I was considering applying to a show in Richmond, Va, when I noticed two things:
1. You have to include your booth fee with your application. If you get in, they cash the check. I really don't like this.
2. There are 425 artists in the show - or something like that. More than 400!
That just seems daunting to me. Or is it? What do you all think? What's a good number of artists for a show?
Replies
1. You have to include your booth fee with your application. If you get in, they cash the check. I really don't like this.
i don't like it either, but a lot of shows still do it that way. It sucks. Usually they do actually wait a couple of days before they deposit the check so if you have to decline you can do it quick before they cash a check on money you may not have.
I hope that a the next year or two, they will all transfer to Zapp and make my life easier.
I've heard, since I posted this, that artists in some states have successfully challenged the legality of this pay-before-you-enter thing. According to what I have read, there are laws protecting people from paying something for nothing, and this pay-up-front thing fits into that category.
Though I'm in my mid-50s, I am in my first years of doing art full-time, and don't have the time or money to challenge promoters on this point, but would be happy to join a class action suit if someone wants to be the hero!
Hi Carrie,
Well, did you do Arts in the Park? I did, but I live in the surrounding are of Richmond. From what I saw, it was a good show for most. I had great show and several artists that know t did as well. This was my second year doing this event and last year was good as well
With that many booths, there were some folks that got under the radar, but mostly I saw artist and/or craftspersons. There was the person selling pvc bow and arrows, but I was told that they have done ALL 43 of the events and sorta get a by to get in.
The folks putting the show on are a group of local neighbors and for a purely civic group to a great job of running a good show. Coffee and donuts for artists each morning, indoor bathrooms for artists, and basically easy load in and load out.
Anyway, if you did the show, I hope you did well and enjoyed your time in Richmond.
Wayne
Not this one, they cashed my check months ago and I just got my notification that I was in the show.
This sounds like Arts in the Park. It was the first Virginia show I did when I first moved here and when I looked around I thought it was a major mistake. It was everything a show shouldn't be. There was a person selling air plants (painted Spanish moss) and a person selling handmade welcome mats from old tires and plenty of shit on a stick. I did incredibly well. Richmond is quite an artsy town with two large co-op galleries and there aren't a lot of shows in Richmond. There was a huge amount of attendees and buyers. Some around me did not do well but a lot did do well. I will do it for the third time this year. It is worth a try.
I did that show for about ten years and used to crash the party at Mrs. Lovelace's house across the street from the park.
It was also the first show I dropped when I started cutting back on shows in the early 1990's.
Like Alison said, it seemed like there was no real jurying. Just get your application in early and ask for the same space. Year after year.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
I agree with the whole check issue... You basically lose out on any option for a replacement show. But hey, do promoters really care?
Over 400 seems to be a bit too many exhibitors but I think there may be some venues where it works. But as a general rule I would 225 is a really good number.
Another thought is that what your products and price points are have everything to do with whether you do a lot of business in various shows.
In nearly every show I been in, if the Stuff on A Stick guys get in, they do really well, as do the food vendors (if present). So I avoid Springfest and Sunfest in Ocean City, MD b/c they are zoos with a whole lot of vendors and the stuff on a stick folks make a killing... Fine art does not do as well at these large # of exhibitor events... Lower price point jewelry does really well at these types of events b/c women will drop $20 on something to wear which will be a memento of being at the event.
That is very good question. The question should what is a good number customers per artists in a show?
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