Many artists depend on information about Art Festivals to showcase their work, hand out brochures and cards, and hopefully generate interest for new collectors and commissioned work.
I have participated in 2 festivals, and both were this month. I did my due diligence and purchased a 10x10 tent at Sams Club for about 200.00 and side-net panels from www.flourish.com for 630.00. A big expense if you are not planning to work the festival market on a regular basis. I had my husband and children to help me set up and tear down the tent and all the "stuff" for both shows. I don't know how I ever could have managed without them!
Each day I had to hang my paintings, and each evening I had to take them home with me. I wouldn't want to leave them in an unsecure tent and risk them being stolen, and I noticed that there were a few artists who just zipped it up and went home. I don't know if they were just brave or naive, but the thought of lying awake all night worrying about my paintings was reason enough to pack them up each evening. I value my sleep, and a zip-and-go tent would surely be reason for a sleepless night.
I did not sell but a few paintings in the 2 festivals, and I did receive a number of commissions. I attribute that to the fact that most, if not all the people that strolled thru the festivals were there to look - not buy. The good news is that I created a nice brochure on my home printer and had some artist cards (you know, the ones that are the size of a postcard) printed up and ready to hand out. Between the 2 festivals, I handed out about 1000 brochures and about 400 cards. It was a good opportunity to give the patron something tangible to read and look at with images of my paintings that they would hopefully not pitch when they got home. That was another reason why I didn't go the business card route. They can be costly and they either get lost or pitched. And, unless you have an elaborate filing system for business cards, that is usually where they end up - lost.
Unlike brochures and big cards which are a little tougher to throw away, if they are attractive, the receiver will prefer not to throw it away and instead may take the time to file it where they can come back to it at a later date - like when they are looking at an empty space on their wall and thinking "I saw the best paintings at that festival last month, I better pull her brochure and give her a call." Fortunately for me, that is how it has worked out. So, I encourage other artists to put together a 3-fold brochure and print up some 2-sided postcards (glossy are really nice) when you are going to be facing the public.
All in all, the festivals were wonderful for marketing and networking. It gave me an opportunity to meet and greet people in the community and showcase my work to those that otherwise would never have known who I was or where to find me. That is a good thing.
I encourage emerging and professional artists alike to try at least 1 festival and network with people in your area. It is a great way to meet people, network, and also to meet other artists and see their work. It is inspiring and good for the business-savvy artist to get their name and their work out there!
I am adding a page to this site for festivals by State, hopefully to make it a little easier to find one near you. I won't have every festival listed because I need the festivals to contact me and I need the word out about Red Easel to do that. But, in the meantime, I am going to list a few festivals and get the ball rolling. If you know of any festivals (websites too) in your area, then please pass it on to me at contact@redeasel.com.
Thanks! And to all my artist friends who are working the festivals, have fun, network, make new friends, and by all means, tell us about your experience!
Susan Vaughn
Editor
Red Easel
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