How was Columbus this year? I was exhibiting at Summerfair same weekend extremely hot and humid, I did ok despite the weather. Does anyone know the date of Columbus next year?
Well, all I can say is I've been an active member almost from the beginning. I have learned so much from my fellow artists - no matter their medium. I am one of the few that do contribute show reports from my viewpoint. It's a kind of "pay it forward" for the wealth of information I receive from similar reports, especially Nels. Why not share? I have never feared competition and am comfortable in my artwork. Most artwork has it's own individual personality derrived from the artist. Sure.... if I share info about a great show, there may be more to compete with in next year's jury selection. But so be it. Shows, just like art, can get stale if I choose the same ones year after year.
Perhaps you classify me in one of your (5) categories Julia.... Dunno, but I surely don't add my reviews for any of those reasons. I have always believed information sharing increases greater knowledge. I've been on both the receiving and giving end and will continue to do so. No fear of competition or parinoia here. To those that share info on this forum.... Thank you. Information begets knowledge and we all learn from each other.
Some artists love to write and share. Some are introverts. Some closely guard their show information and will never share. Fine.
This website is about a lot more than show reviews. Its purpose is to bring artists together to share information of all kinds and will go on regardless of whether or not it gets a review of Old Town. If the site was really focused on that I could call my friends who were there and get one today. Sure I know why artists won't share. But it surely is nice when someone does and helpful to others.
Back in the dark ages of art fairs the only source was word-of-mouth, artist to artist, with some reviews in Sunshine Artist, where one could gather some information. It was easy to get into all the top shows in those days. Rejections were rare. Then came the Sunshine ArtistAudit Book and suddenly the shows were rated and published for all to know. Rejections came a little oftener because all the info was out there. Then along came Greg's excellent ArtFairSourceBook, really full of lots of pertinent information and sales reports, then rejections became even more often. Next, came Zapp -- making it easy for people all over the country to jury for a show, just for the hell of it - or $20-$50, and the big shows got even more applications. Whoa, baby -- can you line up even three or four of the biggies?
So, the appearance of reviews on this site is just part of a long continuum, not its goal but a continuation online of the favorite conversation behind the booth (artist to artist), "done any good shows lately?"
You are right, Ning is going to start charging for the use of their platform. That will not affect this site as I have already been paying for this Ning site so I can enable more features to make it more user friendly, so don't expect it to become a paying site very soon. As long as I can sell a little advertising to cover its costs I can continue to keep it alive.
You think we should focus on the shows -- how to make them understand how to make themselves better for the artists? Did you ever hear of the NAIA? That is an excellent organization, founded for specifically that purpose. I am a charter member from its first days at Old Town. I've attended almost all of its Director's Conferences and artist conferences. It continues to enrich the art fair business as a liaison between artists and shows today. Join them. Help them with their agenda.
I was just interested in the weather conditions at Columbus we heard rumors about the show being closed for hours due to weather and that the police were called in and artist were removed . Guess I should have been more to the point with my question. No I am not interested in applying to Columbus, was just checking if both summerfair and Columbus are the same weekend next year., I was asked that ? and had no idea since Columbus used to change its date.
Get ready cause here it comes. Sorry Lisa in advance...
Rant on.
Nobody cares to comment on Columbus or Old Town? and only one review of 57th? Writer's cramp? Hmmm... I see a growing trend here.... no reviews on the most competitive shows. What a shame. They must have been great, then.
Looks like most artists that are regularly getting into the top shows have learned very well that loose lips sink ships... IMHO! but I may be wrong.. but..
Relying on artists in an already unbelievably competitive field to contribute their hard earned knowledge accumulated over years, freely, and in the process, possibly undercut their bottom line or odds of getting into some shows in the future is in itself a questionable venture. Oh, I know, it's just to help us all out so we can be one happy artist community. WHAT? What happened to getting this knowledge at actual shows, talking to artist friends in person, relationships developed at shows over the years?
Most that get into the top shows are unwilling to contribute, especially on the INTERNET, as demonstrated very clearly here by the lack of reviews. Many truly vet artists at the biggies are appalled but not suprised these kind of forums are popping up all over the place-in the process- accepting money from-you guessed it, artists.
If you don't realize you have twenty more in your medium breathing down your neck to take your spot at next year's show, and have no problems with sharing how great you did this year-then you must be fine with not being back next year, -or- must be really really good in your own mind, so much so that it clouds true reality.
Who in their right mind, besides a couple on here, are going to blab they did 5 figures at a show for the entire world to see?
IMHO! Looks to me like the trend in reviews on this site is:
1.reviews appear when the reviewing artists win awards (well whadoyaknow, it's mentioned in the review too!)
2.the artists has to remind us that they've been around, needs to prove they got into a big show, they're influential
3. if they had a bad show or series of shows, it's not because they have non-competitive work and can only get into non-competitive, non-producing shows in the first place, it's not because their "art" actually kinda sucks, (how the hell did they jury into that actual show anyway???), NOOOO.... they did bad because it's because of some problem with the show because they've been around, they know it all, they know a good show when they see one or THEY are in it. ALL shows that they get in should be GREAT shows...because they've been around..... and they're vets.. I get it.
4. Lets not forget the reviews, (one "heavy hitter" on here comes to mind) that think nicey nicey- goody goody reviews of shows and kissing up to the show directors will put them on the accepted list for next year, because there's no way in hell they will get back in off the actual street jury at the show. Like we all can't see right through this? Like this artist is their own self created internet version of Ebert on the Art show circuit? How pathetic. Really is good reading for a laugh or two.
I won't contribute reviews, I won't open my mouth on Columbus, just like many of the other artists that were there,(all of them at this point) but I do read them because they are there, to see who is actually blabbing, and I'm sure there's plenty more out there in the same boat as I. I see this becoming a paying site very soon(oh yeah, the pledge drive) to eliminate lurkers like me, and because Ning network is starting to require payment for use of their platform.
Maybe this forum should evolve a bit and change focus to helping THE SHOWS improve and help the SHOWS become more of an Art Fair Insider to what is in the best interest of the artists- I'm sure there's a wealth of info from working artists that would more than willingly be contributed. What a concept. Artists could help SHOWS get BETTER based on artists years of experience- from what needlessly went wrong at shows from an organizational standpoint. Rant off. or Rant away.
Comments
Perhaps you classify me in one of your (5) categories Julia.... Dunno, but I surely don't add my reviews for any of those reasons. I have always believed information sharing increases greater knowledge. I've been on both the receiving and giving end and will continue to do so. No fear of competition or parinoia here. To those that share info on this forum.... Thank you. Information begets knowledge and we all learn from each other.
Some artists love to write and share. Some are introverts. Some closely guard their show information and will never share. Fine.
This website is about a lot more than show reviews. Its purpose is to bring artists together to share information of all kinds and will go on regardless of whether or not it gets a review of Old Town. If the site was really focused on that I could call my friends who were there and get one today. Sure I know why artists won't share. But it surely is nice when someone does and helpful to others.
Back in the dark ages of art fairs the only source was word-of-mouth, artist to artist, with some reviews in Sunshine Artist, where one could gather some information. It was easy to get into all the top shows in those days. Rejections were rare. Then came the Sunshine Artist Audit Book and suddenly the shows were rated and published for all to know. Rejections came a little oftener because all the info was out there. Then along came Greg's excellent ArtFairSourceBook, really full of lots of pertinent information and sales reports, then rejections became even more often. Next, came Zapp -- making it easy for people all over the country to jury for a show, just for the hell of it - or $20-$50, and the big shows got even more applications. Whoa, baby -- can you line up even three or four of the biggies?
So, the appearance of reviews on this site is just part of a long continuum, not its goal but a continuation online of the favorite conversation behind the booth (artist to artist), "done any good shows lately?"
You are right, Ning is going to start charging for the use of their platform. That will not affect this site as I have already been paying for this Ning site so I can enable more features to make it more user friendly, so don't expect it to become a paying site very soon. As long as I can sell a little advertising to cover its costs I can continue to keep it alive.
You think we should focus on the shows -- how to make them understand how to make themselves better for the artists? Did you ever hear of the NAIA? That is an excellent organization, founded for specifically that purpose. I am a charter member from its first days at Old Town. I've attended almost all of its Director's Conferences and artist conferences. It continues to enrich the art fair business as a liaison between artists and shows today. Join them. Help them with their agenda.
Why are you so crabby?
Rant on.
Nobody cares to comment on Columbus or Old Town? and only one review of 57th? Writer's cramp? Hmmm... I see a growing trend here.... no reviews on the most competitive shows. What a shame. They must have been great, then.
Looks like most artists that are regularly getting into the top shows have learned very well that loose lips sink ships... IMHO! but I may be wrong.. but..
Relying on artists in an already unbelievably competitive field to contribute their hard earned knowledge accumulated over years, freely, and in the process, possibly undercut their bottom line or odds of getting into some shows in the future is in itself a questionable venture. Oh, I know, it's just to help us all out so we can be one happy artist community. WHAT? What happened to getting this knowledge at actual shows, talking to artist friends in person, relationships developed at shows over the years?
Most that get into the top shows are unwilling to contribute, especially on the INTERNET, as demonstrated very clearly here by the lack of reviews. Many truly vet artists at the biggies are appalled but not suprised these kind of forums are popping up all over the place-in the process- accepting money from-you guessed it, artists.
If you don't realize you have twenty more in your medium breathing down your neck to take your spot at next year's show, and have no problems with sharing how great you did this year-then you must be fine with not being back next year, -or- must be really really good in your own mind, so much so that it clouds true reality.
Who in their right mind, besides a couple on here, are going to blab they did 5 figures at a show for the entire world to see?
IMHO! Looks to me like the trend in reviews on this site is:
1.reviews appear when the reviewing artists win awards (well whadoyaknow, it's mentioned in the review too!)
2.the artists has to remind us that they've been around, needs to prove they got into a big show, they're influential
3. if they had a bad show or series of shows, it's not because they have non-competitive work and can only get into non-competitive, non-producing shows in the first place, it's not because their "art" actually kinda sucks, (how the hell did they jury into that actual show anyway???), NOOOO.... they did bad because it's because of some problem with the show because they've been around, they know it all, they know a good show when they see one or THEY are in it. ALL shows that they get in should be GREAT shows...because they've been around..... and they're vets.. I get it.
4. Lets not forget the reviews, (one "heavy hitter" on here comes to mind) that think nicey nicey- goody goody reviews of shows and kissing up to the show directors will put them on the accepted list for next year, because there's no way in hell they will get back in off the actual street jury at the show. Like we all can't see right through this? Like this artist is their own self created internet version of Ebert on the Art show circuit? How pathetic. Really is good reading for a laugh or two.
I won't contribute reviews, I won't open my mouth on Columbus, just like many of the other artists that were there,(all of them at this point) but I do read them because they are there, to see who is actually blabbing, and I'm sure there's plenty more out there in the same boat as I. I see this becoming a paying site very soon(oh yeah, the pledge drive) to eliminate lurkers like me, and because Ning network is starting to require payment for use of their platform.
Maybe this forum should evolve a bit and change focus to helping THE SHOWS improve and help the SHOWS become more of an Art Fair Insider to what is in the best interest of the artists- I'm sure there's a wealth of info from working artists that would more than willingly be contributed. What a concept. Artists could help SHOWS get BETTER based on artists years of experience- from what needlessly went wrong at shows from an organizational standpoint. Rant off. or Rant away.