TAP: Artist Roundtable
Thank you to the large group of artists who joined for this session on Thursday April 9, 2026. We discussed The Artist Project held in Toronto at the Enercare Centre in March.
Below, I’ve used an AI summary to share the content from our call. I will not be sharing the video content this time around, but I think this should suffice!
Quick recap
This meeting was a post-show discussion for artists who participated in the Artist Project (TAP) art fair, where they shared their experiences and feedback about the event. Artists discussed various aspects including the new venue, sales performance, post-show engagement strategies, and challenges they faced. Some participants reported positive experiences with good sales and follow-up opportunities, while others expressed concerns about the venue's size making it overwhelming for visitors and the shift toward more of a social event atmosphere. The discussion covered practical advice about booth setup, pricing strategies, and the importance of maintaining consistent participation in the show to build recognition. Artists also shared recommendations for other art shows, including an art festival in Ottawa, and discussed the balance between large and small artwork in their displays.
Artists' Fair Experience Discussion
Alissa facilitated a discussion about artists' experiences at a recent fair, asking participants to share their feelings about the event in the chat. The responses were mixed, with words like "great," "curious," "exciting," and "overwhelming," appearing in the chat, along with various emoji reactions. The conversation was just beginning, with Alissa introducing prompts for discussion about whether the fair met expectations, opinions on the venue, and post-show engagement strategies.
TAP Art Exhibition Experience
SoulCurryArt shared their first-time experience at TAP, noting that while the show met their expectations and resulted in sales, the opening night felt more like a party rather than an opportunity for meaningful art engagement. They found the new venue accessible and appreciated the opportunity to connect with other artists and gain inspiration. SoulCurryArt recommended the show to new artists, suggesting they prepare a cohesive body of work, while acknowledging that the experience varied significantly between opening night and the subsequent days. Alex added perspective as a returning artist, sharing their second-year experience and emphasizing the importance of persistence, noting that their first year was challenging due to a short notice period and personal circumstances, but the second year felt more rewarding and established.
Artist Project Fair Success
Alex discussed her positive experience at the Artist Project fair, noting she had made sales and received three small commissions. She attributed her success to a more relaxed approach and displaying a diverse collection of unique pieces in a salon-style format. Alex mentioned she had sent follow-up emails to subscribers and was managing new business opportunities, though she was feeling overwhelmed by the positive response.
Art Show Experience Review
Tash discussed her experience at an art show where she exhibited new handmade photographs, which was more successful than expected with 17,000 attendees and consistent daily sales. While she appreciated the larger venue and polished presentation, she expressed concerns about high costs and accessibility issues due to traffic and transportation challenges. Tash plans to follow up with post-show engagement by sending emails to new contacts she gathered, and advised other artists to bring works in different sizes, particularly smaller pieces which sell more quickly.
Art Exhibition Sales Strategies
The discussion focused on strategies for art sales at exhibitions, particularly balancing large and small pieces. Alissa advised that both large statement pieces and smaller works are important for sales, noting that large pieces often help sell smaller ones. The conversation also addressed a potential loophole regarding prints and limited editions at the show, with Alissa warning that artists using such loopholes might not be invited back. Kerri shared her experience as a first-time participant who traveled from Kelowna, BC, selling one large piece during the preview and another on opening night, including a piece acquired by the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Art Show Venue Feedback Discussion
The group discussed feedback about the recent art show venue, with participants sharing both positive and negative experiences. Lesley noted that while the larger venue was more professional and accessible, it felt overwhelming to visitors and may have impacted sales potential. Alissa defended the venue's layout, praising its open organization and ease of navigation compared to previous locations. The group discussed that venue selection for future shows would be determined based on survey responses expected in April, and parking and construction challenges were highlighted as ongoing concerns.
Art Show Success Review
Jaz shared her positive experience at the art show, noting that it exceeded expectations and resulted in follow-up commission requests. She praised the venue's layout but criticized the food and drink options as inadequate. Jaz credited Alissa's pre-show support for her success, particularly in setting up email automation and booth preparation. The conversation concluded with Alissa mentioning her pre-show support services.
Artist Project Fair Experience Review
Lindsay shared her positive experience at Artist Project, noting strong reception of her work and increased demand, though she sold out of pieces and is now managing follow-ups and inquiries. Suzanne described a more optimistic atmosphere at the fair compared to the previous year, attributing it to a post-pandemic recovery in arts interest. The discussion included practical tips about booth setup, with several artists recommending hiring professional help for installation and sharing details about shipping and hanging services used at the fair. Alissa emphasized the importance of post-fair business practices, including maintaining strong online presence and communication with potential buyers.
Art Show Participation Discussion
The group discussed experiences at an art show, with Julie sharing her disappointing experience of selling only one piece despite participating since 2013. Participants discussed concerns about the show's growing size, increased focus on entertainment rather than serious art collecting, and issues with visitors taking photos without engaging with artists. While some artists expressed frustration with the changing nature of the show, most participants indicated they would continue participating, with Alex committing to give it 2-3 more tries regardless of sales performance. The discussion concluded with recommendations for alternative art shows, including the Ottawa New Art Festival and Toronto Outdoor Art Fair.
