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This is one of the good ones. I wrote about it once before, amazed that in the midst of  tremendous, frightening thunderstorm, a volunteer unzipped a bit of our canopy to look in and ask if we were OK. That speaks volumes about respect in my book.

Anyway..the show is held on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution in Mayville, NY about an hour south of Buffalo.  There are 2 shows, July and August. You can apply for one or both and I was fortunate enough to get both this year.

This is an amazing place, devoted to matters of art. music, current events and spirituality. The people who Summer here are, for the most part, financially fortunate.  But that is not the only reason sales are good. It is also because they get it. The comments I got about my collage had to do with texture and composition. I only once heard that the blue would not match the couch. Journals were purchased for children as an incentive to write. Miniature books were snatched up as gifts for book club members and writers. You get a little spoiled here!

Set up can be a bear because it is set up along a narrow cobblestone path. But there is a strict timetable and a "drop and go" rule. If everyone would just obey the rules, all would be well, but there is always a yahoo in a truck that could haul the contents of a small house that cannot comprehend the concept leaving room for traffic. And then proceeds to assemble his rig while said huge truck idles in everyone's way. There is a spot in Hell...but there was little of that.

The Director, Christina Rausa, walks the show with energy and a good nature, but she can be snarky and irreverent when appropriate, defusing tensions with humor. I would do any show she ran. Her volunteers in bright red cobbler aprons peek in to offer booth sitting and lunch delivery. There is one low key judging for an award of distinction. Show staff comes around with a little written notification of the lucky winner, encouraging us to go offer congratulations. I believe there is money involved but I don't pay much attention to that because it will never be me! :)

Sales were good, I'm sure they will be my best for this year, but still much less than my best show there. It can be very expensive to stay near the grounds during the season and because of the location it is a travel show for most. We have commuted in the past, but with gas the way it is, we just cough up the motel fees.

Your gate pass for the show also gets you admission to some of the events and we stayed Friday night for the Clint Black concert. What can I say? Some decisions are better than others.

This is strictly a craft venue. Beautiful wood, glass, pottery, etchings, jewelry, clothing.  If I remember correctly, some spots are designated for members of the alliance which reduces the number of available spots. Jurying is done off site. It is an online process and the jurors can be in far off places. There is not an overabundance of any one category which is really welcome. You get a really interesting mix.

It is a good show if you can commute it and if you have a craft that is a bit unusual to help you in the jury process. Just spending a weekend on the grounds of the Institution can be enough for me some years. I feel the tension of the year oozing through the soles of my feet and into the lush lawns the moment we cross the gate.

One more Summer show. Where did the season go?

http://www.craftsalliance.com/