Preparing For An Art Crawl: No Striving Allowed!

On today's blog I am going to share with you some questions I ask myself when entering an art show, as well as all that I do to prepare for the show.  Going into art shows can be very rewarding but can also be lots of hard work.  I am not quick to enter into art shows because for me I have a lot to think about such as is this show the right one for me?  Who is the audience?  My work is very much targeted for children so does the venue make room for that?  Are there going to be families with children coming out?  I also want to make sure that it fits into my schedule.  If I know it's going to cause a conflict in my family's schedule I leave it.  There are always other shows and I believe in not striving to make something happen but rather letting it happen naturally.  Mind you, if it is just a matter of switching things around a bit I would consider it.  There is usually always a cost to enter.  Have I budgeted enough to cover the cost?   Do I presently have enough inventory to being to the show?  Am I prepared to hear feedback from people?  Hopefully there's encouraging words, but those are not always guaranteed.  Making a choice to not be discouraged regardless of what may be said or not said... thats a big one!  Going in an art show with all your hand crafted work and designs, while strangers look over what you have created, is rather vulnerable.

So after pondering all these things and spending some time in prayer, I make my decision.   Recently I have entered into my first art show in a big city!  The Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Show! (www.torontoartcrawl.com)  So the preparations begin!  My first response is, "WOW, I have a lot to do in a short time" and I want to kick into overdrive except my three children won't let me.  I did say no striving allowed! YIKES!  I need to remind myself of that over and over.

Here are some practical things to prepare for a show.  If the show is more than one day, make sure you have lots of inventory.  Go with the belief that you are going to sell.

Hand Painted letters

Getting all my inventory also means having proper packaging for it all.  If someone purchases a painting, I don't want to just hand it to them but rather need to have a proper package for them to take it in.  This may require having bubble wrap, kraft paper, tape, and also proper sized bags with handles for the customer's convenience.



What means of payment is someone going to use?  Very few people carry cash today and I can't expect that everyone is coming to pay in cash.  With today's technology, you can purchase something called 'square' that allows you to use your iPhone and swipe the customers credit card with it! Amazingly easy.  There is no guarantee that the venue that you are at has wifi, so make sure you have a data plan on your phone.  Make sure you have some change available if needed for cash sales.

Take the time to price everything.  People may think that they can't afford your work when in reality they can?  I plan on having nice, white index cards with the name and medium of each painting and marked with the price.  Also have a variety of different price ranges. e.g $5, $20, $100 and so on.

Have plenty of business cards.  I find when I have laid out my cards along a table people grab them.  If people have to ask, they may not take them.  Sometimes they may take them not only for themselves but also for a friend that they think may be interested in what you are selling.

Do a mock set up before the big day! Arrange your work ahead of time to see what looks good so you are not rushing on the day of the show to set up.  I have chosen to use a wire grid to hang my paintings from.  Along with this I needed proper hooks and I also found I wanted to have black cloth behind it because I thought it looked nicer with my work.  All things I needed to prepare.

Have an e-mail sheet out on your table for people that are interested in signing up.  You can then connect them to your blog or website and allow them to hear about new promotions etc.

Add some extra personal touches!  Always have fun!  No striving allowed.  Most importantly... Be Friendly!  People fall in love with you as well as your product! 

Brought to you by Tricia Preston's Funtastical Studios :)