I was at the Cain Park arts festival this weekend. I am a newbie, just starting out. I was at the Shaker Heights Art Festival in June(Ohio Designer Craftsmen show) and Cain Park was my second show. At Shaker Heights the booth fee was $300, and I made $430. I was happy with that, because I was happy to sell anything at all, just starting out. At Cain Park the booth fee was $400, and I sold $1170. Just thrilled. Although I raised my prices a bit from Shaker to Cain Park, I realize I still have to raise them more, to start to cover expenses. I'm a photographer, specializing in nature and travel photography. I have images from three trips to Asia: Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand), India, and China, and I was surprised how many of them I sold. I also sold work from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and images of Cleveland, as Cleveland is my home.
I was so impressed by the organization of the Cain Park show, and the help from staff. I had help both setting up and breaking down, parking was right by my booth, helpers checked almost every hour throughout the three-day show if we needed anything: it was amazing. The people couldn't have been nicer. And my neighbors were also very nice--same as in Shaker. Wondering if anyone from ArtFairInsiders was at Cain Park?
The weather was warm Friday night, but Saturday was great with some overcast skies. On Sunday we had a torrential downpour for about an hour, and I had two women get stuck in my tent who wound up buying two framed pieces! When life gives you lemons...!
Thanks again so much to everyone on this forum--I have learned a lot from reading everybody's posts, and look forward to getting more experience being an art fair participant.
Comments
I was there too. (no a newbie at shows, but it was my first time at Cain Park. I was always too chicken to apply---dummy me!) Congrats on your first season of shows. There definitely is a different "climate" and appreciation for art at this show.
Thanks Kathleen!
Katherine Graham Sarlson--hello from a west-sider! We should meet one another at one of our mutual shows! Glad you enjoy Cain Park and Shaker so much. I will apply to both again next year.
Sounds like you're off and running Jeneen. Congrats on the great second show! Best wishes for the rest of the year.
George Kozmon and Honey Feinberg are the poster child for hospitality. Sorry I didn't mention them in my comment above. They are the face of this event and are devoted to its success.
I was at both shows as well, being a Cleveland east-sider. I love both shows and will continue to apply to both. What distinguishes Cain Park is the attention to detail by organizers, the high level of attention paid to artists, as well as the attitude and mission of George and Honey. They both work very hard at making the show a buying environment. People come because they know they can purchase high-quality art, with no buy-sell junk. George will be the first to say that the show doesn't happen if artists are not treated well. Artists are not the side line or "lion in the cage" entertainment at this show. They are the main event.
thanks Annette! I was very surprised.
Jeneen, what a fabulous result for your second show! Congratulations!!!
Hi Connie, yes, the people at Cain Park were just amazing. It was so nice.
And yes I learned tons from the first to the second shows. I have two more shows this summer, in Akron at Hardesty Park, and in Hudson, Ohio, at the end of August.
I'm hoping from a report from Harrison Otalor, a member here, Jeneen. Thanks for this report. In fact, Cain Park's famous hospitality is the model on which a lot of other's shows have based their artist amenities. My husband and I did the show for over 20 years and always loved to be in Cain Park and remember well the good people there.
That is a nice profit for a second time show! Good for you. I'll bet you've learned a lot in just two shows. What's next for you?