This year will be different from any year before. If you’re going to try an outdoor display, review the tips below.
Watch the weather and COVID updates
Keep an eye on the weather predictions. If it’s too rainy or windy, SOS will cancel all in-person events. We strongly discourage moving indoors, due to continued COVID concerns.
Place balloons at the edge of your display so people can find your site.
Place extra balloons at street corners near your studio to direct people.
Use chalk to draw arrows and directions to your studio on nearby sidewalks. Get creative!
Let your neighbors know you’ll be outside and invite them to come see your work! SOS is a great opportunity to connect with the people in your neighborhood, just be sure to give housemates and neighbors heads-up ahead of time.
Setting up your display
Choose a space that visitors can get to: lawns, driveways, garages, or porches are great options.
Stay off public sidewalks and streets, and remember to talk to the other people in your building if you’ll be using any shared space.
If you use a tent or shade structure, make sure it’s large enough for both your work and a visitor or two at a time.
If you have fences or other structures you can hang work from, use them!
Display your work with visitors in mind
Be sure your art is well-illuminated. Good lighting makes a huge difference. Inexpensive battery-operated clip lights are available for less than $10 at most hardware stores.
Place as much work as possible at or just above eye level, so visitors don’t have to stoop or crane their necks.
Clearly label your work, including pricing.
Label or cordon off any part of your yard that you don’t want people to touch — a friendly “please don’t touch” sign will do the trick
Make your exhibit space welcoming and interesting
Invite members of your personal Quaranteam over to socialize with you during the event, or one or two friends for socially distant chatting. Having a group of people there can make other visitors feel more comfortable.
If possible, be working on something so visitors can watch how your art is created. Some artists also set up a slideshow of other works or video of their process, which helps visitors engage with the work.
Engage with your visitors
Greet everyone who comes to your space. You may find it helpful to put a sign with your photo and name on it near the street so that visitors know who to address their questions to.
Have slips of paper and a container for visitors to write their email addresses on to sign up for your mailing list (if you have one). Do not provide pens unless you can offer a new one to every visitor.
Thank visitors for coming — refer them to other artists if they ask for suggestions on whose work to see!
Be reachable after the event
Clip business cards, postcards, or brochures individually to a display for visitors to take. Don’t leave a pile – make it as contactless as possible.
Create and display a QR code that sends visitors to your website, social media, or online store.
Once you’ve created the code, save the image to your computer and print several copies of it for visitors to scan.
Have a website or social media account where people can view your art. Make sure to put your website address or account name on your business cards!
Website – There are a number of free sites you can use to build an online art profile, such as WordPress, Tumblr, and artid.com.
Social Media – Instagram and Facebook are photo-friendly social media sites to share your process and completed work.
Follow up with the people who’ve signed up for your mailing list thanking them for attending SOS. You can set up a free mailing list using Mailchimp or similar services.
Take care of yourself!
Get lots of rest and be sure to eat well and drink lots of water throughout the weekend — stay energized!
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and have a comfortable seat outside.
If it’s sunny, wear sunscreen or sunny-weather clothing, or stay in the shade.
Invite a buddy to be with you during all or part of the weekend, in case you need to step away for a bathroom break.
