Art Festival 101: Can Prints or Giclees be sold at an Orignal work only type show?

Recently at an art festival I was shocked when a few artists in the art festival were selling prints and giclees, considering it was an orginal only show! So what is a fellow artist to do?  Other artists noted, scoped it out, talked with other artists about the blatant disregard for the rules, how their prices for originals could not compete with prints and giclees.  It was interesting, as all these professional adults were reluctant to do something about it.  Well then don’t complain. Finally an artist when and spoke with the director and eventually the artists were asked to remove their prints and giclees.

Ironically, they were not asked to leave the show or close shop for the day.  It was good to know that at this particular show the show director/organizer took action. It was disappointing that they had not noted earlier.  All the artists who knew of this event were all commenting on how the artists should not be allowed in the show for the next few years.

Now I have been a few shows where the director does not regulate the original only policy.  It is so bad at this particular organizer’s’ shows that some artists are selling giclees and canvas reproductions as originals. Some will do did MINOR touch ups with a brush and call the work original!  What is sad, is that there some members of the public who do not know the difference and are getting ripped off at a premium.  So I appreciate the previous show director for addressing the issue directly and professionally.

What experiences have you had with giclees and prints at shows?  Now don’t get me wrong.  I sell giclees, limited editions but only where the rules outline it is acceptable to do so and I inform my collectors and the label indicates giclees as well.  My giclee guy is so good that I when I frame my originals and giclees I have to matt the originals slightly differently so I can easily tell them apart while framing until I am able to put labels on back.  Nocerino Editions is who I use for my giclees, Pat does a fabulous job and is very detail orientated and does quality work.  I have tried some other shops, but only with Nocerino Editions can I lay down my work side by side when I have them sized the same and struggle to tell the difference!