Many thanks to all of you who are not only taking care of your own business, but also willing to donate your time to improve conditions for everyone at the nation's juried fine art fairs. I appreciate all the input I've received from so many of you.
If you are interested in this topic, please listen to it here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2012/07/05/buysell-what-art-fair-promoters-artists-can-do-about-it
Between the three of us speaking (Carroll Swayze, an art fair artist for over 40 years, Carolyn Edlund who has spent her entire career in creating and administrating in the arts and myself, who didn't get involved until I was 40 years old but am trying to make up for lost time) we have over 100 years of experience in the business. Amazing!
A quickie look at where you can find more information about protecting the shows from buy/sell and places to go to look for more:
- NAIA - (National Association of Independent Artists) has an FAQ page where you can read what many show directors do to combat buy/sell at their events.
- Alibaba.com - a global trade website where you can query suspected imported goods
- Manta.com - a resource where you can find information about corporations large and small, e.g., # of employees, Dun and Bradstreet ratings, etc.
- Take a look at an excellent prospectus that keeps buy/sell out of the Buyers Market of American Craft
- All businesses must be registered in the states where they are headquartered, so if you go to a .gov for any state you can track down details on that business.
My thanks to glass blower Tom Michael who unearthed this information for me. Where to find it in Michigan: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/sr_corp.asp. He also and tipped me off on the "glow in the dark jelly fish paperweights" at Alibaba.com - Thanks to the lawyers who were willing to talk to me on July 4 for their opinions about the legal issues. The opinion is that the handling of buy/sell at each event is pretty much up to the individual jurisdiction of that show and as many of you have said all along it is up to the show to enforce -- but you'll find lots of tips for what artists can do to help the process along.
- Consensus best advice: "boots on the ground", visit art fairs, keep your eyes open, know your neighbors, don't jump to conclusions but know what is out there
Comments
Here is a new link for buy/sell from Tom Michael: BaiHui Art Company in China.
Web: http://www.baihuirz.com/
Shop: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/317663
Our company E-mail: baihuiart@hotmail.com
baihuiart@gmail.com
I had no problems with volume either. I learned some new things and I am so happy this subject is being brought out in to the light! Yes I think its a great idea to not be SILENT and to let art fair organizers know who the offenders are specifically, give them their website addresses etc. We
did that with a show recently although the response we got was 'THey say they make it all themselves', and nothing was done.:(
I had no problems with volume either. I learned some new things and I am so happy this subject is being brought out in to the light! Yes I think its a great idea to not be SILENT and to let art fair organizers know who the offenders are specifically, give them their website addresses etc. We
did that with a show recently although the response we got was 'THey say they make it all themselves', and nothing was done.:(
It sounds like those who are going to bring b/s proof to a show should also check the local laws before heading to a festival. Seems like a lot of work but telling a promoter what the law in that particular town may shock them into action. Wonder what the reaction from a promoter would be if someone pulled out their cell phone to call the police.
Thanks, Colin. I learned some things myself and although a lot of it was well worn territory everyone hears something different and there was information for everyone. I was surprised at my quick legal survey to learn that it is pretty much local jurisdiction on the issue and then it depends on how the local police will deal with it. Some helpful, others not so much.
Connie, thanks for putting the podcast together. I could hear just fine on my 10 year old PC. I didn't think I would learn that much from the topic, but I was plesently surprised.
I really enjoyed the podcast Connie - great to hear your voice too :)
I thought that it was fabulous! Very helpful, I thought that I had become very cynical and was beginning to think that no one could do anything about this or cared. Even if it was information that I aways suspected or already new, it was sure nice to hear it from someone else. I would love to pass this pod-cast on to a few people it really validates what I have been saying. Thank you for putting it together. I had no problem with the audio. Barry, I'm sorry, I disagree b/s can take 10's of 1000s of $ out of a show in a weekend that would be going to credible artists, as well as deceives the public and makes all of us look bad. When possible get rid of them! Why give them an opportunity to make more money and mislead our customers. I plan on taking images at shows and bring a proof folder to all the shows I go to. So that I can give the information to the show organizers. Not in a confrontational way, just to inform. The good shows will be grateful the bad show won't care and I will know what show to avoid in the future. I will continue to share that information here and I hope others will do the same. Hopefully the bad shows and b/s will take notice. Thanks again!
Yep, it is a laptop
I talked to three lawyers, they pretty much came to the consensus that it was a local issue and up to the organization running the show. It is interesting though that some times the police cooperate and some times they don't. I've dealt with the Royal Oak police (as Mark Loeb has, see his remarks here) on another issue, not my happiest memory. But the more we talk about what other shows do, more ideas and strategies will spark movement on the reluctant and recalcitrant event promoters to take a stand. Or not.
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