Art Show Etiquette

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="05bfd5a3.jpg"> <div> <B>Art Show Etiquette</B></div> <div> <B>347-LOVE-ART  (347-568-3278) </B><B> Toll Free 1-877-512-3333    Email: </B><A HREF="mailto:mike@mikealbin.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mike@mikealbin.com"><U><B>mike@mikealbin.com</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="05cd2043.jpg"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mike Albin.Com "><U>Mike Albin.Com </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="wd.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Web design"><U>Web design</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="ma.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marketing Articles"><U>Marketing Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="sr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Show Reviews"><U>Show Reviews</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="mt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marketing Tools"><U>Marketing Tools</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="l.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#777777" TEXT="#080000"> <div> ART SHOW ETIQUETTE </div> <bR> <div> This month’s column is going to be a little different.  Usually I’m writing marketing tips that help you have better sales.  This month’s column is tips for artists that will make it a lot easier for all artists as a group.  Doing art shows for a living can really be hectic at times.  If we all pay a little more attention to how everything we do affects the artists around us, maybe doing shows might be a little less hectic for everyone involved.  Some of what I’m going to write about is from lack of preparation or lack of consideration and some is just not being aware that doing something a certain way creates problems for artists around us.   </div> <div> I have a folder of email addresses for artists and art show directors that I occasionally ask opinions from.  I figured this would be their perfect opportunity to sound off about artists that are less than considerate of their fellow artists.  If you are an artist, art show director or promoter and you would like to voice opinions occasionally please email me at mike@mikealbin.com and I’ll add your email address to my folder.  </div> <div> I got quite a few really good responses and what follows are concerns from all of them about how we can improve the environment at art shows for all of us.  </div> <div> Number one complaint from show directors!  Artists that arrive for set-up without reading their information packet on set-up procedures.  A lot of time and effort goes into figuring out the procedures, writing them down, mass producing the documents and getting them out to the artists.  Only to have artists show up with blank faces not knowing where to go, how to get there, where to park or missing their assigned time completely.  It’s always a good idea to bring your information packet to the show with you.  The day before setting up, take the time to re-read all of the set-up procedures.  Note if you have a specific time and place you need to be.  Artists that show up at incorrect times or not knowing where to go take festival staff away from their jobs and really add to the confusion and chaos.  Now multiply that by the 50 or so artists that arrive that way at every show, it’s no wonder we’re ready to punch someone’s lights out!  </div> <div> Richard Sullivan, Director of the Naples National and Haldeman Creek Art Shows says he sends out information five weeks in advance.  There’s all kinds of information in the packet about free coffee from Starbuck’s and where to place your tent.  “I have a dozen artists tell me each year they didn’t know there was food served during set up or that there is free Starbucks all weekend long; these are the first two lines of the instruction sheet” said Sullivan.</div> <bR> <div> The number one complaint from artists was about artists that bring buy/sell products to sell at art shows.  This is an integrity issue not a etiquette issue and belongs in another column.  For this column I’m focusing on basic consideration issues that are taking their toll on all of us.  </div> <div> The next biggest complaint from artists and also goes right along with number one from directors.  When setting up for a show on a street, artists are asked to unload first, park their vehicles and then begin setting up.  Same thing for break-down, break-down completely then pull your vehicle in to load up. Time and time again you see artists setting up as they are unloading their vehicles.  They take up a parking space, usually in front of someone else’s booth space, for three hours or longer.  When we first started doing art shows we loaded up our van so that it was necessary for us to set-up our tent first then unload the artwork.  We stayed parked for several hours.  We noticed other artists doing it the correct way and took advise on how to do it right.  It’s a planning issue for some and others it’s a consideration issue.  If you take the time to box up your inventory and plan on doing it the correct way you definitely can get it done right.  For the others that just don’t care, I’m going to park here as long as it takes and to heck with everyone else, imagine what setting up would be like if every artists acted like you?  One artist commented “It’s the me first mentality, you see people in traffic cutting in front of  a long line of cars, people think they are too special to wait in line.”  So, please, for the sake of others around you, and you know who you are.  Unload first, then set-up or arrive after most have already gone!  We are all in this together and a little consideration for those around you goes along way.  I do know some veteran artists that do prefer unloading as they are setting up and they come very late to set-up, after most other artists have already gone.  They do the same thing for break-down, go out to dinner after the show and come back after most have already left.  We do that occasionally because we have a truck and very long trailer.  It takes up way to much space when everyone is trying to leave at the same time.  It’s the considerate alternative.  </div> <div> Next in line is artists that leave a show early because their work is not selling.  I’m not talking about bad weather or family emergencies here.  I’m talking about poor sales.  Let’s face it we’ve all had shows like this.  We want to leave, we have better things to do then sit around unproductively and watch people walk past our booth.  When this happens to us, I keep reminding myself to try and set up sales for the future, pass out business cards, sign people up for newsletters, keep talking.  If you are not selling at this show, someone can still call you later and buy or see you at a different show later on and buy from you.  If you leave early that’s not going to happen.  We did one show in Central Florida a few years ago and had a zero show, Monday morning someone called and ordered a $2000.00 piece from us.  It happens, stick around till the end, nothing positive happens if you leave early!   </div> <div> Let’s face it, at every show we do there are between 20 and 50% of the artists not doing well.  If everyone that was not doing well packed up and left early, how would that look for the rest of the artists?  How many of them stick around when you are having a good show?  It’s basic consideration for your fellow artists and the show staff.  No one’s to blame, it’s just not your weekend.  Stick around and show support for your fellow artists.   </div> <div> The last issue came strictly from artists that have campers and trailers.  When parking in the artist parking lots, other artists park and block access to their campers and trailers.  This is most frustrating when there are plenty of other parking spaces to park in.  Take note in artist parking lots when you are parking your vehicles that you are not blocking access to campers and trailers.  If you park in front of someone’s trailer they cannot hook up their truck, they are forced to wait for you to move before hooking up.  If you park behind someone’s trailer they cannot open the back doors to gain access to what’s inside.  If campers are present please do not park on the side where the door is, it’s makes it hard for people to get in and out.  I understand some lots are small and parking spaces are hard to come by, I’m referring to when there are plenty of other spaces available.  Park away from trailers and campers.   </div> <div> One of best things about being an artist is all the support available from others on the circuit.  Most artists I speak with genuinely care about their fellow artists and fellow human beings.  Every issue I have dealt with in this column can be solved by better planning, preparation and consideration for your fellow artists and human beings.  Marketing yourself takes up countless hours of work and creativity.  The issues in this article can be solved easily by making some minor adjustments and being more considerate of the people around us.  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>