Well, I'm new at the show reports but I did want to share my experience at Frisco Art Festival. It was held October 16th-18th in a well-to-do area of Dallas/Ft. Worth, Frisco, TX. It is mainly a young town where the average age is young 30's. Most people drive SUV's or beamers and live in new houses. I guess what I'm saying is that it had potential to be a good show if people were looking to put art into those new houses.We were located at Newman Village an upscale housing complex for the very wealthy. The main stage was set-up in their central park area (a beautiful little oval with trees, grass and tables set up for the patrons to eat). Unfortunately the artists were not put in this location but on a side street along opposing sides. The food was all up at the park area and the art was on the concrete. Weather was great. The first sunny weekend in a long while. It was windy and cool but nice.Got there Friday at my staggered time slot and it seemed to go pretty smoothly. My thanks to those who thought through the set-up as that can be the most stressful time for me. I did not get to park right next to my booth but was pretty close and able to make several trips to unload. My only beef was that they had me so close to my neighbors that I couldn't fit a sheet of paper between us. It was the tightest fit I've had at a show. Looking across the way I noticed that the artists on that side were given about 3-4 feet between them so the north side of the street was the tighter of the two. I figured this was because we had ANOTHER stage set-up on our row for Frisco High School bands and local acts. Porta Potties were all the way down either lanes.Friday ran from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with an after party for the artists with food and drinks. Hats off also to those who spent some $ on snacks and good food for all of us. I got a good chicken salad sandwich with a cold soda. Sorry Nels, no Tequila. I ended out not going to the after party as Saturday was going to be a really long day 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday had a one sale and I started to get an uh-oh feeling as soon as I saw NO CROWD. Parents showed up around 7:00ish to watch their dears play instruments and dance but there wasn't much buying.Saturday, make or break day came with some high hopes all around me. Some artists travelled from California for this show as well as Arizona. I have to say that the work was really great. I walked the festival that morning and as a whole it was top-notch stuff. The people started to trickle in around mid-afternoon but never any crowds to speak of. I made one sale all day. My neighbor had no sales, my other neighbor, one sale. My friends down by the park weren't seeing anyone. Well, a sense of "yikes" spread through the ranks as well as some artists pretty mad. At one point a former client of mine came in my booth and said, "We must have passed the festival four times. We never saw any signs for it!" My heart sank. I had heard ads on radio, t.v. and online for this show so I knew they had spent some $ on promoting it but when it came to the actual area it was tucked away inside a housing complex that patrons had to take a shuttle to get to. Some artists started packing up for the day around 8:00 p.m. I stuck it out until closing time and stayed with my sister who lives in Frisco.Sunday's hours were 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This ended out being a two sale day for me. My neighbor did get a sale on Sunday. But let me be clear: not many of us made our booth fee. I made a little over it $10 over my booth and I heard that was lucky. The artist from California made $0. I saw some quality art out there folks but no one was there to see it.Some things they did right were load-in and load-out, it was orderly and regulated carefully. They also were concerned the artists were getting breaks and wanted for them to have a good show. This was a first time show for Frisco and I really think they wanted it to be great. Several asked around to see how the artists felt and did at the show and the majority said, "We like you all but you've got to change the venue if you want me back." This area has some great potential if located in the right area. I would try it again if they did that.
Not the same folks that do the spring show. It is a different show but a good one in some respects. They treat us great. Good set up and tear down (very smooth). The crowd was not there last year but Sunday was a rainout. Frisco has all the potential to be a great area but have still to see them buy. I am trying the spring show again as I got a free booth space (because of an award last year). I don't know what to tell you Su except it's a long way to come for a "maybe" show. It has all the signs of a good area, good buyers, good crowd. It's local for me so that's why I will try it again.
I'm curious if these are the same folks who are doing the Spring show. Any info about that? I've been invited to that show, but after reading the review I'm a bit hesitant. I'm coming from Atlanta and will have housing expenses.
Great repot. You gave a lot of useful info. Sorry about the paucity of sales. First-time shows are always risky. Another factor that you have to consider when doing an October show,almost anywhere, is that the young parents,who have the walls that need filling, have just had to put out dear money for their kid's clothes and assorted school expenses. It does not leave much for art or good crafts.
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