Art: More or Less

How do you gauge success at an art show? Is it more attendance? More participating artists? More pieces sold? More dollars in sales?

I was at two big sculpture shows this weekend. In my non-scientific observation I would say there were fewer artists participating and fewer patrons.

However I did see significant numbers of items being wrapped and carried out.

In today's paper there was a preliminary statement that said they believed more pieces sold this year than in years' past. More pieces, but the average price per piece was less. So a bigger number of pieces but less total dollar revenue.

This might be ideal for the show's organizers, but what about for everyone else?

I think this can be viewed as good news...more people got to appreciate and purchase more pieces from more artists. More pieces were shipped. The wealth was spread around.

In the past, many artists thought they had to go bigger and bigger in order to get the big sale. This year, those that did the best had smaller pieces that were affordable by more buyers.

Perhaps the successful artist was "reading" the market and bringing smaller works. Or perhaps he or she was just doing what felt right. Or perhaps it was different artists who sold.

You can decide that your work is best represented large...and know that you will have fewer sales but each will be a bigger dollar amount (and I know of several very large pieces that sold)...or you can decide that your work is best represented smaller...or perhaps you have a combination of both.

I believe that art is something that comes from our hearts and souls and speaks to the heart and soul of the buyer. Rather than changing your vision, think about how you can make your work be accessible to the buyer...maybe you have a smaller version available or maybe you can offer a payment plan for larger pieces.

The big lesson here is that you can sell art in any market. You have to believe that it is possible.

Exceptional Day at Sculpture Invitational

Yesterday I spent an incredible day at the Sculpture Invitational here in Loveland, Colorado. We are so fortunate to live in a community that is so supportive of the arts...and to have not just one, but TWO huge sculpture shows every summer.

I noticed a lot of new exhibitors this year. It was fun to see the quality of the new work and to also catch up with some returning favorites...talk about what they have been up to, new works they have created, shows they are participating in, successes they've been having, and new grandkids arriving!

Met one lady who is 90 years old. She says this is her last show. She'll keep sculpting, but says she is "tired" of the shows...I asked when she started sculpting and she said when she was a little girl. She used to carve corn cobs!

Ran into several past favorites with really wonderful additions. Ann Fleming has added some bas reliefs to her collection. Very nice. Phillip Feaster finished a piece he was working on last year and added another called "Kelp Dance"...I swear I was in the kelp forest off Monterey when I looked at that one. Victor Issa finished "The Power of Thought" and it is magnificent.

Had some great conversations about stones, carving and special techniques...John Christensen, Marv Poulson, Jeff Schaezle and so many more!

Met some cool woodworkers...making me think about giving that a try! Thanks for all the info William Ooms, Lew Hammer (don't you just love that name for a sculptor!), Michael Bauermeister (another great name for a guy working in wood!)

One 1st timer that I was especially impressed with is Lisa Arquette. She combines wood, metal (bronze, polished pewter), and glass. She does it all herself. Lots of symbolism behind her work. Very powerful.

Another 1st time exhibitor was David Mallin...very sensual work...love the play of the shadows.

Saw old friends with wonderful new pieces...Greg Todd, Lori Acott-Fowler, Jeff Schaezle, Sam Terakedis, Monty Taylor...

Also ran into friends not exhibiting...Stalin Tafura (congrats on your recent sale & award in the Sculptural Pursuit competition!), Collen Nyanhongo (very interesting conversation on the challenges in moving a permanent installation in Ft Collins), Kathryn Schroeder (Chapungu Gallery) ...

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic show. It was great to see you all and to hear how well you are doing!

Downtown Denver Arts Festival

The 11th Annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival will be held May 22-25, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend).

The deadline to apply is Feb. 17, 2009.

This festival showcases the work of Colorado artists exclusively. Approximately 125 artists of various media exhibit at this outdoor show and over 150,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Go to the Downtown Denver Arts Festival website to learn more about the organization or to get an application.

Art Still Selling

With all the folks bemoaning the economy it is easy to believe that no one is buying art these days. Well, that is just not true.

A painter recently told me, it is all about knowing your market. True in any business. He found where people are buying art and contacted galleries in those areas, and he is selling.

The Loveland Sculpture Invitational and Sculpture in the Park shows, which were held last weekend, are like huge, outdoor, temporary galleries. Sales happened there, too. Figures haven't been released yet for the Invitational, but the Park show has been holding steady at about $1 million in art sales for several years. Not bad for a 2 day show! 2 days of active showing and lots of months of preparation before that.

One of the reasons so much sculpture sells at these shows is the reputations of the shows. People come from around the world to both exhibit and to buy sculpture. Collectors know they will find a variety of quality art at these shows and they will be able to see it all in one place, in one weekend.

So if you want to sell your artwork, do a little homework. Getting into a gallery is good, but is the gallery selling? Are the staff members real sales people or are they just keeping the building open? Does your work fit in well with the gallery and the community? Is this your target market? If the answers to these questions are no, then it is time to find a different gallery--even if that gallery is in a different city or state!