What is ‘fun’ about an Art Show?
I remember a time when I used to think of art gallery openings and shows being only for the rich and popular ‘in crowd’ and that they were events that were stuffy and not fun. Then I began actually putting on art shows as a Painter and Photographer and found just how much fun these events can be. It is a huge amount of work setting up for these shows and dragging easels, tables, art, food, wine, music or whatever props you have to create a positive environment but once you are there and the evening is set, the interactions and the fun starts when the people start to arrive.
For starters, most of these art events are free and a great opportunity to meet people, mingle and experience some great culture, food and make new friends. I have been to art shows where the homeless and the rich both mingled together in the same room and no one was uncomfortable. Everyone was there to see and experience the art and not just sit back and observe but be a part of the cultural experience and interact with others as well as get inspired.
Granted I remember some art shows I attended where most of the artists had tattoos and gathered outside and smoked and I did not quite fit in whereas others I was able to mingle with the crowd, strike up conversations and observe absolute strangers sitting down at a table together to break bread, fellowship and enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening, all in the name of celebrating culture. These are the moments where you can sit back and not only observe culture but shape it and be a part of it. These are the moments I remember the most.
As far as art shows go there is a variety to attend on any given weekend that can be pretty easily broken down into three varieties; open air art festivals that attract mammoth crowds, group art shows at galleries, church or community centers that are more intimate where a variety of art and styles are shown and finally, the more intimate ‘one man show’ as they call them out west, where one artist puts on an exhibit and gets to meet and interact with the crowd as a solo exhibitor.
Out of the three types of shows, my favorite is the latter two where there is more of a personal interaction between artists and art show attendees. As an artist, it is up to you to shine or look silly in front of a group of friends and absolute strangers and show them your work and who or what you are all about. It is a community event where you get to know your neighbors and get out and impact an audience, no matter how large or small. As a Patron, it is a chance to get out and take in new experiences and share something with others in your community.
I tried the outdoor art festival events when I was younger and did sell things but just found the mentality to be a zoo of people herding their kids and friends trying to navigate through a maze of art vendors and getting overwhelmed by all of the sights and art work to take in. If you really want to enjoy an art show, go to the art gallery openings, community centers and indoor events that are less overwhelming. I guarantee it will be a more enjoyable experience and you have the opportunity to take in the event at your own pace without having to trip over a moving crowd in the heat.
Also, here is some advice to fellow Artists; if you are going to pay good money to sit in the heat all day and show your work, make an effort to be friendly and interact with your potential customers. The key word there being ‘potential’. Who is a potential customer? Everyone and anyone. If nothing else, make the effort to make a new friend or fan of your work.
I recently attended the Mount Dora Art Festival and it was a huge gathering of wall to wall people and a well attended show. I went to see the art but also observe other artists to see how they worked the crowd, gain some contacts and yes, even buy some art.
I attended one artist’s booth that was more worried about people photographing or stealing his work rather than being cordial. I opened my digital camera to photograph the crowd and he immediately got up and started waving his arms and trying to get my attention. I assured him I was not there to steal his work and even showed him some of the crowd photos I had taken. It was all I could do to keep from saying I had no interest in buying his work, let alone photographing it to reproduce but I did my best to put him at ease then went about my business before being so rudely interrupted. Note to self – never do what this guy did. Yes you want to protect your work that you have labored to create but not at the expense of creating a bad memory or reputation in the process.
Another artist booth I attended I saw a piece that I loved and complemented the Artist telling them, ‘this is the best work I have seen here all day’. I received a very snide ‘thank you’ then watched the artist hide behind their tent and disappear. Note to other artists – never ever, ever, ever disrespect someone who is complementing your work by showing them disinterest. The old saying “never bite the hand that feeds you” could never apply more than this situation. I presented this artist with an opportunity to tell me more about their creation, hand me a business card and hear more about them. Instead I received a dead pan ‘thank you’ as they showed me their back. That artist lost a sale that day not to mention my respect. They had some great work but their mind was elsewhere apparently. Sound picky? Try making a sale that way and see what happens. If you have the opportunity to win a person over, take it. How often every day do you get an opportunity to impress someone? Even in bad economic times, art still sells if it moves a person.
Always take time to mingle with the crowd. Even if you are not a people person, learn to talk to people and make some friends. Artist Andy Warhol knew this the best and became a master at working the crowds. People may not have always liked Andy Warhol’s work, but they liked Andy Warhol. He loved doing shows and he became a great public relations person doing shows and mingling with people as often as he could.
People may not always like your work but if they like you, they will make an investment in you. One of my artist friends reiterated this fact to me in a discussion we were having one day. She said ‘they are not just buying a painting, they are buying a ‘Sharon Pollard’ and she is right. In each painting, regardless of the subject matter, there is also an artist’s unique style, signature and method of painting that makes that piece of art uniquely theirs and uniquely ‘you’ if you created it.
So, whether you are a serious art collector, lover of the arts or just looking for something different to do and take in some culture on a Friday night, enjoy the experience and take It for what it is, a night on the town to experience some culture and relaxation. That, after all, is what art is meant for – to enhance and enrich your life and offer an escape from the boredom and / or stress from living in a stressed out world.
Have fun, make some friends and if you like what you see, take home a treasure to adorn your home that will be a souvenir from the evening and something to make your home uniquely yours.
