This past weekend I attended what was probably the smallest art show I have done since I started selling my artwork at art festivals 7 years ago. Nestled amongst pine trees in the cool mountains of Pinetop, AZ the show – run by a great promoter and artist himself by the way – has a wonderful layout and environment.
The show, in its 14th year, is held outside next to a working gallery called the Art Barn which houses about 10 artists. Artists like myself are juried into the show and setup our booths outside alongside the Art Barn. The application mentions that there is room for as many as 70 booths.
My booth setup at the Pinetop art show
Like many shows lately, artist attendance was way down this year. In fact there was just 7 booths outside! There were a number of last minute cancellations and a few no-shows. The economy has been reducing show attendance of both patrons and artists, and this show was no exception.
Yet even in these trying economic times there are those willing and able to make investments in art. Small art shows are a perfect place for the patron to really talk to the artist. Crowds are light, there are less distractions, and many art lovers themselves prefer the small quiet shows compared to the 400+ booth, 250,000+ attendance behemoths.
As an artist, doing these types of shows can be quite a joy. Setup is relaxing, being able to park directly next to my tent to unload and setup with no hurries. Free onsite RV parking just a short stroll through the pines with plenty of room for our dog to play just adds to the enjoyment.
A short daily "commute" through the pines from my RV to my booth.
Crowds were light this weekend, and Sunday’s thunderstorm at 3:00 killed the show that afternoon (the show ran Saturday – Monday). Yet patrons were there to buy. Among this weekend’s sales were two 60″ pieces to two new and excited collectors of mine. One piece is going above the new home buyers’ bed. The other piece the collector is not yet sure where she is going to display it just yet.
Packing up on Monday afternoon after the completion of the show was just as easy as setup. It is not often one can have a relaxing weekend working an art festival, but small shows often allow the opportunity to do just that and still connect with patrons and make sales. Not to mention the temperature was some 30 degrees cooler than my hometown Phoenix. What could be better?!?
Matt, sounds like you had a great weekend! There are so many kinds of shows out there; it is definitely not a “one size fits all world” when it comes to art, and the shows (like you described) that think outside the box are a real breath of fresh air… for artists and patrons alike.
Matt, sounds like you had a great weekend! There are so many kinds of shows out there; it is definitely not a “one size fits all world” when it comes to art, and the shows (like you described) that think outside the box are a real breath of fresh air… for artists and patrons alike.
Thanks Patty – hope you had a great show despite setup.
Thanks Patty – hope you had a great show despite setup.
@joshtrefethen Large booths r great. My show was good – wrote about it on my blog http://bit.ly/gLCi3
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Sounds like a great show to do – with an easy setup and packing up. I was at a 150 artist show this weekend with all sorts of challenges getting my trailer in and out for setup.
Congrats on the two new collectors who took home 60″ photos – that’s fantastic news.
Sounds like a great show to do – with an easy setup and packing up. I was at a 150 artist show this weekend with all sorts of challenges getting my trailer in and out for setup.
Congrats on the two new collectors who took home 60″ photos – that’s fantastic news.
Thanks for the RT @photo_zen and @CelticCamera re: New blog post: The joys of small art shows http://bit.ly/gLCi3
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @CelticCamera: RT @MattSuess: New blog post: The joys of small art shows http://bit.ly/gLCi3 #artshow #artfestival #photography
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Pingback: Twitted by MattSuess
New blog post: The joys of small art shows http://bit.ly/gLCi3 #artshow #artfestival #photography
This comment was originally posted on Twitter