Hyde Park (Tampa, FL): April 10-11, 2010

This is my second go-round at this long-running fair (I did my first in October 2009). Promoted by Howard Alan Events, the show is held on the tree-lined blocks of a small, trendy, upscale shopping area (Restoration Hardware, Bang & Olufsen, bistros and coffee shops) in the Hyde Park section of Tampa. It's an older, established neighborhood that reminds me of Cherry Creek or Washington Park in Denver, my old hometpwn. Couples in their 20s, 30s and 40s visit the show, bring their dogs and/or youngsters--and some were even jogging through the venue during early morning setup on Saturday. Definitely a much younger, urban vibe than I'm used to seeing along the gulf coast of Florida.

Setup was early Saturday morning, and was well managed. Most locations had ample storage space behind their booths (thanks to the wide sidewalks). The artist parking lot was only 3 short blocks from my booth--nice! (Some artists with vans opted to pay $5 for all-day parking directly adjacent to the show.) And the weather was beautiful...but the crowds were a bit thinner than I, or other artists who were veterans of this show, remembered, perhaps due to the triple-whammy of The Masters golf tournament, a blues festival not far away, and an afternoon Rays-Yankees ballgame.

Sunday was much busier for many artists. Crowds were heavier, and there were lots of packages being carried about. I had a brisk hour or two in the afternoon that made it a decent show. Most of my neighbors reported the same. A painter offering only originals (no reproductions) sold a wall's worth of works on Sunday (which paid many times over for his custom-made, ergonomically correct, polished-bamboo director's chair--slick!)

All in all, a decent mid-sized show that has cultivated a solid base among artists and local residents alike, and definitely one I'll plan to return to.

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Comments

  • Echoing Nels - Howard Alan. Many shows have been affected by tactics that are not in the best interest of artists. Still many that will not do one of his shows; for good reason.
  • Nice report Geoff. You always give a well thought out assessment, and I know you are a seller. Being Tampa resident,longtime, I will throw my two cents in on this show. I have never done it (cause, I don't do Howard Alan Shows. He is a good promoter, but he is not for me). That said, you also noted that there are a number of empty stores in that area. Have been for quite a while. In its short heyday, Hyde Park was the place to shop and eat at. When International Plaza opened up down the road, they stole the thunder from Hyde Park, and the Park has never come back. Its a nice neighborhood, but they do most of their shopping and eating elsewhere.
  • Hi Bill, I've got his email address and made a friend request to you so I can send it to you.
  • Bill: No idea, he didn't say, and I didn't get his business card. Give me a few days to track him down and I'll get you in touch.
  • Geoff.. where did he get the director's chair? I have a friend who is looking for chairs similar to ours, but we can't track down the woodworker who made ours.
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