What is it Like Showing in a High-End Art Fair?

High-end art fairs (as opposed to street fairs), the most famous being Art Basel - Miami, have been all the rage for the last decade. Those who are not artists exhibiting in one of these shows might wonder what the experience is like for the artists. Here is my experience exhibiting with bG Gallery of Los Angeles at this year’s Scottsdale Art Week at West World in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Although this was only the second year for the Scottsdale fair, the experience at all of these fairs is similar for artists who are involved. Many times the artists do not attend these fairs and are allow the gallery to represent them. I was very lucky in that bG Gallery was exhibiting my art and willing to do all of the work involved: hanging, talking to customers, taking down, etc. Of course, I helped with all of that just to help out and to enjoy the experience. But this also gave me plenty of time to observe and experience the fair.

When arriving to drop off work, it is hard to find a parking spot and to know just where to park. You want to park close to the entrance near your booth so you don’t have to lug your artwork too far. I parked and entered into the fair to find the booth and identify the closest door. Once inside the building all was chaos.

Crates, boxes, shipping supplies and art litter the space. Some booths have a lot of large work and sculptures to install. They were already there working away. It took awhile, but I found the booth and Om Bleicher, the owner of bG Gallery that was hosting my work. I delivered my work in-person as I drove to Arizona with it in my white cargo van (Vanna White). I kept my packing simple, mostly protecting the edges of the frames.

I was shown the closest entrance. Carts were available, if you could catch one. I wheeled in my three large paintings and placed them where Om wanted them to be hung. I unpacked them and proceeded to measure the wall and hang the paintings.

Once the artwork was up, I explored a bit. The amount of debris on the dark carpet was surprising and I had no idea how they would get all the Styrofoam pebbles, bits of paper, plastic, string and who knows what up before the opening. The most horrifying was that in every aisle, on a large piece of cardboard, there was a paint roller sitting in a roller pan full of white paint for touching up the walls. How one of these did not accidentally get stepped in or how a trail of white dribbles didn’t spread across the black carpet I will never know.

But the next day, just before it was time to open, the place looked immaculate. The chaos of install was replaced with a sense of calm, like a calm before a storm. Everyone was smiles and a bit chatty, happy that the install was over but knowing the endless engagement with the public was just around the corner. Attendance for the first day was pretty slow. I think most people were waiting for the opening party that night. Then, when it was time to party, people showed up.

The crowd was interesting. Most people were dressed up a bit. Even those wearing jeans seemed to think about there ensemble. There were many men with cowboy hats and boots, many women in dresses and jewelry. There were long time collectors who dropped by the booth and talked in a comfortable familiar way with the gallerists. There were small groups of young attractive women who were all dressed up (sometimes a little risque) who, I am told, were fishing for a wealthy man. There were small groups of well-dressed young men who walked around confidently, laughing with each other a little too easily, trying to portray some kind of presence. My Midwestern self also found the amount of plastic surgery, on men and women, a bit astonishing. I think this is a Scottsdale experience more than an art fair experience, in general. The show made good people watching.

Most of the fair there was a slow steady stream of people with some lag times. I was able to converse and get to know the other artists and gallerists at the booth. Om had pulled together a nice group of people. I also took some time to look at many of the other galleries, wanting to find one that might represent me. A few gallerists made their way over to our booth to look at my work. I am currently in conversation with one of them.

People come by and ask about the work. Some were from the Midwest and were drawn to my landscapes. Others liked the intimacy of the pieces and the feeling that you could step into them. The other artists and gallerists at our booth were always happy to talk and engage with people. During the slow times, food would show up. Either items that were brought in a chest or a bag or purchased at the show. There was a cafe and bar in the center of the exhibit, a VIP lounge, and an area for presentations.

Then, after four days of talking to people about art it was time to pack up. Depending on the booth, the crates started showing up the last three hours of the fair. By the time it was officially over, a few booths were empty. But many gallerists were still talking with potential buyers and waiting for the rush of other booths emptying out before taking down their exhibit. Soon the box, crate and shipping supply chaos was back in full swing, although a little more tired. Everything got packed up, leftover debris and food items were thrown in the trash. The artwork was moved back out to the trucks and vans from which they came and soon the place was once again empty.

These fairs, in general, have an ebb and flow of activity. There are stretches of slight boredom. Then there are times of fun interactions with people who are genuinely interested in what you are doing as an artist. Unfortunately, none of my work sold at this fair. But it was a good introduction to these fairs and what they are like. I enjoyed getting to know Om and the other people in the booth. I continue to talk with Om and another gallery about showing my work and seeing where those relationships can go. Except for the fact that each day of the fair the outside temperature was above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, I very much enjoyed the experience and learned a few things along the way.

Many thanks to Om Bleicher for exhibiting my work and to Amy Delaporte who connected me with Om and bG Gallery.