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Stone Harbor (NJ) Art Show (Aug, 2011)

Posted by Geoff Coe on January 31, 2011 at 12:33pm in Jurying for Art Fairs & Craft Shows

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has done this show.  The requests of artists are incredibly detailed, including providing a detailed description of how work is created, four shots of work in progress and a shot of your booth in which both sides (AND THE TOP) of the canopy must be visible. (I'm hoping the inside of the top is acceptable.)

 

Anyway, before I go to the extra work this app will entail I'd like to hear from someone who has done the show in the past.  Anyone???

Thanks in advance..

 

 

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Tags: new jersey, stone harbor
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Replies

  • 28uqozonqtmm8 February 9, 2011 at 11:42am

    I started this show in the 70's when it was a fine art show on one day and a fine craft show on the other.  It was $10 for a booth fee and I came that morning and got a space with a $10 bill.  Now, it's between $300 & $400 for a space and the size of the show more than doubled.   I stopped doing it 3 years ago as my sales steadily dropped each year.  I was so disgusted with the amount of buy sell that I wrote to the promoter to start all over and re jury everyone to get rid of the junk.  I got no response, there was no re jury. That said, there are still many quality artists there and they still do fairly well, but I think they are like finding a needle in a haystack. 

     

    Weather is another issue.  It's usually hot with no shade.  You just never know when a major thunderstorm is going to hit and it often does.  Also, the dreaded green head flies, an off shore breeze will bring them in droves.  They will take a big chunk out of you. Bring bug spray, lot's of it.

     

    Set up and breakdown is a nightmare.  You can not drive up to your space and many have to dolly on grass a half a block to get to their space and to top it off, folks with big trailers and trucks park in the way along the street so close together that it's very difficult to squeeze through with your stuff.  They must park there a day or two before the show and leave them there until after they pack up.  I've even seen them pack up and leave their vehicle there while they go out to dinner. 

     

    The show does draw a big crowd.  If you want to give it a try, my suggestion is to set up the day before, take a dip in the ocean when you need to (there is a shower at the beach).  When the show is over, I would break everything down, and leave it in a pile, go across the street to the Windrift, listen to the band (they never disappoint), have a beer or two and something to eat.  Then venture out to pack up.  Most of the folks are gone, there is space to get your vehicle close and there will be a whole bunch of kids dying to help you carry your stuff.  They do a good job.

     

    Just chill out and let the future heart attack victims do their thing.

    • Geoff Coe > 28uqozonqtmm8 February 9, 2011 at 1:57pm
      Funny and helpful comment, thanks!  I spent many a summer in Stone Harbor and remember the dreaded offshore breezes (also the DDT that the county used to spray :-(  ).   I'll see how this one works in to my schedule!
  • Matthew Olian February 8, 2011 at 11:13pm
    The Stone Harbor app is almost a joke. It seems intense, but once your accepted they could care less what your selling... There is a lot buy/sell present but the crowds  are good and people do buy. I did pretty well for a while but stopped doing it as of last year. The last 2 years  I did the show there were intense storms with straight line winds that ripped through and wreaked havoc... The show site is right next to the ocean and its very easy for winds to pick up. I would definitely recommend getting a space in one of the "circus tents". If there is bad weather, all the customers take cover in the big tents!
    • Geoff Coe > Matthew Olian February 9, 2011 at 8:17am

      Thanks, Matthew...that's really good advice. 

       

  • Ruth Jellema February 1, 2011 at 12:26pm
    I've done this show for about 3 years. I also hesitated when I saw the application. They are trying to eliminate buy/sell by all the stuff they ask. There is a lot of super low end stuff, but at least it's handmade. The good thing is you only have to do the app. once because once you're in, you don't have to reapply, you get invited back. I have had a great couple of hours when the show opens on Saturday morning, then wilt in the heat the rest of the day while everyone is at the beach. I have beachy designs and I can sell my most expensive pieces, but I don't always - it's up and down. It is a big open field that can get quite windy or have a storm blow through - I've seen quite a few amateurish booths upside down.
    • Geoff Coe > Ruth Jellema February 1, 2011 at 1:22pm
      Thanks, Ruth!  Very good to know about the "re-invitation" although I've found the shows that do that blatantly wind up with lots of junk (the very thing they are trying to avoid) because less competitive shows breed, sadly, a lower quality of artist. 

      Anyway, I will work on the app this week and we'll see what happens.  Thanks again, everyone!
  • Anne Marie Solomon January 31, 2011 at 5:02pm
    I did this show for years. I am not sure why they make people jump through hoops to get in. When you arrive you will see lots, lots ! of dubious work. I stopped doing the show when sales started to drop off, it is a hugh venue, everything must be carted across a field. Hope this helps. P.S. they do have quite a number of photographers.
    • Geoff Coe > Anne Marie Solomon January 31, 2011 at 5:08pm
      Thanks, Anne Marie...that's exactly what I'd been hearing kind of offhandedly around the circuit.  Good to get confirmation.  I'm familiar with the venue; spent many summers in Stone Harbor.  Sounds like a show I might want to visit first!
  • Larry Berman January 31, 2011 at 2:51pm

    I just looked at their application and I'm assuming that they just want to see that you have a white canopy with straight up and down legs instead of those cheap shelters that have legs that angle in. I don't know anyone on the circuit that includes the entire top in their booth picture because it would blind the jurors.

    Larry Berman
    Art Show Jury Services
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100

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