HELP
I was so disappointed to receive notice that a wonderful event, the "Across The Lake" Macatawa Fine Arts Fair has been cancelled due too few artist applicants. I believe the problem is this is a one day event - September 5, 2009 - Labor Day weekend when most artists attend a two or three day show. They currently have under 50 artists and do not feel that is enough of a draw to produce satisfactory results for those 50 and the patrons (How very artist considerate are they!)
It is held in one of Michigan's great tourist areas, Holland during a fantastic time of year in Michigan! The Holland State Park is the most highly attended state park in Michigan. I just spoke with the coordinator for the event, Derek, and pleaded with him to hold off on that cancellation until I notified all my friends on this site. The Executive Director of the Holland Arts Council has agreed to delay the cancellation to see what interest comes from this site. I'd love it if all you would consider this event and let me know - simple yes or no - if you would be interested.
While it's not a huge event - we all know that some of smaller events bring in mucho denero (that's been my experience for the last two years). Huge advantage here is you can be confident that this organizer will be VERY attentive to artist needs as they recognize YOU are the ones to save the day!
The website is: http://www.hollandarts.org/calltoartist.php
Again, it's not a huge show - but it is one day, reasonable fees, beautiful surroundings, tourist town. I feel we REALLY need to support the good shows (and I do this as my sole household income). Whadaya say artists?
I'd love to pull in 20+ artists in the next 24 hours to help the organizers decide to carry on with the show. I think this mass effort will at minimum be great fun!
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Yes, of course I have thought about those issues Larry. This started out as just one artist (me) disappointed by a show I was looking forward to participating in being cancelled. I sent out the news on this forum to my artist friends seeing if they had an open day on their schedule. In the mean time I contacted the art group sponsoring the event and suggested a few ideas for next year, including the lack of advertising nationally (as well as to this group) and the problems of a one day show during a holiday weekend as well as other thoughts expressed here during the last few months. I believe this particular show had started as more of a neighborhood event and is going through growing pains in trying to expand to reach a larger audience. I had never heard of it before either, just heard great comments from other artists I've had the pleasure of meeting in the past. I am not the sponsor or promoter - have no vested interest in the event other than participation as an artist - just sharing information which is what this nationally participated forum is all about. By the way..... I rely entirely on art shows, website and local gallery for my household's income.
I haven't been following this thread but can understand why a small non advertised show won't get enough applications in today's economic world.
Since you're posting on this nationally participated in forum, have you thought about how artists look at a one day event in considering what shows they apply to. Are there any other local (within an hour drive) one day shows that same weekend on the other day so the artists have a chance to earn a living that weekend?
Consider July Fourth. You have Saugatuck and South Haven that run back to back on Saturday and Sunday and draw artists from a much greater distance than if only one show were running.
I just spoke with Derek and this show will join the list of cancellations for 2009.
I've been asked to work with them for 2010 and have already incorporated a list of the suggestions compiled from this group and sent to him. Nice to see an art show seek out suggestions from it's artists. Perhaps you can watch for it next year.
Anyone interested at all? You can call Derek at Holland Arts Council at 616-396-3278. I plan on giving him input on the responses here on June 19th. Thanks everyone.
Well Nels,
Let me explain I'm a big supporter of the lower key, high quality, artist focused juried art fairs. I've found organizers of these shows treat the artists like gold and I've also had extreme success at them. Since I typically sell all things Great Lakes - lighthouses/tall ships/harbors/local images with my photography - I am expanding my Wisconsin base to Michigan this year big time. I heard of this show from another artist last year and kept careful watch for the application since January. I don't think it would have been easy to find otherwise. I applied because it intrigued me and it had been spoken well of. Besides - it's lovely Michigan - In September! - I've always felt at home there. Being an avid camper since childhood, I know the State Park right down the road is always full. I know Holland gets loads of tourists that time of year. This weekend in Edina I was across from a fantastic artists who has done this show and would not miss it this year. That pretty much calmed any questions I had had about it. Sadly, when I arrived home Monday, the letter of cancellation was in the mail. I called Derek (coordinator) today and we talked for quite a bit.
I can only offer you this second hand info on what others have told me and "gut" feelings from several conversations I've had with Derek and a few of his people in the last few months.
As I mentioned - it is not likely to ever use Zapp - Home Grown by the Holland Area Arts Council. Other than what they present on their "Call to Artists" on their website, I can't even give you the layout or attendance figures. At the same time, I've done better at some shows where attendance is only 3,000 compared to 80,000 (as my recent Edina dissapointment). I'm not sure if I can conjure up 20 or more artists willing to do a one day-Labor Day weekend show as I'm sure it won't be the income producer of a larger three day show, but I sure hope to. My thoughts are that this one would be great for the newbie to gain experience & confidence and great for us old timers that just plain appreciate a well run show. I like supporting "the good guys". I've received four letters of cancellation this year and this one I'm willing to stick my neck out to try to help. If you'd like, you can email Derek derek@hollandarts.org or call him at 616-396-3278 (altho he is rarely in his office). I will give you a piece of the cancellation he sent "We feel trying to run the fair with such a small group would not only limit the success of the art fair, it would be detrimental to the time and effort of each artist involved" What? Artist considerate? How rare these days. That's pretty much all I know. Anyone who would be interested must understand they may/may not do well there. For me.... it's the "gut" thing and if it does get additional artists, they can at least know that they rose to the cause of supporting the arts for the good guys and not the self absorbed promoters we've all been complaining about on this site. Thanks for the interest Nels. If you hear more, please enlighten us.
Nels Johnson said:
INTERESTING. I HAVE LIVED IN SAUGATUCK MICHIGAN FOR 15 SUMMERS AND NEVER ONCE HEARD OF THIS SHOW OR SEEN ANY ADVERTISING FOR IT. IT MUST BE A BIG DUTCH SECRET. REALLY, I DO ERRANDS UP IN HOLLAND ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE SIGN ABOUT THIS SHOW. I GUESS THE 50 ARTISTS LIKE TO KEEP IT ALL TO THEMSELVES-ILLUMINATE ME ABOUT THIS-NELS
INTERESTING. I HAVE LIVED IN SAUGATUCK MICHIGAN FOR 15 SUMMERS AND NEVER ONCE HEARD OF THIS SHOW OR SEEN ANY ADVERTISING FOR IT. IT MUST BE A BIG DUTCH SECRET. REALLY, I DO ERRANDS UP IN HOLLAND ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE SIGN ABOUT THIS SHOW. I GUESS THE 50 ARTISTS LIKE TO KEEP IT ALL TO THEMSELVES-ILLUMINATE ME ABOUT THIS-NELS
Replies
Since you're posting on this nationally participated in forum, have you thought about how artists look at a one day event in considering what shows they apply to. Are there any other local (within an hour drive) one day shows that same weekend on the other day so the artists have a chance to earn a living that weekend?
Consider July Fourth. You have Saugatuck and South Haven that run back to back on Saturday and Sunday and draw artists from a much greater distance than if only one show were running.
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
Art Show Tips Blog
http://ArtShowTips.com
412-767-8644
Scott Hamberg said:
I've been asked to work with them for 2010 and have already incorporated a list of the suggestions compiled from this group and sent to him. Nice to see an art show seek out suggestions from it's artists. Perhaps you can watch for it next year.
Let me explain I'm a big supporter of the lower key, high quality, artist focused juried art fairs. I've found organizers of these shows treat the artists like gold and I've also had extreme success at them. Since I typically sell all things Great Lakes - lighthouses/tall ships/harbors/local images with my photography - I am expanding my Wisconsin base to Michigan this year big time. I heard of this show from another artist last year and kept careful watch for the application since January. I don't think it would have been easy to find otherwise. I applied because it intrigued me and it had been spoken well of. Besides - it's lovely Michigan - In September! - I've always felt at home there. Being an avid camper since childhood, I know the State Park right down the road is always full. I know Holland gets loads of tourists that time of year. This weekend in Edina I was across from a fantastic artists who has done this show and would not miss it this year. That pretty much calmed any questions I had had about it. Sadly, when I arrived home Monday, the letter of cancellation was in the mail. I called Derek (coordinator) today and we talked for quite a bit.
I can only offer you this second hand info on what others have told me and "gut" feelings from several conversations I've had with Derek and a few of his people in the last few months.
As I mentioned - it is not likely to ever use Zapp - Home Grown by the Holland Area Arts Council. Other than what they present on their "Call to Artists" on their website, I can't even give you the layout or attendance figures. At the same time, I've done better at some shows where attendance is only 3,000 compared to 80,000 (as my recent Edina dissapointment). I'm not sure if I can conjure up 20 or more artists willing to do a one day-Labor Day weekend show as I'm sure it won't be the income producer of a larger three day show, but I sure hope to. My thoughts are that this one would be great for the newbie to gain experience & confidence and great for us old timers that just plain appreciate a well run show. I like supporting "the good guys". I've received four letters of cancellation this year and this one I'm willing to stick my neck out to try to help. If you'd like, you can email Derek derek@hollandarts.org or call him at 616-396-3278 (altho he is rarely in his office). I will give you a piece of the cancellation he sent "We feel trying to run the fair with such a small group would not only limit the success of the art fair, it would be detrimental to the time and effort of each artist involved" What? Artist considerate? How rare these days. That's pretty much all I know. Anyone who would be interested must understand they may/may not do well there. For me.... it's the "gut" thing and if it does get additional artists, they can at least know that they rose to the cause of supporting the arts for the good guys and not the self absorbed promoters we've all been complaining about on this site. Thanks for the interest Nels. If you hear more, please enlighten us.
Nels Johnson said: