Each exhibitor is expected to host a Private View (PV). This can be very simple – for example, a glass of wine, fruit juice or water and basic nibbles (nuts / crisps). Our recommendation is for six bottles of red wine and five of white / rose in winter. In summer we suggest six/seven white/rose and five red. Two cartons of fruit juice, one large still and one large sparkling. Marina News, our near neighbour,  has wines, beers, juice and water, crisps etc  for sale and you may be able to negotiate a sale or return.

The Forum does not have a drinks licence, so you can not charge for drinks. The aim of hospitalaity should be to make guests relax and discuss the work exhibited, which may hopefully lead to sales. You are not expected to offer unlimited hospitality and one drink per guest is an acceptable minimum.

The Forum provides glasses and the use of white tablecloths.  The Forum should be tidied and all glasses, food and drink  should be stored before vacating the Forum at the end of your Private View. You are expected to wash the tablecloths and return them before the end of  your exhibition.

The Forum will publicise your PV to members and former buyers, but you are responsible for circulating to all other guests.

PVs are normally held on the first Friday of your exhibition from 6.30 – 8.30. This is so other organisations in Hastings can schedule their events in this knowledge, should they choose. It also allows our members and buyers to attend as a regular feature of their Forum activity. However, if you have a reason to change the timings of your PV or add an extra viewing, please feel free to ask.

You are responsible for staffing your hospitality table. Friends and family are useful here because you as an exhibitor should be free to talk with potential customers and not have to break off to serve a guest or clean glasses. The Forum has a small cell of volunteers to assist, but you need to clear this with us first.

Above all, the PV should be an enjoyable experience for all.