Sonnenberg Gardens is a National Historic site, park, etc. Its centerpiece is a sprawling Victorian mansion surrounded by amazing gardens.The setting is beautiful and lush. Canandaigua is a Finger Lakes town outside of Rochester, an hour and a half from Buffalo.
The committee had more volunteers than they know what to do with. 100 artists and they will never have more, they say.
The welcome packet looked like Chelsea Clinton's wedding invitation. They gave us a little gift bag with water and candy to energize us for set up. You pull right up to your site for set up and than remove your car to artist parking where your spot is marked with your booth number. Poles with colorful flags note each booth. They offered so much help that I wondered if we looked incompetent. :) Bathrooms were in an air-conditioned trailer with running water and piped in music.
I thought I was on Candid Camera.
There is a reception on the veranda of the mansion after the first day and it was a bountiful buffet. Beer and wine, too. 11 awards were given out which is a lot for this size show. I don't know what Best of Show got, but the others were a generous 250!
They do absolutely. nothing. wrong. Amazing.
Sadly, one thing they could not control was the weather. We woke Sunday to steady rain which eventually cleared up, but it took too long. People had made their decisions about not coming and a late clearing wasn't going to have too much of an effect. There was an admission of about 6 bucks I think which would have been a factor for late comers. Some people did come out, but not many. Sales Sunday were disappointing, but most people had a good Saturday.
Load out Sunday was a muddy mess and I felt bad for the groundskeepers. The committee was busy with tow trucks and other vehicles attempting to unstick people who are better artists than drivers.
All in all, a delight to do. This Upstate economy continues to pleasantly surprise us. My theory is that the recession came here long ago and we learned to deal. Also, people seem to love art fairs up in these parts.
This show has a nice combination of fine art and craft. Lots of people that I never saw before. Not a lot of jewelry. Just a fine mix of work.
I recommend this one.
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