What I Learned From Selling at Art Festivals

Every summer, I learn something new from being an artist. Sometimes it’s about painting. Sometimes it’s about selling artwork. And sometimes, it’s about learning how to keep a tent from flying down the street in a windstorm.

This summer has taken me to several different art shows throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and South Dakota. Each one has been completely different, and each has taught me something about being a working artist.

As I head toward the end of the 2026 art show season, I thought it would be fun to look back at the shows I’ve attended so far—and what each one has taught me.

Estes Park Art Show: Weights, Weights, Weights

I started the summer at the Estes Park Art Show, and it was definitely a memorable way to kick off the season.

Not long into the show, a big windstorm came through—and my tent blew over.

There is nothing quite like watching your entire booth get tossed around by the wind to remind you that an outdoor art show requires a little more preparation than simply showing up with paintings and a tent.

The biggest lesson?

Weights. Weights. Weights.

And then maybe a few more weights.

Outdoor shows can look beautiful and peaceful one minute and turn into something completely different the next. Having a sturdy tent is important, but securing that tent properly is even more important.

I definitely won't be looking at tent weights the same way again.

The experience was a good reminder that being an artist who participates in outdoor shows means being prepared for things that have absolutely nothing to do with art.

Weather, transportation, setup, displays, packing, and protecting the artwork are all part of the job.

Art on the Rockies: Sometimes You’re Waiting for That One Sale

My second show was Art on the Rockies in Edwards, Colorado.

This show was much slower than some of the others I've attended. There weren't necessarily crowds constantly moving through the booth, and sales were not coming one after another.

But there was something interesting about the people who did come.

They were there to look at and buy art.

That makes a slower show a little easier to appreciate.

With some shows, you might make several smaller sales throughout the weekend. At a show like this, you may have fewer sales, but you're hoping that one person walks into the booth and falls in love with a painting.

Sometimes one large sale can completely change the outcome of a show.

It taught me not to judge a show simply by the amount of foot traffic. A crowd doesn't necessarily mean buyers, and a quiet show doesn't necessarily mean there aren't serious collectors walking around.

Sometimes it's about finding the right person.

Spearfish Art Festival: Local Shows Have Their Own Appeal

Next was the Spearfish Art Festival.

This was a local show for me, and it had more of a craft-show atmosphere than some of the other art festivals on my schedule.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, there are some real advantages to participating in local shows.

For one, it's close to home.

There's something nice about being able to participate in an event without packing up for a long road trip. Local shows also provide an opportunity to meet people from the surrounding community and introduce them to the artwork.

Not every show is going to attract the same type of art collector, and that's something I've learned to appreciate this year.

Different shows have different audiences, and understanding those audiences is an important part of figuring out where my artwork fits.

Jackson Hole Art Festival: Sometimes It’s About More Than Sales

Then came the Jackson Hole Art Festival.

This was another slower show, but honestly, I just love being there.

There are places where the experience itself becomes part of the reason for attending, and Jackson is one of those places for me.

Being surrounded by the mountains and spending time in that part of the country is pretty special. And when Yellowstone is nearby, it's hard not to appreciate the opportunity to be there.

Not every art show can be judged by a sales number.

Sometimes there is value in being somewhere beautiful, meeting new people, seeing other artists' work, and simply being part of an art community.

Of course, I still hope to sell paintings!

But I've learned that enjoying the experience matters too.

Raspberry Days: A Show That Feels Like Home

Raspberry Days is another show that is a little more on the craft-show side, but this one is particularly special to me.

I grew up near there, and I visit every summer.

There's something about returning to a place that has personal meaning that makes an event feel different. It's not just another stop on the art show calendar.

It's a place I already love.

And if you've ever been to the area, you probably understand why. There's so much to love about what people affectionately call the "Caribbean of the Rockies."

The scenery, the community, the traditions, and the memories all make Raspberry Days one of those shows I look forward to regardless of what the sales numbers end up being.

Sometimes the best part of being a working artist is getting to take your artwork to places that already mean something to you.

Buffalo Roundup: The One Still to Come

And then there's Buffalo Roundup.

Technically, I haven't attended this one yet—it's coming up next week!

This is another local craft-show type of event, so I'm going into it without knowing exactly what to expect.

That's another lesson I've learned this summer:

Every show is an experiment.

You can research the event, look at previous years, consider the location and audience, and talk to other artists—but you don't really know what a show will be like until you experience it yourself.

So we'll see how Buffalo Roundup goes!

Maybe there will be lots of sales. Maybe it will be slow. Maybe I'll meet some interesting people. Maybe I'll learn something I can take into next year's shows.

That's part of the adventure.

What This Summer Has Taught Me

Looking back at the shows I've attended this year, I think the biggest lesson is that no two art shows are the same.

Some have huge crowds. Some are quiet.

Some are focused heavily on fine art. Others have more of a craft-show atmosphere.

Some are close to home. Others involve packing up the car and traveling through some of the most beautiful places in the country.

And some teach you about sales.

Others teach you about wind.

Mostly, they teach you to bring more weights.

Being a working artist isn't just about spending time in the studio. It's about getting the work out into the world, meeting people, traveling, setting up booths, talking about paintings, learning what different audiences respond to, and figuring out what works.

I'm still learning.

Every show gives me another piece of information that I can carry into the next one.

And even when a show doesn't produce the sales I hoped for, I usually come home with something—whether that's a new connection, a new idea, a better understanding of my audience, or simply a great memory.

That's what makes the art show season worth it.

Now, on to Buffalo Roundup.

And yes...

I'm bringing more weights.