The beginning of the Summer Art Show season is now officially OPEN. Many artists participate in 30-50 shows a year. We balance the art between outdoor art shows, museum venues and juried indoor shows, while Sculpting on the Road. The beginning of our Summer Art Show season is always a reminder of many things…where did I put the sunscreen?
Friendly Reminders:
• Check and double check your paperwork to make sure you are in the right booth space. Know the difference between NSEW. The artist who shows up at 7am, the morning of the show might be pretty upset if you are already setup in their booth space, especially if it is a better traffic location. (Heads up Chris in Marin!)
• Introduce yourself to your neighbor, you just might have to borrow their hammer, water, ropes, pen, water and/or calculator that you forgot at home. Smile and if you are really good bring Donuts. (Thanks Tom in Novato) Don’t introduce yourself if you set up in the wrong booth, just ignore the neighbor. (Good job Chris!)
• Never believe the sales tax rate the promoter gives you, many tax rates change in June and the paperwork is sent months before a July show. Always check with the state taxing agency for the correct rate. Never believe an artist either, many have no organizational skills, remember they create art, paperwork is for the birds.
• When showing out of state, apply for your sale tax number well in advance, some states charge fees and some actually walk the show checking for them posted in your booths. (Oops Cathy!)
• Always bring water, by the jug not by the bottle. Always wear that wide brimmed hat and sunscreen, you can tell the old timers by their leather skin.
• Bring food and find someone to watch your booth while you scarf the food down. If you do eat from the festival food booths, find something that takes time to digest, that way it will be a while before you need someone to watch your booth again.
• Remember to wash your hands frequently, especially if you are greeting people in your booth-or consider the new handshake –give them knuckles! } {
• You know you chose the wrong show when the grass heads and steel cutout signs are the top sellers.
• Don’t bring a comfortable chair, no books or surfing the Internet unless you intend to Google search an interesting person who came through your booth. Put your phones on vibrate, no IPods either, it is time engage those who walk into or next to your booth. It is a great time for people watching too.
• Stay engaged in sunny, hot, windy, cold and wet weather. Remember it is only a weekend show, it too shall pass.
• Art Festivals are an incredible interesting experience and you can always take away something from each and every show, besides less artwork. Last weekend 's show reminded me I am not a sales person, never wanted to be a sales person, never will be a sales person. It reminded Ken that he is an artist, not a sales person. Oh to be a sales person! We just want to experience the concept – If you make it they will come! And we know it really does happen!
• One last thought, if you are smart enough to have a guest book and wrote down some info on people interested in your work…it is now follow-up time… Take an hour a couple days after the show to call, email or write those interested in your work. Let them know you appreciate their interest, encourage them to visit your website, blog and let them know they can contact you If you are an artist and don't like to follow-up, find a friend with great sales skills to follow up and offer a commission for any sales they make.
Good luck on your summer art shows To the collectors-find the art you love while you visit your local art festivals. Support the arts!
Debbie - Sculpting on the Road with Ken Newman
Congrats to Chris who sold his largest ceramic sculpture(people) to date and logged his largest sales day at the Marin Art Festival.
To see an image of Chris's work http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RqblLGtlO-f1jXnDQaxJyA?select=eIQo3X4AXyEVhmsIWrmniA
