Host a Kids Art Show: The Quarter Show

For several years I have participated in a local art show where all the pieces sold are set at fifty dollars. I and my fellow artists choose pieces we do not mind parting with for fifty dollars, and have the opportunity to buy one another's art at this set amount. Since shopping is so simple and predictable, the show is often packed with buyers.

I decided to give my kids and their neighborhood friends a chance to experience this first hand by hosting a set price sale. Everything was priced at a quarter. A little different than a garage sale, this event allowed kids and adults to sell artwork, bakery, toys, and homemade cards. It gave visitors to the sale a head's up as to what they were walking into. Art shows and garage sales alike, can be a mix of affordable and outrageous prices, by making the prices clear, people were more relaxed.

One Dolla Holla, Fifty Cent Center or Quarter Show Tips

Invite participates. You probably have a basic group in mind. It could be simply your own children or expand it to their close friends, a street in your neighborhood or make it a club event. Scouts or sports teams can pull off an effective quarter show.

Suggest sale items. Compile a list of items that are acceptable for the show. This can be decided upon as a group, or set in place ahead of time. Baked goods such as cookies should be wrapped ahead of time and ready to go. Handfuls of trail mix in baggies were just as popular as brownies at our show. Sun catchers, dream catchers, home made note cards and bookmarks were some of the offerings. Simple crafts, home made jewelry and little bouquets of flowers kept the show pretty, while they were there. We had a table for gently used toys and a place to buy hot dogs, lemonade and chips, for a quarter of course.

Set up tables. Designate areas for different items, combining when appropriate. We had a outdoor canopy set up to keep everything contained. It also provided a way to display artwork and hanging crafts like the sun catchers and dream catchers.

Label and divide proceeds. Decide the set price for all the items. This often depends upon the age of the participates. If you have a lot of painted rocks and simple drawings, then a quarter show is appropriate. Older children may be more inclined to participate in a dollar show, or fifty cent show. The money can be used towards a particular cause, or be divided amongst the individuals. If you are dividing, be sure to label each item with color coded sticker. For example, all the items Betsey sold had a yellow sticker. At the end of the sale, the yellow stickers were counted up and credited to her.

Advertise. Make signs, hand out fliers, talk to friends and family. Remind kids that advertising will make all the difference in how many people show. We went as far as to make invitations for extended family members and neighbors. The personal touch brought many people to the show, with pockets full of quarters.