Taste of Dallas?

Mary Carradine May 17, 2011 at 10:52am

I also got an invite to this show, via my last show. Always a concern when a promoter contacts me for a show at last minute. Usually means having trouble filling spots. I did however talk to someone who actually did the show last year. He didn't do great, but not too bad either. He did say they kept the vendors well feed and were very attentive to their needs. He was on the fence about returning this year.

Kimberly Merck- Moore > Mary Carradine May 17, 2011 at 11:03am

That is worrisome concerning the last minute invite. I have not even applied, I was just trying to figure out if I should. Are you going to do it?
- Mary Carradine > Kimberly Merck- Moore May 17, 2011 at 11:06am
  
  I'm still on the fence about this show, but leaning toward no.
  - Kimberly Merck- Moore > Mary Carradine May 17, 2011 at 11:28am
    
    I am a little concerned that the artists are inside a building. I am a painter, and I am not set up to hang without my tent, so I would have to invest in some sort of hanging system.
    
    Do you happen to remember the medium of the person you spoke to about the show from last year?
    
    What medium do you use?
    - Mary Carradine > Kimberly Merck- Moore May 17, 2011 at 12:10pm
      
      I have framed photographic prints. I made canvas sides to hang my framed work, based on the principle of mesh sides. Which means I need my EZ Up frame at any show to create tension.
      
      The artist I spoke about Taste of Dallas does small, matted prints of illustrated cartoon dogs (adorable!!). He has a Trimline tent and Propanels, but I know he has been doing this a long time (since I own three of his prints which I have purchased over the years of following him).
      
      I have to confess, being new in this business I haven't had the capital to invest for a professional set-up. When I do, I will buy a steal framed Trimline tent (because of strength, durability and weight) with Propanel sides and bins. Light Dome is another tent similar to Trimline, but is made of aluminum. Pros and cons to both. Do your research and talk to artists who use these either of these two tents to decide which will work best for you.

Dawn Waters Baker May 10, 2011 at 4:29pm

Michael is so right on. I will not do another 500inc show. Also, my saying, "up and comer," had to do with put your eye on it not so much do it right now. All the elements are there for it to be a good show sometime in the future. I have never been as nicely treated in my life at an art festival. They do try to keep the artists the point. I so want that show to do well but Michael is right. It was a low sales show for many. I mentioned Denton and Jazz but have never done them myself because I find that since my work is pricier that if art is not the point of the show (the music, food, whatever else) then it doesn't really sell. I think he is giving you better advice here in that we don't know what shows are right for you but we can tell you the ones we avoid. He's also right in that I do local shows only because of my situation. If you don't have to then there are some great shows in Houston (look on this site for their reviews) and there are some shows in San Antonio. Mostly, it's just trying some and seeing if you are a good fit.

Kimberly Merck- Moore > Dawn Waters Baker May 10, 2011 at 5:26pm

Thanks so much for the advice. I am a newbie, and have only done two small local shows. I almost made my expenses on the first show I did, but not the second. I really did them to see what kind of feedback I would get on my work and to see if it is marketable and worth making for selling, or if I should just paint for pleasure. I really enjoyed talking to people a lot, it was funny to read the other thread about "what is the worst thing you have heard at an art festival," because I heard quite a few of those! Unfortunately, while there were lots of compliments, there were not lots of sales. But, I heard the same thing from most of the vendors there, so perhaps it was those particular shows (one was the first year for the show, and the other just was not what I thought it would be).

I am aware of a few of the better shows in Houston and San Antone, but I don't think I am ready yet for those (Like Bayou City) because my booth simply is not professional looking in my opinion due to a lack of a good hanging system such as pro-panels. I also recognize that my work is not cohesive enough, and I am trying to work on that (I suspect adhd brain issues at fault!). It is just nice to hear from people that know the ropes.

I thought about the Watters Creek show, sorry you are missing it due to surgery, and I hope that goes okay for you. If you hear anything about how it was, will you let me know?

Do you use any galleries? I have had two galleries express interest in taking a few of my paintings, but one of them requires a geographical clause, and I am unsure as to how that relates to the art fairs, plus the whole commission thing is a little tough to swallow. Still weighing in on the art show / gallery issue. The shows are fun, but losing money is not!

Thanks Again to all who responded!
- Mary Carradine > Kimberly Merck- Moore May 17, 2011 at 11:50am
  
  I'm also a newbie, having been only doing this three years. Huffhines Art Trail is a good show, longevity and good reputation. Applications for this year not available yet. Check website at http://www.huffhinesarttrails.com/EXHIBITORINFO.HTML for updates. I have found Denton Arts and Jazz Festival in April is good for me. I do fine art photography and have noticed decorative arts are little harder to sell in this economy than practicle or wearable art. I also have been doing a show over Memorial Day weekend in Kerrville, web site http://www.tacef.org.
- Dawn Waters Baker > Kimberly Merck- Moore May 11, 2011 at 4:09pm
  
  Hey Kimberly, I'm in a gallery and it does a little business for me but I truly make more money with the festivals. There are artists on this site who do both and do both WELL. They work their galleries and work the festivals. It means more work (more actual pieces) and more labor. I personally would never go into an exclusive agreement of any kind just cause I like control of where my things are shown. If you don't mind the radius the gallery is proposing then go for it.

Dawn Waters Baker May 10, 2011 at 10:01am

If your in the area it may be worth a try. I did CityArts two years in a row and will never do another show at Fair Park. The area and setting draws in a lot of lookers who like free be's and something to do. I made $300 for the entire show. That said, I haven't ever done Taste of Dallas. I will say that it seems like the Dallas area art shows do better when they keep the focus the art. I sell paintings so if your work has some low price points or is easy to carry back to the car or DART then it might be worth a try.

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Taste of Dallas?

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