HELAINA SHARPLEY AND THE BRIGHTON ART FAIR
Having graduated in 2006, I threw myself into the craft
world and first exhibited at The British Craft Trade Fair in 2007. It was here I was lucky enough to meet Alison
Milner and Christiane Kersten, who informed me that the tall man with the big
hat, who was speaking with some makers, was Jon Tutton, of Brighton Art Fair
and MADE fame… And so in 2008 and I
applied for Brighton Art Fair, and was rejected! I would, however, be allowed to exhibit at
MADE as I was more craft than art. The
differentiation between art and craft is a much debated topic, and I believe I
am and can be both, but on this occasion I wanted to do the art fair (due to my
price points and the time of year of the fairs,) so I decided to wait and apply
again the next year. So it was with
great surprise, that in August 2008 I received an email to say there had been a
cancellation and I could have a stand at the art fair if I wanted it – I had six
weeks to prepare; create work, market myself, find the money to pay for it…. I
had never done an art fair before!!! But
my philosophy in work and life is generally to say yes to everything, so in
mid-September I borrowed my Dad’s car and headed the 255miles south to
Brighton.
It was a wonderful leap into
the art world, where I was surrounded by artists using all mediums, at
different stages in their careers, looking to gain varying things from the
weekend. The whole fair passed me by in
a flash, I couldn’t believe how busy it was and how many people wanted to say lovely
things and buy my work! By the Sunday
lunchtime I had sold, what was in my eyes, enough (I had more than covered my
costs,) I was physically and emotionally shattered. Then out of the blue, a couple wanted to buy
the largest piece on my stand ‘The Brighton Millinery and Mantle
Warehouse.’ I couldn’t believe it! I took it to the wrapping/pay desk, where
Anne-Marie turned to Jon and said ‘See, I told you she was art…’
2013 will be the fourth year I have done the show, and
having not been there since 2010, I can’t wait to return. Brighton Art Fair opened my eyes to a new
world – The Art World. The amazing
warmth and support that Jon, Anne-Marie and Sarah give, and the exhibiting
opportunities they have created, makes it easy for me to recommend their fairs
to other makers, artists and customers.
I look forward to almost every aspect (not the packing up though) of
BAF, the beautiful Corn Exchange, the amazing attendants/helpers, the many well
informed and appreciative visitors, the exhibitor friends I’ve made over the
years, the cake in the café…
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