Art Shows Set-Up

[Michele]

What do you recommend for set-up equipment for Art Shows? I am thinking of doing a few this next year starting in June and am not sure where to go for set-up equipment or even know a good way of setting up? All recommendations and suggestions welcomed and greatly appreciated.. Thank you....

Michele

[JDArt]

How do you get invited these shows?

[Michele]

I haven't been invited just yet, but from what I understand, you apply through a juror to be accepted. I did a search on google for California Art Shows and I found some in my area (next county over) and I have to submit three matted photos by such and such date to see if they will allow me to sell my work at their show.*

www.westcoastartists.com is the link that I found a few shows at near me or within a reasonable driving distance.* I do remember seeing some for other areas outside of California, but mostly on this side of the US since my search was California.* Maybe if you email them, they can refer you to someone in your area.*

Also, I know here in my home town during the summer months, they allow 10 Sundays for artists to display there work in the park to see how they do and have to pay a 10% commission to the Art Center.* They also hold regular arts and crafts shows during spring through fall, but an insurance policy pretty high is required along with having to be accepted by the board.* They are pretty strict here for the actual shows.* I am going to try the park thing once or twice after I see how a Sunday is worked here and if any others set up as well.*

I haven't ran into anyone who has been invited, but I have only talked to a few who do art and craft fairs/shows, etc. The juror way is the only kind I have heard of.* It is one of my goals for this year.

Michele *

[EDozier]

Good luck with your shows - I would advise you to be very careful about which shows you appear in. Make very sure that your art style/type matches the theme and the intended audience that show particular show is aimed at...

[Michele]

Thank you for the advice. Its very good advice and I will keep that in mind. The first show that I am focusing on, is a show that I am very familiar with and have gone to for the past 8 years as a viewer. I thought that would be a good start..

[dc2]

Never done nothing of the like , what sort of art is it?

[Michele]

just about anything, but they focus more towards photographers and painters and its a show along the coast which usually has a lot of coastal photos, but I have seen a variety of subjects in photos at this show. I am planning to do a lot of landscape, some animal portraits, flowers and a few digital effect photos. I just took a course on what type of photos are good for certain markets and got a lot of good feedback.

[dc2]

We all know where to come for advice on this now

[jcboyd]

Hi Michele
Just noticed this post and thought I would pass along some websites that may help. These are hosted by Larry Berman. Larry is a photographer/web designer/writer/artist and a host of other things. You may have seen his "50 Fast" series of books. "50 Fast Digital Camera Techniques" "50 Fast Photoshop Techniques" and a few others.

Larry participates in art shows and a large part of his income seems to come from these. While the group site seems to be geared for the East coast it still provides a wealth of knowledge for the beginner.

I have started doing these shows (Central part of California) and a few words of advice. Start small to test the waters. The larger the show the more difficult it will be for a newbie to get accepted. Not because your work may not be good enough but because you will be competing with others who have been doing this for 20-30 years. These people will know just what it takes to get accepted into the best shows. Each show will only have a set number of slots for each category.

No matter how good your work is you may fall short of your goals without excellent people/selling skills. This is something I am still working on. I do not want to be pushy but you need to understand what to say when the customer steps into your booth, when to back off, when to step back in, and what to say at this time to try to close the sale.

Another thing that is very important. Get to know the other artist selling not only work like yours but other types also. The other photographers should not be considered as the competition but as your friend. The others here may have a wealth of information they are willing to share. Shows coming up in the area, which shows are good and which shows you should stay away from. Places to purchase supplies at a better price.

Good luck and maybe our paths will cross at a California show.

John
BoydImages

This site seems to be the best for shows on the west coast. You can sign up for free and receive information on upcoming shows. If you want detailed info you will need to subscribe.
http://www.eventlister.com/errors/login_required.php

Yahoo group about selling at art shows.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artshow_photo/

Larry’s home site.
http://bermangraphics.com/

An article from “Shutterbug Magazine” about selling at art shows, by Larry Berman
http://shutterbug.com/techniques/pro...503sb_selling/

Resource list for all types of things you may need to get into this art show business. Also ran by Larry.
http://artshowphoto.com/contents.htm












50 Fast Digital Camera Techniques (50 Fast Techniques Series)

[ellette]

What do you mean by set-up equipment?

Are you wanting to have a whole show of your own or enter judged art shows? If you are talking about the judged types...be warned, many artists (and judges since they are usually artists) do not think of photography as art. It can be very hard to be in a competition as a photographer being judged against pottery, painting and other art forms.

If you are talking about just having your own shows, that is much easier. Heck, to start out with you could find a coffee shop that obviously has artist work and ask if you can exhibit your work. Sometimes they will be booked for a month at a time and can be booked a year in advance though often the little coffee shops are only booked a few months in advance.

If you have specific shows or galleries you want your art in then what you need and what you need to do will totally depend on them. One show I was in requested eye hooks at the top of the backs of the frames on either side and nothing else so that they could string fishing line through it to hang from their special hooks from the ceiling molding. Another show you had to do the typical wire hanger in the back. I've never had to supply anything more than the framed art though.

Keep in mind that gallery owners have their own taste in art. If say you do floral macros and you see a gallery that has work similar to yours on a regular basis, you'll be more likely to get your stuff in there than one that usually does b&w nudes obviously.

I'm not sure this is anything you wanted as far as info goes, but I hope maybe it is a smidge helpful.

Sara