Many artists sell their artwork at the High Point, North Carolina furniture market. This furniture and home decor trade show is one of the largest trade shows in the world.
High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina takes place during April and October each year. Many artists will sell their artwork or art prints directly to interior designers, architects, and retail stores. There are pros and cons to selling your artwork at the furniture market. If you do not want to set up your own booth to sell your art there, you can also look at other ways you can consider selling your artwork at the High Point market. But whatever method you choose to sell your artwork, you should do your homework ahead of time of who to contact.
Table of Contents
- About the High Point Furniture Market
- The Pros and Cons To Sell Your Art At the High Point Furniture Market.
- Other Ways You Can Try to Sell Art at the High Point Furniture Market
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions:
About the High Point Furniture Market
The High Point Furniture Market is a primary international furniture market that occurs twice a year in April and October. The market dates can change from year to year, but most of the time, the market is in mid-April or mid-October. To find out more about the dates and times for the upcoming market you can click here.
The market is in the town of High Point, North Carolina, which has a population of 110,000 people. High Point is located in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina which also includes the cities of Greensboro and Winston-Salem and surrounding areas.
Facts About High Point Furniture Market
Here are some facts about the High Point Furniture Market:
- Largest furnishings industry trade show in the world.
- Over 75,000 people will come to the High Point Furniture Market,
- The market is for the trade only, so the people who come in are interior designers, architects, retail home furniture buyers, and others in the home furnishing industry.
- You must have a trade pass to enter the market buildings.
- The market encompasses 180 buildings and 12 million square feet of showroom space.
- More than 2,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries show at the market.
- Thousands of new product introductions in every single market.
You can find out more about the High Point Furniture Market by clicking here.
The Pros and Cons To Sell Your Art At the High Point Furniture Market.
The High Point Market is one of the world’s largest furniture markets and trade shows. But with all trade shows, there are pros and cons of selling your art at the High Point Furniture Market.
Pros Of Selling Your Art At The High Point Market
- There are a lot of potential buyers who attend the market
- Almost anyone who is anyone in the home furniture and decor business is attending the market.
- The buyers are out looking for new suppliers and products.
- There are now a lot of Interior Designers who attending the market and many of those would also be looking to purchase art for their projects.
- You will meet a lot of contacts and potential customers.
- It will expose you to the home furnishing and home decor industry.
Cons of Selling Your Art At The High Point Market.
- It can be expensive. Selling at the High Point Market is not cheap and will cost you some money. You will need to decide if these costs are worth it.
- As a newcomer, getting a good location or spot to sell your art will probably be difficult.
- How successful you are will depend greatly on your market location. Some buildings and floors will not have much traffic.
- There is a lot of competition. Many artists are established in the market and are selling there.
- The market may end up being less of a sales market for you in that you do not make a lot of sales but more of a marketing trade show in that you meet a lot of potential customers and need to do a lot of aftermarket sales to get a sale.
If you are interested in trying to sell at the High Point Furniture Market or to learn more about how to be an exhibitor you can contact the High Point Market Authorities by clicking here.
Other Ways You Can Try to Sell Art at the High Point Furniture Market
If you do not want to go through the expense and hassle of getting your own booth at the High Point Furniture Market, there are other ways that you can try to sell your artwork.
Other Ways To Sell Art At The High Point Market
Here are some of the other ways to sell your art at the High Point Market.
- Find a Showroom or Gallery to Sell Your Original Work – Many showrooms at High Point sell original works of art. Some of them will take on artists and sell their work.
- License Your Artwork – Many art companies are selling at the High Point Furniture Market, and many of them will license an artist and pay them a commission on each piece they print and sell. My experience is that it is not that easy to find someone to license your work as it will depend on many things, one of the major ones being if they want to license you.
- Find a Showroom That Will Show Your Art With Their Furniture Collection – Find a Showroom that needs to have artwork on their walls and are willing to put your artwork on the walls and help you sell it. Depending on your agreement, they may or may not charge you for this or take a commission of some kind.
Suggestions To Help You Navigate The High Point Market
If you are going to consider any of the methods above to sell your artwork at the High Point Furniture Market, here are a few things you need to consider:
- Do not go to the market and hope that someone will see you or talk to you – The exhibitors who are at the market mainly want to sell their products to their customers. Most showrooms have someone at the front door who will stop anyone from entering their showroom before they are adequately vetted. So do not go to the High Point Furniture Market hoping you can cold call everyone and get an answer.
- Do your homework ahead of time. – You will need to do a lot of homework to know who is selling original art, who is licensing art, and who may have space to show your art. It will take a lot of marketing and work to find this, But all of this should be done ahead of time before you ever go to the market as the market is extremely large.
- If you go to the market, it should be about contacting people you know – if you decide to spend the time and money to go to the High Point Furniture Market, it should be about contacting or meeting people you have contacted beforehand. For example, if you find several people who may want to show your art, it may be good to go to the market to meet them and talk to them a bit more. Try to go with an appointment as it will make it easier,
Many artists are very successful with the sale of their artwork at the High Point Furniture Market. As an artist, you need to decide if this is the path you want to go down to try to sell your artwork and if your artwork is the right mix and fit for the High Point Furniture Market clientele.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the High Point Furniture Market, and why is it significant for artists?
The High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina is a major trade show for furniture and home decor. Artists often find it a lucrative opportunity to sell their artwork directly to interior designers, architects, and retail stores during this event.
When does the High Point Furniture Market take place, and how often does it occur?
The market occurs twice a year, in April and October, providing artists with semi-annual opportunities to showcase and sell their artwork to a diverse audience of industry professionals.
What are the advantages of selling artwork at the High Point Furniture Market?
Selling your artwork at the market allows direct access to potential buyers such as interior designers and retail stores. It’s an opportunity to tap into a global network and gain exposure within the furniture and home decor industry.
Are there any downsides or challenges to selling artwork at the High Point Furniture Market?
Some challenges may include the cost of setting up a booth, competition with other artists, and the need for thorough preparation. Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial for a successful experience.
Can artists sell their artwork at the High Point Furniture Market without setting up their own booth?
Yes, artists have alternative methods to sell their artwork at the market, such as partnering with existing exhibitors, collaborating with galleries, or exploring other avenues beyond setting up an independent booth.
How can artists prepare for selling their artwork at the High Point Furniture Market?
Preparation involves researching potential buyers, understanding market trends, pricing strategies, and creating a visually appealing display. It’s essential to have a clear plan in place before participating in the event.
What are some alternative ways to sell artwork at the High Point Furniture Market?
Artists can explore various options, including collaborating with galleries, partnering with established exhibitors, or leveraging online platforms to showcase and sell their artwork during the market.
How can artists identify and contact potential buyers at the High Point Furniture Market?
Research is key. Artists should identify target buyers such as interior designers and retail stores, gather contact information, and reach out through professional channels before the event to establish connections and generate interest.
Is there a specific etiquette or approach artists should follow when interacting with potential buyers at the market?
Professionalism is crucial. Artists should be prepared to discuss their work, pricing, and any potential collaborations. Building relationships and showcasing a genuine passion for their art can leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.
What resources or tools are available to help artists navigate the process of selling artwork at the High Point Furniture Market?
Artists can leverage online resources, industry publications, and networking events related to the market. Additionally, seeking advice from experienced artists who have successfully sold their work at the market can provide valuable insights and guidance.
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