Art Fairs vs Art Galleries

The Telegraph UK has an interesting article on the decisions art dealers are making when selecting venues for sales. The art fair or the art gallery. Here in the US there always has been a good mix of show/fair dealers, gallery dealers and combination show and gallery dealers. I know some dealers who hate shows and the work and added stress levels, along with the travel and uncertainty (and at times the cost). I also know many show dealers who say they would go stir crazy sitting in a gallery all week.

Colin Gleadel reports But the fair phenomenon, which grew out of the need for dealers to compete with the ever-expanding range of the auction rooms, is now deeply entrenched as a concept for convenient one-stop shopping and has become a key source of income for dealers. Some even think that doing fairs is more important than keeping an art gallery or antique shop open.

So, although there may now be too many fairs, and some may fall by the wayside, those that adapt to the new economic reality can survive. The art and antiques fair organiser Caroline Penman, for instance, is showing true British-bulldog spirit in the teeth of recession by re-launching a fair which she abandoned two years ago. Her West London Antiques Fair, held every January at Kensington's town hall since 1979, was last staged in 2006 and ended because the rental rates had become exorbitant.

Gleadell makes some very good points, but I can also say from personal experience from exhibiting at antique and art shows, that shows can be a fantastic way to merchandise a dealers inventory. At the same time it can also be much work. I have had shows where in a weekend I have sold more merchandise than several months worth when compared to my shops. I have also had shows where the sales results have been less than stellar, and sometimes downright disturbing. I only display at local DC area shows, in the event sales are less than expected it is also good advertising form my shops. Shows are becoming more enticing to dealers as they draw a wide range of collectors, but they do need to be ready for a bit of uncertainly in sales results.

The Gleadell article is interesting, with insights into the gallery and fair/show trade off differences. I encourage all appraisers to read it. Click HERE to read.