How do you Exhibit Your work at exhibitions ie AFOLCON Steam ect (UK)

Bluefox1966

I was wondering how you go about Exhibiting Your work at exhibitions.

Do you have to be part of a lug group?

Do you have to be invited?

How do you know if your work is good enough to display?

Do you have to pay to display?

Is it a kind of clique where you have to know the right people?


These are just a few questions of the top of my head. Can any one help?

pricey73

@Bluefox1966 pm sent

andyscouse

It certainly helps to be part of a LUG or club or similar.

No, no payment needed. Steve should indeed be able to answer many questions - we're both relatively new to this gig ...

Bluefox1966

@pricey73 @andyscouse thanks for the info. I'll have to think about what I want to do. I was interested in displaying it but as I had no luck here I took up the offer from the owner of the Headland Hotel. If your displaying at steam this year It would be great to have a chat. I think Leicter is a bit short notice for me to get there for a meet this weekend. Thanks again.

bluemoose

Different events work in different ways. AFOLcon isn't affiliated with any specific LUG, but you have to pay to attend (the public side, 'the Lego show', was, iirc, free to exhibit at). STEAM, on the otherhand, is more of a showcase event for members of The Brickish Association. In all cases it's really up to the individual organising the event as to who can exhibit.

For smaller shows in the UK, like the show at the UK National Space Centre in Leicester this coming weekend, it's mostly Brickish folk, sometimes with one or two additional exhibitors. For most of these shows, you need to cover your own costs (travel to & from the venue, overnight accommodation, food, etc.) but you don't need to pay to exhibit. Some venues offer staff discount on refreshments and food, and some will even give a small amount to cover costs.

If you're worried about exhibiting, the best advice is to visit a few shows, as a visitor, and get to know some of the exhibitors, take a look at the quality of the work on show, and just chat to people. Maybe volunteer to help at a show. Or just do what most people do & jump in with both feet ... but being a member of a LUG helps to know about the opportunities in the first place.

If you can make it, come along to the NSC this weekend & say 'hi'. Think about joining Brickish if you are in the UK (and 18 or over); we aren't that scary & there are lots of benefits from being a member ;-)

andyscouse

@Bluefox1966 -- and you most certainly don't need to worry about MOC quality!!! That's a gorgeous build you have there.

andyscouse

Plus, I remember Newquay quite fondly from family holidays there in the late 70s and early 80s!

pricey73

@Bluefox1966 whereabouts in UK are you? I'm travelling from the Wirral (2 1/2 hours) and will be there all weekend.
Like @bluemoose said, we aren't that scary!
Hope my message helped clear a few things up anyway.
@andyscouse do you remember meeting Frank Carson (RIP) at the Radio one Roadshow just outside the Headland hotel?
Steve

andyscouse

@pricey73 - you have a better memory than I do, but now you mention it, vaguely, yes!

Bluefox1966

Thanks @pricey73 , I live in Bristol as I said a bit short notice this weekend. I also think a lift share would be out of question :-).

@bluemoose Thanks for the info I think I did actually speak with you last year at Steam (this was before I got the Major Build Building Bug), also talked with @cavegod @drdavewatford and @Savage_Steel and your right no one scary there.

I did also join The Brickish Association but I can have used the group to it's full extent before my subscription expired. I think I got a little lost around the forum.

Jasen

I stumbled apon it by accident but this the path I took:

I found out there was a train show that also had a Lego exhibit through a Bricklink store. I bought some parts for the train and he said there was a show in my city on the weekend - so I went.
That's where I found out about the LUG, signed up. It's costs nothing and you actually get a chance to contribute to the display for free but yeah you pay to get it there and back :).
And if you're lucky, once a year you'll get to buy bulk for cheap :D