- Sara Shambarger (Krasl Art Fair Director) is a rock star. I've been in this business since 1978, attended innumerable art fairs, met lots of art fair personnel and coordinated a few events also. No one could pay anyone enough to do everything she does to make this art fair a success for the Art Center, for artists and for tourism in St. Joe, MI.
I can have a critical eye, as I've participated in some of the best and some of the worst, but no artist can complain that this show's staff doesn't try to deliver everything they can. This is as "artist-friendly" as they come. Fair booth fee, easy parking, in and out, food, beautiful setting, hordes of volunteers, and attendees for whom this is one of the high points of the season. They even had a staff person who visited every booth to insure compliance of their rules. - Judging an art fair is not for the weak of heart or body. I was a judge for the show. OMG - Sara asked that we introduce ourselves to each artist. I did my best, but some people were just too busy with customers and I had to keep moving but I believe I spoke with 95% of the artists. I had my friend, Barb Burkhardt, with me as my assistant and we started out at 9:45 am and turned in our jury sheets at 5:45 pm. 220 or so booths, two minutes or so apiece, 90 degree heat, led to utter exhaustion at the end of the day, and I'm no weenie.
- Artists all have their own methods for selling their work, but I believe this group really takes it seriously. Very, very few were sitting in the back of their booths. They were up and talking and taking advantage of the situation. I got a few sales spiels even from friends who explained their processes even though I knew them well! Suddenly I wasn't Connie, but the judge! Amusing.
- I was pleased to meet AFIers for the first time: Brian and Leslie Jensen, Bo Mackison, Bill Sargent, Judy Zeddies, Christine Reichow, Kara Aubin, Tres Taylor, Kathy Frey, Christina Smith, David Curles, Merri Pattinian, Patricia McCleery, Faith Wickey, Leo Charette and Judy Zeddies. Please excuse me if I didn't include everyone. I did learn that our community is pretty well known throughout the business. Of course, spent time with some of my old friends Mike and Carol Weber, Carol Swayze, Barry Bernstein, Chip Bingham, Paula and Charlie Shoulders, Lisa Vetter, Mary Cody, Diane Aronoff, John Gibb, Laurie Fowler, Michael Stipek, Clair and Dennis Thompson, Joy Wallace, Mike and Nancy Strailey, Larry Smith, John Leben, Kendra Krumpe, Holly Foss, Gary Seidel, Barbara Swift, Beth Crowder, Wendy Hill, Ellen Marshall, Dawn Adams, Jon Route, and Nels Johnson.
- Saturday night we celebrated potter Tim Smith's birthday. Thanks to Diane French, Robin Renee Hix, Beth Crowder, Holly Foss and Barry Bernstein for inviting Barb and me to join them.
- This show reinvites a large percentage of the participants and I can see it pays off for the returnees who can build an audience and for the fair goers who can find their favorites. This makes it hard to jury in, but does make a cohesive show with an almost family atmosphere for the participants.
- The setting is lovely, high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan with lots of shade. It is a very attractive place for patrons to spend the day.
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Comments
Wow, I just found this blog! Thanks Connie for all the positive comments about our show. What an honor it is to be in this business. Thanks to all who contributed and it makes my heart sing to know so many artist's had good experiences. I am so proud of the art fair committee and our 400 volunteers. Thanks to all!
1) Sara could make a career teaching show directors how to run a show. She is absolutely the best at putting a show together.
2) It was Tim Peters 50th birthday party.
3) I painted my booth before State College and I had a good show. I got another lecture from Kimberly Wilcox this time, who told me my pieces were way better than my presentation. Hmmmm...
4) I went down to the pavilion by the water to catch the rest of the Richard Elliot concert. He is phenomenal live.
5) I have an anecdote that illustrates how excellent the committee and volunteers are at solving problems. The food booths used to be in a parking lot that served as a makeshift food court. At the last minute, the owner decided to use the lot to charge people to park there. So, the show was forced to put the food vendors on the street behind the booths, most of which were behind my booth. Consequently, people would take their food to the grass next to my booth. It got really crowded and they would encroach on my space. I literally had to kick people out of my space so I could get to my boxes to pack pieces or replace a piece. After I complained to the committee, they came with flags and stakes and built a 5 foot barricade to keep people away from my stuff. No problem was too trivial and they fixed any complaint any artist had. It was quite impressive.
It was nice meeting you Connie. And I agree, Sara and her volunteers are awesome. I had a great show, best sales of the year to date.
Who did I miss on this list of people I spoke with? While I was writing it I thought it was way too long and I know I left off a bunch of people. Speak up...
Oh yes, Lisa and Chris Berry! Great to see you again and I'm still dreaming about that beautiful indigo blue weaving...
We all appreciate your hard work.