And Why It’s Been Totally Worth It
I never thought I’d be running an art booth at the Hot Springs Historic Downtown Farmers’ Market before sunrise on a Saturday. But here I am—prints laid out, originals packed just in case, Diet Dr. Pepper in hand, and always hoping I remembered my Square reader.
Yes, I’d love to sell originals. They’re the showpieces, the hours-long labors of love, and they rightfully carry a higher price tag. But the truth is, if no one sees them, no one buys them. And lately, it’s been harder for art to be seen in my town.
There was a time when Hot Springs had a thriving First Friday art walk. You could stroll the strip and pop into a dozen galleries, each packed with people, wine glasses, and walls covered in fresh work. Now, there are only a few left in the walkable zone. Others have scattered—great spaces, but spread out enough that you need to drive, park, and search. The vibe just isn’t the same.
Some galleries are so full of art that it’s hard to focus on any one piece. You can’t really imagine it on your wall when you’re wedged between display racks and other viewers. I still show work in exhibitions—and I still take on commissions, which I love—but shows don’t often turn into sales. And for someone who actually wants their work out there, that’s frustrating.
Why the Farmers’ Market?
That’s what made me consider the market. It’s local. It’s full of people who care about handmade things. And maybe most importantly: it’s accessible. Not everyone has $400 to spend on a framed original, but they might have $15 for a print they love. Something that speaks to them. Something they can grab on a whim between the tomatoes and the sourdough.
So I started a booth this summer focused on prints—reasonably priced, ready to frame, and approachable. I bring a few originals too (carefully protected from the elements), but prints are my main focus. And honestly? It’s been good.
I get up at 4:30 a.m. (yes, it’s brutal), and I’m fully set up by 6:30. The booth isn’t the busiest on the strip—let’s be real, I’m competing with breakfast burritos and peaches—but I’ve met my sales goals each time. More importantly, I’ve had some great conversations.
It’s the Connection, Not Just Sales
There’s something rewarding about seeing people connect with your work in real time. A little boy fell in love with my digital watercolor Bowling Chick—a baby chick hurling a bowling ball with fierce determination—and announced that it was going in his room. His face lit up. That alone was worth showing up for.
A photographer bought a print, later texted me a photo of it framed and double matted, and included a kind note. A pair of newlyweds picked up three large prints to decorate their first home. Two teenage girls bought out every single hand-painted bookmark I’d brought, and it wasn’t even 8:00 a.m. yet.
I’ve also seen people I’ve known for years walk by, do a double take, and say, “Wait—you’re an artist?” These are connections I wouldn’t make in a gallery. And even though I haven’t sold an original at the market yet, I bring a few each time and get compliments. That matters too.
What Selling at the Market Has Taught Me
This experience has reminded me that art doesn’t need to hang on a white wall to matter. It doesn’t need a wine reception or a gallery light. It just needs to be seen—and the Farmers’ Market has been a good place for that.
Prints make art feel possible for people. They allow someone to own a piece of something beautiful without needing to budget for it. And they let me share my work with people I might never have reached otherwise.
So yes, I’ll keep showing in exhibitions. I’ll still take commissions. But for now, I’m also going to keep showing up bright and early with a table full of prints and a hopeful heart.
Because getting art into people’s hands—and homes—is what matters most.