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abstract art, art, art expo, art for sale, art prints, art show, art shows, Artist, buy art, contemporary art, Family, friends, friendship, fun, love, paintings, prints, sharon cummings, sharoncummings, support, tampa, tampa artist, ybor city, ybor city art show
Yes I did! I’ve got my first art show under my belt and it was a great success! It was a very small show, but I still sold 3 originals and 30 prints. Other artists around me who have done many shows said I did amazing….phenomenal and outstanding. I’ve got my eye on something for March or April and then next year a BIG show (you have to apply to the big shows up to a year in advance).
I learned a lot going through this experience and that wisdom is priceless. Just like online sales, art does not sell itself. It is not enough to just set up your tent and hide to the side. Of all of the tents I could see and the two on either side of me, I was the one making sales and getting people into my space. And the phrase “getting people in” is similar to what I do online. I had to invite them. Smile. Engage them by talking and wave them in. Once inside they relaxed and looked around and many bought. I found just talking to folks…..including their kids…..laughing…..this is what made sales. I sold prints to two people who bought because their children liked my work. I engaged the kiddos too by addressing them and showing them work I thought they would like. Their parents seemed to love this and out came the credit cards when the wee ones had made their choices. That’s the sales person in me talking, but all of that was not the best part of the show.
I was touched by the friends who came out to support me. Some bought, but most just came to say hello and let me know that they wanted to be a part of my big day. My in-laws also made the drive up to help make the day special. One friend especially made me smile because I had not seen him in over 13 years. It felt really good to see the love and friendship.
So yes….I did it and I will do it again. 🙂
Congratulations on a great show Sharon ~ so happy for your success!!!
Thanks Jo Ann….it went better than I imagined. 🙂
Sharon absolutely fantastic! Great going! Wishing you continued success!
Thank you Douglas….it was a lot of work and I am totally useless today…..but I wouldn’t trade the experience!
Well done, you! not surprised at all!
Thank you so much Norma!
Great experience! Congratulation on your success! I was also thinking about doing some similar show but the ‘talking part’ is what holds me back
Thank you Jindra! I know that “socializing” with strangers doesn’t come easy for a lot of artists….there was a tent across from mine with some beautiful work, but the artist was so afraid to talk to people. Maybe try one and just try…
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your wisdom and inspiration with all of us 🙂 Happy holidays
Thank you Omaste! I am wishing you and yours all of the best this Holiday Season! And a fresh and great New Year!
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Thank you Omaste!
I’m so proud of you and happy for the great sales you had…so sorry I live so far away…I absolutely would have been there beside you….congrats sweetie ❤
Awww…thanks so much Giada!! I would have loved to meet you, but yes…you are way too far!
Good for you! I have done a number of shows and while they’re a pain to prepare for and set up the actual experience of meeting people who “get it” is fabulous. I did a show last weekend and did OK, not what I’d hoped, but I made back my booth which is my first goal always.
Your thoughts and advice mirror my own and you gave me a couple of other ideas. I too have my sights set on a major show. I’m not there yet but I will be. Good luck in the future
Thanks so much! Glad I gave you some ideas. 🙂 I try to help other artists as best I can with my experiences and things I learn along the way both on and offline. Best to you as well!
Congratulations my friend I am so happy for you. Your hard work and dedication inspire me. You are the best 🙂
Thanks Jim! And let me take a moment to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!
Thanks Jim….Merry Christmas to you and yours! And a Happy New Year!
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Way to go, and super congratulations. Keep up the work, and it will pay off.
Thank you Kerry!!
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abstract art, art, art expo, art for sale, art prints, art show, art shows, Artist, buy art, contemporary art, Family, friends, friendship, fun, love, paintings, prints, sharon cummings, sharoncummings, support, tampa, tampa artist, ybor city, ybor city art show
Sharon, no doubt in my mind….my bet is on you always! Congratulations on you success with your first show….just the start of many more to come….used to be one of my fave things to do in Fl….go to art shows and I always was a buyer, came home with art….BIG CONGRATS! you deserve it!
Thanks Barbara! It was really hard….but I think the more you do, the easier it will get!
AWSOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just goes to show BB NEVER under-estimate yourself !
Thanks so much!
WAY… TO… GO!!!
Thanks Lincoln!
Yay, way to go, Sharon! Congratulations to you, and I’m not surprised you did so well. It does get easier, btw. I don’t do big shows anymore (used to do them when I made jewelry) but I sell my photography weekly from about April-December and it becomes second nature eventually. You get better at it. But it sounds like you’re a natural anyway. People who sit down and hide in the corner (often looking unhappy) just won’t sell well. Engaging people is key.
Thank you Peggy! We plan on a few more soon…I like the idea of one day shows….happy Holidays and Happy New Year!