I don't think the crowds were as large as year, but then I was in a new spot, way down on the south end of Central Ave near the Geico clowns. I had a nice spot with a big corner, so I was happy, but the traffic seemed to turn around when they saw all the sponsor booths on the other side of the street. The middle of the show seemed to be hopping pretty good.
Still I did about as well as last year, which was way better than a lot of other artists I talked to. One wood turner friend had very slow sales -- maybe because there were four other turners in his block? The two jewelers I know did alright, but not nearly as well as you would have thought for Valentine's Day. And I saw two photographers with Italian images on canvas directly across from each other. That's not good for either one of them.
Logistically, it's an easy show to do, with a full day to set up on Friday, and loads of parking at both ends of the show. But the rules enforcement is odd at best, to be tactful. One jeweler brought her van in through a "non-sanctioned" gate for load out, following a group of other artist vans, and was told by a show volunteer that she MUST leave the show grounds and re-enter the street through the proper entrance. Her jewelry was all laying out, so the volunteer told her she would watch it while the artist moved her van. The artist complied (I would have told her to take a hike) and five minutes later the volunteer had left the scene. Another friend was trying to dolly out that same "non-sanctioned" entrance to the parking behind it, and was told that the gate was closed. He lost it and gave the security person a piece of his mind and was finally "allowed" to dolly his gear out.
The painter next to me was ready to load-out, and was told he had to drive through all the traffic on the street ahead, rather than backing out the entrance, which was two vehicles from his van. The security guy told us that the traffic tie-ups were the artists fault, and we should go talk to them. What about keeping parked vans out of the middle of the street? Isn't that what security should be doing? Ten minutes later, the gate Nazi had left the scene, leaving the entrance wide open. Yikes, these folks are clueless. Let the artists handle it, and the street is clear in two hours.
The rules that do get enforced, as per above, are almost arbitrary and controlling, while buy/sell, expressly prohibited, runs rampant. Come on, wood sculpture, in the form of "Appalachian" Bread Knives, in boxes from China in back of the booth: handmade by the artist? Maybe it's the boxes that are made in China. He gets in every year, and hey, he's a fun guy. Lots of imported jewelry, too. But that rule clearly is not enforced.
Communication by the show director is non-existent, too. Evidence of that is no artist survey in packet, no phone calls returned (ever), and emails answered by the Artist Relations Manager, who, by the way, is very nice, visible and helpful during the show. Never once even saw the show director on the street. In general, this is a show that treats artists like vendors. No lunch ticket? No lunch. Trust is clearly an issue here.
Artigras is one of those shows that you wish had a better crowd, more tightly focused quality and consistent adherence to rules that actually matter. And the sales were just not there. Many of my friends said, "Never again". For me, if I'm in Florida for a good show, I'd consider ArtiGras as a filler show. But good shows in Florida seem further and further apart these days.
The rules that do get enforced, as per above, are almost arbitrary and controlling, while buy/sell, expressly prohibited, runs rampant. Come on, wood sculpture, in the form of "Appalachian" Bread Knives, in boxes from China in back of the booth: handmade by the artist? Maybe it's the boxes that are made in China. He gets in every year, and hey, he's a fun guy. Lots of imported jewelry, too. But that rule clearly is not enforced.
Communication by the show director is non-existent, too. Evidence of that is no artist survey in packet, no phone calls returned (ever), and emails answered by the Artist Relations Manager, who, by the way, is very nice, visible and helpful during the show. Never once even saw the show director on the street. In general, this is a show that treats artists like vendors. No lunch ticket? No lunch. Trust is clearly an issue here.
Artigras is one of those shows that you wish had a better crowd, more tightly focused quality and consistent adherence to rules that actually matter. And the sales were just not there. Many of my friends said, "Never again". For me, if I'm in Florida for a good show, I'd consider ArtiGras as a filler show. But good shows in Florida seem further and further apart these days.
Jim
dakkid@twitter
Comments
Did anyone do the show this year? Any new opinions formed about it in recent years. I just got my invite but am a little leery about accepting. It's a 12 hour drive for me and I expect gas/hotel/and booth to be about $1000. I do 2d mixed media drawing/digital. My pieces range from $20 - $800. More can be found at pencilart504.com
But I just wanted to see if there are any great (or even good) reviews about this show recently.
Thanks
Jeff
i've always been curious about artigras but it is too far to drive.
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