Preparing for and participating in an art exhibit and/or craft festival can prove to be quite a daunting task.   This however  it doesn’t have to be the case  if you are prepared. Art exhibits and festivals offer you a great deal of exposure as you get to meet many knowledgeable people in the field. Here are some great tips to get the most out of it.

What to sell and where

The first thing you need to do is take inventory of your work. Figure out what you are willing to sell, what your not and perhaps pieces you still need to complete before you do anything. Before you move on you need to have a full collection of top notch pieces – you need to be honest with yourself and only show your best work. You also need to determine what kind of shows are the right fit for your work. If the show is known for landscapes then the buyers/dealers/gallery professionals will be there for landscapes so if you specialize in abstract this is probably not the best fit for you.

Get in to the festival or show

As we just discussed you need to make sure your considering shows that are the right fit for your work. Then you need to do some research and make a list of deadlines, requirements, fees etc for all of the shows you intend on applying to. Take special note of the costs and their deadlines and be sure to not miss them.

Be realistic

When attending shows, most of the time you would be meeting with professionals and experts. At first you might not generate much immediate profit but with time you will get to learn the various ways you can increase income while you are there. Some examples may include, capturing emails to begin email marketing to after the show, offer commission services, hand out cards/pamphlets/brochures or setting up appointments to meet up with professionals you know will be there.

Photo Credit: Image: Salvatore Vuono