My First Art Fair Experience – The Other Art Fair, Sydney - May 8-11 2025

Earlier this month, I had my first-ever art fair experience at The Other Art Fair in Sydney. It ran from May 8–11, coinciding with Mother’s Day on the Sunday.

The fair was held at the White Bay Cruise Terminal — a fantastic venue with plenty of space and atmosphere. Though I’ll admit, navigating there was a little stressful for a non-Sydney-sider like me. Let’s just say there were plenty of “route recalculations” along the way! That said, the abundance of free on-site parking was great!

Let me start by saying: the team at The Other Art Fair has this event running like a well-oiled machine. I was so impressed with the lead-up — weekly emails with clear information, action steps, and timelines for exhibiting artists. Bump-in morning was smooth and well-organized, and every team member I interacted with was friendly, helpful, and professional.

Opening Night Vibes

Opening night was such a vibe — lively, energetic, and to begin with, a little nerve-wracking! I’ve never had to stand in front of my own art and talk about it before. But that’s exactly why I signed up, to push myself out of my comfort zone. And I totally surprised myself! Once the conversations started flowing, I quickly found my rhythm. It felt good to talk about why I create, what my art represents, and to connect with people through that.

A few small pieces sold that night, which gave me a much-needed confidence boost after a very long day of travel, setup, and first-night jitters.

The Weekend Unfolds

Over the four days, foot traffic was steady, and I had so many lovely conversations with art lovers, fellow creatives, and curious browsers. It was fascinating to see which pieces people gravitated toward — and interestingly, the piece that drew the most attention from Sydney folk didn’t actually sell (though it came close several times!).

One of my favourite parts of the weekend was arriving early each morning, grabbing a coffee, and walking through the empty fair before opening. I loved soaking up the diverse styles on display — there was truly something for everyone.

The Artist Community

Meeting other artists was a definite highlight. I was lucky to be surrounded by booth neighbors who were incredibly supportive — cheering each other on, celebrating every sale, and offering encouragement during slower moments. Those connections and the sense of camaraderie are what I’ll treasure most from this experience.

My next door art booth neighbour and best fair support person, artist Sally Dunbar

The Honest Truth About Sales

Truthfully, my sales weren’t great. A handful of smaller originals sold, along with a few prints and cards. Compared to past exhibitions where I’ve sold out and the times I have struggled to keep up with demand for my art, packing up so many unsold pieces to bring home was a bit soul-crushing. It certainly bruised my artist ego, and by the end of it, I was questioning my worth a little. It was evident that I definitely over-painted.

Maybe it’s the current economic climate, maybe Sydney isn’t my ideal market, or maybe I’m just not the best salesperson..... It’s hard to say.

Still, No Regrets

Despite that, I walked away having grown as an artist and as a person. I accomplished something I never thought I’d do, and I genuinely enjoyed it.

Will I do it again? I’m not sure yet. Will it pay off in the long run? Only time will tell. I’m hopeful that some of the wonderful people I met might reach out in the months or years to come, when the timing is right for them to purchase a piece.

At the end of the day, it was a fantastic experience, and I’m 100% glad I gave it a go. If you’re thinking of doing an art fair yourself, go into it with the mindset that the cost is part of your marketing budget — and you just might be pleasantly surprised by the results.