I reviewed this event last year and am pleased to say that this year the quantity of jewelry wasn’t near as overwhelming as last year. You can see last year’s post for load in / load out, parking, artist amenities, etc. None of that really changed.
What did change this year was the crowd, or should I say lack of crowd?? Last year Friday and Saturday weren’t really busy but at least we had one day, Sunday, where the show was packed. This year it felt like the bottom dropped out of the show with very poor attendance and even those that attended weren’t buying. I know we’re not alone in saying that this was our worst ever Best of NW event. Our sales were 50% of what they have been the last 2 years. For us, this meant that the show that was our best show in 2010, second best show in 2011 is winding up as our 3rd worst show in 2012. We’re sitting here feeling like someone has pulled a rug out from under us. One artist, who has participated in the BNW events for over 10 years, commented that she thought the bottom dropped out in 2008-2009 (which is when we first started participating) and were starting to come back. This year left all of us wondering if the events are once again on the downhill slide.
Each evening as the show wound down for the night we would see many of the artists wandering, chatting with other artists, complaining about lack of sales, lack of attendance, venue location, etc. Many of the artists seem to be of the opinion that the location is just killing this show, it’s too difficult for patrons to attend, they don’t want to ride the shuttle, etc. The fall venue is the Smith Cove Cruise terminal and due to Homeland Security regulations there are some restrictions/regulations that make parking a challenge.
The Spring show is scheduled to be held at the same venue this year, as they once again move locations due to the City of Seattle renovating the location of the previous venue. Most of us left there with a strong concern that patrons will continue to “vote with their feet” and most likely won’t attend the spring event due to the venue. We’ve already submitted our application, but this is giving us pause and a lot to think about and consider as we plan for 2013.
Comments
I would hate to be placed near the hawking booths. That would drive me nuts. Plus, I think a lot of people steer clear of those booths and that would keep them from the artists if they are all mixed in together.
Geri, I haven't yet bought any really large pieces of artwork yet. Yes, that would make a shuttle bus a pain.
Sue - you're dating yourself, LOL! I don't remember Salmon Days having sponsors mixed in so that must have been fixed before our time. Our first experience with Salmon Days was 2007.
However, the hawking is yet another reason U District is off our list. I think having sponsors who are hawking at an indoor show is even more problematic than the outdoor show just due to room and noise. However, one more incentive to be upstairs instead of downstairs for this event. Really hoping things turn around for the spring event or they are going to lose many of their long time artists who have stuck with the organization through the good and bad and what we hoped was the recovery.
yup, everybody should complain that was near it. REmember Ruth at Salmon Days they used to mix them all in? I was next to a Chiropracter with 2 hustlers standing on the edges, my sales were way down. Yuck.
That's my biggest fear, sponsors hawking, totally detracting from the art.
Sue - welcome to AFI!! Question for you, it did seem that they had sponsors this year, but I'm not sure that was of any benefit to the artists, is this a good direction for the show to be taking with sponsors? Booth fees certainly didn't decrease and they were definintely less people in attendance at this show.
Connie - in last year's blog I posted info and a little history on this show and their venue challenges - I included the link to last year's blog post in this year's review because I was too lazy to type all the details again.
same location for Spring, traditionally the Spring show is half the size, I think because of the time of year. The show has been around for about 25 years and was started by a group of artists, run by artists. 2 years ago, it became non-profit so we all are patiently awaiting some sponsore to help reduce booth fees. As it stands now, after the last show I don't think its a fair exchange , especially if you are outside the Seattle area. It used to be my #1 show, bummer.
I'd think that if they are run in a big cruise terminal that this would be a large space and the cost to rent it for the weekend would be hefty. Do you feel that the fee is fair in exchange for the exposure and income?
Steph - I agree and I heard several artists reiterating the fact that the show is too big for the number of buyers. I'd love to see these shows work, but am very concerned that the previous management (before Pamela) ran them into the ground so much that they might never recover.
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