Hello gang! This year was my second time doing the University of Toledo's (Ohio) Alumni Association's Art on the Mall art fair. Last year was not so great. I only sold one 5x7 print for $25 in the prior edition. But since I am a University of Toledo alum, I consider my booth fee a donation to my Alma Mater...
However, this year was totally different. I sold $835 this year! Which the show is a one day event from 10AM to 5PM on the last Sunday of July. If you do the math, yes I was over a $100 per hour... Plus, I sold two large framed pieces. First show in which I've sold two large pieces. The arrows show the two that sold...
The fair is easy to set up and tear down. You can drive your vehicle to your tent location. And the volunteers that help out during the show were fabulous. They delivered water to your booth through the day and even asked me multiple times if I need someone to watch my booth for a restroom break. Since the show is now more than 20 years old, yes they have figured out how to treat an artist with an army of volunteers. Yes, there was that many! Probably fellow alums like myself.
But, I do have one issue about the show. My booth location was 53. I was slightly off the beaten path. What we noticed was that the food court is at the end of the main entrance to the fair. The booths by University Hall and Stranaham Hall saw a whole lot more traffic than mine. That's because the path (highlighted in green) would start at the green arrow and get to the food court and double back at the red arrow. I had little foot traffic where I was. So it was amazing that I made $835. I would think a better location for the food court would be at the middle of the mall (wonder why food courts are always at the middle of a shopping mall?)
Well, one of my purchasers drove from Cleveland to get a specific framed piece. He saw it at Crocker Park (early June - suburban Cleveland) on a date. He came to this show by himself. So yes, I guess I have a following too. Something else that I learned at this show! And yes, I will be asking for a different booth location next year!
Comments
Specifically showing the map is a great way for others to consider possibilities. My husband had a folder of all the shows we did filled with maps of the events. Very helpful for planning.
Connie - it was simple scan from the scanner from the program book. Glad it helped!
Really liked that map, Scott. It helps explain a lot and is helpful to anyone considering applying.
Oh yes Jacki - there was a ton of space between tents!
Thanks for your report and the nice pictures, too. Glad you had better sales this year.
It also looks like they didn't put the tents too close together either. You looked like you had lots of room between tents.
As a shopper I thing I would enjoy walking through the area where you were. I'd like that better than a straight line. But, apparently the masses like the straight line.
Great information. Really good to hear that one year has nothing to do with another,and sometimes, you just have to keep on keeping on.
Thanks for taking the time to review Toledo.
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