Essential Self-Care Tips for Artists to Thrive at Outdoor Art Fairs + Free Checklist

(Pictured above: Heather visiting Andrea Cataro at the 2023 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair and giving her one of our Artist Care Packages!)

On the eve of this year's Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, I'd like to share some tips for a smooth weekend based on my own fair experience. As an artist, participating in outdoor art fairs is a thrilling experience. But it can also be physically and mentally exhausting, like running a marathon (check out this post about my own intersection of those two things here). That's why I want to share with you ARTiculations Art Supply's top five tips to help you prepare for a successful weekend.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A pre-event checklist
• Anti-fatigue mats
• Stretching routine
• Hydration supplies and healthy snacks
• Plan for follow-up

That’s it, let’s get started!

Step 1: Create a Pre-Event Checklist

Before the event, create a pre-event checklist to ensure you have everything you need. This will help you avoid any last-minute panics and give you peace of mind. At ARTiculations, we like to bring three copies: one for installation or load-in, one for shutting down our booth each night and setting up for the next day, and one for tearing down at the end of the event. Download our FREE Outdoor Art Fair Checklist.

Step 2: Invest in Anti-Fatigue Mats

Outdoor art fairs often involve standing on hard surfaces for extended periods, which can put a lot of strain on your feet, legs, and back. That's why I highly recommend investing in anti-fatigue mats. These mats provide cushioning and support for your feet and joints, helping to reduce discomfort. They also provide a safe area to set down your artwork instead of on concrete, where there is the potential for damage. No need for something fancy - choose something inexpensive like this:

Step 3: Stretch Your Muscles

Stretching before and during the event can help reduce the strain on your muscles and joints. Take a few minutes every hour to stretch your legs, back, and shoulders. Some simple stretches include calf stretches, lunges, and shoulder rolls. And I recommend picking up a copy of Draw Stronger by Kriota Willberg to dig a little deeper into some Artist Self Care!

Step 4: Stay Hydrated and Snack Regularly

It's essential to keep your body fueled with healthy snacks and proper hydration. However, when you're in game mode, it's easy to forget this. That's why I set timers on my phone at regular intervals to remind me to eat, hydrate, and take bio breaks.

Step 5: Celebrate Your Success and Follow Up

At the end of the weekend, celebrate your hard work, regardless of whether you sold out or not. You just completed a MARATHON! And remember, outdoor art fairs can be overwhelming for visitors and prospective buyers too. Not all sales and clients are born at the fair itself, but often afterwards. Trust that meaningful connections can take time. Be prepared to follow up with the contacts you made during the weekend (hello business cards and newsletter signups) to foster those relationships.

Participating in an outdoor art fair is a unique and exciting experience for any artist. By taking care of your body and being prepared, you can ensure a stellar weekend. Remember, you got this!

About ARTiculations

Serving artists across Canada, ARTiculations carries a curated selection of fine art supplies including brushes, artist oil paints, brush care supplies, and brush wraps and cases. Visit our online store, or contact us if you have questions about what products are right for your next creative project.

About Heather

I'm Heather Phillips (she/her), an art material expert and entrepreneur. In 2011, I co-founded ARTiculations Art Supply in Toronto out of the desire to build a creative hub that focused on providing fellow artists with programs and materials that support them to do what they do best - create.