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Art Show Survival Tips
Art shows can be tough to do, especially when they are out of town. So many logistics, hotels, travel
, meals and the show itself. And you can't leave anything behind, so organization is key.
Getting the elements right can make the difference between a mediocre and a great show. This guideline will provide you with survival tips to help you not just survive but make the most out of the experience as well.
, meals and the show itself. And you can't leave anything behind, so organization is key.Getting the elements right can make the difference between a mediocre and a great show. This guideline will provide you with survival tips to help you not just survive but make the most out of the experience as well.
What Should I Bring In My Suitcase
Click any link to go directly to that section
- Going Out of Town for Shows
- What Do I Need to Bring?
- Tents for Outside Shows
- Tent Companies
- Business Cards or Postcards to Hand Out
- Air Mattress
- Don't Leave Without . . .
- A Case of Water
- Keep on Hand
- Have it Down to a Science
- Why Are You There?
- Key
- On the Road Again
- Where Can You Find Out About Shows?
- Your Travel Opinions
- Working Artists Life
- Traveling to a Show?
- What are Your Show Experiences?
- Art Lenses by Paula Atwell
- About lakeerieartists
Going Out of Town for Shows
Traveling for shows is much different than traveling
for pleasure.You are mostly packing your merchandise, fixtures, and props, and only packing minimal stuff for yourself.
Nevertheless, you still need to have certain supplies to make the trip more pleasurable for you and an easier trip.
You want to spend the least amount of time possible when you are at the show on mundane stuff and most of your time selling.
What Do I Need to Bring?
Things you cannot be without.
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Weights for your tent
- Change
- Credit card machine--yes I think this is a must
- Bungie cords
- Business cards
- Water in a cooler with ice
- Basic tools
- Whatever you need to keep your area clean
- Stakes for your tent
- Simple, neat comfortable clothes and shoes
- Rain gear
- A tent.
Tents for Outside Shows
A good tent can be a determining factor in your show
For those of you who do outside art shows, a 10 x 10' tent is a must. Most shows use 10 x 10' as a standard and that is the most common size that tents come in.
My advice is that if you are going to do a lot of outside shows, to invest in a commercial level tent. I happen to own an EZUP brand tent, and I paid $250 for it at a wholesale club when I purchased it 3 years ago. It has been to LOT of shows and it has held up well.
It is all one piece, so I don't need to take anything apart. It just folds up like a great big umbrella. It can be put up and pulled down by one person--it is easier with more than one--but I can do it myself. The only catch with my tent is that it has to be waterproofed occasionally and it needs to be weighted down.
Any experienced traveling art show participant will tell you that is absolutely a must to weigh down your tent. It is actually best to weigh them down and stake them if you can. I use old bricks for weight, but there are many other ways to do it. If you don't weigh them down, the tents can potentially become giant windsails, where the wind gets under them and lifts them right off the ground. I have seen it happen numerous times.
If you are serious about doing outside art shows, I recommend not wasting your time with an inexpensive $30 or $40 tent, because they won't hold up. They break easier, and they are often more difficult to put up.
For more information about art show tents, follow this link.
Tent Companies
For Doing Outside Art Shows
This is a list of manufacturers of portable canopies and tents. Feel free to add to this list of others that I have forgotten.
http://www.ezup.com/
0 points
http://www.shelterlogic.com/
0 points
Home | King Canopy
0 points
http://caravancanopies.com/
0 points
Norstar International inc., instant canopy
world's best instant canopy. durable, reliable. cu more...0 points
Canopies and Display Products by Flourish Company
Canopies and Display Products for Art and Craft Sh more...0 points
Business Cards or Postcards to Hand Out
You Need a Hook
If you have read any of my other lenses, you know that I am a very strong proponent for business cards.
In this lens, I am going to tell you that you should have a the very minimum a business card to hand out to interested customers. Even better would be to have a "hook".
What do I mean by a hook?
Imagine to yourselves the oldtime Vaudeville shows when bad performers would be pulled off the stage with a big giant hook.
The hook you use in your shows is the same idea, but it is a figurative hook.
Here is an example:
My good friend, Deby Cowdin is an expert at this technique. She has a very unique business selling dishware made from recycled bottles. She has stock items that she sells to stores and directly to customers. However, her hook is her Wedding Bottle. At every show, Deby tells her customers about her custom designed wedding bottle that makes a great wedding or anniversary gift, and then she hands them a postcard with images of the bottle and her contact info. She gets numerous return sales from this alone. It is a great hook.
What you need to do is determine your hook, then advertise it to everyone that comes by. You are literally "hooking them back in" to your business.
In this lens, I am going to tell you that you should have a the very minimum a business card to hand out to interested customers. Even better would be to have a "hook".
What do I mean by a hook?
Imagine to yourselves the oldtime Vaudeville shows when bad performers would be pulled off the stage with a big giant hook.
The hook you use in your shows is the same idea, but it is a figurative hook.
Here is an example:
My good friend, Deby Cowdin is an expert at this technique. She has a very unique business selling dishware made from recycled bottles. She has stock items that she sells to stores and directly to customers. However, her hook is her Wedding Bottle. At every show, Deby tells her customers about her custom designed wedding bottle that makes a great wedding or anniversary gift, and then she hands them a postcard with images of the bottle and her contact info. She gets numerous return sales from this alone. It is a great hook.
What you need to do is determine your hook, then advertise it to everyone that comes by. You are literally "hooking them back in" to your business.
Air Mattress
Always good to have on hand just in case your room isn't satisfactory or you forget to book one.
AeroBed Premier Classic with Comfort Zone Coils
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Don't Leave Without . . .
Thermos Nissan 18-Ounce Stainless-Steel Insulated Travel Tumbler
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/29/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Jiffy Steamer 0601 ESTEAM Travel Steamer, Black
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $48.99 (as of 12/29/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Wesco Superlite Folding Hand Truck Aluminum 617SF 220617 29.5 to 42 inch High
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $97.00 (as of 12/29/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Home Chic Home Sewing Kit: Thread, Scissors, Pins, Buttons, Tape Measure & Thimble
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
A Case of Water
I never leave home without a case of water and a cooler. I can't say it enough. I always get so dehydrated at shows.
Keep on Hand
A list of all of the regular items that you need to do each show. Then you can just pack it easily each time.
Have it Down to a Science
Painting by Rebecca Grantham
One of the keys to doing shows, and that goes doubly for shows out of state is to have the entire process down to a science.
Make a checklist of items that you must have at each show.
Keep track of the amount of product to take.
How much set up and tear down time to you need?
Simplify it to the nth degree.
Make it as easy as you can on yourself.
Do you need a helper or can you do it by yourself?
After doing a few shows, you should have a good idea of what works and what doesn't so then you can refine your checklist and plan.
Why Are You There?
Set a Goal for Each Show
Since doing art shows out of state is expensive, it is important that you know exactly why you are there.
Between your travel
, hotel, gas, food, and the show, most out of state shows cost a minimum of about $1000 just to attend. Unless you are made of money, that is quite an investment.Therefore, you need to plan to make your investment pay off.
Set an achievable goal or goals for your trip.
How much do you want to do in sales?
How many new customers do you want to get?
How many pieces do you need to sell?
How many new contacts do you want to make in the geographical area near the show?
Do you want to visit stores and galleries in the area to see if you can place your work there?
Are you combining the trip with a pleasure trip?
How much stock do you need to take to make the amount of money you want?
These and other questions similar to them need to be answered long before you go.
Key
Make sure at all times to remember your goals for doing each show. In your planning, during the show, and afterward when assessing.
On the Road Again
- On the Road Again
- This is a very interesting article about an insider's look at her experience doing multiple large art shows.
Where Can You Find Out About Shows?
- North Coast Promotions
- Lisa Nemeth runs Northcoast Promotions and is in charge of several varying sized art and craft shows in the Cleveland area.
- Moorea Marketing
- Moorea Marketing is a great company in Maryland that puts on a lot of wine and beer shows that include artists.
- Goodrich & Company Promotions
- Juried and invitational shows.
- Sunshine Artist
- A magazine for artists about art shows.
Your Travel Opinions
Working Artists Life
Advice for artists that want to make a living doing their art
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byTraveling to a Show?
You Can Plan Your Trip Online
Travel is expensive. But you can still find some great deals online.
What are Your Show Experiences?
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- KarateKatGraphics KarateKatGraphics Sep 21, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
- Incredibly helpful lens, packed with useful info organized well. I love it! Thanks also for the blessing on my Redon lens and for twittering it--you're an angel [ to state the obvious ;) ]
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Reply
- Intuitive Intuitive Jun 12, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
- I just visited some friends who were doing an art show last weekend. This is a helpful addition to what I learned about what it's like behind the scenes. 5*
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Mar 6, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
- Definitely lensrolling this one, too to my Spring Jubilee Arts and Crafts Festival. This is great info. I was looking for some pictures showing ways to exhibit. Thank you.
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