Last weekend, I participated in a small-scale art exhibition with a painter and a sculptor. It was my first time exhibiting as an artist rather than a craftswoman. And I made some interesting observations I'd like to share with you. Especially as this art exhibition was a so much more positive experience than the usual craft fair! We promoted our exhibition through posters and flyers laid out at local shops. In addition, I promoted the event on Facebook, Instagram, my website and through my newsletter. However, the best medium to promote your event in rural Bavaria, is through a local newspaper. We were very fortunate to have two such papers taking an interest. And their articles were lovely. They even managed to take a decent picture of me! Me and my embroideries took up residence in the sculptor's atelier. Two beautiful rooms with good natural light. I was allowed to hammer nails into the walls where ever I wanted. What luxury! My embroideries where more spaced-out than what is possible at a craft fair. I was able to group similar ones together and to add proper descriptions. Besides naming the piece, I also added materials and year of creation. There was plenty of space for people to mill around and get really close to my work. I also set up my trestles with my slate frame to show a piece of silk shading as work in progress. That proved to be a clever move, as people were very interested in this technique. Our promotions had clearly worked. The day before I was setting up the exhibition, I was contacted by a buyer who didn't dare wait till the exhibition was officially open. She bought three of my pieces! During the two-day exhibition, I sold two more. In addition, I also sold a few pendants, a food cover and an embroidery kit. Much more than what I usually sell at a craft fair. And so far, I have never sold an embroidered item other than pendants, at a craft fair. Until now, I have been reluctant to call myself an artist. And I get the giggles when somebody in my presence does. But I think it is perhaps time to make the transition from crafter to artist. For starters: I've been invited on the spot to two more art exhibitions as people where so impressed by my work. These exhibitions have equal low costs for me as this exhibition had. That seems to be the biggest difference between craft fairs and art exhibitions: the costs. This one was exceptionally low: part of the costs of the flyers and two cakes. But the others are very reasonable too: cost of flyers, drinks during the vernissage (if I want such a gathering!) and 5% of my sales. You see, no sales do thus not equal disaster as it does with craft fairs. Who knew?! What I also found refreshing was the type of visitor. Yes, there were fellow stitchers and yes some made the same kind of silly remarks as they tend to do at craft fairs. But the majority were art lovers. And they are a different tribe altogether. They either like a piece or they don't like a piece. Fine by me, I can deal with that. And my new tribe was very clear about their tastes and interests: goldwork and silk shading. With copies of local painters' work in canvas (think: my interpretation of Franz Marc's tiger). And since I sold so many pieces, I need to create some more of that in the coming months. Oh joy! But first I'd like to finish my ebook on the linen vestments from Tyrol. Because attending an art exhibition does take time. And with several commissions sitting on the shelves, the ebook is unfortunately lower on the list of priorities... Nevertheless, I hope you liked my report on my first-ever art exhibition. And maybe some of you should transition from crafter to artist too? Still giggling...
36 Comments
15/5/2018 15:24:15
Congratulations, Jessica! Sounds like it was a great success! Very interesting results and observations!
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15/5/2018 15:35:46
Congrats Jessica! Important step you took. You ARE an artist! I recently changed to ‘quilt artist’ rather than ‘quilter’, mostly because it defines who I believe I am. Artist defines you! Good luck in your future shows.
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Avril Baxter
15/5/2018 15:57:54
Congratulations. It sounds very successful for a first attempt, and of curse you are an artist.
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Ana-Maria Kramer
15/5/2018 16:06:43
Congratulations on the show and the shows to come. It is interesting how you compare the Art and Craft shows. I also noted the difference in setting up your display. Spreading out and allowing for close viewing as opposed to a full table.
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15/5/2018 16:31:57
Thank you Ana-Maria! Yes, space is everything. However, square meters at craft shows are just far too expensive to allow for good displays.
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Ginette Marcoux
15/5/2018 16:23:53
Good day Jessica,
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Betsy
15/5/2018 17:04:57
Congratulations on making the leap! You've always been an artist--now you are comfortable calling yourself by that name.
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15/5/2018 17:08:50
Thank you Betsy! I'll keep practising in front of the mirror :)!
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Congratulations! Clearly it's time you stopped giggling and took yourself a bit more seriously!
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15/5/2018 19:03:38
You are absolutely right Rachel! I am all grown-up now. Sorry, interupted by another giggle :). But I think you are right, craft became the word for 'hobby' and art the word for 'serious'. My old business cards are nearly gone and the new ones will have a very different wording!
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Velia Antila
15/5/2018 19:01:24
I am so glad for you and happy to know you now have a new line of crafter participation group, which I find to be more more different and appreciative of ones work than a regular craft fair attendees. Congratulations.
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15/5/2018 19:13:17
Thank you Velia! It was indeed very inspiring to talk to other artists. There was a lovely engraver; so inspiring talking to her!
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Nancy Anne White
15/5/2018 20:18:15
What a wonderful experience and a positive shift in how to think of your incredible skill.
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15/5/2018 21:05:37
Now I am giggling and blushing Nancy Anne! Thank you so much!
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15/5/2018 21:24:03
Wow! What an exciting post! Congratulations! Artist you are and have been ALL ALONG! Best wishes on your future art exhibitions!
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Ah, finally! I've been thinking that your craft fair problems were due to the fact that your work really should be elevated (in the eyes of others) to art and then it will find proper evaluation -- and so it is. It's a little bit about labels but whatever works. I hope you will have much success in this line of promoting your work.
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Gayle Shapcott
16/5/2018 00:17:03
Jessica, what a fabulous result, congratulations. Fantastic that your work is getting the recognition that it deserves and that you are being recognized for being the amazing artist that you are!
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16/5/2018 08:16:08
Thank you Gayle! It feels amazing to be out of the closet :).
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Sue Knight
16/5/2018 00:43:48
Congratulations Jessica. What a fantastic result. As a Professional Embroiderer you are an artist, so you need to take credit for it. I realize it is difficult to think of ourselves as one thing, since we have always thought of ourselves as something else; but we need to change and see how important embroidery really is to the arts.
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16/5/2018 08:18:05
Thank you Sue! I realise that I had limiting beliefs about my work and it sure is time I let go of them. And with all the encouraging words from my lovely blog readers, I am finally able to do so!
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16/5/2018 17:29:15
Yes, fine embroiderers are very definitely artists. Especially if design is in the equation. Well done! Onwards and upwards!
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16/5/2018 18:11:05
How about initiating one yourself Elizabeth? This was a very 'low-key' event too. One artist offering the space of her home and inviting two others to join her. She has been doing this for 14 years, always during the Mother's Day weekend. It took a few years to really take off, but now it is firmly on local people's radar. My next one will be in a small local history museum in a village a couple of miles away. Again, pretty low-key, but perfect for much needed local promotion.
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Such a lovely post to read and a huge congratulations! I’m so glad this exhibition not only resulted in sales for you but also a change in mindset. It is sad that ‘crafter’ has become associated with hobby only, but I’m glad you have found your place in the world of ‘artist’.
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17/5/2018 08:54:59
Thank you Catherine! It will be interesting to see how Autralia reacts to your embroidery talent. I hope you had a good trip and that you will settle into the new life soon!
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Thanks Jessica, slowly starting to settle back in - it’s surprising how much of a culture change moving back home is! I managed to get a little stitching done today which made for a welcome change! Australia is generally quite good with embroidery- fingers crossed they like my style!
Erica Marsden
16/5/2018 23:11:25
Jessica, I am delighted for you. You are an artisan, not a crafter. Maybe this is your niche! You must be smiling.
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17/5/2018 08:58:29
Thank you Erica! That's what I thought I was: artisan or Kunsthandwerker in German. But I have to drop the part behind Kunst as that is too much associated with tradition and craft. And my embroideries are not perceived as belonging to the tradition here. Historically, that's wrong. But it is all about perception these days, with the truth being a whole different thing...
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Erica
20/5/2018 04:22:37
Such good news! Especially after such dispiriting experiences at the craft fairs. Fascinating to hear how different the audiences are. Good luck with the upcoming shows!
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