How To Outdoor Art Festival - Tips For Artists

[@marlenekallstrom-barritt7326]

1) don’t start packing up until the show is over. (I’ve sold a big painting in the last 5 minutes of the day) 2) Be positive to the very end. Smile. 3) wear comfortable shoes. 4) be early enough to make sure you get oriented to your space and where things are I.e. receipt books, tape 5) make sure your payment device eg. Square, works and is ready to go 6) be at the right show/sale for your art

[@chelseawhite7117]

I adore Klee's sarcastic side-commentary

[@aketcham4749]

Cable ties! A towel if you wear glasses- rain , man. Rain. I also put out a bowl of peppermints- it helps me to remember to act like a hostess and not a barker on the midway 😉

[@ksy4747]

Oooh nice idea! Thanks!

[@owljones3389]

Pro Tip that has worked for us: If you want to do "art and craft" shows, you bring art priced in the "art and crafts" arena. Most people walking around at a craft show aren't there to spend $300 on a painting. They might - or they might buy it from you later, but they are there for crafts and are carrying around two $20 bills. If you want to sell your work for $200/300/400 + find art shows that only accept ART and not crafts or guys selling gutter guards for houses. You can somewhat determine your market by either going with the Walmart strategy or going with the Michael Kors strategy. It's up to you, but from personal experience - we did about two years of "craft and art" shows before realizing we were mostly wasting our time as far as sales go. Sure, you get the exposure, but you may end up just barely getting your entry fee back. But if you're OK with lower prices and selling lots of cheaper art, instead of pricing your work higher and selling fewer pieces at places other than craft shows, then go for it. Nothing wrong with working craft shows - but just know the kind of people ( the kind of buyers) that frequent the varions types of shows. :)

[@AngelaBuyck]

Some people do those things I see at shows.

[@marlenekallstrom-barritt7326]

Good advise! I found being at a sale where my higher priced art was not selling caused me to think my art wasn’t saleable, good enough etc. Had to change that negative thinking seeping in big-time and the best way for me to do that was be choosier about the sales I choose to be in.

[@dantehendrix314]

You probably dont give a shit but does anyone know a method to log back into an instagram account..? I stupidly forgot my login password. I would love any tips you can offer me.

[@dantehendrix314]

@Titus Elias i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@dantehendrix314]

@Titus Elias it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much, you saved my account :D

[@laurierounds7102]

This is great! Quick, very informative & to the point. Excellent advice. ❤️

[@summerchanellocs8286]

This is my first time seeing you and as soon as your partner in the back started talking I subscribed! She’s hilarious 😆. Love it! Thanks for the info: it was all very helpful and a good time.

[@Dannzzigg]

I just want to say "Thank you" to both of you for this video specifically (and all of your others as well). I have watched this video several times to refresh and review. I participated in my first two weekend art festivals this past October and November and I had a great time, made more sales than I expected and really enjoyed the experience of meeting so many folks and talking with them about my work. Having watched this video beforehand, I felt prepared and confident to take on whatever the show could throw at me. With 4 shows scheduled this spring, I just rewatched the video to mentally prep myself and take advantage of you willingness to help and share your experience. So many good points here! One question... I noticed in your images of your displays that you often have several similar pieces displayed together. While I get the idea of having a cohesive flow to the overall presentation, I wonder what you think about the idea that too many options will confuse a prospective collector and perhaps hurt your chances of making a sale. I've heard that idea in my research and I'd like to get your opinion on it. Thanks again for all you do!

[@ThomasFisherArt]

I am interested in how you make your walls! Thanks

[@apothecareyarts4076]

@@Rafiwashere Thank you!!!

[@farontaylornails2605]

She’s so funny in the background thanks for the advice

[@juliechristybourg2758]

Man -I freaking Love you and your wife y’all are amazing!!! Love the genuineness-humor and just vulnerability of helping artist! Thank you so appreciated!!! ❤️

[@AnneGoggansQHHT]

Hey mr “I don’t do coastal art”....I love your sea turtle. I joke, but it does rock 😉.

[@chubbyjaydraws]

Lingering Weirdo...met a few of those working at my retail job. Great ideas for my cartoons 🤣🤣

[@r.j.artistries7892]

LoL love the shrink and regrow machine idea 😂

[@maggiewerronen6467]

I love your guys humor!! I’m doing my first art fair next month. Thanks for the tips!

[@Dedaskitchen]

Y'all are hilarious! Great tips too! Love the LWAS advice. HAHA!

[@Babyjohn8170]

Second video l’ve watched today. She is still hilarious.😂 Can’t wait for video number three. 👍

[@lpalm5235]

I enjoyed your tips. I am considering taking and displaying my art work-outdoors. I like your lite portable display wall. Thank you.

[@matineesonmainstreet2005]

Ah yes.... those days of the art festivals. I did them for a number of years. I even helped organize some, but I found that they were very unsuccessful for me. The only things I sold at an outdoor art festival was my tent and walls.

[@ChronicCraftyLife]

Naked artist in fountain..it is preformance art

[@artbyjasminelillian]

Your videos helped me so much for getting started on my vending events! Keep up the awesome videos. I used so much of the advice you gave in just the first show I had and it went by pretty smoothly because of it. Thank you!

[@sheenank7178]

Love the turtle ^-^ ... I enjoy your videos not just for all the great advice you share but also for the art in the background

[@CharlesHancockCreations]

Great info for reference!

[@saradabonnett5770]

I love everything about this...I say this every festival! Covington Three Rivers Art Festival :)

[@fightthegoodfight52]

This is awesome advice! I’m participating in my first art fair in a couple of weeks and this information is very valuable! Thanks for sharing! 😁👍🏾

[@happypappysaquariums1408]

I really love that turtle painting it is awesome.

[@rochephotoart768]

Cudos on the Bustelo can... A cafesito is life!

[@preacherslittlewife]

So, if you don't sit at the back of your tent, and you don't want to block the entrance, where do you stand/sit? Also, where do I put my "stuff", bag of goodies, snacks, payment options, etc? Thanks for all the awesome tips.

[@LindaUrsin]

Another vote for a diy art wall video. I'd love to see how you do those. Oops, missed that one but I'll watch it now :)

[@LindaUrsin]

I've done two art & crafts shows locally and having a good way to display my art when all you get is a table was a problem. Got some exposure but no sales. My main audience isn't local but I wanted the locals to know I exist as an artist :)

[@sarahholt7256]

Definitely wanna see how you make your walls! Thank you for posting this video, I have my cery first fest next weekend and this helped a lot!

[@sarahholt7256]

First art show was awesome. Met lots of amazing people and although everything that could go wrong went wrong I would call it a success. Lots of great feedback and even sold some mini paintings!

[@hwk.studio]

Even if wind speeds aren’t high, definitely think about using cable ties, weights for the canopy, and those stretchy tablecloths if you need tablecloths. I did a show and had to constantly keep the tablecloth from blowing up! It was so annoying!

[@Rafiwashere]

Perfect! Yes!

[@aprildamski8365]

Thank you for this video!! Great advise!

[@Rafiwashere]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johngronning465]

INFP here Rafi. I think I might be the LWAS, I like to study what other artists are doing and really look at the techniques used to achieve effects that I may not know. I definitely want to know about how you do your walls. I was looking at this when I went to the last show I went to. Did not know about the White tent, I was planing on pricing and getting one this winter. What do you think about prints? Like card prints or postcards of your show stopper works. These would be for sale in packages for maybe around 12 bucks depending on the investment cost, plus my time.

[@Leilananette]

Totally agree about standing!

[@MaileyMcAslan]

Lmaooo thank you! ✌️❤️☀️

[@PaddlesUpMedia]

so cool! love your vid, guys!! thank you!!

[@essen.shelley]

Incredible tips! Thanks for sharing. Your art is beautiful, and wish you much continued success!

[@StutleyConstable]

Minor tips for folks making weights to hold their canopy in place. 1) Iron weighs more than concrete. You can pick up second hand cast iron weights at flea markets and stores like 'Play it Again Sports'. Twenty pounds of steel is far more compact than twenty pounds of concrete. 2) If you decide to go with buckets of concrete for whatever reason, ask your DIYer friends if they have any old nuts and bolts of a bucket of old nails they are intending to get rid of. Use these small steel items instead of gravel in your concrete mix and you will end up with a much heavier weight. 3) If possible decorate your weights so that they don't stand out and detract from your booth's overall look. If you are a sculptor, actually sculpt the weights that people will see. If you are a painter, jeweler or any other sort of artist, use decorative containers to hide the weights in. Also, if the show will allow it, use one of your weights as a base for your signage, that way it looks as if it has a purpose other than holding your shelter in place.

[@joycemaureroriginal8563]

Saving this one! Hope to hit some shows next year and this will be SO helpful! Thank you.

[@parlevous1]

Yes a wall video would be very informative 👍

[@peterv4270]

You guys are hilarious ! Great vids. Rock on!

[@lindendeia7811]

Super helpful tips thanks!! :)

[@laceyreneemarie]

You could use coffee cans and cement with a hook in it and then bungee strap your canopy it works pretty good 😊

[@jaedo71]

I like to do live demos. I can still talk to the patrons while I'm painting. Please do a DIY wall video!!

[@ginasellers3683]

Loved your video. Kindred humor! 😄Getting ready to do my first festival in two months.

[@happyhippiepaints]

Great video . You both are very informative . I did a show at a brewery that was brand new and a hundred degrees in there. I thought maybe my paintings would melt .

[@littleravendesigns5587]

Omg yessss! Back when I did caricatures at amusement parks we constantly get the lingering weirdos but we couldn’t leave our stand. Luckily I was friends with some of the security guards and other workers who bailed me out🤣. Not to be awful but they usually were the people with awful odors and no personal space sense. Good times though. Once again great advice!

[@jaedo71]

Good job, Rafi!

[@wondermentpuppettheater7095]

I'm new at this. Plan on doing shows soon. I would like to see the wall plans you have. Thanks for some great tips.

[@barbarac4138]

Rain boots or a second pair of sneakers helps at shows when you are setting up on wet grass. I have seen numerous black bag weighted tents and cinder block tents go flying and destroy the poor vender's tent beside them. Eighty pounds per leg seems to work well. 25 per leg flys, forty walks, sixty stays except for big winds. Most important part of shows is have fun and stay happy!

[@christophermills3029]

Thanks Rafi for sharing this, with my first festival less than two weeks away this was perfect timing.

[@christophermills3029]

I will make sure I know where my towel is since it should be around 80 every day.

[@christophermills3029]

For my first festival it was great, I got to meet a lot of new collectors of my work. I think the article in the Pensacola News Journal on Saturday really helped. I also learned some new trips from other artists about setting up and protecting my work during transport. Overall a very good weekend.

[@Thea_MojaveOutliersWhipmakers]

That is a really nice sea turtle.

[@melchurch5353]

I'm doing my first show in Lodi California on May 5th so thank you very much I love your channel and I subscribed

[@joaopaulogoncalves6310]

You guys are great!!! Thanks for the video!

[@seapossumsforrest8162]

Love the tips! How do you deal with 'rain'. In Memphis, the Pink Palace art show is first week of October each year, it usually rains buckets the day of, the 3 days before ... etc. I have seen art booths with 8 inches of water in their booth and water slogging their pottery and some artist just pack it up, no one is going to buy your stuff in 8 inches of water. The event happens in the same area every year and they seem to set up the booths in 4 rows, so there are 5 to 10 vendors down hill. How do you adjust for stuff like that? Do the artists get their booth fees back if it rains? Are flea markets the same? Thank you for sharing your tips!

[@stanbri3262]

Thaaaaaank youuuuuuu so much! I loved this.

[@johnsavage7507]

Dude your smile is infectious.

[@carolynlanierroberts265]

Good advice. I've done several Farmers Markets now and am trying to figure out the solid art display against strong wind conundrum.

[@Rafiwashere]

I built me own.

[@ronart5852]

Excellent advice and entertaining!!! Thanks! I am organizing a couple of exhibitions and an art festival in Hanoi, Vietnam and your video has some excellent points which I will share with exhibitors. In order to keep things positive, I think I will create a short "buyers' guide" to introduce the artists and their work so that the abstract folks don't get bogged down trying to explain their work.

[@svetlanapil8089]

Many people don't realize that non representational abstract work doesn't need an explanation. It's either you like the combination of shapes, colors, lines, textures, or you don't. It's strictly the matter of your aesthetical cravings. Abstract work is there to please your eye and if it doesn't, it's simply not your piece.

[@AnneGoggansQHHT]

I’ve been a lingering weirdo when fangirling other artists 😂😂😂 JS

[@artinstructor6352]

I love her comments 😂❤️

[@Jenniferlee525]

Walls!!!! I vote yes to wall video

[@Jenniferlee525]

I like to practice LWAS with my cat lol

[@probikerbergman]

omg ya'll are the best ! thank you so much for this video

[@palletcolorato]

I was selling art at our local "Harvest Moon Festival" long story short, not one sale. The about 2 years later, I get an email from a guy who attended wanting to buy a fighter jet painting he liked at the festival. He said he had been saving money for 2 years to eventually buy it. So the thing is, sales can come out of nowhere.

[@bloodpurple6953]

Is there a list (Rhodes List?) for outdoor art shows around the country? Also do you recommend a Square account with the thing that goes on your phone? Thanks for any tips or info! PEACE!

[@jerisworld]

That was AWESOME. So good to know that the LWAS is a THING - and it's not just me :)!

[@scarletmarosa2602]

Please show us how you make your walks! Please! 💕

[@ieri_creations]

Would you mind if I shared your videos on my Facebook art page? They've been incredibly helpful to me and I love seeing your art in the background. I think that my followers would also be interested in seeing them.

[@bethbale956]

Doing my first two-day outdoor festival in 2 weeks. Thanks for the info. Trying to make sure I get better with each event. I've done single-day shows in a tent, but not multiple days. A bit antsy about the weather, especially since i paint in watercolor, and it's hurricane and rainy season in the US. Crossing fingers for good weather. Any suggestions for rain-proofing would be welcome.

[@Rafiwashere]

Walls (or tarp on the ready) and buy that spray they use to seal fabric for camping and spray you canopy unless it is waterproof. Most important is prepare for the wind. At some point we will put a video together on how we do.

[@morgantanner818]

Y’all are adorable!

[@kristinak.4183]

Beautiful work btw! Thanks for the tips

[@artsandcrafts2503]

I can believe it when you say you have done hundreds of shows. Your advice is going to go over the head of the beginners. But for full time artists who have several years of art show experience, then your wisdom will be a confirmation. You folks would be good neighbors at the show. I have done over 1400 shows over 40 years. Thank You Alex Ohh one more thing on block the entrance= you have ever had people buy food at the show and sit, picnic style somewhere in your booth area , AND if I don't stop this fast then others with food sit around too. Customers can't check out the work for the people with kids are sitting in front of your work. Weird.

[@nahlaalazawi5952]

Thank you very much

[@jbestart3058]

Rafi! I AM freaking out!!! I applied to Whiskey Wine and Wildlife and was ACCEPTED ❤ But.. I've never set up such a presentation up!! What did I get myself into!? 😳

[@nicolecunningham3567]

Thanks dude! I would like to see how you build your walls my first show is in may- will let u know

[@jonathanjaeger4242]

Big thumbs up loved it man, a few more things, yours were amazing brother . How do you set up your art pieces at the booth. Bring a hat. (Sunburn!!!)cash box or bag, lock on it. Square to hook up to iPhone (not that expensive ) Easy to use! Receipt book. Cash to make change.

[@sylviapineda6717]

great information- awesome - palm springs- calif

[@gemmaluescher-verseckas1243]

We have two wood parcel boxes that we will cover with of dark cloth . I have a wood crate full of pieces ( covered in a plastic envelopes. Then I have framed pieces) I have some resin angel wing ornaments, and paw protectors. Don't have a sign yet though-with new logo)

[@dakstarky]

thanx for the info loved your energy

[@lindaklein1300]

Do you do credit card sales? I guess that is another tool to add to my arsenal...in the future. I haven't done any art shows yet. Right now I'm painting trying to build up pieces. I don't have enough paintings to show. I did sell a print yesterday so that made me feel good that someone liked my art.

[@eugeniaedie2420]

Doing our 1st show next month. Did you ever do the video of how you made your walls/Cubes?

[@Rafiwashere]

tes look for diy festival walls

[@veronicamiller7500]

thank you so much for this ! so helpful! xoxo

[@robertabarnes4299]

How do you package your paintings for your buyers to carry around craft fair?

[@hildalopez6627]

Yes I want to know how to build it!!! thank you.

[@artsy__heart7972]

You guys are great 😄 Loved this video👍Very helpful😊 I have a question. Are there ever any young artists attending the festival? I'm 17, and plan on doing this one day when I make enough art.

[@MichaelHoldenShotThis]

Omg thanks.

[@ShoshanahShear]

Thanks Rafi I have done a few shows now. Mostly I have only had a table to use and not a whole booth. I have not had the place to put my larger art so tend to take smaller art and craft type items e.g. paint on cushion covers or place mats, hand knitted. My difficulty so far is 1) getting people to come and look at the table and 2) getting people to buy. Those who have shown interest tend to want e.g. a hand painted T-shirt at price of the T-shirt only. I do need to prepare more items to give away like pens with my name / logo on and website. I'd really like to get to sell my paintings though. Twice I did a sale in my Moms home, that worked well, but since moving to Israel I have not had anyone interested in coming to a private sale of my art.

[@ShoshanahShear]

@@Rafiwashere Thank you, I appreciate that. I am debating whether to do a video with my experience at the latest fair and what I learned from it or whether to keep quiet because there was limited activity.

[@poetrysoul8643]

Did you ever watch Sport Billy cartoon!? He totally has the perfect solution for shrinking and unshrinking stuff!!! 😆 We should totally ask him to tell us where he got his bag... 😂😂😂 I often think of it and how perfect would it be to have one... 😆😆😆

[@attheranch873]

Loved it, this was very helpful, thanks!

[@robmccullough4657]

I am new to art festivals and have looked at doing a few this winter but not sure how to heat my booth. Any suggestions? Or do I wrap up, grin and bare the cold?

[@sonyarochellehill5401]

when doing a venders fair at a festival,, do you think your art need to be same theme like, i like doing portraits, should it be just that or mix it up landscape, abstract, animals, geodes,,etc

[@tiagohacke-artist7982]

Cool! Yes your advice on street shows is really practical. I also have funny stories of lingering wierdos in the show i have participated. I am very curious to see howvyou make your show walls, could you show us please. I feel its a great tip, cause i havent seen any decent ones in my country, for 4 years. Keep it up. Thanks for the great content

[@lindawetzel7873]

I am interested in how you make your walls and how you select what shows to participate in.

[@davidpare9897]

would your shad cloth panels hold up heavier picture frames by chance ? how strong is the mesh ?

[@THEDRAMAMAMA2009]

First show in 2 weeks! Eek! It's under a pavilion and I will have 2 8ft picnic tables. The dividers I got arent allowed to be set up. So I have to use picnic table tops to sell. So I have to adjust how Im going to do it. Not sure if I asked you before but, I do alot of abstracts and they look good turned lots of ways. So do I sign them on the backside of the canvas or? Also they are messy on the back. Should I paint the backs? Thanks! Love you and Clee...yall remind me of family! LOL Alisa from Alisa's Creations.

[@THEDRAMAMAMA2009]

Thank you! I will be watching this again before my show. Hoping it won't rain, be windy, humid and I won't be in close proximity to garbage cans! Oh and hope it isn't hot as balls! Got to keep our clothes on, don't want to scar the children for life. :-)

[@DerrickIbalai]

Ibalai was Here!

[@ieri_creations]

I'd love to see how you build your walls. This has been a constant problem for me. I end up with my art set out across tables and the ground, and I just think that it looks like a yard sale.

[@pjmartin6690]

Hi. Did you do a video about wall building? If so, please leave a link!! Thanks!!

[@lynnede4383]

LWAS 😅😂 yup. I remember those.

[@claudinediamond2555]

I’m doing an art show next weekend and just purchased some walls for my tent. What do I use to hang my paintings on the walls with? Thank you in advance for your assistance. Tell Klee to please excuse my grammar.

[@claudinediamond2555]

Rafi Was Here Studios yeah I forgot to mention that. They are plastic. Thanks for the suggestion. I will try them out.

[@karollbrinton8317]

I think name tags are also very important. Some people feel shy about asking for your name when you have already given it.