Hi Everyone,
I am beginning to look for art/craft shows in the gulf coast region. I live on the coast in Louisiana so that is my preferred area/state but at this point am willing and able to travel up to about 5 hours for a quality show that accepts more of crafts style. I do not consider my work fine art, nor is it jewelry. I do custom travertine coasters, trivets (8"x8"), and plaques (3"x6"). You can see my work at www.customcoastersbycindy.com. This is not a solicitation for purchase but merely giving an opportunity to see where I best fit in for art or craft shows.
I am not returning to several venues I did last spring because they are too small to attract traffic, nor are they well advertised enough. They are generally local to my town/parish (county) or are affliated with churches, etc. I am not opposed to small venues if the traffic is there and shoppers are willing to part with $$. However, our experience is that we meet a lot of nice people but hardly make much more than our booth fee of $40-50.
There is only one local spring show I am willing to do again and will apply. It is Southdown Marketplace in the town where I live. It has a $150 booth fee and is about 5 minutes fom my house. If it were any closer it would be literally in my back yard. Turnout and sales are great for me. They have, I believe, 300+ booths. When I looked around last year, I was the only one doing what I do in that show. A few others had coasters but they did not have the
One show I am looking at is the Fairhope, AL show in March. Anyone here been there as an artist or crafter? If you have been I would love to know about your experience and if you think I have a snowball's chance of getting in. I am sure they must receive many more applications than they can place in booths.
If you know of any other venues where I might fit in either in Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama, I'd like to know about it. TIA
Replies
Fairhope Arts & Crafts, and there are two shows offered at the same time. The more prestigious of the two is offered by Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. Apps are due sometime soon. It's a March show.
Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts is another March show the weekend after Fairhope. Their apps are due in early December. I don't know about the crafts part of what you are asking for, but maybe they'd accept your work.
Good luck! WOOHOO!
I have heard that the Gulf Breeze one is a good one!
Review of Gulf Breeze by Barrie.
I recently looked into the Fairhope Art & Craft show and one thing that I noticed was that it required payment up front of the booth & jury fee and made no mention of refunds if not juried in. They also want the booth photo and product photos mailed in on a CD.
I just looked at their application again, and out beside the jury fee it states (non-refundable). It doesn't say anything next to the booth fee, so that must mean they'll be sending it back if a person doesn't get selected for exhibiting. The show will keep your booth fee if they jury you in since the rules state NO REFUNDS.
So folks who like to submit for two or three different shows happening the same weekend will have a problem if Fairhope juries them in and then the artist decides to accept the Winter Park invitation instead. Say good bye to the $300 already sent to Fairhope.
I don't imagine they'll be keeping your booth fee if you aren't juried into it. Give them a call about it, though. Make sure you are looking into Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce event unless you want to do the other one. I don't know if there's a difference in sales possibilities since these shows are running side-by-side at the same time. I don't even know who sponsors the other event.
I taught at Fairhope Intermediate for the past 18 years. I applied last year and did not get in. Someone said you have to apply for 2-3 years before getting in. It is a wonderful show. The Eastern Shore Art Center has their show running on the same street---you really cannot tell that it is not a part of the Fairhope show. I met several members of the Art Center that told me I needed to apply and get in with them. Just got an email yesterday and they said they would have their apps posted next week. No difference in sales as it is all centrally located - not a long walk at all. You do need to prepare for adjusting your tent as the street starts down a small grade as it gets to the Art Center. Fairhope is a BEAUTIFUL small town!
Okay I found a link for the Eastern Shore but am not sure what category I'd fall under. None are an obvious fit for my product. :(
Can you send me a link for the Eastern Shore and Fairhope? I am supposed to have Fairhope bookmarked ... but I may not. Thanks!
Hello Cynthia...Have you looked into the monthly Palmer Park Art market in New Orleans?
New Orleans Crafts Guild
Louisiana Crafts Guild
Three Rivers Art Festival in Covington
Baton Rouge Monthly Art market
Fest For All in Baton Rouge
Great Gulf Coast Art Show in Pensacola
Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi
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