HOW WAS MY FIRST ART FAIR!?
Exciting news from my weekend at the Saratoga Fine Arts Show!

I'm thrilled to report that my art fair debut was a resounding success! Last weekend, on May 4th and 5th, I had the incredible opportunity to showcase my artwork amidst a diverse community of creatives. Hosted by Pacific Fine Arts Festivals in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Saratoga, this outdoor juried art fair drew in talent from across the West Coast, and I was honored to be among the 125 artists selected.

 

The journey to this moment began months ago when I applied for the show back in January, pouring my passion and dedication into brushstrokes and booth designs long before I received the exciting news that my work had been accepted in March. I have been busily preparing for my first art fair for the past month and a half. And now, with the event behind me, I'm eager to share all the highlights and insights with you. 

But first, let's catch up on the latest from my studio!

Last year, I decided to dip my toes into the world of art fairs. Curious to experience a setting where art enthusiasts gather to explore and purchase artworks, I set my sights on participating in art fairs in 2024. In preparation, I began assembling items for my booth display, eager to make a memorable impression.

 

I follow fellow painters and 2D artists on social media who are successful in the art fair circuit. I decided to reach out to Jacqué Price, an accomplished oil painter from my same hometown. Jacqué graciously agreed to a phone call, during which she generously shared her insights and wisdom regarding art fair participation. I walked away from the conversation feeling inspired, not to mention, I felt like I had gained a new friend!

 

So before I go on, let's show some love for Jacqué by giving her a follow and showering her with hearts and likes. She's one of those incredible artists who actively supports and encourages newcomers like myself to find their place in the art world. Her Instagram handle is: @jacquepriceart 

Last fall, my dad and I built 9 movable wooden wall panels tailored for my backyard Open Studio event. Crafted with versatility in mind, they were designed to seamlessly transition from my backyard to a 10x10 ft canopy tent, perfect for art fair booths. Understanding the typical dimensions of such booths, ranging from 10x10 to 10x20 ft, I meticulously prepared for various display scenarios.

 

In anticipation of windy conditions, I invested in adjustable hanging wires for my heavier framed works and secured weights to anchor my tent. Additionally, I acquired various wooden displays to showcase my archival prints, custom washi tape, and vinyl stickers. A special shoutout goes to my Pilates instructor, Colleen, who crafted my wooden logo sign using her laser engraver. I love it!

 

To ensure I was fully equipped for networking and promotion, I printed additional business cards, commission-price-postcards, and 'let's-stay-in-touch' postcards all through Vista Print. Lastly, I ordered a vinyl logo sign, tying together my professional aesthetic.

 

As you can imagine, reaching this point required tremendous planning and effort. The art fair application process itself was quite the undertaking, demanding an artist statement, detailed descriptions of my artistic process, price ranges, and comprehensive photos of both my artwork and booth setup. From submission fees to booth payments, every step required careful financial planning and commitment.

 

Turning to local businesses for support, I entrusted my paintings to Giclee Kings for high-quality scanning and printing of my giclee prints. Method Framing in Sacramento provided professional expertise and custom frames for four of my favorite prints. I tackled the framing of my original paintings myself.

 

And of course, logistical arrangements were made, from booking accommodations to securing a rental van. With each task checked off the list, the anticipation for the big event steadily grew.

 

And then, in the blink of an eye, the day arrived.

I packed up my van the night before, hitting the road for Saratoga bright and early on Saturday morning. The art fair organizers were thorough, assigning each artist a specific set-up time. Mine was at 6:30 am. Despite the somewhat lengthy journey from Sacramento, the drive was smooth sailing, and my cargo van securely held all my art and booth supplies. Arriving a tad early, I indulged in a quick power nap before diving into set-up.

 

As luck would have it, the rain decided to make an appearance shortly after I'd erected my tent. Thankfully, I'd come prepared with tarps, clear shower curtains, zip ties, and clamps to safeguard everything. Though the set-up took a bit longer than anticipated, I managed to steal a moment to enjoy the breakfast I'd packed.

 

Observing the seasoned artists around me, I couldn't help but notice their efficiency. Despite the weather-dampening sales, the silver lining was the opportunity to connect with fellow artists throughout the morning, exchanging valuable feedback on set-up strategies, booth displays, and sales techniques.

 

Once the rain subsided, visitors began trickling in. Engaging with these art enthusiasts was an exciting contrast to the familiar faces at my gallery openings. Pitching my artwork to complete strangers was a humbling experience, highlighting areas where I could refine my sales tactics.

 

After a night of much-needed rest in a cozy hotel bed, I woke up refreshed, albeit with a few sore muscles. Sales picked up on sunny Sunday, with archival prints proving popular. Stickers also flew off the shelves, and I was thrilled to sell original artworks to new collectors. I was equally excited to see a lot of folks signing up for my newsletter and snagging business cards.

 

Despite feeling completely exhausted once the weekend was over, I have had some time to process the whirlwind experience. It was undoubtedly a significant commitment of time and energy, but witnessing other artists thrive at these fairs inspires confidence in my own journey. I'm eager to continue learning and growing, striving toward making these events work for me too.

 

To everyone who stopped by my booth at the Saratoga Fine Art Show, I extend my heartfelt thanks. Your kindness and support mean the world to me, and I look forward to crossing paths again at future events.

 

With two art fair waitlists for July and August and four pending applications, my calendar is buzzing with potential. I can't wait to share which events make the cut with you all!