Dear Art Festival Organizers...
I open emails from you, AFI and other aggregate organizations advertising your shows - asking me to apply! I opened one of those today, and was so horrified. Why?
You might tell me how your show rates or about reviews, the number of people that attend, the neighborhood, whether you serve breakfast or have volunteers for breaks...and I consider those things, but ONE THING you might do that will TURN ME OFF [no matter what you stats are] is the picture of your show. The one I opened today showcased a booth that was an overcrowded mess of clothing that was not hand-made - and the display was atrocious. I do not want to be in a show that might consider this vendor their star.
If you want ARTISTS to apply, show beautiful, professional displays - and booths featuring FINE ART, FINE CRAFTS, FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY, FINE JEWELRY...
DO NOT use a picture of a really crappy booth if you want me to apply. I've seen some pics with booths that look like: an old clothes line was used to hang merchandise, or a mess of really low end crafts. I have NOTHING against crafts, but the stuff I'm seeing does not belong in a FINE ART show.
DO NOT use a picture of your show - featuring a long line of empty booths, empty aisles, no people, no people with purchases, and conversely, pics that are SO crowded, you can't see the booths.
No matter what else you say about your show, if you want me to apply, at least post pics that entice me - make me want to be in the show - show me who I will be associated with, whose booth might be next to mine...someone showing lovely, hand-made fine art or fine craft or photography.
Replies
What show is this?
At least from their photo you would know what you were getting into ahead of time. Just think if they had managed to photograph the one good booth in the show, so you applied and then found yourself surrounded by $40.00 hats!
I did a show last year where the pictures on their web site were 50% cupcakes! Everyone had their hands jammed in their pockets and very little interest on their faces. When I saw the photographer going around I mentioned to her she should try to get some photos of people actually buying work, of excited patrons, really good art, etc. (All of which was there!) She just looked totally blank! No clue what I was talking about.
I also opened that email this morning! I am laughing now, but it was not actually funny, my reaction was the same as yours. The picture I saw featured items (hats) that are all priced at $40 - $45, I was beside this vendor at a show last year. This vendor told me they do a show every weekend. The vendor showed up one hour before the show started, that's how fast their set up was. I agree with every word stated in your post.
thanks. i just would not apply to that show - based on the photo!