Send 'em Packing

The Bellevue Art Museum Fair in Bellevue, Washington, was held July 26-28 this year, and its staff earned high marks from artists for implementing a rule enforcement policy to protect its exhibitors and the integrity of the show.

The Bellevue Art Museum sponsors this show, considered by some to be one of the highest quality shows in the area. This has traditionally been a commission show, relying upon the artists to hand in sales receipts to document the commission to be paid in lieu of a booth fee. Bellevue has a written contract which artists must sign which lists the show rules which include wattage of electricity allowed, booth dimensions, aisle widths, collection of commissions, prohibiting participation in any other area show that weekend, quality of work brought to the show, and many of the usual show rules. The Bellevue staff prides itself on the high quality artists this show attracts, and the rules were made to protect that image and to treat each exhibitor fairly.

For years, show director Rachael Hutchins and her staff have been aware that artists cheat. Everyone was aware of how unfair this was both to the sponsor and to the other artists, but infringements were sometimes swept aside due to fear of making a scene or not having a legal process in place.

Well, this year was different.

Over the past year, Ms. Hutchins worked with a Compliance Committee to iron out a procedure for rule enforcement. Ideas were brought up, modified, discarded or reworked until they came up with a plan. First, notices were sent out to all artists stating that rules would be enforced and violators would be evicted, and this notice was given again in the show packet upon arrival.

The compliance committee designated several staff members to scout the booths for rule infractions. If a problem was spotted---even a small problem---a note was made and documented with the time and the signature of the witness and handed in to the Compliance Committee. Throughout the day, these notes were collated. If it appeared that any one artist was accumulating several infringements, or if there was a major problem, the artist would be handed a written notice which included the notations and asked for the problem to be rectified immediately. If this was not done, or another note had to be made, the fair manager was notified. Two artists were ejected from the show for failure to comply with show rules. Ms. Hutchins declined to state which rules were broken, stating that she did not want the artists to be recognized and further embarrassed, but there were several rules broken and remedies were notforthcoming, necessitating that they be told to pack up and leave. As this was a pipe and drape show, each booth was draped off and the artists packed behind the curtain as a staff member stood by to assure their compliance. Staff assistance was offered to both exhibitors, and both refused. One of the violators asked to be allowed to dolly out after show hours and was accommodated. Ms. Hutchins mentioned that she asked security to accompany her when giving the eviction order, and there was no confrontation on the part of either artist. If anyone nearby noticed the incident and inquired, they were told simply that it was a compliance issue.

Ms. Hutchins said that the most shocking response “which reflects on education of systems” is that many artists approached her to divulge how their neighbors had made comments such as “they really did it!” or “everything is different now” or otherwise expressed amazement that the enforcements were actually carried out.

“To date,” said Ms. Hutchins, “we have not had one single negative comment on what we did, but have received a lot of praise and it has already helped sales!”

Bravo, Rachael Hutchins and staff of the Bellevue Art Museum Fair! PACA, its members, and artists everywhere salute you for establishing clear rules and enforcing them!

For further information, you may contact Bellevue Art Museum Fair, 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004, or call the show manager directly at 425-519-0744. The staff is eager to discuss this procedure with any other promoters who are exploring rule enforcement issues.

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