Two shows are held on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution in Western NY every year. One in July, one in August. You can apply to one or both and be accepted to one or both or neither. This is always my best show and so far, I've only been able to get one each year. They instituted a new on-line app this season and, apparently, had off-site jurors from as far away as Portland, Oregon reviewing the apps. The app worked very well, I am not able to assess the jurying. It always puzzles me. I guess one would need to be privy to the apps and the images to see what the jury sees. I think that most of the work shown last weekend was high-end and well crafted and I was proud to be included.
The only difficult thing about this show is load-in. The Institution is a very old, charming community with narrow roads and little vehicular traffic. The show is set up around the centerpiece of the grounds, Bestor Plaza, on a brick road that probably does not usually allow traffic and is just 2 lanes. To accommodate us, the committee assigns very strict sign in times and allots exactly 30 minutes to pull up, park on the right, unload, grab your packet and get out. If only people would pay attention. It works really well until the first wacky, who is not even supposed to be there, pulls up and argues with the crew that she needs to get through to help someone! Or a clueless one unloads all their stuff on the street which, for all intents and purposes, is like leaving a car there. Or one parks on the left, creating a wall where a lane should be. Sigh. What keeps this all from being a trainwreck is one of the best committees you will ever see in this business. They are everywhere. Directing traffic, putting out fires, walking the show constantly to check on things, asking if you need help, lunch, a booth sitter. Excellent job.
Sales are good here because this is a Summer retreat for people with artistic, cultural and spiritual interests and enough money to buy some time here. Nice combination for us. It is a beautiful place with people playing cello on the grass behind your booth and no kettle corn. :) You get a gate pass with your acceptance that gives you access to many of the concerts, lectures, etc happening while you are there.
This is a craft show, with the only 2D work being prints or collage incorporating craft. Lots of jewelry and clothing. Very expensive clothing. $500 shawl anyone? If you visit the site, there is a slideshow of the exhibitor's work that will give you an idea of whether this is a show that might be a good fit for you. http://www.craftsalliance.com/
Comments
But then some of the BIG photographers got wind of it and came in with their blockbuster shows and the Crafts Alliance decided not to allow photography any more. It was fun while it lasted.
Note to anyone who is interested in this show -- as Pat said above -- bring your finest work, the clientele will appreciate it. This is not a 'volume' event -- a smallish crowd who can mostly afford to buy what they like though.