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  Bruce Meyer April 5, 2012 at 5:51pm

  I agree with the magnitude of the problem.  However, I would be hesitant to judge that a person is b/s based on the boxes s/he packs the work in.  I scored a multitude of boxes that worked perfectly for my work and everyone of them said "Made in Taiwan."  Some nitwit made it an issue when he saw the stacks of them in my van.  Didn't ask me about it; just made an assumption.
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  Carroll Swayze April 5, 2012 at 11:20am

  We were not asked to walk the show and look for buy/sell, we did it on our own.  I've been doing it regularly for research.  We didn't walk the show until Sunday morning and by the time we got to the director with our final results it was after noon on Sunday.  It's very difficult and sometimes illegal to ask the offenders to leave depending on what proof you can come up with on the street and the rules of their perspectus.  In this case her perspectus was a pretty gooey in most areas.  We brought it to their attention and that is something they plan to work on right away so they have solid rules to run the show by. 

  As artists we have a very intact network, or "coconut telegraph" shall we say, in place that we draw information from.  If one person doesn't know, some other artist will and with a little digging we can pretty much find out anything.  What we have to realize is that, and this is my opinion alone, not all the shows talk to each other.  The Big 20 have a good network together but there are thousands of mid-size to small shows that are run by volunteers who are not members of big art organizations and do not have the resources of the large shows.  I am not making an excuse for them, I'm just trying to say that there are a lot of shows out there that could really make use of our experience and guidance, if as artists we so choose to offer it.
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  Connie Mettler April 5, 2012 at 11:04am

  Thanks for this solid info, Carroll. And thank you for all the work you have done in this arena.

  Amy, some shows do do that, maybe at the one Carroll is talking about, maybe not. I have been at shows when show directors have tried to get people to shut down and leave. Once a friend of mine who had a production studio, a very nice person, very hands-on, was thoroughly humiliated and couldn't pack up fast enough. Another time I was a few booths away and the person in the booth was very belligerent and refused to do anything. That director was more timid and gave them to the end of the day. The next day they opened up again. She brought the police. There was nothing in the rules, or they could find no legal reason to remove the offender. Sometimes it gets down to how the whole issue is handled and how the offender behaves. Me, I'd get the hell out of there. Someone else will stand their ground.
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  Amy Ikenn April 5, 2012 at 10:47am

  I'm glad the director was listening, but did she even considering removing the offending vendors?  I know there have been comments that it is too disruptive to neighbors, and no one wants to make a scene, but what if the vendor was told to "shut down for sales" and pack up after hours?  Make them zip down their walls and/or box their merchandise but sit and wait to leave.
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  Carroll Swayze April 5, 2012 at 7:28am

  I think buy/sell is a serious issue and ought to be addressed by everyone.  I've been researching it for almost two years now and there is more out there than I ever realized sneaking into good shows and bad every which way.  The solution is three fold in my thinking.  We have to first recognize it, second we have to bring it to the attention of the show directors and their staff, and third we have to come up with solid proof to allow the shows to legally shut them down.  The third is the biggie.  It's not easy.  Most buy/sell vendors, and I have to use that name here, are very good at covering their tracks. 

  I just did a show that had 17 questionable booths, 9 seriously questionable. 

  Two I could prove on my iphone right at the booth in front of the show director by bringing up websites where the "vendor" bought their items. 

  One I proved by having three people ask the "vendor" how she made her work.  Three times she described it a dfferent way because she truly didn't know how it was made. 

  One I proved by going behind the booth and looking at the boxes their work was packed in which said "Made in China" right on them. 

  The sad thing is that all this and more somehow slipped through their jury.  I had to wonder how commercially made shoes (which got an award), hair bands and cheap elastic bauble bracelets made it past the jurors.   I knew two really great, hard working artists who got rejected from that show. 

  The good thing is that the show director was very appreciative when we went to talk to her about all this.  We spent a great deal of time with her and some of her staff who are now hard at work to correct the problems so they never happen again. 

  It's a start...

   
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  Jim Parker April 4, 2012 at 3:28pm

  Tempe is one of those shows that the quicker you get your check in (like ten minutes after you get your acceptance materials in the mail), the better your booth spot. Pure garbage.
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  Jim Parker April 3, 2012 at 4:18pm

  It was note worthy that the Tempe show made a point of soliciting anonymous input of artists if they suspected B/S at the show.

  That's laughable. Tempe is one of the worst offenders. Last time I was there, the vendors included painted lightbulbs, sock banks and manufactured puzzles. Give me a break. Tempe has some of the worst junk I've ever seen at a show (except maybe Fountain Hills).
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  S Brian Berkun April 3, 2012 at 3:15pm

  I went to the origin website: http://jcaafa.weebly.com/  and read Les' information. I know the intention is well and good but I perceive it as another form of elitism with no return for the artist. As a former Teacher I felt the same about National Accreditation. A lot of extra work, a LOT of extra hours and a little certificate, but no real return for the Educator (unless you like to toot your own horn!). I felt like it was another hand out to get money from the artists who are already tapped by high entry fees, travel costs, etc. Ultimately if art shows do not want B/S THEY must do the leg work to ensure the quality of THEIR show. The promoters have already gotten their "booth fee" with no guarantee for the exhibiting artist. It was note worthy that the Tempe show made a point of soliciting anonymous input of artists if they suspected B/S at the show.
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  Bea Lilly Hatala April 3, 2012 at 7:19am

  I also wanted to choose both options but had to settle for one of them. The fact is that it IS the show's reponsability to comply with the rules they themselves set. (or choose to bend) like when they add items to  suit their agendas, as in "he who donates the largest most expensive work get's a free pass the next year". Wouldn't that be a bribe?
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  Alison Thomas April 2, 2012 at 4:09pm

  The poll was supposed to show how many people were in favor of artist certification.  I think that point was made.