Forum

I participated in our local Art After Dark this past weekend.  I was hosted, along with 3 other artists, in a local organic grocery store/yoga studio.  While I was there, the owner and I were talking ... we had never met before, but she seems like a very nice person.

She told me she had a couple rooms in the back that she rents for events.  She likes hosting artists ... poets, musicians, and artists like us here at AFI.  We talked about having an event close to Christmas.  I usually have an open house but don't advertise as aggressively as I could ... due to not wanting complete strangers coming into my home.

I am thinking of having something at her place and inviting others to participate.  Having other will generate more interest than a single person, but also they will help defray the cost of the room rental.  The room I am looking at is very large and rents for $45/hour.  It will hold up to 6 artists comfortably.

I am thinking of having it for somewhere between 4 to 6 hours.  Set up will be easy.  We can hand truck our stuff in and out.  There are 2 entrances to this business, one in the front and one in the back.

First, please let me know what you think of this idea in general.  Then, please let me know if there is any other info I should send out to help gauge interest.  Here is what I plan on sending out to some people I know to gauge interest.

The last few years I have held an open house for my business.  I love for my friends and family to come visit and shop.  However, I did not like the idea of strangers coming to my home.  This is the part that gave me pause in how much advertising I did.  I was uncomfortable advertising to much due to the stranger factor.

 This past weekend a business in downtown Houma, who did not know of my stranger dilemma, said she had a couple of rooms she rents out for events.  She said they are available for artists to show their art and sell.  This got me to thinking about hosting an event for others to participate with me.  I immediately though of my dilemma associated with my Christmas Open House at my home.  It seems like the perfect solution.  So … here is some basic information for you to decide if you would want to participate.

Prospective Location:  Downtown Houma Business, to be named later when I get an agreement w/them

Prospective Date:  Saturday, Dec. 16

Prospective Time:  Noon-5:00

Cost:  Room Rental will be evenly divided among those who participate.

The room rents for $45/hour, for 5 hours.  Once the time and date are okayed with the management, prospective participants will be notified ASAP.  Participants will be asked to pay their portion in full to hold their spot.

All participants must create their own work to sell.  You may work with someone as a team to make the items you sell.  No buy/sell or any commercially made products allowed.  No MLM's, no essential oils (unless made by the seller), etc.

Advertising … I plan on making up flyers for each participant to distribute (by hand, mail, email, facebook, etc.)  These can be placed in businesses, with their permission.  The prospective business said they would push this event through all their social media accounts.  I plan on bringing flyers to downtown businesses, and to other local businesses where I already do business.  Other participants are asked to do the same.

If you are interested in participating, please let me know by replying to this message.  I am looking for up to 5 artist/crafts persons to participate with me.