As I mentioned in another post, this weekend's Boca Raton Museum of Art show was my third zero-sales show in a row in Florida. The lack of buying had nothing to do with me, but was widespread, at least in my area, and in others, as well, according to people I spoke with.
Some thoughts that others mentioned were that there are just too many shows in Florida now. The economy surfaced as an issue. I saw lots of people who just didn't look happy to be at the show, for whatever reason, and I do know that unhappy people tend not to buy art.
One artist brought up what I thought was an interesting idea. He is going to try to stay away from shows by promoters, and seek shows that are put on by community groups and associations. His point was that these shows should draw people who care about the success of the event itself, and will be more apt to buy.
Of course, the Boca show would have fit into this category - and he did ask, during the show, where were the supporters and patrons of the museum?
So - just a report and an idea from the field. I'm curious to know if any of you have started to think this way?
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Sometimes even that does not work. I did a show this past fall where the promoter advertised widely but still did not get the people. Zero show for me Artists were good, venue was nice - just not well attended and those attending were not spending money. Late November - good for holiday sales. Can't figure it out Sometimes there doesn't seem to be a logical reason
Florida this winter has been a train wreck .I live down here and in the 3 1/2 years I have been exhibiting this is definitely my worst winter .As for promoter to non promoters I think we've all seen good and bad in both .The only thing I ask of either is ADVERTISE they can't come if they don't know.
For years I did not do any promoter shows. The non-promoter shows were the better shows. Then the directors of those shows became more concerned with making money for their art center or charity and as the focus of the show was less about the artist, I crossed to the dark side and did some promoter run shows. Now some promoter shows have better work and have more integrity than the other shows. You won't find any b/s at a Barry Witt show. I'd do a Barry Witt show any day of the week. I would, also, do a Richard Sullivan show. There are promoters who's shows I wouldn't do because they are responsible for flooding their markets and killing it for artists.
As a shopper I can see where Geri is coming from. I do tend to see a lot of the same artists at promoter shows. As an artist though, I don't see a cut and dried distinction. Of my top 4 shows ever, 2 were promoter shows and two were not. Of my only two losing shows of the past several years, one was a promoter show and one was not. Boca was one of them. I was horribly disappointed in the Boca show the year I did it. Add to this that my most recent losing show and my second best show ever were put on by the same promoter.
Community groups put on shows to make money for their organization. Some of them have a tendency to throw in a lot of extras that take away from the art, like bouncy houses for the kids and silent auctions using our "donations", selling t-shirts and posters. Some of them take the "for a good cause" concept a little too far. I haven't yet seen that issue at a promoter show although I have only done two different promoters.
I don't think there is an easy way around researching each and every show.
Hi Carrie, I tend to think that way. After reading so much about the over saturation with shows in Florida, I don't apply to any of them. I know there are a few good ones, but for me it isn't worth the risk. I like the community/non-profit based shows the best. I also like the small shows too, just a personal preference. I have applied to some promoter ran events and I wold not totally count them out, there are some really good promoters out there who treat artists well and care about the success of their events. I think your situation is probably more related to over-saturation rather than promoter vs. non-promoter, just my opinion though.
I was just mentioning last nite that I prefer non-promoter shows. My reasoning is that you see more "new" artists at these shows rather than the same artists who do multiple shows with the same promoter.
There may be a sense of urgency to buy from the artists you see at these shows because you never know where you will see them again.
So sorry you have hit a stretch of bad shows. It will turn around soon.