Discrimination at Art Fairs

Michele Rushworth · 07-23-2004, 09:23 AM

I've just been notified that I can't have a booth at the biggest art fair in our state (where I showed for the last two years) because I don't complete my sales actually at the show, but afterwards, on commission. The same is true of the second biggest art fair in the area.

Linda Nelson rightly pointed out that this seems unfairly discriminatory, especially if the fair receives funding from the state arts commission.

I know that some art shows in the midwest don't have this rule. I'd like to gather further information on other art shows where commissioned portrait artists have participated, and present this data to the organizers of our local fairs. Can those of you who have had booths at other art fairs let me know the names and cities (and websites if available) where you have shown?

Thanks!

Steven Sweeney · 07-23-2004, 05:39 PM

What's the rationale for this? Do art fairs take a cut of the action on top of a "booth fee", and thus feel that they're missing out on some commissions themselves?

Or have the doily, bead, and wooden-letter folks formed a PAC?

Somehow, somewhere, I suspect that the motivation is: $$

Michele Rushworth · 07-23-2004, 06:55 PM

Yes, they do get a cut on top of the booth fee, but it seems odd that some would allow commissioned artists and some wouldn't. I'd like to get the names of some fairs that do allow it so I can talk to the local organizers.

Julie Deane · 07-23-2004, 08:26 PM

Michelle -

Could you offer pencil sketches or some other quick art to sell at the show, but also have your paintings displayed, with brochures? Would that satisfy them?

Steven Sweeney · 07-23-2004, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

Yes, they do get a cut on top of the booth fee

Sounds like that's the crux. They provide the band shell, they call the tunes. It's not exactly State Fair protocol, but I suppose the "take" on the art fairs is factored into the decision on booth/space rental.

I suspect that the real rub is a comparison between the rate of return on ceramic soap dishes and multi-hundred/thousand dollar portraits -- the latter of which the promoters apparently believe they're missing out on.

Good luck on negotiations, but we're in Bottom-Line Times, and they are a changin'.

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-23-2004, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie Deane

Michelle -

Could you offer pencil sketches or some other quick art to sell at the show, but also have your paintings displayed, with brochures? Would that satisfy them?

Michele, I think Julie's idea is a good one, but I'm not sure if you do the quick sketches.

Maybe you could have some other paintings for sale, some landscapes or still lifes in your booth? Of course you still need to display your portraits, that's the whole point of being there. But could you have some portraits that are labeled 'not for sale', or heck, put high price tags on them. What are the chances of someone buying a portrait of somebody's else's child? Anyway, maybe some combination of this will work for you and appease the fair people.

Joan

Michele Rushworth · 07-23-2004, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the suggestions about sketches and landcapes but I really don't want to dilute my message with other types of work.

I think if I submitted my current portrait samples as "figurative works for sale" that I wouldn't be accepted into the show. I don't think they're the type of paintings that anyone would buy, other than the people commissioning them. There's sometimes a fine line between figurative and portraits but I think my samples (as you can see on my website) fall very clearly in the area of commissioned portraiture.

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-23-2004, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

I don't think they're the type of paintings that anyone would buy, other than the people commissioning them. There's sometimes a fine line between figurative and portraits but I think my samples (as you can see on my website) fall very clearly in the area of commissioned portraiture.

Michele, I am familiar with your beautiful work from your unveilings and your website, what I'm suggesting is that you present your portraits as works for sale or I guess that would be called 'figurative' paintings. I agree, most people wouldn't buy a portrait of someone they didn't know. You know that and I know that, but I thought maybe this would be a way to get around the limitations the fair people are setting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

I think if I submitted my current portrait samples as "figurative works for sale" that I wouldn't be accepted into the show..

Why not? Are you saying the fair people wouldn't go for this idea?

And, what's to stop someone for putting in an order for 100 stuffed bunnies at the fair? Or calling the bunny maker later and setting them up as a regular supplier to a retail store? Shop owners go to those fairs to search out things for their store, I'm pretty sure. They might be ordering more crafty items later. They are crafty! (Sorry for the bad pun

, it's getting late.)

Just trying to help.

Joan

Heidi Maiers · 07-24-2004, 01:06 AM

Michele,
I agree - this would be discrimination in my opinion. To answer your original question, I can start your list by giving you several shows that I've participated in here in AZ that have had no such rules about commission artists. The Tubac show had no commission on top of the booth fee, but the Scottsdale shows required 5% of total sales. I had several sample pieces there that were for sale, but as expected, did not sell any of them.
The shows are:
http://www.tubacaz.com/festival.asp

http://www.888artfest.com/5thavefall/index.html

http://www.888artfest.com/scottsdale/index.html

This one I hope to participate in either this year or next:

http://www.thunderbirdartists.com/fe...festival.shtml

Leslie Ficcaglia · 08-02-2004, 08:41 PM

I suspect that the relevant variable here is whether or not the venue gets a cut from sales onsite. I do only one show, which is one day, indoors, with racks provided, and there is a booth fee but all proceeds from sales go to the artist. I have always been welcome there. On the other hand, some of the local galleries won't show work that's not for sale, and also don't permit business cards or other forms of direct solicitation for future commissions. So I have no place to showcase my work despite the burgeoning of galleries in my area. I suppose they're allowed to make a business decision like this, but it's irksome. In your case it's especially annoying since you were permitted to show at the fair in the past.