A Day At The Art Fair! Behind The Scenes :)
I love the thrill of art fair season! The clean smell of the Flourish Mesh walls, the clean cut grass on the morning (and I mean, early morning) of set up, triple and quadruple checking my square app to ensure that payment can be taken in a variety of ways, and the joy of interacting with some repeat artists and friends, and making new ones.
The year of 2023 I participated in 3 summer fairs, and then I have 1 fair scheduled for the fall. I also participate in various exhibits throughout the year, but that’s a different blog post for a different day :)
As a mom of 3 young boys, 4 fairs a year is a decent number for me, although I’m always researching for other opportunities that may be a fit for miss Melissa (that’s me, sometimes I refer to myself in 3rd person, my brain is a fun place).
The first fair of 2023, “The Dragon Art Fair” in Deforest WI.
This particular day was SO HOTTT!! And we hadn’t had rain for a few weeks (cue the dead, hay looking grass in the booth). It was about 95 degrees F, and humid…….but we made it through! When my kiddos came to visit me, my oldest ( 9 years old), he asked me why my booth had hay on the ground :D HA!
I want to bring you with me behind the scenes a bit! Taking a peak at the day of an art fair, from the artist’s point of view. A sneak peak into what really goes on, the story behind the booth, inside the brain (again, a fun , mysterious place, hehe :) I can’t wait to share this part of the life with you!
Get Up And Go!
With every show, it’s always an early morning get up and go! This past summer, two of the shows had opportunity to set up the night before. If this is an option, and it’s reasonable driving distance, I’m all over it like dip on a chip. When this is an option, I will go up the night before to set up the tent, the walls, and table. I never leave the products over night for a variety of reasons, but I’m grateful to get some of the manual labor out of the way.
Even with security on site, I don’t leave product overnight for some of the following reasons; temperature fluctuations can mess with how tight the canvas is, and condensation can also form on prints and other products. Also, there always seems to be potential of rain overnight. Most importantly, the pieces and products are one of a kind items, and I’d be heartbroken if something happened to them. I can replace a tent if someone is a goober to it, but it’d be an emotional loss if the artwork was damaged or taken.
These mornings, I’ll typically prep a filling breakfast the night before that I can eat while I drive. Need the energy fuel for the long day ahead!Unless I’m travelling, then I make it priority to put in my favorite order to D&D (Dunkin Donuts) along the way! Medium Strawberry Dragon Fruit Refresher with Avocado toast with bacon and a blueberry muffin…..the breakfast of champions :)
Typically I arrive at the grounds at least a couple hours prior to the show starting. And if you are looking to get into the art fair circuit or other type of vendor, I highly recommend to have a set up that you can put together yourself. I’m often alone at setup, and sometimes my hubby and the kiddos will stop by at the end to help with take down (and I always appreciate all the help I can get :) ), but often times this part of the task is alone as well, so you want to be sure it’s a setup that you can physically do alone if you have to.
These mesh walls from Flourish Canopy are a game changer!
I’m not sponsored by them by any means, but these walls are incredible! This was my first show season using them; prior to this I used tables and standing easels.
The standing and table easels were okay to start, but with every blow of wind, stuff would fall and it was a pain to deal with.
With these walls, everything is so easy to hang up! I have so much more space to show off everything, the artwork stays put with wind, and it looks lovely.
The walls are also super easy to set up, and I always appreciate that!
And to boot, the company that I got these from have the nicest sales professionals, I’m definitely pleased with this and can’t recommend them enough :)
For displaying the artwork, I have S hooks with clips to hang the prints (pictured above)- At all the shows I go to, prints are always a big hit, and I think having them all open to see helps the patrons connect with a piece effortlessly.
Original pieces I use S hooks, I have a couple heavier, wooden pieces that I use S hooks with clamps, and they hold up and stay put, no problem :) The mesh walls are certified to hold up to 300ish pounds (I think, don’t quote me on the exact number), which works out great for my purpose :)
Sticker and bookmark display at Art Fair on The Green, 2023
For the Stickers, Bookmarks, and hand painted accessories (key chains, coasters, etc.) I have them set up on a table. The wooden “stairs display” as I call it works out really well for displaying the bookmarks and stickers. Patrons can easily browse and see all the options. The I have the hand painted accessories out where they’re easily seen.
My main goal is to make sure that everything is open, inviting, and easily visible. I want to make the looking and connection experience as easy as possible for those looking for art that connects with them :)
The Main Event!
Let the fun begin! When the show starts and people start arriving, it is such a joy. Being able to connect with others at the shows is really what it’s all about. I love meeting you, your pups (especially the pups, am I right), your families, depending on the time of day you may get to meet some of my chaotic family as well. Connecting with others with art as the bridge is truly what this is all about.
One of the questions I get asked about the most is “how do you go to the bathroom, if you’re by yourself.” Let me tell you! This girl has had three kids, and I also have a kidney condition which requires me to be hydrated like a sopping sponge all the time, so bathroom questions are always a priority in my book!
Some events have booth sitters walking around for that sole purpose. If this is the case, flag one down and ask for a bathroom break, and they’re more than happy to sit in your booth until your return. Most shows will also ask ahead of time if you’ll need a booth sitter for a lunch break, which in this case the booth sitter will come in for 15-20 minutes to sit in your booth while you go and grab food.
Other options would be, become friends with your neighbor and ask them to keep an eye on things while you use the restroom. You should be a gracious and friendly neighbor anyway, always introduce yourself during set up and if you have time, offer to help with their set up if you’re finished early. Any who, I’ve always been able to befriend thy neighbor, and also return the favor for them as well. When I do use the restroom, I keep my cash in a little pocket wallet, and I just put it in my pocket and bring it with me for the bathroom break.
I’m lucky enough that my family does come to visit me during show time, so I will also have my hubby sit for me while I take a potty break. Never thought you’d be able to read so much about the toity in an art blog, huh! :D
On my way back to my booth after moving my van during “Art Fair On The Green”, La Crosse WI 2023
Something to carry, Ways to display, Ways to Pay, and The Goods; this is my extremely condensed list of what is needed for an art show.
For something to carry, that is for the patron perspective; if they fall in love with something in the booth, how can I make sure that carrying it around to enjoy the rest of the show is easy-peasy. Simple! I have canvas bags for original pieces, and they’re larger then all the pieces, so I also use them to keep them safe during travel :) I have mini bags for sticker and key chain purposes, and then I repurpose paper bags, or other bags I have floating around, for prints and bookmarks! As a gal of the midwest, I legit have a cabinet full of paper and grocery bags! I bring my own bags at the grocery store, but somehow I still acquire them here and there. I find many uses for them around the house though, I refuse to throw them out :) Okay, ending my bag tangent here because I could probably write my own blog post on bags and ways to use bags :D
Ways to display! Where and how to have the artwork visible. This refers to the canopy tent and mesh walls for hanging up originals and prints. The table that holds the display for the stickers, bookmarks, and hand painted accessories. You needs to have a way for patrons to physically see the artwork, so simply put, where are you going to put it? When you have your answer, make sure you pack it!
Ways to pay! For cash payments, I make my life easier by covering the sales tax and having all items at a full number (no dealing with cents). I have a till on hand, and I make sure that I have lots of one and five ten dollar bills, and then a few tens for making change. If you’re looking at being a vendor for art or craft shows, I highly recommend having a way of taking card payments. Overall, about half of my sales come from card payments at shows. As an artist, I want to make the connection with the art and the process of taking it home as easy as possible for the beloved client, and I’m more then happy to offer card payments. When I signed up with an account through Square in 2020(not sponsored, this is just my personal experience), they sent me a basic card reader that plugs into my phone. I can also type in card payments manually through the square app, making card payments super easy to take :) —-And as a side note, I also use Square invoicing for client payment plans for pieces (if they request a different payment plan then offered through my site with Afterpay, which I’m more then happy to do :)—-okay end plug!). Square takes care of calculating sales tax for me, and when I do my taxes every year it also gives me calculations for that as well, which is another super helpful feature :)
And then, of course, the Goods :) The artwork itself! Can’t have an art show without the actual artwork.
I should add in this list, make sure you have a chair to sit in. A couple years ago I had a show that we traveled for and stayed at a hotel the night before, and I forgot to pack my chair. Luckily, I noticed it the night before the show and I was able to run to the store to pick up a chair. This is also why now, my husband pretty much keeps 5 folding lawn chairs in the back of his trunk at all times. The chairs have come in handy at many gatherings, I must say!
Take Care of You
Whether you’re an artist an an event, or a patron, always remember to take care of you. For every art fair, I always bring two coolers; one is full of food (high protein snacks, sandwiches, etc.) and the other is full of drinks (water and Gatorade for electrolytes). With a lot of shows taking place outdoors, make sure to prepare to the outside time.
And sunscreen! This may be the mother or former nurse in me, but taking care of your skin is extremely important. Even if you’re under a shaded canopy for the day, rays still come through. Remember to wear and bring your sunscreen (so you can reapply throughout the day)!
Have a fan handy to help give you a cool breeze. I’ve also heard of chargeable and/or battery powered mini air conditioners that you could invest in. I’ve had the same fan for the past couple years, and it’s always right by my side during those summer months.
“ArtJune” Fair in Baraboo, WI 2023
Pack Up Time!
It’s now the end of the day, we’ve had a great time interacting with all of you and helping you find exactly what it is your soul needed. I try to pack up in a way that makes setting up for the next show to be as organized and least chaotic as possible.
And let me tell you, having a high quality dolly is my best friend. Depending on the show location, where you can park for loading and unloading may only be so close to your spot. If you participate at an event where you can park right behind your spot, unload, and then just load it all up and go at the end of the day; that’s the unicorn right there, that’s the dream.
By no means am I complaining about the car parking situation, I completely understand that it's just not realistic to have potentially hundreds of vehicles in a controlled space, and the logistics of moving everyone, it just wouldn’t work in the majority of places. I completely get that! That’s why you’re going to need a high quality dolly.
A couple years ago, I saved my dream dolly in my Amazon wish list. And low and behold, March of this year I heard a little ding on my phone and boom; my dream dolly was on sale….and it was a good sale my friend :) Again, not sponsored, but I invested in a Milwaukee dolly that can be used like a regular dolly, but it the bottom can also expand to function almost like a heavy duty cart. This works perfect for carrying my tote, walls, poles, etc.
And don’t get me wrong, I’ve been able to get within close to a block’s distance from my spot with every show I’ve been to thus far, and my new dolly was absolutely worth every penny. I’m prepared if I have to lug everything even further :)
Back in my nursing days, Occupational Health was my specialty for 6 years. This realm of nursing looks at safety and healthcare for the workplace, so working smarter, not harder, is always my jam. Try to keep ergonomic in mind and save your back whenever possible!
Appreciation
Let me conclude with this simple fact…..I could not do any of this without you. I’m at a place in my life where I love and have so much joy in what I do. These fairs are hard work, and it’s absolutely worth it. I’m so grateful to you, and I hope that I can return the favor with some weird, surreal, emotion driven art that helps you connect with yourself in a deeper manner :)
Thank you so so so much for your continued support. You are what makes all of this worth it :)
Much Love!