Should high-end art shows allow artists to sell lower-priced merchandise?

High-end art shows typically do not allow merchandise, which creates a constraint for artists wanting to offer accessible price points at those events. This is a rule at many prestigious shows and fairs. However, you can work around this by creating a catalog or printed material featuring your lower-priced items (pillows, prints, trays, etc.) that you give to high-net-worth individuals who visit your booth. They can then purchase these gift items directly through your website after the show. This approach respects the show’s rules while still making your full product range accessible to interested collectors.

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Asked by an artist selling at juried shows · Answered by Mays Mayhew (artist interviewee sharing her approach) · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-03-12