Behind the Scenes: Preparing for The Other Art Fair

The Other Art Fair is an independent art fair presented by Saatchi, with shows in major cities across the United States and London. What sets this fair apart is the opportunity for art lovers to buy directly from artists in a fun, approachable atmosphere. The fair combines affordable and original artworks from 110 independent artists with immersive installations, performances, and DJs – all while enjoying a fully stocked bar. As they say, "Here, art is for everyone."

Allison’s booth at The Other Art Fair Brooklyn

I've been participating in The Other Art Fair since the fall of 2021, starting with the Brooklyn fair. This year, I'm excited to expand my participation to the Chicago spring fair for the first time. In this post, I'll give you a behind-the-scenes look at how I prepare for the fair, from selecting artworks to designing my booth layout, setting up, and what the four days at the fair are like.

Selecting Artworks for The Other Art Fair

When choosing which pieces to showcase at the fair, I generally have a good idea of what I want to bring. Typically, I focus on presenting a new series of work or new pieces that demonstrate an evolution of an existing series, like my black and gold collage landscape art. To create a cohesive and compelling body of abstract art, I consider factors such as uniting the color palette, consistent framing, and offering various sizes and price points to ensure there's something for everyone.

Designing an Eye-Catching Booth

Creating an inviting booth display is crucial for attracting visitors and encouraging them to spend time discovering your work. My unique collage landscape art, especially the mirrors, often stops people in their tracks. When designing my booth layout, I start by deciding whether to paint the walls or keep the standard white booth provided by the fair. While a painted booth can help you stand out, I've recently opted for white to keep costs down, as the booth fee is already quite expensive.

To plan my layout, I cut out brown paper or place tape on the floor to represent the walls and arrange my artwork on the floor of my studio

I place showstoppers and more expensive pieces on the back wall, while ensuring a balance between a variety of work, price points, and not overwhelming the space. Once I find a layout I like, I photograph and label it for easy reference during setup. I also include some basic measurements to streamline the hanging process.

Logistics and Preparation

Preparing artworks for transport and display involves packing them securely in boxes or wrapping them in bubble wrap. I place the pieces into larger bins according to their designated hanging locations, making unloading and hanging more efficient. For the Brooklyn and Chicago fairs, I drive my work there myself to avoid the high costs of shipping.

Setting up the booth is a task I've learned to do independently, as hiring someone can be expensive. I've gotten faster with each show, learning from past experiences. My pre-fair checklist includes packing the art and extras like storage stools and stickers three days before, loading the car the night before or day of, and ensuring I have all the necessary tools for hanging, such as a drill, step ladder, and level.

Overcoming Challenges

One of the biggest challenges I face during the fair is being on my own for the entire four days.

Being on your feet for four days straight is physically demanding, and by the end, your body feels like you've run a marathon. Talking to visitors and potential buyers all day can also take a toll on your voice, and I've definitely gone hoarse by the end of the fair.

There are slow parts during the day when few people visit, and minutes can feel like hours. On the other hand, there are incredibly busy times when an hour flies by before you know it. People-watching is always a good way to pass the time, and talking with your artist neighbors helps keep spirits up. The Other Art Fair community is incredibly supportive, and we help each other whenever possible. Often, a neighboring artist will watch your booth for a few minutes if needed. This sense of camaraderie is one of the things I love most about participating in art fairs.

Over the years, I've learned some valuable lessons about making the most of the art fair experience. First and foremost, it's essential to take care of yourself. Bring snacks, stay hydrated, and maintain a positive attitude throughout the event. It's also crucial to be kind to your neighbors, as you'll be spending a lot of time together. Remember that your artwork may not resonate with everyone, and that's perfectly fine – focus on the people who connect with your work and appreciate your unique style. Lastly, always come prepared with a needle or safety pin for unexpected repairs, as you never know when you might need to fix something on the fly.

Conclusion

As you can see, participating in an art fair like The Other Art Fair requires a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and resilience from the artists. We pour our hearts and souls into creating unique pieces, like my collage landscape art and abstract art, and we put in countless hours to ensure that our booths are inviting and memorable for visitors.

I hope that by sharing my experiences, you now have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the hard work and commitment that artists put into participating in art fairs. Even if you're not in a position to purchase artwork, there are still meaningful ways to show your support. Spread the word about artists whose work you admire, share their social media posts, and sign up for their email lists to stay informed about their latest creations and events. These simple acts of encouragement can make a world of difference to an artist and help sustain their passion for creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces.

I'm thrilled to be participating in The Other Art Fair once again and can't wait to connect with art lovers who appreciate the effort and passion that goes into each piece. If you're in Chicago from April 11th to 14th, I invite you to visit my booth, #57, at Artifact Events. Come say hello, learn more about my creative process, and experience the incredible talent and dedication of all the artists at The Other Art Fair. 

See you at The Othe Art Fair!

Feeling inspired or intrigued by the ideas and artwork shared in this blog post? If you'd like to show your appreciation and support my ongoing creative endeavors, I invite you to buy me a coffee!

Your generosity, no matter the size, helps me continue dedicating time to research, experimentation, and crafting unique artworks that resonate with you.