Do I really want to do Art Fairs??
Here I am on Halloween weekend '23 at an art fair in Washington, DC
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Art Fairs
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Wendell MyersHuman-Made ArtMar 6, 2026
When I gave up on being a professional ceramic artist in '83, after 5 years of doing multiple art fairs and craft festivals, I promised myself I would never do another one. Many years later, based on urging from ASF and others to participate in in-person events, I decided to try again, but limit myself to indoor-only, "high-end" fairs. I did one in late '23 in DC (that's me in the mask and beret), and one in early '24 in Savannah. I don't regret either, as I learned a tremendous amount. However, I lost a lot of money, to a degree that continuing to do this type of event where the artist shoulders an incredible amount of financial risk, is simply not sustainable. When it comes to outdoor, unprotected, weather-dependent fairs and festivals, not interested. Any thoughts on what one might call mid-range, indoor or sheltered art fairs? Right now I am concentrating on galleries, open studios, and online. Not sure I want to accept the financial risk inherent in art fairs.
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Doodle RexHuman-Made ArtMar 6, 2026
Thanks for asking this question. I’m getting ready to try an indoor art fair for the first time and am feeling a bit cautious regarding the financial investment. I don’t have any experience to help answer your question, but I’m eager to hear what others have to offer.
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Wendell MyersHuman-Made ArtMar 6, 2026
It is so hard to judge an art fair--people have such varying experiences, from huge losses, to breaking even to making significant money. Obviously it helps tremendously if you already have a following in the city where the fair is being held. I don't believe I will ever do another one without attending it the year prior and talking to the exhibiting artists. Also, doing the same fair repeatedly so that you develop a following can make a big difference, but if you stand to potentially lose 5 or 6 thousand dollars--booth fee, plus extra for lighting, an extra chair, etc, travel, parking, lodging, food--which is very realistic for a 4 day fair in a major city, is that even possible? So, it pays to be very selective, but the financial risk is very real and is substantial. For many of us, one very expensive fair which doesn't lead to significant sales, either at the fair or shortly thereafter, could shut down any hope of a viable art business, at least in the near term.
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Doodle RexHuman-Made ArtMar 6, 2026
Thanks for all of that input. I have just arranged travel to the fair that I’m considering for the 2027 season so that I can get a sense of the value of participating. I’m looking forward to talking with artists and kicking the tires, so to speak. Did your experiences lead to any gallery opportunities?
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Wendell MyersHuman-Made ArtMar 6, 2026
Yes, I am in a gallery in Cumberland, MD thanks to the show in DC. I had a solo show there in April of 2024. I have had a number of sales there, most recently of a 48x48 inch painting. The sales at that gallery so far are a fraction of my losses at the DC art fair, but it is one good result of doing that fair.
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Props for showing up and owning it, that's already half the battle
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Do art fairs? It depends. When I lived in Houston there were enough opportunities for me to show and sell art without leaving the city. Now that I live in a mountain town in Colorado the opportunities are limited, so I have been on the fair circuit for the past 8 years. I only do indoor fairs. Some have been successful (ie, good sales + good networking), others have been a bust. They are always a lot of work and take a lot of time (preparation, travel time, 4 days showing at the fair). I have learned a lot. I've learned how to speak more compellingly about my work. And you can't beat the face-to-face market research. Oftentimes, contacts made at the fair result in commissions or later sales. Not all fairs are created equal. And different markets seem to be a good fit for me. In my experience The Other Art Fair series has been the most productive and best organized...but even with them I've had fairs that were productive and others that were a bust.
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Everything we do as artists is a gamble every day. What we have to do is understand our risk tolerance. I am in growth mode so I'm traveling a lot, I'm going to fairs, visiting galleries and building networks and relationships. You can't put a price on networking!
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Looking at your photo? you're a natural ⛴️
Your works are stunning!
Your works are stunning!
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