Why international art fairs and exhibitions are important for beginning artists?

Why international art fairs and exhibitions are important for beginning artists?

When participating in various art fairs and exhibitions that are organised for artists all over the world I met so many talented artists who came there only as visitors. Most of them said the same thing each time we talked - I'm not ready to present my works to the public, I need to improve skills first and then start with small steps, etc. In my experience, you can hide and stay at studio with your brilliant works for years, and only your surrounding will be enjoying what you did. It's never a right time, as there's no limit to perfection.
You never will be perfect enough, otherwise you would have already been the most honoured artist. You just follow your route and share with people around what you have done. Yes, not everyone can be excited about the works. But there will always be the ones who feel overwhelming connection with your artwork and will enjoy it. It's impossible to achieve doing nothing, hiding in studious.
Artist is also a profession that needs interaction with audience, presentation skills, etc. Here're the main benefits you can get participating at various activities: - get the feedback on your works. You'll never know if something should be improved, changed, or maybe even lessened without the feedback from people around. What's more important it will be independent opinions, as your close friends and relatives won't criticise and suggest changes in order not to offend.
Example: at one of the art fairs there was a wonderful artist (it was her first art fair) who combined raisin , jewels on paintings. Her best work was in a huge size and a couple that fell in love with the work struggled and discussed with each other about 15 minutes where to hang such heavy and big work in a flat. They concluded that no space was left. What she suggested- to exchange contacts and make commissions for them. Also she decided to have works for the next fair in different sizes for variety. - network with other artist is gold. It's amazing to get inspiration, insights, connections during several days only. The result and outcome could be enormous.
I myself usually have so many plans after each event, because when you hear other stories, examples, advise - you get to the next level and develop. Knowing that this platform work and that type of presentation attracts more people, or news about upcoming exhibitions can give much more info for an hour of communication than you would get it in within a year sitting in studios.
Example: I used to share a stand with a very experienced and well known artist. She wasn't interested in exhibition herself but wanted to get acquainted with other artists. In couple of months she reached me and other artists from the event to suggest to participate at art exhibition in London that she organizes. - personal brand building. It is important to be at events of your industry to show that you're part of it. Not only for colleagues and other artists but for the public as well. The more they hear about you and your participation everywhere - the more they get involved, interested and attracted by you. It gives increase of loyalty.
Nowadays, with social networks impact and influence you can create any image you like. It could be very opened and sincere personality that shares the way works are created, what was your inspiration, your fails and success cases. Or on the contrary, you can create an image of a mystery with social or psychological message. Or may be you have a unique technique and you can show the step by step how much efforts it includes.
You don't need to make streams, videos of yourself if you don't want to - share what's comfortable but could be interesting. A hint - mention you social networks as QR codes or any other way at art fairs, exhibitions. In most cases, visitors wouldn't search precisely artists after visiting events, it's emotional effect- if seeing you, talking to you they realise that they want to follow your social network, know you more- give them such an opportunity. Prepare business cards with links to websites and media where they can find your works. - it's an opportunity to get info about insights. Which galleries and platforms sell better, how charity auctions work, how to ship artworks abroad, which pricing is relevant, how to find clients for commissions - all this could be learned when communicating with other artists at such events. Information is gold, if you participate in event- use all the opportunities, not only a chance to present your work. - great practice to improve presentation skills.
The more you practice and discuss with visitors your work- the more understanding of how better to present you get with each conversation. With this practice you can see how people react, what impresses them and what's not interesting. Perhaps, you considered technique used for painting/sculpture or material is unique- but in reality it can be turned out that visitors are admiring by concept or the story of inspiration, or on the contrary.
So, there're only benefits- even if your works won't capture the people, they'll just pass through, no one would judge or critics you as an artist. Cause art is subjective. If it produces emotional, mental impact - then it's your public, if no- then you just haven't seen your public yet.
How to choose an art fair?
A good question, as there're too many events each day all over the world. Choose wisely, if you don't have experience in such events, choose smaller- they're not expensive, probably, there will be the same 'beginner' (I mean in public) artists and you'll feel on the same level with the rest. At the same time don't choose extremely small, unknown, check location. If it's far from the centre and the organizers give tricky plan with a route how to get there- probably there won't be many visitors. Check if they already had exhibitions/art fairs, what was the format, what feedback/reviews were afterwards. And the last advise, get fun, don't treat it too responsible and strict - you created artworks, share and enjoy the moment of sharing them with the world.
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When participating in various art fairs and exhibitions organized for artists worldwide, I've encountered numerous talented individuals who attended solely as visitors. Interestingly, many of them expressed a common sentiment whenever we conversed: "I'm not ready to showcase my works to the public; I need to refine my skills first and take small steps."

In my experience, one can easily retreat to their studio with brilliant works and remain hidden from the world for years, while only those in their immediate circle enjoy the fruits of their labour. The truth is, there's never a perfect time, as perfection knows no bounds. If you're forever chasing perfection, you'd already be the most esteemed artist. Instead, you must forge your path and share your creations with those around you. Yes, not everyone may be enthralled by your works, but there will always be individuals who forge a profound connection with your art and derive immense joy from it.

It's impossible to achieve anything by doing nothing and remaining secluded in studios. Being an artist also entails engaging with your audience, honing your presentation skills, and more.

Here are the main benefits you can gain from participating in various activities:

  1. Feedback on your works: You'll never know if something needs improvement, alteration, or perhaps even simplification without receiving feedback from others. What's more, it's crucial to gather independent opinions, as close friends and relatives may hesitate to offer constructive criticism for fear of causing offense.

Example: At one art fair, I encountered a remarkable artist who showcased paintings adorned with raisins and jewels. Her standout piece was large and heavy, prompting a couple to ponder for 15 minutes about where to hang it in their home. Ultimately, they concluded that they had no space available. However, the artist proposed exchanging contacts and creating commissioned pieces for them. Additionally, she decided to offer works in different sizes for the next fair to diversify her offerings.

  1. Networking with other artists: This is invaluable. Gathering inspiration, insights, and connections over the course of a few days can yield tremendous results. Personally, I've left many events with a plethora of plans, as hearing stories, examples, and advice from others propels me to the next level of development. Learning which platforms work best and which presentation styles attract the most attention, or receiving news about upcoming exhibitions, can provide more information in an hour of communication than you'd gather in a year spent in studios.

Example: I once shared a stand with a highly experienced and renowned artist who wasn't interested in exhibiting but sought to connect with fellow artists. Within a few months, she reached out to me and other artists from the event, inviting us to participate in an art exhibition in London that she was organizing.

  1. Personal brand building: It's essential to be present at events within your industry to demonstrate your involvement. This isn't just important for colleagues and fellow artists but also for the general public. The more they hear about your participation in various events, the more engaged, interested, and drawn to you they become, fostering increased loyalty.

In today's world, with the influence of social networks, you can craft any image you desire. Whether it's an open and sincere personality sharing the creative process, inspirations, failures, and successes, or a mysterious figure with a social or psychological message, or perhaps someone with a unique technique detailing the arduous steps involved — you can choose what to share based on your comfort level and what you think may be of interest.

A tip: Display your social media handles as QR codes or through other means at art fairs and exhibitions. Visitors often won't search for artists after attending events; it's the emotional impact — if they encounter you and engage in conversation, they may feel compelled to follow you on social media to learn more about you. Prepare business cards with links to websites and media platforms where visitors can find your works.

  1. Opportunity to gain insights: You can learn about which galleries and platforms perform best, how charity auctions operate, how to ship artworks internationally, what pricing is relevant, and how to find clients for commissions by conversing with other artists at such events. Information is invaluable; if you're participating in an event, seize every opportunity, not just to present your work but also to absorb as much knowledge as possible.

  2. Enhanced presentation skills: The more you practice and engage in discussions with visitors about your work, the better you'll become at presenting it. With each conversation, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively present your work. Through this practice, you'll observe how people react, what impresses them, and what fails to capture their interest. Perhaps you believed your technique or material choice was unique, but in reality, visitors may be more enamoured with the concept or the story behind the piece.

In conclusion, there are only benefits to be gained from participating in events. Even if your works fail to captivate everyone, those who do connect with your art form your audience. If your art elicits emotional or mental responses, then you've found your public. If not, you simply haven't encountered them yet.

How does one choose an art fair? This is a pertinent question, as there are countless events taking place worldwide every day. Choose wisely. If you lack experience in such events, opt for smaller ones; they're often affordable, and you'll likely find other beginner artists attending, making you feel on equal footing with the rest. However, avoid extremely obscure or unknown events, and always check the location.

And the final one -  have fun! Get pleasure of the process of sharing your artworks with the audience. It should be two-way energy exchange.

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