I violated a rule of mine to participate in the first Autumn Arts Festival this past weekend. The show has potential but like all shows it takes time to build up. Fernandina Beach which is on Amelia Island, Florida is known for the annual Shrimp Festival in May. I highly recommend that show but would hold off on the Autumn show until a few years from now. Unless of course you are in close proximity to the show and would not have to incur travel and hotel expenses. As one exhibitor said to me at the end....'We are among the lucky ones who broke even". It was nice to meet some fellow artists and hang out with fellow Art Fair Insider member Lynda who was actually my next door neighbor. Small world. Peace, Saint
I agree, Saint, this show will grow, but it will take a couple of years. The lack of publicity was disappointing. In talking to the organizer of the jury, I discovered that the Tourist Development for Fernandina was in charge of the advertising. Other than a couple of notices in the newspaper, which some customers said they read, there didn't seem to be much publicity. The Island Art Assoc. was well aware by the end of the second day that the lack of notice to the public was a major complaint. There also was no signage to speak of or banners. The show was extremely well organized and the Art Assoc. was visible and very cordial to the artists. The selection of the artists was discriminating also. When I did this venue a couple of years ago and I was pleased. I was one of the lucky ones that made a little over break even and I drove back and forth from St.Augustine. Being a first year and with the lack of publicity, they could have charged alot less than they did. It was the same price as the shrimp festival in May. I will probably go again if when I talk to them next year, they tell me the publicity has been corrected. I enjoyed my neighbors, and that is always a plus!
Comments