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ARTISTS FAQ
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When is the Virtual Artists Festival?
The Festival will take place from Sept. 5-13th, 2020. It will be open and free to the public to shop 24 hours a day beginning at 10AM on September 5th and ending at 6PM on September 13th. Can artists still apply for the Commonwheel Artists Festival?
We’re sorry, but applications are closed for this year. What are the deadlines for submitting my information and photos to the Virtual Artists Festival?
• By July 30th, upload the required photos and information detailed in our email to you. • By August 6, tell us if you are offering a Festival Special and what it will be. • By August 15, share the date(s) and time(s) if you would like to host a live event, and what that will be to get on the calendar. (on FB Live or Zoom; A studio Tour, Q&A, etc.) • During August, until August 31st, as soon as you produce your optional informational videos, send us the URL link where people can view them for promotional use on Facebook. How will my work be promoted at the Virtual Artists Festival?
• We will be promoting the Festival through local newspapers, media outlets, organizations and social media and the Commonwheel e-mailing list. • We will create an artist web page for each artist with their photo, bio, 5-9 photos of their work, links to their selling platform and pre-recorded videos supplied to us. • We’ll create videos combining a few different artists so all artists are represented. • We’ll hold contests and promote the prizes donated by artists and local businesses. • We’ll post a schedule of live artist videos. Where do I upload my photos?
How many photos and what size?
5-9 images of art you will have available to sell and ship during the Virtual Artists Festival dates. • If you want a particular one to be the main image, upload it first. • A second view of your art piece can be added, but not required. • Also, upload one image of yourself. This helps people who regularly attend the festival to recognize you. It also helps people to relate to you as a real person. • If you don’t feel comfortable showing yourself, we’ll accept a booth shot, a grouping of your work or your studio. What size should my photos be?
• Height: 300 dpi 3.6” (1080 pixels) or 72 dpi 15” (1080 pixels) • Width can be smaller, but no wider than 300 dpi 4” (1224 pixels) or 72 dpi 17” (1224 pixels. • Height is most important if you want an image to show properly. • If you have 2 views of 1 art piece, we will work to make them show off as large as possible. • If you need help determining if your images are the proper size, email us at cmwlfestival@gmail.com. When are my photos due?
All of your photos should be uploaded by July 30th. I don’t know how to take good photos. Help!
Good lighting is the most important thing. • Shoot outdoors in open shade--someplace shaded from direct sunlight but with ambient light around it. • Indoors near a window with indirect lighting will also work. • Don’t shoot in direct sunlight. The shadows will be too harsh. • Plain, white backgrounds show off your product better than complex backgrounds. A large white piece of paper or fabric works well. • If your product is 3D, shoot it from various angles. If your product is small, here’s how to use an inexpensive fabric light box: https://remembereverything.org/using-my-new-photo-light-box If your product is larger, here’s a more versatile setup: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/How-to-Take-Gorgeous-Product-Photos I don’t have a good camera. What do I do?
Newer cell phones have excellent cameras. Check out this article: https://www.volusion.com/blog/how-to-create-high-quality-product-photos-with-your-smartphone/ What could I offer for a Festival discount?
It is not required to offer a festival discount, but it will help draw people to your booth. Some ideas for festival discounts: • 10% off for one or more days of the Festival • Free shipping • A small, free gift with purchases over $50 What could I donate for a Festival prize?
It is not required to donate a prize, but prize drawings will increase public interest. We will publicize the prizes donated, so choose something that shows off your work within a price range that feels comfortable to you. We suggest between $20 - $50. What if I don’t have my own website?
On ETSY or Facebook Business you can show products for sale without having a website. ETSY https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015672808-How-to-Open-an-Etsy-Shop?segment=selling FACEBOOK BUSINESS https://www.facebook.com/business/pages/set-up You can also list a gallery where you sell at or provide just your email if you have no other selling platform. Though having your products online will make it easier for customers to buy your art during the festival. I’ve been meaning to get a website. What’s the best way to do it?
You can hire a web designer at SquareSpace. They will set it up and you can update it yourself. https://www.squarespace.com/designer/home?industry=art_and_design If you’d prefer to do it yourself, here are some popular platforms: SHOPIFY https://www.shopify.com/website They also have web designers you can hire to create a web store that you can update yourself. WIX https://www.wix.com WEEBLY https://www.weebly.com BIGCARTEL Easy online stores for artisans and makers https://www.bigcartel.com GODADDY Domains, hosting and easy site building. https://www.godaddy.com/websites/website-builder How do I get my product to customers who buy?
Depending on the size and weight, the Post Office or UPS are good options. We encourage insuring and tracking your shipments. We ask artists to ship their work in a timely manner directly to those who’ve purchased it. As always, Commonwheel is not responsible for transactions conducted between festival artists and attendees, and Commonwheel will not take any commission of sales. If I do live video, do I have to be available during the whole festival?
No, you only have to be available for the times you’ve chosen. We’re scheduling 15-30 minute slots. Please let us know what time(s) work best for you and we’ll post them on our website. I’ve never recorded a video. How do I do it?
Pre-recorded videos are optional, but attract attention and help bring you alive to customers. Here’s an instructional video that covers the basics using your cell phone and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek53TQ9U35o You can also upload to Vimeo: https://vimeo.com Or InstagramTV. https://help.instagram.com/225190788256708 You can assemble videos for free online at: https://spark.adobe.com/make/video-maker/ What should I include in a pre-recorded video?
Here are some ideas for pre-recorded videos: • Give a tour of your studio • Demonstrate how you create your art • Answer questions you’re commonly asked at festivals • Show off a few of your pieces from all angles while describing them • Talk about your background and what inspires you For inspiration, some great examples of artisan videos are at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDtNAgHywvhdqyFzJ-wRd8w Some good examples of demo videos are at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3bjhnzFNO9o1h1H1NTZgEA I’ve never done a live video. How do I do it?
Live videos are optional, but really help make a Virtual Festival more than just a static website. They give you the option to promote your work and interact in real time with customers. Zoom offers live 30 minute long tutorials at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360029527911-Live-Training-Webinars FaceBook Live is another popular platform: https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/solutions/facebook-live What can I do to help?
Tell your friends and family about the Virtual Artists Festival. Follow our Facebook page Commonwheel Artists Art Festival for the latest updates. I still have questions!
If you have further questions, feel free to email cmwlfestival@gmail.com |