Selling at Art Fairs: Tips for WAS-H Members

October 21, 2022 11:54 AM | Nancy Moody

By Laura Mossman, Artist Liaison

After the event, I approached our two big sellers, Pei Hong Endris and Laurie Hammons and asked them what the secret to their success was. Here is a summary of their recommendations:

  1. Use social media and send a note to your email list before the event. Both Pei Hong and Laurie posted the event on Facebook so their followers knew about the Fair. Pei Hong also posted on Instagram and sent an email out to her email list.
  2. Label and display your artwork so that it's matted, easy to find, and the price is clearly marked. Laurie recommends displaying pieces according to subject, like landscapes, still life, people, animals, etc. Using standard size mats will enable to customer to easily find a frame.
  3. Promote yourself: Include some information about you, the Artist, in your booth. Purchase some business cards and put one inside the packaging of your paintings.
  4. Price your artwork appropriately. See Laurie's comments about pricing in the Art Fair Summary article. Link to article is below.
  5. If it's not against the Fair rules, selling prints of your work can help introduce your work to a new customer. Pei Hong recommends that you only display one print of the same piece of art, not multiples. She is very particular about which pieces she has reproduced and only displays one copy of each piece at the fair. Pei Hong recommends Copy Doctor for good quality prints.
  6. Talk and connect with fair attendees. Pei Hong states "Emotion plays into real sales. Once you've made a sale to a customer for the first time, if they love your art, they are likely to buy again."

If you are thinking about selling at Art Fairs, our participants have shared their tips for Art Fair success. If you want to read a detailed listing with links to preferred equipment and additional comments on selling tips, read the full "Art Fair Summary" article by clicking HERE

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