Artists Info 2011
For more information, contact Glenn Williams at 617.543.7443 or glennwilliams@lowbudgetrecords.com
The 2011 ROS will take place across a variety of venues: artists’ homes/studios, business locations, and shared spaces in Roslindale Village. If you have questions after reading the below information, please email the Artist Coordinator, Kasey Davis Appleman, at roslindaleopenstudios@gmail.com
Event Dates: Saturday & Sunday November 5 and 6
Times: 11 a.m. to -5 pm both days
Note: You must stay set up for the entire duration of the event
Note: Roslindale Congregational Church will have a delayed opening at 12:00 on Sunday November 6 instead of 11:00 a.m.
Preview Reception - ALL ARTISTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
Friday Nov. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m at Longfellow House, 885 South Street.
"Remember any show or event is about more than just selling your art. It is about networking in your community, meeting other artists, getting press, figuring out what works and doesn't work with your displays, finding out what other opportunities might be out there for you to participate in, learning to be a better marketer and salesperson and it is about having fun." Marlene Richey
Group Spaces
We cannot hang artwork directly on the walls at these venues, but will provide you with two (2) 4¹x8¹ peg boards (for a total hanging space of 8¹x8¹). You may use your own displays if they are not excessively large. Everyone may also bring a small table, lighting, other décor to personalize
the area in front of their wall space.
Those who show their work on a table, as opposed to hanging, will be provided with a 6¹ x 30² (or larger) table. As with the hanging artists, you may bring your own tables/displays, provided they are not excessively large.
Show set-up will be on the Friday afternoon before and the Saturday morning of the Open Studios (11/6 and 11/7); break-down will be on Sunday at the end of the day. Further set-up details (hours, directions, loading dock info) will be provided in the few weeks before the event.
GENERAL ADVICE FOR ROSLINDALE OPEN STUDIO PARTICIPANTS
Pre-Open Studio Preparation / Marketing
List ROS on your website and “link” to ROS website.
Send out a “Save the Date” early on and a formal invite closer to event weekend. You could use e-mail lists from past exhibitions and/or personal e-mail address listing.
Use interactive websites to invite friends, family, neighbors and patrons:
facebook.com
evite.com
constantcontact.com
craigslist.com
Generate a postcard to “snail mail” using online services such as:
ModernPostcard.com, VistaPrint.com, 4over4.com, moo.com
Offer to volunteer for ROS to pass out postcard invites and/or brochures.
Purchasing an advertisement in the ROS brochure can give you more publicity.
Attend artist meeting in the fall in order to get promotional materials for the event.
-ROS will provide small and large posters (at the second artist meeting) for distribution in your
neighborhood, workplace and other locations convenient for you.
-ROS will provide artists with postcards and/or stacks of brochures (at second artist meeting) to
hand-out before the event and to have on-hand during event.
Recruit family or friends to help you and/or our committee the weekend of the event. Both would be
great!
Make sure that your booth/displays work. Set them up ahead of time to ensure your art work looks good and is shown to its best.
Check out the space in which you will be exhibiting or gather information ahead. You want to be sure to have the right tools for set-up. (Nails, wire, tape…)
Do you need to bring your own table(s), lighting or chair(s)?
Some artists modify their price range for Open Studio forum. Galleries aren’t taking a percentage.
Having a range of prices can appeal to a wide arrange of budgets.
Smaller magnets, cards, and items such as t-shirts can be big sellers for those who can't commit to the big purchase.
Some artists have found it helpful to use online or wireless services for selling art / transactions. This makes purchasing easy for patrons who come to Open Studios without cash:
Paypal.com and ProPay
Event Weekend (All Participants)
Be creative with signage. Put ROS color (yellow / white) balloons out front of your space and at the end of the street. Make extra signage with arrows inviting pedestrians.
Keep a sign-in list to keep track of visitors and to add to your e-mail / mail list for future shows.
Be sure to label your artwork clearly or to provide a price list for patrons. A separate price list can take the pressure off of you: “Let me check the price list.”
Posting an artist statement with picture can be helpful.
Have your business cards handy for those who may want to contact you later.
Think about appropriate packaging and wrapping for what you may sell.
Be sure to have “change” $$ for cash purchases.
For larger pieces with larger pricing, take payment and deliver artwork after ROS is over.
It is important to photograph / document artwork (fine art) before selling (another reason to get
payment / deliver later).
Remember any show or event is about more than just selling your art. It’s about networking in your
community, meeting other artists, getting press, finding out about other opportunities, learning to be a better marketer or salesperson and it is about having fun!
Visitors want to meet you, chat about your work, learn about art, get to know their neighbor and more...
Have a few “elevator pitches” ready:
“I’m the artist; let me know if you have any questions.”
“Come on in.”
Home studio: “There are snacks and beverages in the kitchen.”
“How did you find out about Roslindale Open Studios? Do you live close by or in Roslindale?”
“Have you been to any other ROS locations?”
Take cues from visitors. Some may want to quietly view your work. Others may want to chat.
Dress in layers and have comfortable shoes.
Bring plenty of water. It is important to stay hydrated.
Have extra maps available and make suggestions for visits to other locations!
Home studios
Create an “event” and consider collaborating with other artists. Some participants have scheduled
musical performances, art activities for kids and/or have invited other professionals as a draw.
Invite another artist with a complimentary medium (painting vs. jewelry) to exhibit in your home studio.
Be sure to pick-up your ROS banner from designated location to hang prominently and securely out front of your studio. Be creative with additional signage.
Be sure to pick-up balloons for the front of your exhibiting location (ROS usually has a designated balloon vendor). Some artists also put balloons at the end of their street.
Have snacks and/or beverages to keep visitors flowing through your space.
Low music playing and fresh flowers create a relaxed atmosphere (especially for timid visitors).
Post Event:
Send “thank-you” to visitors and clients.
Return banners!!!
Return your ROS survey.
How will the ROS Committee promote the event?
Weekly at the Roslindale Farmers' Market in Adams Park, Roslindale (Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June 13 through October)
Press Release to all area media including newspapers, magazines and radio
Paid Advertisements in the following:
Community Newspapers, Bay Windows, artscope, Art New England, JP Gazette, Taste of Roslindale program book, Jamaica Plain Open Studios program book
Participation in the Roslindale Day Parade Sunday October 4, 2009
Weekly email newsletters
10,000 Brochures and 5,000 postcards
Posters
Web Site
WBUR fundraiser volunteering
Cable TV – It’s All About Arts with Glenn Williams
Window of the Roslindale Public Library
Pay here via credit card (you must download registration form and send separately)
Group Space - $155.00
Home Studio or Business Space - $80.00
|
