"The Late Summer Exhibition at Brownlow Hall"

INTRODUCTION

  • OPEN TO PUBLIC: Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September 2024 from 12.00-5.00pm at Brownlow Hall, Newell Green Warfield RG42 6AB. With cafe for refreshments, free parking and it is secure overnight.

  • EXHIBITION BUILD: Setting up the exhibition space with display boards and tables (The BUILD) is undertaken by a small team of volunteers on Friday 30th August between 12.00 and 2.00pm

  • ART HANGING: Artists hang their own art on Friday afternoon before 2.00 - 6.00 pm or (by arrangement) on Saturday 1st September morning from 9.00 to 11.00am

  • TAKE DOWN: Taking down all art and deconstructing the boards is done at 5.00pm on Sunday 1st September 2024

  • Fees in 2024 are £35 per exhibitor which is paid electronically to the organisers after the exhibition, and when you have been invoiced

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 artist volunteers.  The main contact to take part in this and 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 23 artists from a reasonably local area who create great art/photos/sculpture/cards that appeal to a broad and discerning range of art buyers. The exhibition features a number of "invited guest" artists alongside artists from the 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 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 orginals, prints, artist embellished prints and art-cards in their space. 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 £35 to exhibit any work in this exhibition within the artist's allocated display area. This £35 is payable to the organiser by funds transfer after the exhibition, The Organiser will send each exhibitor a statement/invoice by WhatsApp and our banking details. We do not charge any sales commission except for the cost of handling electronic payments for art (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 1000 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.  This is an area  of display boards OR a length of picture rails - 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 gaps for windows. Totally within the boundaries of this space Artists hang their framed art, framed photos or box canvases (Box canvases do not have to be framed).  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 acheive the best overall exhibition display.

As art sold is handed over to the customer as soon as a sale is completed, Artists can bring replacement work to hang in the empty spaces. Replacement art can left in a car or stored in the small Yellow Room off the main hall but not stored on the stand/display area.

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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 be displayed in Print Racks/Browsers.  Cards can be displayed in table or floor standing racks.  However - 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. We will relocate or 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 suitable space. 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 cash, credit and debit card payments. 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 customers do not automatically receive a receipt but a receipt can be supplied on request. Purchases can be taken home immediately after the sale is completed. Bubble wrapping is provided as a free service. Artists can then substitute replacement artwork.   
  1. 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.
  2. 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 before the end of the exhibition. 
  3. There are no other Sales Commissions or Sales Charges at this exhibition.
  4. It take 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 transfer the money directly into their Bank Account (details of which artists will have provided).
  5. 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.
  6. 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 a free Art Commission Information Pack on how to manage the complex and risk filled process of art commissions. Ask for a copy.
  7. Once Buyers leave the exhibition with their purchase the artists assume all responsibility for all aftersales issues including returns. So if a buyer claims to have found fault with the product or wants to exchange it or secure a refund etc. etc. then this becomes the artist's sole reponsibility not the Organiser's responsibility.
We would love to know about any art commissions or additonal art sales directly resulting from being at our exhibition so we can talk up the success of our exhibition.

DO ARTISTS HAVE TO ATTEND IN PERSON? Yes, there is a Stewards Rota (see Stewarding info below)  12.00-2.30, and 2.30 to 5.00pm. Artists must volunteer for one of the four Stewarding slots. Artists can also attend the exhibition at other times if they choose but what we don't want is the cafe full of artists, leaving nowhere 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 and that's what is brought to the exhibition and displayed in the allocated 5 metre area. 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 marked clearly as PRINTS. The only hanging art permitted is i) framed art, ii) framed photos or ii) 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.
  1. The majority of original art sold at Brownlow Hall - 70% - will be priced under £300. 
  2. The rest will be over that and a only few pieces will acheive £750 - £1000.  
  3. We recommend exhibitors display their highest priced art as well as art at lower prices because it may attract and enthuse a customer but most importantly it demonstrates the breadth and depth of the artist's whole artistic output. 
  4. High priced art on display can and does lead to sales of other art at lower prices. 
  5. Prints are bought if visitors cannot afford the orginal. Prints should be 5-15% of the orginal's price
  6. If exhibitors really want to sell, then they will chose a range of commercial prices for some of their art.

Over time, some buyers will start to follow a "favourite" artist and collect multiple pieces of work from them. Buyers can also start trading up in price: a card today then a print then an original etc. Artists sell a great number of art-cards from £2.00 to £5.00 and small shrinkwrapped prints for £5-35.
 
Every piece of art including cards and prints must be individually priced and carry the artist's name. This ensures the Cashier 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 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.  
  1. Repair kit. For emergencies we provide a repair kit with tools, string, d-ringsm screws, tape etc for artists to use. 
  2. Mentors We can provide an artist Mentor to advise a new exhibitor how to hang art. Please ask for a Mentor in advance.
  3. 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 Sunday at 5.00 pm – no earlier. Nothing can be left in the hall over night on Sunday.

HOW ARE PICTURES TO BE HUNG IN THIS EXHIBITION?   
Artists are provided on the day [for free use] re-usable, strong exhibition grade hanging systems to hang art from boards or picture rails as shown below. Exhibitors must not use screws, nails, staple guns or any destructive fixing systems on the walls or exhibition boards. Also no glue or blue tac can be used on the display boards because it creates permanent damage. BUT firstly you must prepare your art at home before bringing it to ensure it can be hung and presented well. This is not something to do on the day in the exhibition, you will not have time to do it.
  • ENSURE YOUR FRAMED ART HAS STRONG AND ATTRACTIVE FRAMES with fixings and tape at the back to stop the glass 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)
  • FIX D-RINGS AND/OR STRINGS (as pictured) on the back of every hanging piece of art (or something similarly robust from which to hang the picture). It is best that the hanging string or D-Ring(s) are situated no more than a quarter of the way down the back of the frame, so that the picture will hang flat and vertical against the wall.  You can buy D-Rings and strong cord, wire or nylon from a hardware shop or Amazon.
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The two reusable systems for hanging art are:-
  • Perlon Hanging System
  • Chain Hanging System.

1) 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 picture rail hooks.  Sliding up and down a Perlon are adjustable hanging hooks that can be set at any height. These hooks are attached to the D-Rings or Strings on the back of a picture. Two artworks can be hung on one Perlon using two ajustable 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.

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2) 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 strong black metal hook goes over the top of the boards, from which a long chain is hung. Small S hooks are hooked onto a link of the chain to connect the chain to the picture's D-Rings or Strings so the picture hangs at the right height. 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.

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LABELLING ART
Every single piece of art, sculpture, photo or greeting card must be clearly and individually labelled. For all hanging art a label is either
  • a) attached to the display boards by free supplied drawing pins or velcro or can dangle down from the art i.e. luggage labels. 
  • b) attached to the wall by free supplied Blue Tac,  or can dangle down from the art i.e. luggage labels.
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

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.
Extra background information is always read by visitors. Why did you paint it? What were your thoughts?  Anything anecdotal to say? 


EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL ARTWORK LABEL >>
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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!  We supply blank badges on the day for 50p and you can write you name on it. 

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 four time 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 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.