I was at a show recently...a huge art show and had the show promoter visit artists around me several times each day. I thought the promoter would just drop by and say hello. It was not only me..but several other artists on my street had never met the promoter. Is it my responsibility to chase the promoter down just to introduce myself or should I even care? I would appreciate any feed back and just hear how you think about this issue. I found out later that the artist the promoter was visiting as well as a few other artists were trading out booth space for art work.
Marie, I know just how you feel. It is sad when you have been contributing to their show 8 plus years and they just pass you by. I realize we are there to sell our art and should not worry about such little things but after years of it...fustration can run high. I have even introduced myself while the promoter is walking the other direction...saying they will be right back...and never see them again. But, its the customers that keep us coming back.
T'Louise Willis.. at least you got to see the promoter!! Maybe not a Hell-o but you did see the person that is more then I can say for a lot of shows. A lot of shows you never see the promoter nor do you know if they are even at the show. We have done a lot of large shows many times and we know the promoter knows who we are because they have brought from us, yet they still don't come into our booth or even pay attention to us at other times.. So put on the SMILE and say "HI"!! We did a show in Fairhope, Al. last fall and they went to all the booths around us asking for donations. They stopped outside our booth and then walked on!!
Thanks Geoff: did not take it personally at all...your so kind. I brought the subject up because several artists that had been doing this particular show for years made the same comment. It's not that they don't know my name...it's when they simply walk past your booth after checking on favorites all around you...not once but several times. For myself I do tend to introduce myself for the most part...but it can get tiring as well. Your advice was wonderful and I will pass it on.
Bonnie...not so much the name is important just a cordial hello...glad to have you in the show is nice. I also have a small show with just a handful of artists but I do make it a point to speak to everyone. One other thing to note is the show did have over 500 vendors so maybe the larger the show the lesser the chance of getting a hello. Geoff...I'll just have to give it up more when it comes to larger shows....thanks for the input.
Please oh please do not take it personally if the promoter doesn't remember your name even though you've done the show forever! I run a small show plus I do art fairs across the country with my own work. I've become terrible with names! I see so many people and sometimes I need them in their booth with their work before I realize that they were my next door neighbor 2 shows ago. During the show for the promoter, they are handling so many things each moment of the show (even though they may be shopping) that they get very distracted and unfocused. Okay, may just be speaking for myself but I never get upset when they don't remember my name. I always introduce myself first so there's no embarrassment. Of course I'm thrilled and amazed if they remember my name. And then I wonder, oh-oh, so what did I do that made them remember me...
@T'Louise: Thanks for clarifying. :-) I agree that silent auction requests, in themselves, can be an inconvenience at best (show officials seem to always want to pick it up during setup, usually before I've even unpacked it ). And it's annoying when they don't send written tax acknowledgment (thereby leaving me with additional recordkeeping to do) and don't even bother to thank me.
But I think the best way, in general, for artists to deal with the issue of a promoter not saying hello is to get proactive about it: Give up your irritation, put a smile on your face, walk up to them, gaze into their eyes (this will ensure you get their full attention). Then extend your hand, introduce yourself, and let them know how happy you are to be in their show. (If you have a complaint, fine...but make sure you've established rapport before you bring one up. Otherwise, you're just one more artist with a complaint, and a promoter hears them all weekend.
If you smile and thank them, you'll be a positive exception to the norm. And promoters are people, too. They'll remember those.
I guess I did need to clarify more. My issue is two fold. One being that it often feels like the promoter is avoiding the artist at all cost. When they take time to chat with other artist every year and can not recall your name after several years in their show I find it insulting. I give huge donations to their silent auctions without so much of a thank you note, however the letter always comes in the mail asking again the next year. I do not carry my feelings on my shoulders by no means...I simply get aggrivated when your not acknowledged by the promoter at all. I just wanted to know if other artists dealt with this and how or if they even addressed the issue.
Larry - The trade was an automatic acceptance double booth in next years festival without going through the jury system....seems unfair.
no matter what the right answer is, it always behooves you to be a known quantity as there are decisions that have to be made all the time: your position, publicity, etc.
Hi, T'Louise. Could you clarify what your issue is? Is it that you want to meet the promoter and feel slighted that they don't bother to visit your booth, or is it the possibility that they're trading out booth space for art work. Either is a legitimate concern. :-) I'm just not clear which you want to address.
When I started doing shows with a particular promoter it always irritated me that the show manager stopped and chatted with her buddies on the circuit but barely said hello to me. I always felt a little unwelcome, and as a newbie I was concerned about me and my work being accepted and respected. Only human to feel that way.
It's not an issue now. I go out of my way to introduce myself to the promoter (or show manager) soon after I arrive at a show. But there is a lesson for show promoters: You can't guarantee crowds, or especially sales, to artists. But you can guarantee common courtesy and respect.
Comments
Bonnie...not so much the name is important just a cordial hello...glad to have you in the show is nice. I also have a small show with just a handful of artists but I do make it a point to speak to everyone. One other thing to note is the show did have over 500 vendors so maybe the larger the show the lesser the chance of getting a hello. Geoff...I'll just have to give it up more when it comes to larger shows....thanks for the input.
T'Louise: Just to be clear, I wasn't directing that comment at you. I know you're a friendly person. Just making a general comment. :-)
@Laurie: Agree 100%.
@T'Louise: Thanks for clarifying. :-) I agree that silent auction requests, in themselves, can be an inconvenience at best (show officials seem to always want to pick it up during setup, usually before I've even unpacked it ). And it's annoying when they don't send written tax acknowledgment (thereby leaving me with additional recordkeeping to do) and don't even bother to thank me.
But I think the best way, in general, for artists to deal with the issue of a promoter not saying hello is to get proactive about it: Give up your irritation, put a smile on your face, walk up to them, gaze into their eyes (this will ensure you get their full attention). Then extend your hand, introduce yourself, and let them know how happy you are to be in their show. (If you have a complaint, fine...but make sure you've established rapport before you bring one up. Otherwise, you're just one more artist with a complaint, and a promoter hears them all weekend.
If you smile and thank them, you'll be a positive exception to the norm. And promoters are people, too. They'll remember those.
Don't you?
Hey Geoff,
I guess I did need to clarify more. My issue is two fold. One being that it often feels like the promoter is avoiding the artist at all cost. When they take time to chat with other artist every year and can not recall your name after several years in their show I find it insulting. I give huge donations to their silent auctions without so much of a thank you note, however the letter always comes in the mail asking again the next year. I do not carry my feelings on my shoulders by no means...I simply get aggrivated when your not acknowledged by the promoter at all. I just wanted to know if other artists dealt with this and how or if they even addressed the issue.
Larry - The trade was an automatic acceptance double booth in next years festival without going through the jury system....seems unfair.
Hi, T'Louise. Could you clarify what your issue is? Is it that you want to meet the promoter and feel slighted that they don't bother to visit your booth, or is it the possibility that they're trading out booth space for art work.
Either is a legitimate concern. :-) I'm just not clear which you want to address.
When I started doing shows with a particular promoter it always irritated me that the show manager stopped and chatted with her buddies on the circuit but barely said hello to me. I always felt a little unwelcome, and as a newbie I was concerned about me and my work being accepted and respected. Only human to feel that way.
It's not an issue now. I go out of my way to introduce myself to the promoter (or show manager) soon after I arrive at a show. But there is a lesson for show promoters: You can't guarantee crowds, or especially sales, to artists. But you can guarantee common courtesy and respect.
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/a-moral-dilemma-for-a-s...
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100