An art fair is such a big deal for an artist because this is where they get to showcase their talents and skills to a large multitude of interested people in one go. Usually, art fairs bring together the whos of the art society and may help break out an extremely talented artist. This is where talent scouts and other art experts are easily found without so much strain.
An artist will likely meet significant gallery reps, art curators, and renowned art collectors at an art fair. With all these opportunities present for artists, it is essential to know how best to maximize the opportunity availed to them without wasting any chances. The good news is that it can be done if an artist masters the dos and dont’s of standing out at the fair. This article explains a few practical tips to help any artist stand out.
Make Sure to Present your booth Properly
One of the silent rules of art fairs for artists should observe, especially when showcasing their talent, is to go all out. Do everything possible to set up your booth or stand attractively. Make sure that people will find it interesting to come by your stand even when they are a distance away.
This can be achieved by playing around with the display. Make sure it is catchy enough and can easily make someone stop for a closer look. The good news is that your display at the art fair booth does not have to be extravagant or break your bank account. Simple things like hanging certificates and trophies promoting your expertise can contribute immensely to your success.
Avoid Eating or Reading at the Fair
One of the last things you need is to drive away potential buyers or other people who may be interested in your art. Many artists don’t realize that a simple act as reading or eating at the booth can be a turn-off. This often happens subtly and most times without intending to. Some people may feel as though they are bothered when they interrupt whatever you are doing and will purposely avoid our booth/stand.
If you have been getting few to no visitors by your booth, then it may be time to reevaluate your actions. Is there something working against you that you need to change before the fair ends? Resist the urge to pick a book or magazine and start reading as this will distract you from the primary goal of attending the fair, which is to interact with like-minded folks and, if possible, get a few buyers to purchase your products.
Wear a Smile
People will come to your stand if you appear cheerful and welcoming. Wearing a frown maybe your greatest undoing when dealing with people. The art fair is a platform that oughts to help you connect with people better. Make sure to prepare for it and practice different ways of being welcoming. It can be frustrating when no one seems interested in your display, but that should not be a reason to feel or show sadness.
On the contrary, smile always and appear warm. You never know who may be interested just because you opened your arms to them. Remember that first impression matters, and before people see your artwork, they get to see you first.
Avoid Relying on the Support of Family and Friends Only
It is great to have your family and friends backing you up. However, this should not be all you rely on at the art fair. Be open-minded and ready to mingle with other people at the fair. Note you aim to sell the artwork eventually and have people interested in the art pieces pay actual cash for it.
Therefore, respectfully have your family and friends, especially those not interested in purchasing your art, support you from a distance at the fair. You want to create room for potential buyers to peruse and inquire about the art pieces. This is not possible if they keep getting blocked by family. You may lose potential buyers because of the inconvenience caused.
Understand your Audience
It is essential to know who you are targeting at the art fair. If you aim to make sales, consider who you intend to sell the art pieces. For instance, if your target is a specific income group, your prices should reflect this. All your artwork should be affordable to the target audience you have in mind.
This is not something you wake up and decide to do blindly. Intake a bit of research and consideration to get the correct prices. After all, you want positive feedback about sales, which you need to focus on. Besides the proper pricing, you need to start early. Targeting an audience is not easy and should take a lot of consideration. It begins by selecting the right fair and investing in invitations, preferably via a mailing list. The bottom line is to invest in the process.
Avoid Cluttering the Space
You do not want to overwhelm the audience by putting too much simultaneously. Arrange your artwork and furniture tastefully and in an orderly manner. Make sure not to block access to art pieces. If you need to add anything like decorations to your art booth, make sure to do it crisp and aesthetically clean/pleasing manner. The goal is to ensure most of your art pieces fill the walls more visibly to your target audience.
Always Act Professionally
An art fair is a severe event, and one needs to act professionally to be taken seriously. Do not take anything for granted by taking anything to chance. Act professionally, including asking visitors to sign the visitor’s book when they come by your booth. This is a great way to ensure you also get contacts and follow up later when needed.
Always show your visitors that you value them and are interested in everything they have to offer. Besides that, you need to be understanding and accommodating, even to the annoying people who may not understand or appreciate your style. Some people can be rude and intimidating, but a professional artist will still rise above these.
Final Thoughts
How you behave at an art fair can earn you a massive following or cause you to lose the few admirers you had. Make sure to stick to tips that increase your chances of success. The good news is that they are easy to follow and often simple common sense issues, only that they may not be familiar to all. Make sure to stand out by being the best.
