Pop Up! Lessons from a Rookie, Part II
Not my finest work. But you know, better than not participating. ;)
“If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.” - Catherine Aird
Last week, I warned that I’d be sharing a laundry list of what I learned by participating in Iowa Pop Art Market, my very first pop-up-art-festival-type experience.
Without further ado….
14 Bits of Advice for Your First Pop Up:
1. Holler at people with experience.
Universal advice for all of life’s situations. I didn’t have any clue what I was getting myself into, so I reached out to a few friends who are festival/pop-up wizards. I borrowed a cash box, up-cycled some older art displays, and was thrilled that I didn’t have to wrestle and outfit an entire tent for my first gig. Baby steps.
2. Make an uber list.
I tend to write 15 different lists of 15 different things, and then lose 6 of them. Make one list and use subheadings, such as Set up, Inventory, Packaging, Freebies, Snacks.
3. Create a solid inventory of everything you bring. (See: Inventory)
I made the decision to only bring prints for two reasons: A) literally all of my paintings were in another exhibition, and B) my prints are (much) less expensive than my original paintings, so I thought they’d be a bit better to show.
4. Bring postcards from earlier exhibitions to hand out in lieu of business cards.
Upcycling, friends! Cool mini-art! ALSO: Make sure your website is on them. (See: Freebies)
5. Practice your set-up before you leave.
(Please don’t wing it like I did.) Three years ago, Aaron created some cool casters that I attached to paintings I created on hollow-core doors. I bought more doors, painted them white, and attached the casters to make double-sided rolling display panels. To secure the prints, I glued metal washers on the surface and used tiny rare earth magnets. (ALSO: I didn’t bring enough magnets. #listfail)
Doors.
All things, all the time.
Instant Rolling Panel.
My husband is very smart.
Easy to transport, easy to assemble.
6. Expect a few people to give you unsolicited advice about your work/make assumptions about your art career.
Smile, nod. Bite your tongue. Or don’t. I won’t say what I said. :)
7. Bring snacks and water.
(More snacks than you think. Talking with folks zaps blood sugar. See: Snacks )
8. Figure out your methods of payment and create signage to communicate.
Get cash and change because you will get a few folks with cash.
9. Fully charge all devices the night before.
Test all new devices, including apps for payment. Bring a battery in case you are nowhere near an outlet. (See Inventory)
10. Don’t assume folks will approach you with questions about your work.
They may scan and run. If your work involves storytelling 🙋🏻🙋🏻🙋🏻 or has an important component that is compelling for the viewer to know, be sure to create accessible signage about your work. (Accessible = No jargon, please.) Please do not buy into the woefully misguided philosophy of “My work speaks for itself.”
11. Pack an assortment of attaching devices.
Tape, sticky tack, pins, magnets, etc. You seriously never know.
12. Bring magic erasers.
I scuffed my display panels setting up and had to sprint to the restroom for paper towels.
13. Make eye contact. Say hello. Smile.
Duh.
Finally, and arguably the most important:
14. If you don’t have an email newsletter yet, this is a great time to start a list. Steer folks to your email newsletter sign up.
If folks sign up, they want to hear from you. They want to know about your projects, your work, you. Social media isn’t enough.
As a novice, I know a teensy amount about pop ups and art festivals. Pop up professionals, what words of wisdom or horror stories might you have?
For other strong opinions and more bossy advice, check out the series A Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Meaningful Art Collection Parts I, II, and III and How to Hang Art on Your Walls, Parts I, II, and III.