I'm invited this year and seeing it being a fairly young show, I'm a little worried if it will be worth the time and effort. I heard many good things about it and very excited to be invited ...any info from past exhibitor is greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance!
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This thread is from 2010 and would like to have more current feedback on Cleveland By Hand. I have been accepted and would like to know whether to accept. Thanks
Jay does a great job of keeping junk out and has a great staff of knowledgeable people assisting with this show. I did the By Hand show a couple of years ago and the show is replete with fine artists. Unfortunately, while it is held in conjunction with the food show (which brings in TONS of people) it is at the I-X Center, out near Cleveland's airport and is not a "drop by" kind of place. The show gets a little loud, but that's okay, it's part of the Food Show fun.
My biggest problems were with set up and tear down. There are some seriously crazy rules to abide by (in Jay's defense, these are local union rules for the site, not his) and it makes it a little challenging. It is my understanding that things have gotten a little better, however, the year I did this show, artists were not permitted to access the Food Show and were technically not permitted to bring their own food. They could, however, purchase food from one of 3 vendors on site. On day one, my lunch was a semi-frozen day old expensive salad. On day two, I smuggled in contraband food.
The only other drawback (and again, this may have changed) was that there were two separate crowds - the Food Show crowd and the Art Show crowd. Some of the Food Show people stopped by on their way out, but most did not. They were exhausted and ready to go. It was a little discouraging watching throngs of people line up to get into the Food Show and see so few stop by to see art. On the upside, the Art Show crowd was very enthusiastic and many bundles and bags were observed walking out of the building.
Hi Nancy!
many thanks for you input, it is encouraging ti hear from fellow artists about shows. I will definitely go.
Kevin, it's great to know you did well there, lately I heard more positive news about art shows from artists, this is new and refreshing:)
Good luck to all of you this show season, stay safe on the road and hope to get to see you all at THE SHOW!!!!
-Kanchana
Thanks Judy and Nancy,
I have not heard a negative thing about Jay. Keeping junk out of the show is encouraging. I am 90% sure I am doing the show, have 'till July 15th for booth fees. AFSB forum had more positive than negative things to say about the show. I have made a living area in my trailer, so expenses aren't bad if show does not pan out.
Kanchana, that was me at E. Lansing. Happy you did well. For me, one of the best shows I have had for a while. Maybe see you in Cleveland.
Kevin
Hi Kevin, Hi Judy
Thanks for your reply and information! I was about to give up on Art Fair Insider since it seems hard to get anybody to reply with info.
I was going to ask around this past weekend at Wells Street in Chicago but didn't get to talk much with my neighbors. Judy, I agree with you about every other shows that some do well and some don't and that it is hard to predict what the outcome may be...especially at this time.
Kevin, I think I spoke with you at East Lansing, I hope you did well there - I did.
Hi Kanchana,
I was also accepted and just know about show from what I have read. I did a show this past weekend and knew a fine art painter that did the show last year. She basically told me it was better to not do the show. She says it is all about the food show that is going on and the art was the secondary reason people were there. I have done show in the past where food was the main draw and it was a horrible experience.
Anyone else out there with first hand experience with this show? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin
Replies
My biggest problems were with set up and tear down. There are some seriously crazy rules to abide by (in Jay's defense, these are local union rules for the site, not his) and it makes it a little challenging. It is my understanding that things have gotten a little better, however, the year I did this show, artists were not permitted to access the Food Show and were technically not permitted to bring their own food. They could, however, purchase food from one of 3 vendors on site. On day one, my lunch was a semi-frozen day old expensive salad. On day two, I smuggled in contraband food.
The only other drawback (and again, this may have changed) was that there were two separate crowds - the Food Show crowd and the Art Show crowd. Some of the Food Show people stopped by on their way out, but most did not. They were exhausted and ready to go. It was a little discouraging watching throngs of people line up to get into the Food Show and see so few stop by to see art. On the upside, the Art Show crowd was very enthusiastic and many bundles and bags were observed walking out of the building.
many thanks for you input, it is encouraging ti hear from fellow artists about shows. I will definitely go.
Kevin, it's great to know you did well there, lately I heard more positive news about art shows from artists, this is new and refreshing:)
Good luck to all of you this show season, stay safe on the road and hope to get to see you all at THE SHOW!!!!
-Kanchana
I have not heard a negative thing about Jay. Keeping junk out of the show is encouraging. I am 90% sure I am doing the show, have 'till July 15th for booth fees. AFSB forum had more positive than negative things to say about the show. I have made a living area in my trailer, so expenses aren't bad if show does not pan out.
Kanchana, that was me at E. Lansing. Happy you did well. For me, one of the best shows I have had for a while. Maybe see you in Cleveland.
Kevin
Thanks for your reply and information! I was about to give up on Art Fair Insider since it seems hard to get anybody to reply with info.
I was going to ask around this past weekend at Wells Street in Chicago but didn't get to talk much with my neighbors. Judy, I agree with you about every other shows that some do well and some don't and that it is hard to predict what the outcome may be...especially at this time.
Kevin, I think I spoke with you at East Lansing, I hope you did well there - I did.
I was also accepted and just know about show from what I have read. I did a show this past weekend and knew a fine art painter that did the show last year. She basically told me it was better to not do the show. She says it is all about the food show that is going on and the art was the secondary reason people were there. I have done show in the past where food was the main draw and it was a horrible experience.
Anyone else out there with first hand experience with this show? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin