Advice Regarding My First Art Fair

I’m looking for a little advice regarding my first art fair. I’ve been invited to show some of my wildflower images at a spring festival. It is a small 5-hour long festival, with only 400 – 800 people expected to attend. Although I’ve prepared works for a gallery before, I’ve never done an art fair. I’ve read most of the recent posts that I could find regarding art fairs, including Alain Briot’s very helpful article. I’ve implemented what I could, but I’m still hoping to get some advice regarding my current plan.

Thankfully, I‘ve been told that I will be the only photographer at the festival. Most of the art will be 3D or paintings. I’ll have a 10’x10’ area in which to set up, including three 6’ long tables. I tried to borrow some partitions, but I couldn’t swing it. And I really don’t want to spend the money to rent them. I plan on renting some black table cloths and setting the tables up in a “U” shape, with the bottom of the “U” towards the back so that people can enter it. I was able to borrow an easy-up, but it has a blue top, and not a white one (I’m hoping that it won’t add a funky color cast to the images). That’s it for the setup – any recommendations?

As most of you know, framed prints really aren’t selling right now. The director suggested having mostly matted prints. I’ll probably have 2 large-framed pieces and 2 small-framed pieces, just to add visual impact and variety. But mostly I’ll have matted and bagged images. (I’d love to present the images unbagged, but my booth will be set up adjacent to gravel/dirt trails, and I don’t want the prints to get dusty.) Since I’m not famous, I don’t plan to sign the images or the mats. On the backing board, I’ll have a card taped that includes my name (wet-signed and printed - so people can actually read it), the title, and materials list. I plan to have 10 unique images available. The 4 that I think may be the most popular will be matted in both 11x14 and 16x20 sizes. The images will be displayed on stands (which will likely be taped down using gaffer’s tape). I also plan to have about 30 – 40 other images available for viewing in a binder, with an order form available. I will have an artist’s statement, price list, and a copy of my seller’s permit in the binder. If someone does want to order a print, I plan to take a $10 deposit for 11x14 size and a $20 deposit for 16x20 size. I will have a receipt book for any sales and orders that I make. I’ll also have business cards available. I expect to price the 11x14 matted prints at $45 (for a net profit of $25 after tax/materials), and the 16x20 prints at $85 (for a net profit of $50 after tax/materials).

I know this is a lot of information, so I appreciate any input that you have for me.

Thank you!

Who says you have to be famous to sign your work?

I've never done a fair before.. so I can't really offer much advice on anything else, sorry!

Wow, sounds like you've really put a lot of time and effort into planning this! I've only ever done one show and my setup was very close to what you are describing. The only thing I would recommend is that you sign your prints and mats. It doesn't matter if you are famous or not. I think that if you asked people if they wanted their print signed or not, most would want the signature. It adds that little something extra.

Thanks for the comments!

The problem is that my signature is so ugly (not to mention completely unreadable) that it would degrade the value of the print! Maybe I could sign the mats in very light pencil... I'll consider this.

I have not done an arts fair Zachary but am a member of Boothbay Region Art Foundation which has a gallery in Boothbay Harbor. They have art bins here members can provide matted prints in bags. The bags are essential since a lot of people handle them as they decide if they like it or not. I always sign on the matte and provide a card on the back describing the print as well as contact information. Good luck! Sounds like you already put a lot of work into this.

Hi Zach,
Sign your work!!!! You are an artist. By signing, it shows that you are proud of your work. For the vast majority of people, your signature adds value and veracity to your work.

Don't try to guess what people will buy. People are very fickle. Have a variety of images matted and ready. Having the book in addition to the images is ok, but have many different ones matted and ready. Many customers won't wait for you to fill the order.

For me, I price my 8x10 at $25, 11x14 at $75 and my 16x20 at $100. Most people will buy the 8x10. Having a cheap option works well if you are comfortable with aiming for selling a large quantity.

Framed images are much more! First the cost of the frame and then the general hassle of doing the framing needs to be considered.

That's my 2 cents. Each person needs to find their own pricing levels that they are comfortable with. Good luck!

Hi Zach,

Sign your work! It identifies you with the work and it adds a touch of style to it. I sign the matte.

Sounds like you've put a lot of work into your setup/display. The only recommendation I can think of is to have some sort of "quick method" to cover your work should it rain or storm or even if the dust in the area turns out to be more than you expected. I had a storm come up once and my method for covering stuff took too long and a few things were damaged. Also, discovered the canopy leaked. Learned a lesson, and used large sheets you place on the floor when painting to cover items. Also, kept closer eye on the skies as storms can come up surprisingly fast.

As far as pricing goes, it's good to offer a variety. I sell 5 X 7's matted in addition to what you've listed but only keep a few onhand. Anyway, I find pricing to be difficult and relative to where you live, art comission fees (% of sales), costs to produce your work, as well as profit for you. That's my thoughts on pricing.

Good Luck- hope you have a great time.

Good luck at the spring fest, as said sign your work, don't worry about what your signature it looks like, that is what sets you apart, and proud of your work. I have yet to do any shows, and I am far from famous...but I do have some of my prints at a local store for sale and have sold a few of them all are signed.
I have done some senior pictures and beside what the client orders for prints as part of a package I surprize them with one extra print I make up usually an 8x10 and I sign that one not the others; it adds a personnal touch and also to say thank you.

From what you wrote it sounds like you ahve a plan in place, good luck !!!

Dave

Do sign your work, as others have said. Your signature doesn't have to be legible. Better, though, if it is somewhat the same every time.

Hi Zach,

I did art fairs for 3-4 years. Be sure your EZ-UP canopy is secured with stakes and line. Placing your framed prints at the back of the booth is a good way to draw people in, even having one on an easel just outside or near the entrance to your booth can also work - make sure the framed pieces are securely anchored somehow otherwise they will likely get knocked over. Given that you do not have any display panels to hang your framed pieces on, one option is to hang them from the metal frame of your booth. If you have enough time, consider a test run of your setup a week or so before your festival.

Yes, do keep your matted prints in the sealable crystal-clear plastic bags - they protect the mat and print and provide a more professional presentation and shows that you care about your work. As others have mentioned, sign your work on the mat. Also have some sort of a bag that your customers can use to carry away one or more of your matted pieces. Likewise some sort of wrapping/protection should any of your framed prints be sold. Having only 10 different images that are matted (regardless of how many sizes you have) provides very few alternatives to potential customers. Most art fair attendees will purchase and carry rather than order a print (there's also the costs of shipping and handling). Having more variety of images also means more inventory you will end up with, especially given it is only a 5-hr long festival. Have a sign-up sheet available to gather people's emails for future shows, sales, etc. Also having bins for your matted pieces is more professional looking than lying the mats on your tables.

Mostly try to relax and enjoy the experience of being an artist at an art festival and interacting with the people attending the festival and especially those entering your booth. Best of luck.

Wow, thank you all so much for the great ideas and encouragement!!! You've talked me into signing the mats, but I'll probably do it lightly, and in pencil.

I definitely feel a little more prepared now.

Thank you!

Well I read many of the above posts. I have the worst writing skills. So, I "sign" my mats with my initials (two out of three). I sign them TN with the bottom of the T coming up to make the N. Some folks think it is TW. Anyway, I can do that with style whereas my name would look like crap. So, maybe there is a way you can artistically create your signature out of initials! Then, I can put my name and other pertinent data on the back of the print.

Hope this helps!

Troup

Troup, I really like this idea! This is the perfect compromise for my sloppy signature. I'm going to come up with something using just my initials.

Thanks!