Just wondering who is going to the Great Lakes Art Fair in Novi Michigan? It comes up the weekend after easter. We are looking forward to it again, and enjoyed it so much last year. Are you planning to be there? If so, what is your art medium?
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I heard that from several of my neighbors as well; an incredible copper relief sculptress and a really talented glass blower. None of us will be back. Thank goodness the rest of my shows have real jurying and strict buy/sell policies. My prices cannot possibly compete with someone buying mass- produced items and selling them as art. This was definitely a learning experience for me, but I am crossing this one of the list! ☺️
I used to really enjoy this show and keep toying with the idea of doing it again. When I looked at the info this year I saw that booths were available for other than art. When I contacted them to ask what these booths were and what percentage of the show they comprised, they were very evasive with their answers so I stayed away. I think probably desperation to fill spaces has sealed the fate of this as an ART fair. Very sad.
Ruth,
Apparently the facility leases out spaced to companies like the gutter guy, the shriners, cutco, and vacation sales, and they take up one side of the 600 aisle. I guess i dont as much mind that as long as they dont draw away the customers, or prevent customers from wanting to walk down that aisle, which also included some fine art, and some not so much. My shibori (Bound resist silk) has been juried into museum shows... so i should probably be insulted to be put between someone that sews lace and patches on straw hats and someone that sells powders to make dips. But they call us "specialty", charge us $500 for the booth, and put us there.... Last year rocked... we made a good weekend of sales. But not this year.
i heard them trying to haggle people in to fill vacant spaces.... and the guy two over from me was calling someone and it sounded a bit like this "Hey Joe, what are you doing this weekend - can you get your stuff together- there is a vacant space and they will fill it for $200 - what should i tell them, will you do it?" Hmm, got us thinking.
It was the "specialty" booths I was worried about - thinking buy/sell. You don't belong there. Were you actually charged extra? In the past I was always able to get a booth at the last minute without applying - once a corner, once a double at the price of a single. So, it's nothing new, but totally unfair.
Yes we were charged $500 and not given an option of location ... even though we clarified that in most shows we do we are considered art... they just called us specialty and this year stuck us next to some definitely not art vendors. I gave voice this year to the event coordinators, submitted a show review here, and i dont honestly think it will change, but i do think that i am still sad about the outcome. I love the area, loved my lodging, enjoyed the staff, got to know some wonderful artists, and for that it was good. We take what comes... and try to make good out of it, right?
I ended up with gross sales of around 1600. For me this is a terrible number. I was driving from home, so my net was larger than those who made accommodations. Indeed i was one of the lucky ones, as many of my wonderful neighbors did not cover expenses at all. I sold several of my larger and more unique pieces, so that helped. All in, i would not recommend this show to anyone, unless the organizers eliminate the inclusion of all the- how can i put this tactfully- absolute crap.
I did great when Sugarloaf & Integrity had it, but wouldn't touch it now.
OUCH! I'd really like this show to succeed.
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