Photo by Ann Sargent
The Saturday night storm At the Gasparilla show took out a lot of booths. Ann took the above photo. From counting the empty spots at the front of the show on the concrete, my guess was that between thirty and forty booths were gone. Almost all the artists who were on the concrete packed up and left or relocated their booths to another spot. Many of them finished the show without a tent and with obvious empty areas on the walls, indicating that work was lost in the storm.
Rick Abrams was the first to go and he left Saturday during the show. Rumor had it he wouldn't be invited back, but I spoke with a member of the board who said a staff member may have said that but it would not be a problem for Rick if he decides to come back next year. The people in charge seemed as shocked as the artists when it came to the effects of the storm in the front part of the show.
By far the biggest area of the show is on the grass. The further out toward the water you got, the lesser the storm effect. There is a rapid ten foot dropoff in elevation as the grassy area slopes down from the concrete plaza. The tents in those locations were not exposed to nearly the wind force as those at the highest elevation on the concrete. The museum building itself gave significant shelter from the wind in the grassy part of the show. Many of those who were assigned to the protected areas and had come in through the side entrance were shocked when they went to the front of the show and saw the damage. It was as if there were two different shows.
My wife Ann was told by a staff member that his guess was the winds were at about a sustained 40mph with gusts up to about 55. That was probably his best guess without using an anemometer.
The more unfortunate Gasparilla exhibitors weren't the only ones in the area who suffered. Local news reports showed roofs torn off buildings, downed trees smashing cars, etc. in the Tampa area and elsewhere in the state. News reports were scary and we were glad to have been spared the brunt of the storm's effects both at the show and at our Lakeland home. We can't help but feel bad for the folks who suffered damage. We've been through it ourselves and know what it's like to be hanging from your tent frame and feel your feet lifted off the ground as your whole exhibit starts going over.
As your career goes on, it's unsettling to realize that there are two kinds of full time artists; those who have experienced this kind of thing and those who are going to.
Comments
It will be interesting seeing how they deal with this. A show with 150 people would result in booth fee increases to make up the difference. Then it will be a smaller and more exclusive show with fewer artists sharing the traffic. As Marcus Aurelius said, Shit happens. Be happy. Probably sounds more profound in the original Latin.
No.. Don't want to rub it in.
If I'm banned... Eh. I've been tossed out of better...
I can't imagine what layout they will plan next year. 150 booths in the grass only?
Rick, your video along with the story was a work of art in itself. As I said earlier, the directors will probably give you a pass on that one. The guy I talked to has just as much rank as they do and was on your side. Have you sent them the video yet?
Not nice to have a show with weather like that. Another great pic showing it how it was.
You are right about that. So put everybody on grass and make it a fair show, or have contingency for those who get screwd by being on concrete. Unfortunately, the pimple-heads at Gasparilla don't think that way. Now that is a practical solution, but they wont even consider it.
Don't forget the storm hit everywhere and Gasparilla wasn't the only show where they had damage. Yes, the artists in the high wind area got hit hard. the ones on the grass got lucky. I really don't think anyone planned it that way. But hey, if you have some practical suggestions on what changes can be made let's hear them. Going back into the street, however, will probably not be an option as long as the present fire marshall is in charge.
Unfortunately, this makes this a two-tiered show. People setup on the concrete are screwed when there is bad weather (which is the norm for this show most years) while those on the grass get a "Get-Out-Jail-Free" pass. All are paying the same booth fee. But when you have to tear down and lose sales it is not equitable with those on the grass. Like it or not this is a show run by high-minded snobs who have no real consideration for the treatment of the artists. It is a flawed show.
Bill and Ann, The photo tells it all. Since I am one who has experienced this type of disaster, I hope that means that I am not one of those who is going to. Once was enough for me!
Wow, I thought it was bad in Venice. The location is obviously not kind from winds. I would think the Art Museum and Children's Museum would of blocked some of the wind coming out of the north, but doesn't seem to have been the case.