned as to my intentions. I have never attempted to hide what I was doing, or lie about my intentions, it just seems that this is not something I am allowed to do. I can sell to the US from Canada, but not physically while in the United States. I can say that the Border Agents were very friendly and when this ordeal was over they were appologetic about the situation. I know they were just doing their job, and I was very appreciative to them for how I was treated.
I am going to attempt to secure a temporary VISA for shows next year, but I have had to go and cancel all my shows for this season that were in the US.
I also wanted to give credit where credit is due. East Lansing Art Festival (never been one to give personal names) was very sorry to hear what had happened, and even though I notified them about 6 hourse before I was to set up my booth they agreed to refund my booth fee! That was one great thing to a long, and crazy day!
All I want to do is create, display and hopefully sell some art. Having the feeling that you are on the verge of being arrested and charged was not something I thought I would ever have to deal with. Hoepfully the VISA thing will happen, but if not then I'll focus on Canada and partnering with Galleries and not on my own.
Safely back home,
Jeremy
Comments
I know someone from London who is here all the time doing shows. Next time I see him I'll ask him how he does it and get back to you. He isn't much online so I can't reach him that way, otherwise I'd send you his contact info.
Hi Connie,
I actually got down to Melbourne and had no issue crossing the border, but it turned out that I just got lucky. Basically, as mentioned above the only way I can sell while physically in the US is to have an American Citizen in my booth and handle my sales for me. But, even that can cause issues crossing the border. The only real option left for me is to apply for a temp visa and hope for that.
This is only my opinion, but if you are Canadian, and you are selling while in the US you are breaking the law unless you have a visa, or someone selling for you! I can tell you that I have been given so many different opinions from artists, organizers and such. I had 4 hours with Border Agents to learn what their understanding of the law is, and in an attempt to avoid more finger printing and jail time I am going to go with their suggestion not to attempt this again :)
Time to head back to the drawing board and figure out where to go now.
PS. Thanks to the show organizers who have been so understanding and helpful towards me and this situation!
So that is why I couldn't find you in East Lansing on Saturday, Jeremy. I had you on my list of people to meet. Weren't you going to go to Melbourne to do a show earlier this Spring? Did you cancel that?
Kudos to the E. Lansing people. That is so nice to hear.
There is a bunch of chat on this site about crossing the border from Canada to the US and I know people who do it regularly. Why don't you do a systematic search on this site and see if you can find other Canadians who come here to sell their work?
In addition, Eve Lerman, a member here works for the Commerce Department in the Pontiac, MI, office -- find her and contact her. She should be able to help.
If you plan on doing a show in the US you must have an american working for you, or you must be a duel citizen to work the booth.
Wow Jeremy! What a disappointment! I hope that things work out for you.
Knew a guy who had a problem in the other direction. He was going from the US to Canada to do computer repairs. At first he had no problems and went back and forth for quite some time until one day they asked why he was making so many trips. When they found out he'd been taking spare parts back and forth they got quite upset. He didn't end up in jail or anything but he also didn't go to Canada again for quite some time.
What know from other artist is that they hire a person or talk to a friend for them to collect the money. You want to take a look at that route. I do not think that all the shows will refund your money but that is am alternative.
I have crossed the Canadian/USA border so many times in my life having an American father and a Canadian Mother. I don't think there is dual citizenship with Canada anymore. Canada made my mom and sister choose which citizenship they were going to keep. I think it is ok with the US if you have dual citizenship but not with Canada. The last time I went to Canada I got stopped and they checked our car.
I hope you can work things out, Jeremy. There are other Canadian AFI memebers here that cross the border to sell. You may have to repost this with another topic title to catch their attention to hopefully get them to explain what they are doing so that they can cross the border easily. Try "Canadian Citizens how are you crossing the Border with your art" or "Need some help from Canadian Citizens." Maybe they will come to your rescue.
Sorry to hear about your setback....and glad the show was good about refunding your fees!
How do other Canadians get across the border to sell?
Is this something new, because of all the terrorist panic?
Canadians have been coming across the border to sell before- what's changed? Maybe they have dual citizen status? Or do they all get temp visas?
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