Last weekend marked my second year exhibiting at the Park City Kimball Arts Festival. Great weather made for decent crowds and sales (despite a less than welcoming economy). As I did last year, I thought I would share a few thoughts on exhibiting at an arts festival. It can be a daunting undertaking for first timers, and always a learning process for seasoned veterans.
Booth of AdamBarkerPhotography at the 2009 Park City Kimball Arts Festival
Many of these thoughts will likely be similar to last year, but it never hurts to refresh the memory!
1. Keep within your budget, but do whatever it takes to stand out from the rest of the booths. In my case, I chose to have lighting for my prints. When exhibiting your work, it is so crucial to display it professionally, and proper lighting makes all the difference in the world. Electricity isn’t provided at this arts fest, and therefore most artists simply don’t use lighting. Don’t take no for an answer! Find a way to make your booth stand out!
2. Print a million business cards. Literally. Arts festivals are not only a great sales opportunity, but a great marketing opportunity as well. Make a point of handing out business cards to anyone that seems even remotely interested in your work.
3. Be a people person. I see countless artists sitting in their chairs waiting for the “real buyers” to show up. Treat everyone as a “real buyer”, but more importantly, just be friendly! Competition at these shows is fierce. Your friendly disposition and connection with a customer may be the deciding factor in them purchasing something from you instead of the guy down the street.
4. Have your website everywhere. Find ways to promote your website all over your booth. In particular, I put my website on my business cards, workshop flyers, title/price cards for prints, small gift print labels, portfolio book, etc.
5. Have a special event to promote. If you teach workshops, have a promotional piece available–this is a great opportunity to reach out to people actively engaged in the arts. They might be interested, or they might have a friend/spouse/relative interested in participating.
6. Be willing to bend. Especially in these tough economic times, people are pressed for cash. Fine art is a luxury that most people don’t spend money on when times are tight. While I don’t prefer to discount my rates, I like a good deal just as much as the next guy. Be willing to barter within reason.
7. Have a wide variety of items and price points available. Sure it’s fun to display your work in a 30 x 40 print, but how likely is it that that piece will sell? Sometimes a little discretion is required in choosing pieces more likely to sell over our personal favorites as photographers and artists. Have a variety of smaller items available for those not interested in dropping hundreds/thousands of dollars.
8. Have an attention grabber! For a moment, forget what I said above and find a piece that will stop people in their tracks. Print it large and in charge and place it in a spot that people will see–this piece should be a magnet and give people a reason to step inside your booth and view the rest of your work on display.
9. Have fun! The more enjoyable you are, the more likely you are to sell your work and influence people for good.
I hope this gives you some helpful ideas in preparing for your next exhibit. Good luck!
