This is the second year that I have done the Brainerd, MN Art show. The setting is nice and set-up is easy and enjoyable. That seemed to be where it ends, though. This show is not for artists anymore. If you do buy/sell, crafts, and crap, you will do well here.
The attendance was down from last year. Last year the show was on a Saturday, which I think was much better. This show was on Sunday, so many that attended were in their church best. I found I was talking much less to people vs last year, and the crowd was mostly interested in those big bags of popcorn and corn dogs. It must be like going to a movie, whereas people need something in their hand to mouth.
My sales were a flat ZERO. Last year was completely opposite, as it was a very good show for me. I spoke to many other artisans to get a read of the show, and I heard from one jeweler (that I recommended to this show) that she BOMBED! Sorry. Another artisan next to me that does wall hangings using wools (nice stuff at good prices) also mentioned that his sales were rather dismal, although he broke even. I heard the same at most of the booths. One photographer was also not happy, as he did zero dollars as well.
I did spend some time with a couple that makes wood items like turntables and napkin holders, and they said they were happy with the show. Their items were nice, but again priced below $100.00.
I think my disappointment with the show is it seemed that it was just "there". A lot of buy/sell was evident, including the people that do the letters thing, paintings from China, tie dye shirts from overseas, and a lot of crap. There were also some good crafts and lower priced art, but it was pretty much the same.
The judges in my mind didn't have a clue what art was, and judging on who won, their was personal reasons for their win. Congratulations to them, but there were better artists representations there. I spoke to one person that helped with deciding whether the product was buy/sell or not. He didn't have a clue. I saw a minimum of fifteen...that's fifteen vendors with overseas crap. Being an importer from the past, it is easy to spot. Obviously the judging crew doesn't have a clue, or they just let people in to fill space.
One other thing that I noticed at this show is that there are women artists that take your time trying to extract information so they can do it themselves. These people detest me, as it has happened over and again. To those cheap skates that haven't a creative clue of their own, I'm getting better at spotting them and telling them to get the h*ll out of the booth.
Anyway, Brainerd, MN will never be on my show list again. I hope other real artists get the clue. I know that there are several others that will never show their again either...they will be replaced by another Chinese vendor.
Comments
Yes, I noticed this. We keep track of all of our artists. We've never had a Kathleen Smith and we've never had our sprinklers go off. I've been the director since our art fair started in 2010. I know I'd remember something this atrocious.
Kathleen didn't specify the years she was there but the inference is that it was in the 1980's. As another aside, the original post was made in 2012.
This is the director from Art in Bayfront Park in Duluth, MN. We have NEVER had sprinklers go off inside tents as we have ALWAYS turned them off the day prior to the event and they do not get turned on again until the day after the event. We have also, never hosted an artist by the name of Kathleen Smith, so I am not sure why she is saying these things.
I appreciate the comment Robert. Thank you.
The Brainerd Arts in the Park Festival is the really only venue I am interested in. Seeing Buy/Sell accusations toward this venue is wrong and unfair, coupled with the comments regarding the integrity and qualification and insinuating the judges have an agenda of their own was also wrong and unfair.
When the artists are complaining about OTHER venues and not naming the the venue which have sprinklers and Buy/Sell, in a thread about a show which does not, those horror stories can be assumed to be at the venue being comment on. This is also wrong.
Again, any artist believing those rants about Brainerd Arts in the Park would be wrong in doing so, especially if it kept them from attending and showing their art.
Laurie, you may not have caught that the original post date was a year ago, not for this year's show. I can't say how the show went this year as I wasn't there, but the buy/sell issue is serious one and many organizers and judges are not adept at catching these cheats. There are several discussions on this site regarding this and it may be worthwhile to search some of these out.
You sound as if you've been very successful in your art Kathleen. Kudos to you! :)
Have a great day and I wish you continued success with your art.
I am out of my bubble for a brief moment to reply to this. I have lived in Minnesota until the last 4 years. I have had many awards there & around the Country, & have been chosen as well to jury at some of the what was then the best Art shows in Minnesota. I even directed an Art Fair at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds during their back to the 50's Antique Car Show. I KNOW how things were changing at the ART shows there, & this is why we decided to move, even tho our family & friends are there! I also paid for my house through my Art shows, so I have been a professional Artist since 1980. I am saying all of this because anyone who KNOWS me knows that I respect Artists more than anyone else in the world! Am I in a bubble...YEAH~I'm damn good at what I do, & I'm not ashamed to admit it! Am I great in the office world~Not so much~even with 4 promotions at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company~Been there after 10 years~done that~just don't like it~love to be around my fellow Artist, Crafters, & customers. Again, I'd love to meet & see you & your wife Paul at a ART show somewhere, but for now my fellow Artists~I'm going back into my "bubble". LOL.
When artist's opinions of their own works become so lofty, and they can see no merit in other's art, there is no venue or price or award that will ever be good enough for them. These types of artists just have to deal with the imperfections of the real world, when they come out of their bubbles. It is too bad when this happens, it gives all artists a bad name.....
ART???~Yeah RIGHT~LOL!!!
Hey, Paul Strohman, it would be great for my fiancé & I to meet you down the road at a REAL ART FAIR!!! LOL...
As one of the judges for the the Brainerd Arts in the Park Festival's Annual Art Competition, I can attest that this venue one of the BEST available to artists creating, showing and selling their beautiful art in Minnesota and the surrounding states.
Buy-Sell is not allowed at the Brainerd Arts n the Park Festival and the artists who make the cut have been juried in and are creating their own art. The Brainerd Arts in the Park Annual Art Competition offers BIG PRIZE MONEY for Flat Art, Sculpture, Textiles, Jewelry, Wood, Glass, and Youth Divisions with and overall Best of Show Award. Unfortunately not all artists can win. This coupled with poor sales can be the impetus behind unfair reviews of a venue that has been held successfully for the past 39 years.
It is unfortunate when an artist blames the venue for their own lack in sales, after it has already proven to be an money making venue for them in previous years, as has been stated by Mr. Strohman...
To throw an entire venue under the bus for lack of sales might better be served by some reflection upon current economical state of affairs, and even more importantly, the difference in what was offered for sale on the year/s one is successful compared to those year/s one is not.
Arts in the Park held in in Gregory Park in Brainerd, Minnesota is always held in conjunction with the annual 4th of July Celebrations. Gregory Park does not have sprinklers, and the judges selected are not only competent, they are masters in their art and diverse in their disciplines. There is no hidden agenda and certainly they are not in it for self gain, as their expertise is offered with no compensation.
Those who choose to believe the rants of Mr. Strohman would be missing out on a wonderful venue, however their places will be fast filled by the artists who know better.
July 6th, 2014 will be the date of the next Brainerd Arts in the Park Festival and Art Competition. Don't Delay.. Contact Brainerd Community Action to find out more about the 2014 event. Below is the 2013 Guidelines explaining, eligibility, restrictions, and the jury procedure.
http://brainerdcommunityaction.org/pdf/nonjuried%20letter%202013.pdf
Sincerely,
Laurie J. McNeil - Master Artist, Instructor & Judge
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