In addition to making money selling your art through Patreon and commissions, you can also sell your art in person.
As a visual fine artist selling in person is fabulous because people get to experience the work and know if they really like it right away. They don’t have to worry about colors being different than what they see on the screen or sizes being different than what they read online.
Usually selling art in person comes down to having an event. It can be micro, small, or large but the end result is the same. Each piece of your art will have a presence that is much greater than an impersonal online graphic.
Exhibitions
An exhibition is when you install your work at a location separate from your art studio such as an art gallery, local business, restaurant, cafe, markets, art fairs, and more. The idea is you are putting your work into a space where it will be appreciated by a new audience who may also be potential buyers.
Something to consider with exhibitions, especially in an art gallery, is that there is usually a 40%-50% commission taken by the gallery. This can be worth it if your art is priced right so you can expand your reach and grow your community.
How to make sure it's worth it?
Do your homework and learn about each exhibition space to make sure it’s a fit for showing the type of art you make before you approach them. You don’t want to waste your time trying to get into a space that doesn’t have clients who would love your work or consider buying it.
Open Studio Events
An annual regional open studio tour invites art lovers to visit your studio, look at your work, and you can make it available for sale. It has the feeling of an open house where people come and go, it reaches a large audience, and lets your visitors see art where it's made.
You can also collaborate with several other local artists and make your own tour. This is a wonderful way to support each other and a flexible way to control who attends. Make it a party atmosphere.
When you allow your fans to see your process and what inspires your work, your art sales will feel easier because once people get to touch and experience your art in person, they can fall in love with it so much faster.
Studio Visits
A private meeting at your studio is a wonderful way to connect with curators who are interested in showing your work - which can lead to sales. If you’ve submitted a proposal for an exhibition or had them reach out to you, gallerists or curators need to have a studio visit to confirm and select anything they would like to show. After all, they know their audience best and they’ll help you be even more successful.
You can also invite private collectors to visit your studio by appointment. When you make private appointments like these available, it feels very exclusive and gives your buyers the VIP treatment. This is great for interior designers who are considering your work for a space they are designing as well as collectors who want to display your art in their home or office.
What Now?
As you start to do more in-person events and plan for your year, these are several great, in-person ways to connect with your people who like your art.
I can help you market and prepare for in-person events and sales by developing social media posts, designing your invitation to purchase, and creating your sales process. In addition to giving you a clear blueprint, we’ll connect you with the people who are most interested in your art.