I realized today that this summer will be the 20th year I've done outdoor art fairs! I am so grateful for the support and knowledge that other artists have given me over those years, and for the community that I've built up through those connections. To celebrate that generosity, this month I'm sharing some of the things I wish I'd known.
Lesson #1: Focus on your art first.
The biggest factor determining your success is your ability to create a body of work with a clear artistic vision that is well executed and finished. It took me several years to find my specific niche within a large, highly competitive medium - and several more to stop trying to make something to please everyone so I could really develop that voice. I'll freely admit this is still a work in progress!
Lesson #2: There are rules, requirements, and etiquette for art festivals and for booth design.
Most art fairs are incredibly competitive, and jurors rely on some conventions to quickly determine whether an artist should even be considered for an event. Learning and following the rules of how to operate within the art fair world affects your chances of getting into a show. The evolution of online resources means these are not the secrets they felt like 20 years ago - if you know they exist. Most shows will post jury criteria, but it's still a lot of reading between the lines to figure out how to present your work.
A sturdy white canopy with weights, a booth shot that is clean and anonymous, high-quality jury images, and a concise, well written artist statement are worthy investments to get a foot in the door. Following etiquette, including keeping your displays inside your 10x10 booth space, having sufficient weights and otherwise being a considerate neighbor will help you build good relationships with other artists too.
Check out some resources at the end of this post to learn about these rules and how to put your best foot forward.
Lesson #2.5: Weights for your tent are non-negotiable ...and part of good etiquette.
Nobody wants to get a call overnight that their tent has blown over the sea wall, or worse, into your neighbor's tent, destroying their work as well as yours. As our weather gets more volatile, I've invested in a heavier tent and never go without weights, even if it is guaranteed to be sunny. If you opt for weights with sand, try using heavy zip lock bags inside the weight bags to protect from rain and dogs - and keep the sand from escaping into your vehicle.
Lesson #3: Your work, not your displays should get compliments.
A clean, uncluttered display that disappears behind your art is your goal. If I had every penny I wasted on cute displays, I would have a whole lot of money! It really is more cost effective to invest early on in professional displays rather than rigging together a hodgepodge of equipment.
Lesson #3.5: More is not always better.
Your work needs to breathe so that patrons can focus on it. Even if your work is, like mine, highly dependent on folks being able to find the colors, shapes, or textures that speak to them. I mentioned that some of these are works in progress for me too, right?
Lesson #4: Change your perspective to learn and adapt.
It feels awful when an event is poorly attended, or worse, it's well attended but your work isn't selling. Make the disappointment pay you instead by figuring out what you can learn from it. Is there something you need to add to your criteria for choosing shows? Is the show in an area with enough of your likely customers? Is the focus of the event actually on art? My worst show was one that made me excited to uplevel my presentation beforehand, and while the crickets sadly chirped in the aisles, taught me to earn how to discern whether a "good" show is a fit for my work regardless of the show's prestigious reputation.
Lesson #5: You are part of our community now!
Welcome, we're glad you are here! Even if you are an emerging artist and feel like you're winging it, you are bringing something to our art fair community with fresh work and creativity.
Art Fair Artist Resources:
Northwest Art Alliance has a great overview of what to expect as a competitive applicant for shows. Along with clear, transparent guidelines, they've put together some nice tutorials on preparing jury images and taking a booth shot. Dig in here: https://nwartalliance.org/jury-guidelines
Want to get a general feel for art fair culture as well as how to info? Photographer Evan Renheimer has a great YouTube channel covering lots of art fair topics. He has one for booth shots that includes links to additional resources. Evan's channel is the resource I wish I'd had when I was starting out!
NAIA (National Association of Independent Artists) is a good spot to get the basics of what to expect as an artist, and what you should expect from a well-run show. Start with their emerging artists' resource page.
