This is my review of the just concluded (Paragon) Silver Spring art festival. I got there the morning of saturday so load in was a breeze, although I heard it was hectic for those who set up on Friday.
Saturday started with a bang, Sold one of my biggest piece to the first lady that walked in my booth then felt I will be a rich man by the end of the day at this rate. At the end of the day I sold mostly small framed and unframed pieces at a steady pace, was very impressed with my earnings.
Sunday started slowly but sales continued, by 3pm I was happy with my gains, having just come back from NO jazzfest with an exceptional gross sales, I wasnt expecting what Silver Spring had to offer. The crowd on both days were steady and buying, most of those I spoke to were having a good show. Weather was good with a little threat of rain. On my final hour a lady that had spoken with me on Saturday contemplating my biggest ticket item came back with her husband I guess to approve the purchase, he raised his nose and I think disapproved based on the price of the piece, $2500, they walked away and I saw them coming back with a big piece of art work in his hands, I thought for sure the sale was blown. Then I heard them arguing and she came in alone with him walking away refusing to turn around when she called onto him. She shouted $^%&#@ and turned to me saying she is taking it. I was very glad to make the sale I guess I can call it a defiant sale, at this point I am just hoping I dont get a charge back.
Overall it was a very good show for me, just sent in my application for the fall version and will be hoping for similar gains if accepted.
Comments
Hi Connie, I will be leaving a comprehensive review on jazzfest as soon as I have some time. Yes it has been 2 good show in a row, and still filling out orders from jazzfest. Will be at East Lansing MI this coming weekend so making preps. I did get a good location in Silver Spring and as stated here some buyers and lookers did ask questions that suggest they were not aware of a show being held that weekend. But that is expected as people do frequent the plaza regardless of whats going on.
It is tricky working with couples but I try to give them thier space when contemplating a purchase, I did get another couple, she was looking at a larger piece and did everything to get her husband in the booth, reluctantly he walk in and actually approved the art and her choice but she decided on a much smaller unframed piece. As for the chargeback I think I am safe as she called and asked for a certificate of authenticity.
My medium, bamboo, I mostly apply under wood sometime mixed media categories.
Harrison.
Well, Harrison, two good shows in a row! That is great... here are wishes you can keep this string going for yourself. (I'd love a review of the NO Jazz Fest) What is your media?
From what I know this should be a good location and I'm sure Paragon will tweak it as best they can to make it better for all. How many exhibitors? Did anyone get the feeling there were too many?
It is a tricky thing to work with a couple. Did the chargeback come? Hoping not.
Great map, Geoff. It helped to understand what people were saying about their locations.
Harrison, glad you had a great show. I really laughed out loud reading about the lady who bought your big piece. That was really funny.
Sales seemed a bit stronger on Sunday. They were for me, and for my jeweler neighbor (who said his sales were way down from previous years, and for a digital artist three booths down who also fared better on Sunday. At least one neighbor zeroed; no one in my vicinity was excited about their results.
Bill had walked by early Sunday afternoon to see how I was doing; when I told him he said that traffic seemed to be higher at the other end of the show (up near Keith's location, I assume).
I admire Bill's hard work ethic and willingness and ability to communicate. I just wish my sales had been better. Like I said, in my case I can write this off to "target market mismatch" between my work (wildlife photography) and the audience.
I was there as well. Good flow of walkers but most wanted to know what was going on, would we be there every weekend, etc. I didnt meet anyone that come down specifically for the show, and I talked to a lot of people. My best show ever was only about 2 miles away in Bethesda just last fall but I didnt even make 1/2 my expense for this show. In fact, being on the Veterans Place end of Ellsworth, many around me said they had no sales at all and only one mentioned meeting expenses (in jewelry). Loading in Friday night after 9pm was rather chaotic on my end of the show with cars still parked on the street (despite no parking signs), folks loading in from both directions in a narrow street, etc.....so we unloaded the tent and came back early Saturday to complete setup. Weekend street market right next to the festival with a ramshackle of exhibits, tents, tables and stuff for sale I think distracted from a supposedly higher end festival.
This was my first time doing a Paragon event, and I was very impressed by the Paragon staff. The load-in was a little weird, because there were other events scheduled for the same location on Friday evening, but I thought the communications about the odd load-in hours was very clear. When I arrived at 9:30 pm on Friday night for setup, there were about 4 artist cars waiting to get in, but the security guards would not let us in. Within minutes, Bill Kinney appeared, ushered us in and personally directed each of us to a parking spot near our booth spaces. After that setup was a breeze. I was in the section south-west of the traffic light where the booths were in one row. As for sales, I would rate them as "good" for a two-day show, especially considering the booth fee is very reasonable ($395). Compared to other shows in this region, which are generally doing ok, it held its own. I do think the section south-west of the traffic light was more advantageous than north-east of the traffic light. There seemed to be more people there. And on Saturday, there is a "street market" on the plaza adjacent to the north-east section, which is a combination of inexpensive handmade, buy/sell, and flea. I think the street market must affect the north-east section of the art festival badly. Just like Courtney, I also live in this neighborhood. I don't have anything against the street market, it's a fun thing for the neighborhood, but I wish the Downtown Silver Spring management would consider asking them to take the week off when the art festival is there. Overall, I thought the sales were worthwhile, I think the population has potential for supporting a good quality art festival, and the folks at Paragon did a very professional job. I will apply again for next year.
I also did the show, and like others here, it wasn't a great show. I made my expenses, but that was about it. The crowd was so so, it came in waves, at times there seemed like a lot, and at other times there were more artists then buyers. Some around me had a $0 weekend, so I guess I don't have much to complain about as I did cover my expenses. I don't know if I would do it again, I figure that it is a relatively new show, and perhaps there might be potential. I guess I am undecided. I am a photographer and there about 10 other photographers also at the show, and as one other artist stated, "Its heavy on the 2D side." I agree.
Setup was a hassle as there was no direction as to load in so it was a free for all. I figured out that there was going to be no direction provided for load out so I prepositioned my trailer and carted out my stuff. It took a while, but made it out!
It was also not a good show for me. Geoff you are right, most people were just there, not for the art show. I live in the area ( two blocks away ) and on the weekends there are always lots of people there. The area was designed as a pedestrian street and community gathering place. It hosts events many weekends though out the summer. Most people I met asked whats going on? Are you here every weekend? There were some people who were there for the show and those are the ones I sold to. I do think it has potential if it can build its own following aside from the numerous events that happen in the area. Glad Harrison had a good show.
Good for you, Harrison!! It was a terrible show for me. I was disappointed because I used to live in downtown DC and nearby Takoma Park, years ago, and I was anxious to see how the redvelopment since I moved in 1986 had improved Silver Spring, which was an outdated and somewhat drab area back then. It is a very urban, multi-cultural environment, and although I had a lot of nice comments and handed out beaucoup business cards, very few sales resulted. Turns out it just wasn't my target market.
I don't think attendance was impressive. Although lots of folks strolled by at times, the show was in a several-blocks-long area of franchise retail stores and restaurants. Most of the folks that I spoke with were from the immediate zip code, suggesting (to me, anyway) that they weren't here for the show, they were just enjoying the art as they went about their business. I'm very glad for your success, Harrison, but I won't be back.
Yes it was, maybe its because I signed a 5x7 print for her son when they came in on Saturday. I feel he was working on my behalf even after they left, he was so excited when they came back. Her husband almost blew it but she stayed strong. I overheard her telling him " I thought we agreed to experience art together" I have never made a sale with one of the party disagreeing, but I am glad this one happened.
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