First art fair

Jean Kelly · 04-25-2005, 11:59 PM

Today I got notification that I have been accepted to my first art fair as a portrait artist. I feel pretty good about it as it was "invitation only" and I wasn't invited to begin with. I was referred by another artist who was unable to participate. They wanted only well known artists, and I'm not exactly there yet.

So, now I buy the tent, the supports, frame my paintings, find a model to pose for me during the show, and heal my body the rest of the way by August.

The art fair is in an upscale artsy shopping center in a suburb of Madison. The neighborhoods around it are very eclectic. The original area of old, gracious victorians, then a new development of craftsman style homes for the yuppies, and then the cream of the crop for all the corporate moguls. I call them "big roof" homes (the larger the roof the more important you are).

Anyway, I'm happy! Now I'll print out all the threads on art fairs and soak up all the knowledge before I blow my small wad.

Jean

Jimmie Arroyo · 04-26-2005, 02:22 AM

I wish you a ton of luck and hope you get commissions from it!

Terri Ficenec · 04-26-2005, 08:13 AM

Good luck with this Jean. Sounds like a fun opportunity... keep us posted on how it goes?
Congratulations!

Jane Bradley · 04-26-2005, 10:03 AM

Congratulations!
You can try this link out for some good used equipment - often not used very much. http://www.sunshineartist.com/forum/index.php This magazine also has good reccomendations on many things to do with art festivals (plus lists and ratings of some of them).

Jean Kelly · 04-26-2005, 12:07 PM

Thank you Jimmie and Terri!

Jane, I took a quick look at the site and will head back there later.

I know that quality supplies are important for an artist, but can I get away with a canopy that is $200 instead of $1200? What is the difference, I doubt that I will be using this more than twice a year.

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 04-26-2005, 01:28 PM

For two years I used a canopy that was $100 and it was fine. I'd recommend you get one with fabric "walls" to block the distracting view of other stuff behind and beside you. Costco had 10x10 foot white (this is important for a lot of shows) canopies with walls a couple of years back. I think they were $200. They may be carrying them again so it might be worth checking out. I got mine at a local sporting goods store in the camping section. I didn't get the fabric walls but I would if I was going to do more shows.

If you are going to do a lot of shows I'd highly recommend you set yourself up with a set of solid walls from ProPanel. It would cost over $1000 to outfit a whole booth but it's the industry standard and nothing looks as good.

The website for Sunshine Artist, referenced above, has a lot of information on how to succeed at art fairs.

David Draime · 04-26-2005, 04:58 PM

Best of luck to you Jean! I'm sure you'll do great.

Jane Bradley · 04-26-2005, 05:17 PM

Besides propanels you can also look at armstrong panels - equally good, - but the sizes are a little different and they break down more easily for carrying in a car (I have these and I love them). http://www.armstrongproducts.com/
Many festivals will require that you have a white tent with white walls - many juried ones will require you send a picture of your set-up with your application. The only problem with the less expensive tents is that they are more apt to blow away or leak water in a rain storm. I would at least make sure that the tent is well anchored with sandbags or some kind of weights no matter what kind you decide to purchase.
A few links of interest
http://www.flourish.com/
http://www.shadeking.com/
http://www.dlrsupply.com/
http://www.newvp.com/pricing.html

Marcus Lim · 04-26-2005, 10:05 PM

Hi, i'm happy for your progress Jean!
Since we're both learning something new from seasoned artists who've provided valuable feedback here, i thought i'd ask something slightly off-track from Jean's concerns. I thought Jean might also benefit from the answers to this question.

Has anyone here done their own art fair, i mean stand-alone canopy, your paintings and yourself only? I'm asking because i'm working out thoughts to do a show at my own neighbourhood, commemorating 1 yr since we moved away from our old neighbourhood (the whole estate population was moved to a new location where i'm living now, you see)
While it's easier to work out the logistics, but how does one handle security matters?

Michele Rushworth · 04-26-2005, 11:04 PM

I don't know how it works in Singapore but in the U.S. you'd have to get a permit to set up a booth for selling stuff on the street or in a park.