Art Fest in Ft Myers took place this past weekend along the riverfront in downtown Ft Myers. The downtown redevelopment agency has done an incredible job with the downtown here. I remember about 12 years ago, the area was a dump, but it looks fantastic now.

Set up was Friday and it was scheduled in different time slots depending on your booth number. There was supposed to have been a VIP section of the show open Friday night for the muckety-mucks who paid extra $$ for early shopping etc. I say 'supposed' because there was a tornado watch issued around 3PM for the area. A squall line was moving down the Gulf, and expected to hit around 6PM. We all set up, tied down, screwed down, and went away hoping all would remain standing. The rains and wind did hit, but it wasn't quite as bad as was predicted. Around 7PM when the worse was over, I walked over to the booth from the hotel (Indigo Hotel - highly recommend it), and saw all was ok. There was an artist party Friday night with lots of good liquor, and food.

Saturday AM dawned cooler, windy and mostly with blue skies. Lots of folks came out, and walked. We had a nice breakfast with the usual bagels, etc. Sales, for me, were few (2 customers to be exact). We still had Sunday. Sunday the weather was beautiful, a little warmer, and less windy than Saturday. Lots of people walking again, Sales, for me, were slim. I made a little money, very little. Some folks said they did fine. I saw an artist 2 over from me who seemed to be constantly wrapping, but many I spoke with were amazed at how many folks turned out, but didn't buy.

About the awards, or lack thereof. At the breakfast award ceremony/breakfast, it was announced that due to the current economic conditions, they had a tough decision as to whether to give the award money to the school kids or to the artists. The kids won. (No, I did not get an award). I think first and second in category got a free booth for next year, assuming they wish to return. There were some very unhappy folks, rightfully so, in my opinion.

Artigras next wkd. I sure hope it's better.


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  • I don't want anyone to think this was a good show because a few people posted that they did well. Nobody around me had a good show. If they sold anything it was all low end and there was plenty of questionable things for sale. I don't consider manufactured wooden items hand painted to be acceptable(I'm trying to be vague). To be fair, there was plenty of high quality work. The only reason why every artist was invited to the party was because it was raining and the mucky-muck part was canceled. Being by the water was scenic but not practical because it was really cold and windy. I heard that a few artists left after the first day because of the conditions, but, I can't confirm this. It was very stressful, but, I didn't lose anything. They could do two things to improve this show: 1) move the show away from the water and 2) let every artist participate in the Friday night preview. By arbitrarily choosing a few artists, plus last years award winners, the show is saying to the uninformed public that these artists are better than the rest and that this is where you should be putting your money. I'd be willing to bet that the people here who said they had a good show were in the "favored" section.

    Clearly, the show committee knew they were screwing the artists by taking away the award money. They carefully worded their web site to not post anything about cash and waited until the awards ceremony to say something about it. Everyone knows that when they saw "awards" on a web site, that it means "cash prizes." If you weren't there you would have chuckled at the look on the faces of the artists who were there. This really burns me because it isn't up to the artists to fund a high school arts program. It's up to their parents to pay for it if they want their kids to have art in their high school. We generate a lot of money for a community. It is said that every 25,000 visitors to an art fair generates $1 million in sales to local businesses, which creates taxes, etc. We ask for so little back and not having cash awards, and their reason for it, was a slap in the face to us all. 20 years ago we got a lot of respect for doing these shows. It's about time we got that respect again.
  • I was at Ft. Myers last week and had a great show. Lots of previous customers who bought more pieces. It was brisk but we pros have that down. I simply closed my back where the wind was coming from. It was a refreshing change to have such a huge crowd actually buying. I am off to Arti Gras this weekend and hope for the same.
  • We had a great show in Ft. Meyers 50 % up from last year . I dont do shows for prize money and will do this show next year.
  • Good report Bert, thanks for shedding a ittle light on the awards fiasco. What I still don't understand about this mess is this: They had the money upfront, from exhibitor fees--what happened to that money that was allocated to awards? Maybe my buddy Webbie knows more than he is saying. I know one thing, you would have to be dumber than dirt to apply to that show next year. With nearly 25% bankrupsty rate in Lee County, there is not going to be a lot of money put into home decorating.
  • Thanks for your report Bert. Big sales were extremely light for me, having only one sale for over $100 all weekend! Thankfully I had enough small sales to really add up to a pretty good show, my best sales since Disney’s Festival of the Masters in November.

    I'm concerned about the awards. Does anyone know if the artists were promised cash awards when we applied? I rarely pay much attention to awards because I rarely win. I've gone back to zapplication and could find no mention of awards there. My experience with the show organizers to date have been positive overall, however if they had promised cash awards there is a big problem.
  • Hey, you can't disappoint school kids, but artists aren't a whole lot more grown up than they are. Give us a break!
  • I know the organizers of this event. They really work hard to make it happen for everyone. Sorry to hear about your light sales, Bert, but thanks so much for this report.
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