Roundtable 21 Aug 2024 - Shipping & Vegas Art Expos

8/21/24

Roberta Queiroga shared her excitement about receiving a significant commission for a $5,000 abstract painting, which she will ship to New Hampshire. Jason Matias discussed the logistics of shipping art and the importance of advertising overseas. Doug Parks is preparing a 13x19 portfolio, learning to bridge colors for a cohesive look. Jason recapped his experience at a Vegas art show, noting a $18,500 cost, $1,000 in sales, and valuable networking opportunities. He emphasized the importance of early planning, clear communication with unions, and leveraging influencers. Denise Buisman Pilger plans a solo show in Montreal, aiming to expand her social media strategy beyond detail shots.

Outline

Roberta Queiroga's Commission and Shipping Challenges

Roberta Queiroga shares her excitement about receiving a significant commission of $5001 for a piece of her abstract art.

She mentions the size of the piece, 1.3 meters by 90 cm, and the colors specified by the client: black on black with white.

Roberta explains how she met the clients at an art show last year and how they contacted her for three pieces for their New Hampshire house.

Jason Matias and Roberta discuss the logistics of shipping the artwork to the US, noting that Roberta has shipped to the UK and South Africa before but not to the US.

Strategizing Shipping and Promotion

Jason Matias suggests using a specific zip code to estimate shipping costs for the New Hampshire clients.

Roberta and Jason discuss the potential cost of shipping to New Hampshire and the importance of providing accurate shipping estimates to clients.

Jason advises Roberta to use the New Hampshire zip code to get a more accurate shipping cost and to package the artwork accordingly.

Roberta mentions moving her studio temporarily to a surf shop and brainstorms ways to promote this new location.

Promoting the Surf Shop Studio

Jason suggests using the surf shop location as a unique selling point and creating an event to attract potential clients.

Roberta considers hosting an open studio event at the surf shop, inviting people to see her work and the surfboards.

Jason and Roberta discuss the potential of creating surf-inspired art while working in the surf shop.

Roberta shares that she has painted surfboards and skateboards before, and Jason suggests using these as marketing tools.

Denise Buisman Pilger's Solo Show Offer

Denise Buisman Pilger announces that a friend offered her a solo show in downtown Montreal for September.

The show coincides with the re-entry period after vacation, and it will be held in a building with multiple galleries.

Jason and Denise discuss the benefits of the show being in a building with other galleries and the potential for increased exposure.

Denise mentions that the show will cost her nothing and that it aligns with her goal of getting more gallery representation.

Doug Parks' Portfolio and Curating Techniques

Doug Parks shares that he is working on a 13 by 19 portfolio and is printing on matte paper.

Jason advises Doug on curating his portfolio, suggesting that he bridge colors to create a cohesive color story.

Doug plans to separate his portfolio into two, one for black and white and one for color, to make better use of his folios.

Jason and Doug discuss the importance of organizing the portfolio to create a continuous color story and the benefits of having multiple folios.

Lessons Learned from the Vegas Show

Jason shares his mixed feelings about the Vegas show, noting the high attendance expectations and the actual turnout of 800 people.

He explains the financial aspects of the show, including the cost of $18,500 and the actual sales of $1,000.

Jason highlights the importance of networking and the lessons learned from dealing with unions and the high costs associated with them.

He advises on the importance of asking questions and being clear about costs when working with unions and other service providers.

Preparation and Execution for Future Shows

Jason emphasizes the need for early preparation for art shows, starting six months ahead of time.

He shares the importance of having a detailed plan for setup and take-down, including storage solutions for art.

Jason advises using checklists and lead trackers to stay organized and ensure nothing is missed.

He stresses the importance of having a clear plan for team members and volunteers to avoid last-minute confusion.

Networking and Influencer Engagement

Jason discusses the importance of networking at art shows and engaging with influencers to increase exposure.

He shares his experience of not reaching out to influencers at the Vegas show and the missed opportunities that resulted.

Jason advises reaching out to influencers and other relevant contacts before the show to create awareness and potential collaborations.

He highlights the importance of leveraging influencer networks to extend the reach of the show and create opportunities for future sales.

Raffle and Giveaway Strategies

Jason shares his experience with a raffle for a piece of art at the Vegas show, noting the challenges of reaching the minimum entry threshold.

He discusses the legal considerations of giveaways and the importance of understanding the rules.

Jason advises on the importance of having a clear plan for raffles and giveaways, including how to handle entries and follow-up with participants.

He suggests using raffles and giveaways as a way to generate interest and build an email list, but emphasizes the need for careful planning.

Social Media and Email Marketing Strategies

Jason and Denise discuss the importance of using social media and email marketing to promote art shows and events.

Jason advises Denise to try new types of posts, such as detail shots and videos, to increase engagement and reach.

He emphasizes the importance of creating a subset of people who have shown interest in specific events, such as time art releases.

Jason suggests using dedicated notifications for specific events to ensure higher open rates and more reliable sales.

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Roundtable 28 August 2024 - Payment Plans for Art

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Roundtable - 31 July 2024