Setup was pretty easy but the parking around the park in the center of town is a challenge. Being new at this it is very much a group effort. Surprised that folks would not simply pull up, get their stuff unloaded and then go park elsewhere so that the next person could do the same. Many pulled in and then setup their booth. Worked much better at teardown on Sunday.
Weather was perfect for the mountains. A bit breezy in the early afternoon and the town doesn't let you drive stakes into the ground so bring weights. As a side note there was show over Labor day that was shut down by the Fire department when winds were in excess of 50MPH. Heard some booths were damaged but everyone at that show helped each other quickly tear down.
The folks that run this did a great job. Usually about every hour or so someone would come by asking if I needed a break. Water was available at the 'office' tent.
Sales, well this was a mixed bag. I am doing canvas wrap prints. I had a moderate Saturday and zeroed on Sunday. Crowds were solid all day Saturday and probably half to 1/3 on Sunday. Impression is that many were tourists (very true) and makes me wonder that large canvas prints are kind of tough to take home :)
In talking with other folks the feeling I got was that sales were off from 2009 by 50-70% for photographers. One glass artist zeroed and other had sales Sunday but nothing on Saturday. A stained glass artist I heard did very well. So it was a mixed bag.
Estes Park is a great venue. Fall is wonderful if the weather works. I'm looking forward to next year and will tweak my product mix.
Comments
Weather is indeed a wild card at Estes, we've been snowed on, blowed on, rained on and roasted. However, at least for the M-Day show, rain or shine the customers come out. Reason is that Estes is predominately a tourist town, folks come from all over the U.S and out of country. They are there. If it rains, they look at the cloud covered mountains and say, "well, let's go shopping." They have their umbrellas and raincoats and are not going to sit in their room. To help keep the peace with local art galleries, they allow them to set up, this one gallery owner was telling me that when it rains in Estes, all the shops gear up for a busy shopping day. Course high winds are something else.
Since folks come from all over, having prominent "we ship" signs is important, along with mentioning that to interested potential buyers.
A very well run show, the art center folks do a superb job. A note on this "water" thing I keep reading in the posts, I'm confused by this issue as we always make sure we have our own fluids and food. It's a nice jester to be handed water by the promoters at an art show, but jeez, we don't depend on show organizers to provide anything but a well run show and good buying crowds. I'm befuddled by artists not bringing their own water. Like be a good scout and be prepared. The least criteria we use is if the promoters provide water, but it seems to be a big deal for some show artist. "Oh god, I'm dying of thirst, I couldn't get it together to bring my own water and the show organizers are not quenching my thirst, they are really bad promoters and don't care about the artists."
RE: offloading parking, this is another of my pet peeves, but I just bite it. Estes, plus many other shows often say "offload your stuff and then go park so others can offload." Right. We always show up earlier than stated time at a show. The organizers are setting up their stuff, and we just roam around checking out the layout, say hi to the organizers, say "we know we are early, don't expect anything," and more often than not they say, "well, I've got packets here, let me go ahead and set you up before the rush is on." Plus you can often get some good chat time with the organizers.
With Raku Ceramics and a 13' tall Trimline, we have a more extensive setup than most, so an early start helps us out. We've always been dutiful in following the "rule" of offload, then move the rig. Because we come early, we are usually in the "first wave." Then comes the second wave after we've offloaded and parked our rig, and dang, the system just seems to break down. The second wave just sits there, offloads, go and set up their system, their rig taking up parking while they putz around setting up their system. Our challenge is once we have set up, we need to come back and load up our bins and carts.
I just approach the organizers and explain our situation, and more often than not, they'll talk to the space hog artist and get them to move their rig. Since we have everything set up on wheeled carts, I can also often find a near alternative spot to re-load.
I've learned each show has its rules and procedures, many which don't get followed, so I just be creative and figure out work-arounds and sometimes push the envelope as long as what I do makes sense and I don't boggle up anyone else. Unlike a number of other artists, I look at what we do so as to not clobber up pathways and be a pain in the ass.
Most show artists are very cooperative and in the flurry of setup, or tear down, don't realize they've just blocked someone else, and asked politely, gladly re-arrange their stuff. Haven't run into a jerk artist for some time, but no doubt you all have had your experiences with such folks.
Estes can be a great show. Weather is perhaps a higher risk than other shows with it being in the unpredictable high Rocky Mountains. I'm not sure I'd spend a lot to travel a long distance to do this show unless you have some backup cash flow and can afford a washout.
Type of art sales good or bad seems to be a question, not sure if it's a thing where folks in general around the country are gravitating to more "unique" art vs. "traditional" art, or what? Certainty a constant in show reports is that some do well, others limp home wondering how the hell they are going to make their house payment. Weird business we are in.