I'm a painter (acrylic on canvas) and we're are thinking of doing some traveling next year, to shows on the east coast. We've been doing shows on the west coast since 1969 and looking to expand our show schedule. We're interested in FINE ART SHOWS ONLY. Any recommendations for 2011? What about the top 200 in Sunshine magazine? Are they really the top in the nation?
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Mainsail in St Petersburg is a good show and well attended by buyers, they also have $50,000 in prize money. It may be too late to apply for this years show keep it in mind for next year.
I did Paragon Long Island, and as a 2-D artist, I would give this show time to establish a reputation as a fine art show. The artists who did okay were jewelers and low priced photographers. All of my painting compadres did poor to zero. The show is really well run, but I don't think the crowds were prepared for higher priced 2-D work. I have heard similar things about Montauk from my painting friends who were there.
Bill and Jon Slade said:
I have always questioned the validity of these so called ratings. I don't know many people who fill them out, or how they are really compiled to form the end result. I find the reviews, and our blog reports to be the real truth /opinions. Speaking of such, any reports on Paragon's Long Island & Montauk recent shows????
Thanks Judy,
You're, honestly, the first to say anything good about HA. Now I have something to help me balance the other not-so-good comments.
judy goskey said:
Hi Tim, Howard Alan has some very good options for doing shows. I have always found them to be very professional. They are on site and deal with issues themselves. They clearly state their rules and they enforce them. The rules are pretty basic and common sense. Reading their contract will really give you a good idea of what to expect. Set up is usually on the morning of the first day so some find that difficult. They advertise and generally choose good locations. Like all other shows some are better for me than others and it takes a while to find the right market. Howard and Debbie have also been very supportive of me personally and other artists I have known when we have had difficulties. Many shows and promoters have been great to work with and I wouldn't write off a whole segment of the business too rashly. Hundreds of artists work very well with Howard Alan Events.
Tim Wistrom said:
What are some of the bigger shows on the East Coast? Is Howard Allan the only promoter going on? I've heard horror stories about the way his shows are run. Here on the West Coast is a promoter that sounds eerily similar, and after supporting her in her early years of promoting she turned into the she-banshee from hell and I quit doing her shows. Yes, they are big, but I wont help support that style of business, where artists are slaves and must cow-tow to the queen, and I've been doing quite well without her shows.
We're working up a schedule to leave WA in Feb, doing shows in So Cal, Ariz, NM, TX along the way to Florida. Then work our way up the coast, then over to Chicago. Thanks for any suggestions.
Tim, go to AFC.com in the upper right corner of this page .Click on it and then click on the Florida shows. Connie already has a lot for 2011 listed. It will give you an idea of what is available and when in Florida. Then you can check here for show reviews.
If you are looking at very south Florida, most of the shows are in January and February. There are still plenty in the rest of the state after that.
Tim, go to AFC.com in the upper right corner of this page .Click on it and then click on the Florida shows. Connie already has a lot for 2011 listed. It will give you an idea of what is available and when in Florida. Then you can check here for show reviews.
If you are looking at very south Florida, most of the shows are in January and February. There are still plenty in the rest of the state after that.
Coconut Grove (Feb), Winter Park (Mar) and the Northern Virginia FA Festival in Reston (May) were good shows for us this season. Click on "Art Shows and Blog" above and read folks' reviews of east coast shows. I think you can do a search there too. Good luck; you've got some nice work.
Yes, this has always been so frustrating for us, that my wife always sends in the audit forms (she does it online now) and even submits reports for on shows.
Chris Hoyt said:
If you don't learn anything else about the Top 200 in SA, remember this. Those ratings are based on SALES NUMBERS ONLY!!!
The show could be a "fine art show" and have B/S all over the place. But the people who actually sent in audits made money. And maybe the only ones who made money are the ones who sent in audits, while everyone else lost money on the weekend.
That's how shows are rated. The ratings have nothing to do with the quality of the show, how the show was run, or anything else. Sales numbers only.
What are some of the bigger shows on the East Coast? Is Howard Allan the only promoter going on? I've heard horror stories about the way his shows are run. Here on the West Coast is a promoter that sounds eerily similar, and after supporting her in her early years of promoting she turned into the she-banshee from hell and I quit doing her shows. Yes, they are big, but I wont help support that style of business, where artists are slaves and must cow-tow to the queen, and I've been doing quite well without her shows.
We're working up a schedule to leave WA in Feb, doing shows in So Cal, Ariz, NM, TX along the way to Florida. Then work our way up the coast, then over to Chicago. Thanks for any suggestions.
Thanks Greg, We are looking at this as both a fun and money making trip. What sort of tweaking? If you're familiar with my work, will my surrealism fly if I aim it toward east coast icons? I'm working on using different color schemes, brighter & tropical. Last year we did 9 months in the SW and were well received. I did a lot with SW colors and themes. Thanks again, all comments are greatly appreciated and considered.
greg mackenzie said:
If this is a money making trip . forget it. But if you are coming down to have some fun , go for it. As a Northwest transplant ,I will tell you need to tweak your work for the South. I know your work , stick to the bigger shows, if you can get in. This is not Kansas. But it is a great market and I think you will do great. Big Pond, and great Pros to work with. I do miss the Northwest.
Thanks, this is a great site, people actually respond! I'll follow up with your suggestions.
Phil Crone said:
Coconut Grove (Feb), Winter Park (Mar) and the Northern Virginia FA Festival in Reston (May) were good shows for us this season. Click on "Art Shows and Blog" above and read folks' reviews of east coast shows. I think you can do a search there too. Good luck; you've got some nice work.
Replies
Mainsail in St Petersburg is a good show and well attended by buyers, they also have $50,000 in prize money. It may be too late to apply for this years show keep it in mind for next year.
Bill and Jon Slade said:
You're, honestly, the first to say anything good about HA. Now I have something to help me balance the other not-so-good comments.
judy goskey said:
geri wegner said:
If you are looking at very south Florida, most of the shows are in January and February. There are still plenty in the rest of the state after that.
Good luck!
Phil Crone said:
Chris Hoyt said:
We're working up a schedule to leave WA in Feb, doing shows in So Cal, Ariz, NM, TX along the way to Florida. Then work our way up the coast, then over to Chicago. Thanks for any suggestions.
greg mackenzie said:
Phil Crone said:
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