Showed at Arts On The Creek last weekend, in John's Creek Ga, (upscale suburban area of Atlanta. ) Applied through Zapplication. This was more of a community fair than an Art Show. With 54 artists showing and 26 of them jeweler's this show was lopsided and not well run. Competing with Comcast booths and other various weird relailers in a give away mode, art was not held in much importance. Hot, dusty and with a kids Choo Choo Train encircling the artists, I felt that I was at the county fair and in a few minutes they would be judging the tomatoes and cucumbers. Needless to say, it was not a good weekend and except for jewelry-nobody sold much.
I live in Johns Creek and participated in this show for the first time this year. Yes! I am a jewelry artist and did okay at this show. I agree that there were way too many jewelry artists, i was completely taken aback by this. There is a learning curve to putting on a great art show, I haven't seen anything like the "old days" in Piedmont Park 10 years ago.
I do know the organizers have stepped it up each year, this year having moved to a more visible spot so that motorists on the heavily-trafficked 141 would see the show as they went by.
Traffic was great on Saturday, but yes there were many lookers. I am finding that at all my shows, we just can't fight the economy.
I think if this is to become a true art show, they will have to lower booth fees for a few years to entice artists to give it another chance. It did seem more of a community festival than the "art show." Having a separate area for community services would be ideal. There is no other show that I know of in this area, I would hate to see artists shun this show before it can evolve into a vibrant experience.
I went back and forth trying to decide on this show. I have done quite a few custom pieces in the area, but have found most of the people can't make a decision with out a designers opinion. So I did not apply. Then I found out 2 artists I respect decided to do the show. I started to think I made a bad decision until I visited the show to see how it was. Considering how sad the show looked, there were more people then I expected. Sorry the show wasn't good.
Thank you for the information.
I visit my sister in Atlanta frequently and look for shows in the area when it's off season from my home area of south Florida.
I do reccommend the Marietta show for Labor Day week end. Top quality and well run!
Andrea Olson
Sorry you had to experience that. I did the Johns Creek Festival last year. It was *the worst show* I've ever done. I packed up my booth and left within the first 3 hours. I've never left a festival mid-show before or since. The application on Zapp makes it out to be a high end artist market with strict entry qualifications. The reality is a whole other story. In and among the artists were booths peddling 'buy-sell' trash. One woman was selling David Yurman imported knock-off junk jewelry (hello, illegal). She was selling hand over fist (that's the kind of crowd this festival attracts). I demanded that they remove her from the festival. Instead they relocated her booth to a more prominent spot. That's when I packed up and left. Spread the word - the Johns Creek Festival may be in the richest zip code in Georgia, but this show is waste of time and money for artists.
Thanks for the information. Because of the location, I thought this might be a good show. Reminds me of Cherry Blossom in Conyers, GA. Never even consider doing that show.
Reminds me of the time i was setup behind a childrens attraction at the dallas 500 way back when . Little kids in small boats going around in a circle madly ringing the clapper bells on the boats. And a hawker next to me making crude allusions to his great big steaming hot dogs all weekend. Thanks for the report.
Comments
I do know the organizers have stepped it up each year, this year having moved to a more visible spot so that motorists on the heavily-trafficked 141 would see the show as they went by.
Traffic was great on Saturday, but yes there were many lookers. I am finding that at all my shows, we just can't fight the economy.
I think if this is to become a true art show, they will have to lower booth fees for a few years to entice artists to give it another chance. It did seem more of a community festival than the "art show." Having a separate area for community services would be ideal. There is no other show that I know of in this area, I would hate to see artists shun this show before it can evolve into a vibrant experience.
I visit my sister in Atlanta frequently and look for shows in the area when it's off season from my home area of south Florida.
I do reccommend the Marietta show for Labor Day week end. Top quality and well run!
Andrea Olson