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John Haldane

8 Years Ago

Another Way Faa Benefits Artists

Many times, emails I get through FAA are spam. But it is ones like this that make my day. I had no idea it was coming:

"I curate the photography shows for the [local restaurant] in Asheville. I would love to schedule you for a show at [restaurant] where we have a gallery quality display and lighting system. Many of the Asheville area fine photographers have hung shows [there] and I would love to include you. If you would like to discuss the particulars, give me a call at [phone number]. We take no commissions."

Wow! I do not know how this person found me - I will ask later - but their contact was not through my personal or business email, but through FAA.

Thank you, FAA, for this part of your service!

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Cynthia Decker

8 Years Ago

John, congratulations!! That's so great! Can you give me a hint about the restaurant? I'll want to go by and see your work there!

 

Karen Cook

8 Years Ago

How exciting John! So happy for you.

 

Jessica Jenney

8 Years Ago

Yes, John! There are many benefits to FAA besides sales. Congrats, John!

 

Edward Fielding

8 Years Ago

Congrats!

I was invited to a group photography show last year - found via FAA.

Also licensed an image for a CD - found via FAA.

 

Congratulations, John!

That's one of the many reasons I encourage every artist to establish an online presence. It's easy to think you're only being seen by bots and other artists, but you never know who might stumble across your work, at any given moment. :-)

 

Valerie Reeves

8 Years Ago

Outstanding. Congrats and good luck with it!

 

Allen Beatty

8 Years Ago

Sweet !!

 

David Randall

8 Years Ago

This is my experience with, "free exposure" in a restaurant. There are good and not so good things about exhibiting in a food establishment. First the bad, they are all about selling FOOD NOT ART. If they took a commission on sales, then they might be more likely to, "sell" and be interested in selling your work like any commercial gallery. They are often about FREE ART for atmosphere on their walls more than selling it. Offering you, "exposure" is just not enough many times. Everyone throws the, "great exposure" thing at you and after a while it gets pretty old. It's interesting that a restaurant is throwing the art-speak at you with the, "curated" thing. Are they a museum?

Ask them how many they sold of the past two artists they had showing. They approached you and you are interviewing and validating them too. You work is exposed but exposed to whom. The who may be splashing food on it. Where is the work hung?

All of that said, it may be helpful anyway and some folks I know have had successful shows and sales in restaurants. Is it an upscale restaurant? If it's just an everyday kind of fare maybe not the right market for selling art.

I've not had good luck with it.

 

Xueling Zou

8 Years Ago

Congratulations!, John!

 

Shawn Dall

8 Years Ago

awesome man!

---Shawn Dall
ShawnDall.com

 

Jim Whalen

8 Years Ago

Congrats, John.

 

John Haldane

8 Years Ago

Thank you everyone.

@David Randall - I have 3 pieces in one restaurant now (they _bought_ them from FAA) and one in a pub/restaurant (also permanent display). I had a 3 month show in a hair salon/studio and sold 4 pieces during the 3 month exhibition, but the exposure was great, too, because it got an article posted about me in a local magazine.

I have shown twice at the local airport with zero sales, but again, exposure cannot be measured. The fact that people are now contacting me and I am selling very well in a local gallery are signs that my exposure is increasing.

This particular restaurant is on the west side of town and I live east of town. I have had no real exposure over there, so this is that opportunity. I have no doubt that it will be get exposure again in local papers and magazines. This restaurant DOES sell from shows, but nothing is guaranteed. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I am a believer in exposure resulting in sales - it worked for me twice before and now that we "retired" here, it is working again. Patience is the key.

 

Melissa Bittinger

8 Years Ago

Another consideration is since Asheville is also a tourist destination in addition to becoming known as an Arts community, this type of 'exposure' probably works better due to LOCATION! I think it's great John :o)

 

Kathy Bucari

8 Years Ago

Congrats, John!

 

David Randall

8 Years Ago

Glad it's working for you. Run with it.

 

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