I've never done an Aizona show before...let alone the Nov. Scottsdale show. If anyone out there in Art Fair Insiders has experience with this show, or plans to participate please let me know. I'm flying blind here. Thanks, Patricia
I participated in Scottsdale's ArtFest 2011 and was not impressed with the sales. The last day of the show I walked the booths stopping at those that were more attractive and offered, in my opinion, beautiful, creative work. The consensus was the same. Every artist I spoke with said the same thing and that was sales were very bad and the only things they sold were small relatively inexpensive items. My son and daughter-in-law are musicians and had the booth next to mine. Their sales are usually around $2,000, but were a mere $200. On the flip side, the show was very well organized, the food provided was very nice and the weather was ideal. However, that is NOT enough to bring me back. Good luck to anyone participating this year.
This is always a popular show in Scottsdale, the downfall is the $7 entry fee. I always hear people complain about that, I believe their the only show that charges an entry fee around here. Another downfall is they have an Art fest on 5th Ave on Oct 19-21 put on by the same promoter, about a half mile away. The 5th Ave Art fest is in the popular streets where all the galleries & restaurants are nearby, and it's free!
5th Ave is smaller, 100 artists but you don't have the food vendors or non-profits. The Art fest at Civic center usually has non-profits, which I don't mind but they also have some retail. Last year they had a chiropratic office there giving massages and trying to sign people up.
People I have talk to still seem to do pretty well there, especially if you have anything southwest style. The old people here love it, it could be the worst painting of a cactus or Indian and still sell it.
I did this show in 2011. My sales were a little less than $2K, but with 4 travel days and the show days, the margin, although profitable, didn't justify returning. I did have a hawker next to me the first day which visibly chased people away from my booth and adjacent booths. It was buy/sell first aid kits to benefit veterans. Worthy cause but not appropriate with art booths. Should have been with non profits. He was told to back off the second day. Nice food for artist and good show for artist closer to Scottsdale. I was interested in doing the show as I served part of my apprenticeship in the old stage depot building at the show site (it's gone now, but i did find it on a photo in the museum). At that time in 1962, this was the edge of the barrio (aka poor Mexican slum) in Scottsdale. Dirt road and town was just starting to emerge as an art center. They had to get the cotton gins out of town first. LOL. It wasn't a total loss as we got to see the new bridge at Boulder Dam, visit friends in Las Vegas, and spend time with grandkids in Grand Junction on the way home.
I have been doing Frank's shows for many years. He's been promoting shows for many more years. He puts on a great show and the Scottsdale Civic Center is a great venue. My results have overall been good, especially considering how the economy has been for the past years. My results last year were the best ever. Could the economy be improving?
Comments
Has anyone had any current experience with this show? These reviews are all from 2011. Thanks!
I participated in Scottsdale's ArtFest 2011 and was not impressed with the sales. The last day of the show I walked the booths stopping at those that were more attractive and offered, in my opinion, beautiful, creative work. The consensus was the same. Every artist I spoke with said the same thing and that was sales were very bad and the only things they sold were small relatively inexpensive items. My son and daughter-in-law are musicians and had the booth next to mine. Their sales are usually around $2,000, but were a mere $200.
On the flip side, the show was very well organized, the food provided was very nice and the weather was ideal. However, that is NOT enough to bring me back. Good luck to anyone participating this year.
I think you are confusing the Artfest with the Scottsdale Art Festival. Art fest does not charge entry, Scottsdale Art Festival does.
This is always a popular show in Scottsdale, the downfall is the $7 entry fee. I always hear people complain about that, I believe their the only show that charges an entry fee around here. Another downfall is they have an Art fest on 5th Ave on Oct 19-21 put on by the same promoter, about a half mile away. The 5th Ave Art fest is in the popular streets where all the galleries & restaurants are nearby, and it's free!
5th Ave is smaller, 100 artists but you don't have the food vendors or non-profits. The Art fest at Civic center usually has non-profits, which I don't mind but they also have some retail. Last year they had a chiropratic office there giving massages and trying to sign people up.
People I have talk to still seem to do pretty well there, especially if you have anything southwest style. The old people here love it, it could be the worst painting of a cactus or Indian and still sell it.
Best of luck!
I have been doing Frank's shows for many years. He's been promoting shows for many more years. He puts on a great show and the Scottsdale Civic Center is a great venue. My results have overall been good, especially considering how the economy has been for the past years. My results last year were the best ever. Could the economy be improving?
How was your experience at Artfest? I'd like to know what you think of that promoter.
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