How to Find Your First Art Show

When I first started selling my work back in 2013, I knew I wanted to do an Art/Craft Show, but I had no idea where to find them or how to get started.

I actually ended up finding my first show on Craigslist! I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I knew I had to start somewhere.

Doing that first show taught me a TON about the type of shows I wanted to do, how to better present my work and what to look for when applying to shows.

Here are some ways to find the right shows for you:

Know who your people are and what shows they are likely to attend. In our Sell What You Make Course, we help you dive deeper into this, so you have a really good idea of who is likely to buy your work, where they shop and what attracts them to your work.

Attend shows you are interested in and take notes: How many people are shopping? Does it look busy and bustling with activity? How many artists are there? Is their work on a similar level to yours (be honest with yourself. If you’re just starting out, you might not be ready for the shows you REALLY want to do.) Look at the layout and booth designs-what draws you in? What repels you? What could you incorporate into your own booth design?

Talk to the Artists (only if they aren’t busy!) Ask them how the show is going and what other shows they might be doing (I get these questions a LOT and I’m always happy to talk about them.) This is a great way to learn about what shows are out there and may be a good fit.

Gather business cards from vendors similar to you. If you make jewelry, don’t just focus on jewelry vendors. Look at Artists who make handbags or scarves that share your aesthetic. Your ideal customers may be very closely related and it may give you really good insight to learn where else they sell their work.

Use those cards you collected to check out the Artist’s websites and social to see where else they sell. Often Artists will post upcoming shows on their website or social media. This is helpful intel for you.

Organize what you learned! Use the information you gathered from visiting, talking and researching to make a Spreadsheet of shows you want to apply to. Include contact info, application deadlines, dates of the show, booth fees, location and anything else you want to keep track of. Often a December show requires you to apply 10-12 months in advance, so tracking deadlines is key.

Join FB Groups dedicated to selling your work at shows or reviewing shows. I like JewelryArtists Booths&Displays for Booth Design ideas/feedback and Art Fair Reviews for insights about various shows. Search around for those specific to your area too. We have one for CNY Artists too.

Follow Show Promoters on social or join the mailing list for upcoming art shows you want to apply to so you are one of the first to know when applications go live.

Create a Show Portfolio so you’re ready to apply when applications come out. Include your Bio and great photos of your work along with descriptions of the items you sell. Keeping a folder on your computer will save you time and make your life much easier. (I’ve wasted hours scrolling through photos over and over, to find the ones I want to use for shows. So much easier to keep them in one spot!)

I hope you have found these little tips to be helpful as you get ready to book your first show.