"The May '25 Exhibition at Brownlow Hall"
Saturday 3rd Sunday 4th Monday 5th May 2025 12.00-5.00 each day
ARTISTS INTRODUCTION
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th, & (BANK HOLIDAY) Monday 5th May 2025 12.00-5.00 each day
at
Brownlow Hall, Newell Green Warfield RG42 6AB. With cafe for refreshments, free parking and it is secure overnight.
ORGANISED AND RUN BY: Jonathan Greenyer, for the art group Windsor Artists Collective and invited guest artists
Artists do not have to attend all the time or process the buyers' payments for any work sold -all sales are processed centrally at our Sales Desk
EXHIBITION BUILD: Setting up the exhibition space with display boards and tables (The BUILD) is undertaken by a small team of tasked volunteers on Friday 2nd May between 12.00 and 2.00pm. Do not turn up unless specifically tasked to help !
ART HANGING: Artists and their partners hang their own art on Friday 2nd May between 2.00 - 6.00 pm or (by prior arrangement) on Saturday 3rd May morning from 9.00 to 11.00am before the exhibition opens
TAKE DOWN: Taking down all art and deconstructing the display boards is done at 5.00pm on Monday 5th May 2025
Guest Fees for the three days are £52 per exhibitor which is paid electronically to the organisers after the exhibition, when you have been invoiced
WhatsApp is the preferred communication between the organiser and the artists
GENERAL EXHIBITION INFORMATION FOR ALL EXHIBITING ARTISTS:
WHO ARE THE ORGANISERS?
The Organiser of this exhibition is Windsor Artists Collective. Windsor Artists Collective run three of these "by invitation" Brownlow Hall exhibitions each year to which selected local artists are invited to exhibit along side the membership of Windsor Artists Collective. All the Organisers are unpaid volunteers. The main contact to take part in this and all future Brownlow Hall exhibitions is Jonathan Greenyer. 21 Woodside Rd Winkfield Windsor SL4 2DP 07768 513436. jonathan@windsor-artists.org.
WHAT TYPE OF EXHIBITION IS IT?
This is an exhibition of up to 23 artists from the local area who create great art/photos/sculpture/cards that appeal to a broad and discerning range of art buyers in the price range up to c£750. The exhibition features a number of "invited guest" artists alongside Windsor Artists Collective. All guest artists have been carefully selected from the large number of applicants who approach the Organiser (jonathan@windsor-artists.org). Each exhibiting artist is allocated a hanging space roughly 5 metres wide and 2 metres high which includes a free table. Artists display their own choice of work, orginals, prints, artist embellished prints and art-cards in their space and can replace sold items at any time during the exhibition. This is not a Craft Fayre and most of the artists are not fulltime professional artists.
COST TO EXHIBIT?
There is a fixed attendance fee of £52 to exhibit any work in this 3 day exhibition. This fee is payable to the organiser by funds transfer
after the exhibition, The Organiser will send each exhibitor a statement/invoice by WhatsApp and the banking details. We do not charge any sales commission except for the cost of handling electronic card payments for art which is 5% (see notes below)
PRODUCT (ART WORK) INSURANCE
There is full Public Liability Insurance and Employee Insurance provided
by the organisers however this does not include product insurance, i.e.
insurance against loss,
damage or theft of individual artwork in the exhibition. The
administrative impossibility of pre-valuing 100s of individual pieces of
art to the satisfaction of
an insurance company makes a generic product insurance policy unviable.
Exhibitors are personally responsible for art loss damage and theft.
HOW MUCH DISPLAY SPACE IS ALLOCATED TO EACH ARTIST?
5 metres with a free table is allocated by the organisers to each artist. You cannot change your allocated space. The art display area is display
boards OR a length of picture rails on a wall - approximately 5 metres
long and 2 metres high.
(similar to those pictured below)
plus a free table if requested. This display space may not be in a straight or continous line, it could have angles and maybe even have gaps for windows. Artists hang their own framed art, framed photos or box canvases (Box canvases do not have to be framed) totally within the boundaries of this space
. Artists
cannot hang unframed flat art but it can be put on a table or in racks.
The overall art display on the boards, picture-rails, table or floorstanding must look smart, creative, uncrowded and uncluttered. Art must not overlap the edges of the boards; nor be a trip hazard in doorways or walkways, nor must it obstruct or intrude on other artists' areas. It is the artist's
shop window and the organisers will work with exhibitors to achieve the best
overall exhibition display. The Organiser will remove any art that obstructs aisles or creates a cluttered appearance.
As art sold is handed over to the customer as soon as a sale is completed, Artists can then bring replacement work to hang in the empty spaces. Replacement art can left in a car or stored in the small side room off the main hall. Do not store art, spare, packaging on the stand/display area.
TABLES, RACKS, EASELS, POWER:
We provide a table for free it could be either 6 feet long or 5 feet long. This table is placed immediately adjacent to the artist's display boards or picture rail. If these table sizes do not suit then artists can bring their own tables. Prints can also be displayed in Print Racks/Browsers. Cards can be displayed on tables.. All tables, card displays, print racks and easels must fit within the allocated display space. Corridors, doors and walkways must be kept free of obstruction and trip hazards. The organisers will remove any intrusive or hazardous displays.
240V power is available near some of the picture-rail exhibiting spaces. If mains power is required by an artist let the Organisers know in advance so you can be allocated a space near power. Mains
powered equipment must be PAT tested and labelled. No trailing cables can be laid across walk ways. Battery operated lights are
always welcome. No jewellery, nick-nacks etc because this is not a Craft Fayre.
HOW ARE SALES PROCESSED, IS THERE A COMMISSION CHARGED ON SALES?
We provide a central
Sales Point to process all sales. Using a SUMUP machine we accept VISA,
MASTERCARD, AMEX and APPLEPAY. Each customer paying by card receives a printed receipt from the payment machine. Cash is accepted, cash customers do not automatically receive a receipt. Customers can take their purchases away immediately
after the sale is completed. Artists can then substitute replacement artwork.
Bubble wrapping is provided as a free service
- If
we process a payment using the exhibition SUMUP CARD PAYMENT MACHINE,
then the artist will incur financial handling fee of 5% of the total transaction value.
- If the payment is cash, there is no financial handling fee. After recording details of the sale we hand over the cash to the
artist.
- There are no other Sales Commissions or Sales Charges at this exhibition.
- It take about 5 working days after the exhibition ends to receive and process
all the exhibition sales data. We send each artist a sales statement by WhatsApp.
Then artists receive due money directly into their Bank Account (details of
which artists will have provided). If sales are less than the fee, then the Artist pays the Organiser the net amount.
-
If a customer asks an artist to ship art to their home address, and the artist is willing, then the customer pays for the art in full
at the exhibition, contact details of the buyer are noted and subsequently the artist contacts the buyer to negotiate
shipping costs and fulfil the order.
- If as a result of the exhibition an art commission is won, all aspects of that art commission are handled direct between the artist and the customer outside of the exhibition remit. The same applies to all follow-on sales of art e.g. where a visitor contacts an artist direct to buy more art. In both cases, the artist makes their own arrangements for receiving payment and for shipping etc etc.
There is an Art Commission Information
Pack on how to manage the complex and risk filled process of art commissions. Ask for a copy.
-
Once Buyers leave the exhibition with their purchase the artists assume all responsibility for all aftersales issues including returns. So if a buyer wants to exchange it or secure a refund etc. etc. then this becomes the artist's sole reponsibility not the Organiser's responsibility.
DO ARTISTS HAVE TO ATTEND IN PERSON? Yes but not all the time. There is a Stewards Rota (see Stewarding info below) 12.00-2.30, and 2.30 to 5.00pm each day. Artists must volunteer for one of the Stewarding slots. Artists can also attend this exhibition at any or all other times if they choose but what we don't want is the cafe full of artists, leaving no where for the visitors to sit down.
Buyers/Visitors often wants to meet and talk to the artists from whom they are buying work. It can help close a sale. If artists are not there in person we will phone the artist on their mobile phone and either ask them to come in to meet the buyer or at least to speak to the buyer on the phone.
DOES THE ORGANISER NEED TO SEE ARTIST'S EXHIBITION PORTFOLIO IN ADVANCE ?
NO. There is no Exhibition Hanging Committee and no pre-exhibition vetting process for
art. The artists themselves chose what pieces represent them and their oeuvre best. That is what is brought to the exhibition and displayed. This is your opportunity to present a wide range of your work, to be
experimental, innovative and to take risks. Not all the art will sell!
Some may be there to impress and wow and provoke further discussion. But all of the art you show will help create the right impression and help secure buyers now and in the future.
Artists can display both orginals and prints; provided prints are clearly marked as such. The only hanging art permitted is a) framed art, b) framed photos or c) box canvases (framed or unframed). Additional art can go on a tabletop or in a rack/browser. Unframed flat art must be individually wrapped in cellophane. All art must carry a price/artist label.
We recommend artists display art in a range of prices, sizes and media to match the varied requirements of the buyers. Greeting cards act as profitable, colourful starting point and can often lead buyers to make future sales or discuss commissions. Prints sell well especially if the original is also on display at a much higher price.
All prints must be marked as "Prints" or "Limited Edition Prints" or "Lithographic Prints" or "Hand Embellished Prints" to clearly differentiate them from originals.
We will remove work that may offend a family audience or work that manifests blatant copyright infringement.
PRICING GUIDANCE
There is no simple answer to "what price should my art be?" Art prices are always based on a combination of factors - the venue, the customers, the artist's reputation and the type of art. Pricing is not derived from a mechanical formula based on how long it takes to create the art, the cost of your materials, the size of the art or even how some-one else is pricing their art.
We can help and advise if requested and we will actively intervene if we think
your pricing is so low it undermines all the other artists, or it's so high
its never going to sell - ever. So, here is some pragmatic advice on pricing.
- The majority of original art sold at Brownlow Hall - 80% - will be priced under £300.
- The rest will be over that and maybe a few pieces will acheive £750 - £1000.
- We recommend exhibitors display high priced art as well as art at lower prices because it demonstrates the breadth and depth of the artist's whole artistic output and creates greater interest. High priced art on display can and does lead to sales of other art at lower prices.
- Unlimited run prints and limited edition Prints are bought if visitors cannot afford the orginal. Limited edition and artist embellished prints command a much higher price than unlimited run prints. Prints should be between 5-15% of the orginal's price
- If exhibitors really want to sell, then they will chose a range of commercial prices for some of their art if they don't do this then you wont be invited back as a guest.
Every piece of art including cards and prints must be individually priced and carry the artist's name. This ensures the Sales Desk can sell your work. No price labels, no sale.
ART HANGING & SET-UP TIME?
Hanging time is on Friday afternoon 2.00 to 6.00pm or by arrangement Saturday morning 9.00-11.00. There is a floor plan, it identifies where each artist exhibits.
Each space will be labelled with the artist's name. Artists hang their own work with assistance from friends or family. The Organisers can offer advice, but will not hang the exhibitor's art, we do not have the staff to do this. There are no fitters, technicians, lighting engineers etc. You the artists hang your own art. - Repair kit. For art and hanging emergencies we provide a comprehensive repair kit with tools, string, d-rings, screws, tape etc for artists to use.
- Mentors We can provide an artist Mentor to advise a new exhibitor how to hang art. Please ask for a Mentor in advance.
- Wrapping and waste material. All packing, bags and wrapping materials must be taken home, nothing can be left under the tables during the exhibition, it looks scruffy and is a trip hazard.
END OF EXHIBITION TAKE-DOWN?
Exhibitors remove all their unsold exhibits on Monday at 5.00 pm – no
earlier. Nothing can be left in the hall over night.
HOW ARE PICTURES TO BE HUNG IN THIS EXHIBITION?
Artists are provided with everything they need to hang their art from boards or picture rails as shown below.
This is on loan for the exhibition and is returned. Exhibitors cannot and must not use screws, nails, staple guns, glue, blue-tac or any destructive
fixing systems on the walls or exhibition boards.
BUT firstly artists must prepare their art for hanging before they arrive.............. (This is not something to do on the day in the exhibition, you will not have time to do it)
- FRAMED ART MUST HAVE STRONG AND ATTRACTIVE FRAMES with fixings and tape at the back to stop the glass or picture falling out. Shoddy, unmatched frames detract from your art and reduce its sale price significantly. Nice frames are available from local retailers or on-line (advice available)
- ART MUST HAVE D-RINGS AND/OR HANGING STRINGS ON THE BACK (as pictured below). The hanging string or D-Ring(s) should be situated no more than a quarter of the way down the back of the frame, so that the picture can hang flat and vertical against the wall. You can buy D-Rings and strong cord, hanging wire or nylon from a hardware shop or Amazon.
The organiser will provide each artist with strong re-usable systems to hang their art, these are a) Perlon Hanging System b) Chain Hanging System.
a) PERLON HANGING SYSTEM (we will supply these on the day for free use) This is for use on the picture rails in Brownlow Hall ( images below). We also supply the picture rail hooks. The thick nylon threads are called PERLONS and loop over the hooks that fit over the picture rails. Sliding up and down a Perlon are adjustable Zipper Hooks that can be set at any height. These Zipper Hooks are attached to the back of a picture. Two artworks can be hung on one Perlon using two separate Zipper Hooks. Extra wide art can be hung from two Perlons side by side and this gives the picture stability. Excess unused Perlon length is wound up neatly in a circle behind the art. Never ever ever cut a Perlon shorter, they are expensive and reusable at future exhibitions.
b) CHAINS HANGING SYSTEM (we will supply these on the day for free use) Chains are for pictures hanging on the exhibition boards (pictures below). The big top hooks go over the top of the boards, from which a long chain is hung. Small "S" attach the picture to the chain. Two artworks can be hung on one chain one above the other with two S hooks spaced out on the chain. Extra wide art can be hung from two chains side by side and give the picture extra stability.
LABELLING ART
Every single piece of art, sculpture,
photo or greeting card must be clearly and individually labelled with the artists name and a price. Hnaging art can be labelled as follows a) attached to the display boards by free supplied drawing pins or your own velcro or can dangle down from the art i.e. luggage labels. b) attached to the wall by free supplied Blue Tac .
Obviously the label must face forwards and be visible and legible for the visitors to be able to read it !!! If selling cards or unframed prints they must also carry an artist's name and the unit price, so the Cashier can sell it at the correct price. No price label, no sale. Duplicate labels or basic artist information can be attatched to the rear of a picture. It is proven again and again, the more information you write on a label about the artist and the artwork the more likely you are to sell.
Labels for hanging work should be informative and include at least
- a) the artist’s full name,
- b) the media used,
- c) the title of the piece,
- d) a selling price
- e) If it an orginal or a print or limited edition print etc.
Extra background information is always read and consumed by visitors. Why did you paint it? What were your thoughts? Anything anecdotal to say?
EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL ARTWORK LABEL >>
DRESS CODE AT THE EXHIBITION?
Wear a badge with your name to help visitors recognise you and identify you as an artist. Bring one you have designed at home. There is no pre-set format for name labels, make it a piece of your own art!
Brownlow Hall can get quite warm because it has underfloor heating. It is recommended that you wear layers of clothing so they can be added or discarded easily if the temperature variation affects your comfort. As there is a lot of walking about in the exhibition, comfy shoes or trainers are essential.
STEWARDING ROTA
We pay someone to run the cafe area at all times - Pam Walde. But all other Stewarding duties are handled by the artists throughout the exhibition, there will be a Stewards Rota with slots 12.00-2.30 or 2.30 to 5.00pm. Artists must Steward for one slot. Stewards meet & greet the arriving public, upsell the art, help close sales and bubble wrap purchases. The public like to meet the artists, and artists can convert a viewing to a sale better than anyone else. If an artist does not attend at all over the two days they will not be invited back. There are plenty of other artists willing to take the space and help.
MARKETING & PROMOTING THE EXHIBITION:
In addition to the
organisers' own marketing campaigns for this and all exhibitions, we
expect all exhibitors to help promote this
exhibition via social media (we supply a marketing image for use) and whatever other means you can find. Artists will be posted a media pack including printed A5 flyers and A3 / A4
posters are available on request. Please open the envelope containing the flyers and brieifng packs as soon as you receive it.
Bring your own literature and business cards
to hand out. Is there a printed bio? Will a buyer know your name when they take your art home, has it got your name on the back? Are contact details on everything presented, published and printed? Want more help
marketing? We can provide advice
NOTE:
This is a friendly, supportive, collaborative, non-politicised art exhibition.
We do it because we are artists and passionate about what we do. All aspects of the exhibition are undertaken by the artists and their friends/family except the cafe. That is how we keep costs under control. There are no paid lifters or movers, no expensive PR or advertising executives; we do everything ourselves as a team. If this doesn't suit you, then maybe other exhibitions elsewhere will be more to your liking.
