This is one of the new shows AFFPS is doing in Atlanta. The first time was in July 2011, which I did not attend, and now they have moved the show to spring and fall. Much better timing for Hotlanta. This was my first time doing this show. The location is in the Druid Hills area of Atlanta in 2 of the parks that make up the Olmstead Linear Park system. The weather was PERFECT and I always love working with AFFPS because they treat the artist like gold.
Set up, dolly in on Friday, nice and slow if you want to be. Some places have easier access, some not. The team does an excellent job at all their shows making sure everything runs smoothly. The Springdale section is the craft section and the Virgilee section is the arts section in general. Each booth spot is very different so it is hard to explain booth logistics, just the nature of this park. Everyone is on grass and there is a narrow walking path through the show. My booth was the closest to the live band stage and the local radio station. They did an amazing job making sure neither the live music or the radio music, which took turns, did not affect the artists. Actually during the live music time, all acoustical guitar type, it was a plus for sales IMO. It was great to see the promoters, the musicians and radio stations work with the artists. There were lots of bouncy houses and food trucks, but that was also kept away from the artists booths. I feel it was a win win. How often does that happen? I think they had about 150 artists, easy walk for Patrons so everyone could walk the entire show. I befriended a police officer working the show that promised to watch out for my car and tickets and he assured me that the crowds were about the same in both areas.
Since this is a new show with changing dates most of the patrons I talked to found out about the show by driving by or living in the area. There was lots of promotion before hand, but it is the beginning of art show season in Atlanta so… Saturday started off slow, but that is somewhat normal in Atlanta IMO. Around 2pm things started picking up and then lots of people. I won’t describe the crowd according to purses and shoes since some are bored of that, so I will say that the crowd was mainly 30s with children who are art savvy and as you can see in the pics some influential folks. Besides a former President of The United States and one of our Civil Rights legends I met with entertainment set directors, corp art buyers and people who value and collect art. By the end of Saturday (closed at 7pm) many of the food vendors had sold out of things and it was next to impossible to use the porta potties (sorry about that description) Next day we had more porta potties show up :)
Break down went pretty smoothly considering it was a dolly out show. They do a great job making sure people aren’t blocking the roads and eliminated traffic jams. I was packed and driving out in 1 hour.
This show will need to build a following. A lot of the patrons were not mentally prepared to buy art because they stumbled across the show. This show can be seen when driving along Ponce De Leon. As a local I will be adding this to my list and I want to support it. This is a great area for an art show. I have high hopes that it will become an excellent show in the future.
As far as sales I think it was probably across the board. I was in a pod of 5 artists. The local artists were happy, but the one artist who traveled for the show made a pay check but it may not have been worth traveling for. I didn’t get a chance to talk to many other artists.
I have to say it was a trip to watch Secret Service scan my booth and I made some exciting contacts. I have done shows around Druid Hills but I love that there is a show option in Druid Hills. For those of you who live here in Atlanta this is a show to watch and/or support.
Pics are of President Jimmy Carter at my booth with secret service, John Lewis, my section of the show and then a more typical section of the show with booths on both sides. Hopefully some of the other artists chime in and give us their input.
Comments
Melanie, you are the best reviewer for AFI- you cover everything and pics too......I have done a few of Patrick's shows, (Chastian Park and the Festival on Ponce last Sept.) If I lived in Atlanta-maybe..... but I won't drive to do one of those shows again. It's just not worth it monetarily. I almost think that there are way too many shows that they put on and it kind of f@#$#@ up the market...there I said it. I have done Dogwood and ACC a few times and loved them...and I realize there is a place for these little shows but there are so many of them and it is kind of a glut on the art scene in Atlanta. I do like the way they treat the artist's- nothing about that- they are truly nice people. But I have to wonder why you can do a Paragon show, that is a small boutique show anywhere and make buck and in Atlanta all these little shows...all they appeal to are dog walkers or parent's that want their kids to jump on the bouncy balls......not many buyers or people even really looking. I'm open minded and want to support them-after all this is close to me so the drive is not bad but..........thing's have got to get better...here's to hoping.
Thanks for the review and pics Melanie!
I blogged about my experience
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8784426568791431202#editor/...
Yes, this is a great area for an art show and I met many influencial people. I have had similiar experiences at the Chastain Park shows AFFPS does in spring and fall. I just realized that the fall show for Ponce is the same weekend as Atlanta Arts Festival. That will be interesting.
P.S. Just spoke with Randall Fox from the AFFPS - he said also Phylicia Rashad, Queen Latifah and a few other names I missed were also in attendance. President Carter and Mrs. Carter spent 4 hours at the show and spoke with nearly each artist and they took art home with them.
I have seen Congressman Lewis at Chastain shows before. I have never heard of President Jimmy Carter or Rosalynn Carter at a show. They were at a James Taylor concert that I went to at Chastain Amp about a year ago. Druid Hills is a very nice old area of Atlanta, and Chastain Amp concerts are very ATL traditional things to do, so I suspect the former First Lady just wanted to shop:)
I was so stunned to see Congressman Lewis I totally missed President Carter! How cool is that? Are they regulars at the Atlanta shows? I've seen Senator Carol Mosely Braun at the Old Town Art Fair and Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder at Cherry Creek and got to meet and speak with Elizabeth Edwards at Arts, Beats & Eats. When artists say one of their favorite things about doing art fairs is the people they meet (I hear this all the time) you can see why!
Great to hear about this new show. Thanks for the report.
Lori, love the booth!
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