American Society of Artists shows, has anyone done them?

I have received information on some Chicago area shows that are American Society of Artist, I have never heard of them, does anyone have any experience with their shows, I need to get out of Michigan to do more shows, it is a train wreck here, any advice on these shows would be appreciated. I checked into Amdur Shows, I simply cannot set up a gallery at an outdoor shows, some of the promoters need to reallize, this may not be what the customer needs or wants, it needs to be about the art or craft, yes a nice and eye appealing display is important, but I have been an artist for over 30 years, and some of the promoters are more focused on Displays and how much they can charge, than promoting the art. Not every patron plans to spend thousands at the art fair, it needs to be a total experience, I have heard at several shows in the past year, "I have stopped going to that show, its the same artists, the work is too expensive, I am not going to shows anymore, its lost its charm," has anyone else heard these remarks. Women are my primary buyers, they tend to spend alot of time in my booth, I am a talker, I am always looking to improve, add new items, by adding some lower price points last year, it saved me. So back to American Society of Artistist, any info?

I did some of theirs but it’s been a long time. They have a lot of shows. Some can be good depending on LOCATION. But that’s true for every show. Skip the ones they have set up in shopping malls. Those have the same problems most mall shows have. Do some research, try to get a history with the others. When I did them, there was a core of artists who did only those. Look into the urban downtown setting ones. I don’t mean just Chicago, but the wealthier suburbs. There was one on 2 weekdays in downtown Chicago that was great. They are bare bones (no amenities) but who cares, if you can sell? I love amenities but the only one that is really indispensible is the portapotty.

I’m in Chicago, with the economy as it is I am considering some of them again. I hesitate to say they are worth driving for, though. It’s another of those YMMV things. Consider your alternatives locally first. Travelling I assume you will have to have at least 2 nights in a hotel, and added expenses. I did Michigan shows too last year and I can’t say they were much worse than anywhere else. I know you Michigan folks think your economy is the worst, but having traveled everywhere in the Midwest, I have to say that they were all down, the Michigan ones about the same as all the others. My Wisconsin shows were worse off.

I feel your pain on the display issue. My (normal) display is functional and utilitarian: it’s all about finding making it easy for the customers to find what they want. The customers like it, some promotors can get very nit-picky. Like Howard Alan said I had to use Pro-panels. But those have zero functionality for my work !? I don’t have wall work, how can I use those? (snarl) So I can’t do his shows anymore. I worked up a more gallery-like display, but that takes me an additional 2-3 hours to set up. And my regular one was taking 3 hours! Can I really take the time to set up a booth for 5 hours? Not often.

ASA is not that picky on display (at least they didn’t used to be) so you should be OK on that. Maybe contact them and ask about that: it seems like everybody is pickier on display than they used to be. What’s your medium? I might have some ideas for you. Heaven knows I have experimented enough.

Replies

Linnea Lahlum April 2, 2009 at 11:58am

I did some of theirs but it’s been a long time. They have a lot of shows. Some can be good depending on LOCATION. But that’s true for every show. Skip the ones they have set up in shopping malls. Those have the same problems most mall shows have. Do some research, try to get a history with the others. When I did them, there was a core of artists who did only those. Look into the urban downtown setting ones. I don’t mean just Chicago, but the wealthier suburbs. There was one on 2 weekdays in downtown Chicago that was great. They are bare bones (no amenities) but who cares, if you can sell? I love amenities but the only one that is really indispensible is the portapotty.

I’m in Chicago, with the economy as it is I am considering some of them again. I hesitate to say they are worth driving for, though. It’s another of those YMMV things. Consider your alternatives locally first. Travelling I assume you will have to have at least 2 nights in a hotel, and added expenses. I did Michigan shows too last year and I can’t say they were much worse than anywhere else. I know you Michigan folks think your economy is the worst, but having traveled everywhere in the Midwest, I have to say that they were all down, the Michigan ones about the same as all the others. My Wisconsin shows were worse off.

I feel your pain on the display issue. My (normal) display is functional and utilitarian: it’s all about finding making it easy for the customers to find what they want. The customers like it, some promotors can get very nit-picky. Like Howard Alan said I had to use Pro-panels. But those have zero functionality for my work !? I don’t have wall work, how can I use those? (snarl) So I can’t do his shows anymore. I worked up a more gallery-like display, but that takes me an additional 2-3 hours to set up. And my regular one was taking 3 hours! Can I really take the time to set up a booth for 5 hours? Not often.

ASA is not that picky on display (at least they didn’t used to be) so you should be OK on that. Maybe contact them and ask about that: it seems like everybody is pickier on display than they used to be. What’s your medium? I might have some ideas for you. Heaven knows I have experimented enough.

This reply was deleted.