Pop-Up paintings stall at markets

Market visitors, tourists, gift shoppers and locals looking for art for their homes.

You keep a margin on each piece sold, either on commission from artists or on prints you bought at wholesale. Framed pieces and cards add extra sales.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Setting up an attractive display
• Handling cash and card payments
• Choosing art that suits the local crowd

• Market or vendor permits and event rules, check with each organizer and your municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets require
• Weather and winter seasonality, outdoor selling can be limited for part of the year, so plan indoor markets
• Protecting artwork from rain, damp and damage during transport
• Collecting and remitting GST/HST or provincial sales tax once registered (check the CRA and your province)

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on your display setup, the amount of artwork you stock, and how you take payments.

Check market or vendor permits and event rules with each organizer and your municipality, plus commercial general liability insurance, which many markets require. Also check how to collect and remit GST/HST or provincial sales tax once registered.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $400 to $3,500, depending on the markets you attend, your art selection and the season. Plan for at least about 8 hours a week, and consider indoor markets for winter.