End of March, My Petite Gallery, took part in NYC's Affordable Art Fair. The experience was exciting, tiring, and most of all, educational.
I found myself amongst 77 galleries from across the world. Over five days, we interacted with 14,000 visitors. It was a whirlwind indeed!
Day one began with me discovering my booth. It was on the second floor - a bit small, but it felt right. With no staff to help, setting up turned into a DIY project with my husband.
With the artworks all set up on the wall, I ticked off the first task on my list. OK, what's next? Chairs ordered on Amazon? Delayed. Table? Missing. And then I noticed: other booths had flowers. Do flowers magically sell art?
No time to overthink. "Action" is my motto. So, I ran around the city, bought a shelving unit to use as a table, asked a friend to buy chairs, and yes — went flower shopping. Because if petal power sells art, I'm all in!
As opening time neared, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. Comparing myself to other galleries, I felt like an impostor, unsure of my place. But I knew one thing: I was there because of and thanks to my artists.
The fair's first night was a storm of people. Nearly 2,800 people and a line stretching 2-block long. By the end of the evening, I was worn out. Thankfully, my husband and friends were there to help. But no sales came. Other galleries sold some pieces, and I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Days two and three were tough. I felt lonely and amateur at times. But I tried not to allow this to get to me. Instead, I learned from other galleries, tweaked our setup, and kept moving forward. Despite no sales, I was starting to build connections and draw interest.
On the final two days, I sought advice. People were surprisingly willing to help and give feedback. And then it happened - the first sale! And it didn't stop there; more sales followed. The feeling was uplifting!
The fair left me with valuable lessons. It humbled me and made me grateful for those who stood by me - artists like Gaëlle Hintzy-Marcel, friends, family. I felt proud to showcase my artists. Seeing new collectors purchase their first pieces and successfully selling artwork from my artists, knowing they're impacting others, was a joy. I genuinely enjoyed meeting new people — artists, gallerists, journalists, bloggers, influencers, collectors, art students — and learning about their individual stories, stepping into their world through art.
This art fair held special meaning for me, as I displayed the work of my late and dear friend, Pauline, who passed away early February. Her photographs found new homes and managed to raise nearly $1,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. But what was even more remarkable was the emotional resonance her work had on the public. There was an undeniable magnetism to them. One photograph struck such a deep emotional chord that it brought a young woman to the verge of tears. There was a touch of magic and poetry in that moment.
This journey is just beginning. I know there will be challenges ahead, like figuring out what audiences want versus what artists have to offer. But I'm eager to tackle these obstacles and continue to grow with My Petite Gallery. I believe that art is more than a commodity; it's a unexpected pause, a moment of appreciation in our rapid, tech-driven world. It's not just something to sell, but a beautiful experience that connects us to our emotions and each other.
After spending a week surrounded by art and artists, I feel my own creativity stirring. I'm even considering picking up painting, something I haven't done since childhood.