There are at least 4 sections of the St. James Court art show, weekend of 10/8/17.
Belgravia,
St. James Court,
Third Street,
Fourth Street,
I have read as much of the reviews as I could readily find. Most aRe many years old. I understand with the St James Court section the Outer Circle is better than the Inner Circle.
I have choices. Which sections would be best for fine art photography?
Can you rank them first to Fourth as to preferences?
I am less concerned with ease of loading and loadout as I am there to work the event and I don't mind the extra labor. I am looking at this from a standpoint of traffic flow, qualified prospects & ability to sell. None of my work is in the $15 - $60 range, which makes a difference.
I understand the area is a lot of grand Victorian homes. Is this an art show with a clientele whom tend to purchase items relevant to that area ie. shots of Victorian homes and horses?
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For cards I meant greeting card size. Blank inside. People love Churchill, especially the twin spires. I don't know about price range, I am just saying what I think, and that is from the perspective of someone who never buys horse prints. I am just trying to say to not put all your eggs in one basket. As for the fleu de lis, it is Louisville's symbol, and has a specific look, but can be adjusted in many ways, as long as it looks like Louisville's. I did not mean for you to use someone else's work, but to make the Louisville Fleur de lis yours. The Louisville Artisan Guild has their version as their symbol....sorry, tired from One of a Kind, and not finding the best words.
I live near the area. If you can be in the area near the fountain, go for that. Good news bad news. TONS of people come to St James. most of them walk around eating and talking to friends. What I think would sell is the Louisville fleur d lis. horses probably. the area is not rich, all the beautiful old houses have been made into apartments. But, there are people with money there, who love art.
There are even more sections than said here, there is the 1300 block of Third st, and the Walnut St Baptist church (never there!). Part of 3rd st and 1300 are on Magnolia. I am on 4th street. I make conceptual jewelry and all I ever do is make ends meet. Some good news, even if the weather is bad, people come. It is the biggest show social event of the year, of this kind. My answer may be too late, but this is what I know about the lay of the land.
I know it is late for helping you make a decision, Larry, but besides as Linnea said, the list the applications on the St. James Court website, they are also listed here: http://www.callsforartists.com and it does indeed show events that are not online as others have said that can take you to the right place.
On to the decision. I have not done St. James for ten years, but did it for 25 years preceding that and watched it grow. We were always on the Court and built our own repeat buyers. Great comparison, Ann Arbor and St. James. Yes, the crowd is loyal and the event is "not to be missed" by them. It is on calendars year round. Probably like AA people have their favorite sections not to miss. It is a lovely atmosphere amongst the ancient trees and Victorian homes and the biggest thing that happens in Louisville all year after the Kentucky Derby.
They close the schools on Friday and the teachers are there en masse. It can be very pleasant ... oh, the buying. The crowd has their own idea of where the best "stuff" is. Some won't go to the Court, too expensive, some won't go to Belgravia, too crowded, some won't go to 3rd St., too junky ... on and on. It helps if you can generate your own crowd. Go to the St. James FB page, post what you will be showing, link in wherever you can. The Belgravia folks might have their own page, they are very proactive with their section, generous and feed you well and want you to return next year. Promote it on your own FB page ... get social media however you can.
I might have to look into the FB thing. I don't do FB or any other social media (hope that doesn't get me booted from here). I only go to specific sites for my interests, ie. this site or some photography and art forums.
Yes, I know I'm probably losing business by not having a FB presence. I don't try to sell online. I'm too much of a privacy advocate to jump into the FB arena.
The idea of building customers that return each year is good. The costs in time, effort and expenses to keep doing shows multiple times in order to build that so as to see a return are daunting.
Doing a show and not getting enough sales, it is hard to analyze, extrapolate and determine if it will be better and grow with repeat customers the next year or if it is not the show for me.
We all have to cross that hurdle. First rule of sales *Attract attention*. This is best with a large potential customer base. So having a lot of traffic flow is great.
Did you find the patrons were looking to buy art that was area specific?
Any suggestions on lodging, close to the show. Walking distance would be great. I don't mind paying more for the ability to not have to look for parking and driving.
Replies
I really appreciate all the help on this.
Thank you
Larry, if you make cards, I think you should be sure to have some with the Louisville Fleur de Lis.
Roxy
Cards? Do you mean my business cards? Do you mean small "postcard" size photos?
I don't do any small prints. Currently my smallest pieces are matted 12"x 18". I'm putting out only numbered, limited editions.
I can make up card pieces. I have some shots of horses I did in Kentucky, some at Churchill Downs.
What sizes do artists make the cards? What price range do people sell the cards for?
I'm not sure if I have the Louisville Fleur de Lis. I'll have to check. I wont use anybody else, my work or nothing.
Larry, you'd better check first to see if cards are allowed before making any. Some shows don't allow them.
For cards I meant greeting card size. Blank inside. People love Churchill, especially the twin spires. I don't know about price range, I am just saying what I think, and that is from the perspective of someone who never buys horse prints. I am just trying to say to not put all your eggs in one basket.
As for the fleu de lis, it is Louisville's symbol, and has a specific look, but can be adjusted in many ways, as long as it looks like Louisville's. I did not mean for you to use someone else's work, but to make the Louisville Fleur de lis yours. The Louisville Artisan Guild has their version as their symbol....sorry, tired from One of a Kind, and not finding the best words.
I live near the area. If you can be in the area near the fountain, go for that. Good news bad news. TONS of people come to St James. most of them walk around eating and talking to friends. What I think would sell is the Louisville fleur d lis. horses probably. the area is not rich, all the beautiful old houses have been made into apartments. But, there are people with money there, who love art.
There are even more sections than said here, there is the 1300 block of Third st, and the Walnut St Baptist church (never there!). Part of 3rd st and 1300 are on Magnolia. I am on 4th street. I make conceptual jewelry and all I ever do is make ends meet. Some good news, even if the weather is bad, people come. It is the biggest show social event of the year, of this kind. My answer may be too late, but this is what I know about the lay of the land.
I know it is late for helping you make a decision, Larry, but besides as Linnea said, the list the applications on the St. James Court website, they are also listed here: http://www.callsforartists.com and it does indeed show events that are not online as others have said that can take you to the right place.
On to the decision. I have not done St. James for ten years, but did it for 25 years preceding that and watched it grow. We were always on the Court and built our own repeat buyers. Great comparison, Ann Arbor and St. James. Yes, the crowd is loyal and the event is "not to be missed" by them. It is on calendars year round. Probably like AA people have their favorite sections not to miss. It is a lovely atmosphere amongst the ancient trees and Victorian homes and the biggest thing that happens in Louisville all year after the Kentucky Derby.
They close the schools on Friday and the teachers are there en masse. It can be very pleasant ... oh, the buying. The crowd has their own idea of where the best "stuff" is. Some won't go to the Court, too expensive, some won't go to Belgravia, too crowded, some won't go to 3rd St., too junky ... on and on. It helps if you can generate your own crowd. Go to the St. James FB page, post what you will be showing, link in wherever you can. The Belgravia folks might have their own page, they are very proactive with their section, generous and feed you well and want you to return next year. Promote it on your own FB page ... get social media however you can.
Good luck and report back!
Connie
I might have to look into the FB thing. I don't do FB or any other social media (hope that doesn't get me booted from here). I only go to specific sites for my interests, ie. this site or some photography and art forums.
Yes, I know I'm probably losing business by not having a FB presence. I don't try to sell online. I'm too much of a privacy advocate to jump into the FB arena.
The idea of building customers that return each year is good. The costs in time, effort and expenses to keep doing shows multiple times in order to build that so as to see a return are daunting.
Doing a show and not getting enough sales, it is hard to analyze, extrapolate and determine if it will be better and grow with repeat customers the next year or if it is not the show for me.
We all have to cross that hurdle. First rule of sales *Attract attention*. This is best with a large potential customer base. So having a lot of traffic flow is great.
Did you find the patrons were looking to buy art that was area specific?
Good advice Connie, I am in the 4th street section. I used to be on 3rd, but the street jury voted me out one year!
Any suggestions on lodging, close to the show. Walking distance would be great. I don't mind paying more for the ability to not have to look for parking and driving.
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