I am having trouble figuring out how to write this. The artists at this year's show were wonderful. They really seemed to pick wonderful artists. The jewelry was extremely strong, although a lot of it was similar in style. The glass was also very strong. All the 3D crafts were very, very good.
So what was the problem? Too much outside interference. One vendor booth was obnoxiously loud playing inappropriate music for art of this caliber. I don't care how much they pay to be a sponsor, when it detracts as much as it did, ruining the ability of the artists to speak to customers willing to put up with the noise to visit booths located within direct range, that is not fair to the artist paying $800 for a booth. If this kind of noise was happening to you in a hotel room, you would demand that your room be changed. Unfortunately, this isn't possible at a show of this size. There are too many stand alone food carts, away from the food area that emit aromas that again detract from the art. And, you better have good reflexes because there were carts literally racing along the roadways, honking their horns, more concerned with getting to their destination than the safety of the festival-goers. These are not just my opinions. I talked to both artists and patrons alike.
Last year I was very unhappy with the choice of Guy Harvey as the poster winner. This year, the artwork on the poster was beautiful. But, and yes, there is a but, it wasn't poster art. I was laughing at myself for being hard to please but I overheard others say the same thing. If I wanted that particular piece, I wouldn't buy it as a poster.
Back to the art- I am sorry but I am not a 2D person. If something catches my eye, I will go into a booth. I am color-driven so if you have work in 'my colors', I will stop and look. I wasn't making many 90 degree turns this year. I am trying to catch up to Nels' collection of pieces by Deborah Banyas and T.P. Speer. I love their sense of whimsy and beautiful workmanship. So much is said here about booth photos and the Fobot booth by Amy Flynn is a knockout. It is so appropriate to her work. It draws you in and the work takes it from there. Her booth was crowded the entire show. Humor combined with imagination and good workmanship equals success. Barry Bernstein's raku is meticulously done with a greater combination of colors than most raku artists. My favorite piece of his was gone before I spoke up proving--if you snooze you lose. I know what I like but it is always fun when the judges agree with me. I have a few Scott Gamble glass pieces and he won best in glass for the second year in a row. I collect William Kidd ceramics and he won a second place ribbon after winning last year. And then there was the jewelry. All I can say is wow. I wanted pretty much everything in Jay Nielsen's booth. Design, texture and beautiful workmanship combined with attractive prices. Kate Rothra Fleming makes the most beautiful glass beads that she fashions into incredible necklaces, rings and earrings. Check out her website to see how intricate her beadwork is. Teri Pelio finds incredible beads from all over the world and creates wonderful necklaces and bracelets that very unique.
One last thing--I had two artists staying with me and I only live 20 minutes from the show but I talked to a lot of artists that were driving 45 minutes to an hour or more to get to the show. Yes the hotels were more crowded than usual, this being the busiest weekend in South Florida but it is also the most expensive. With a three day show, you are talking anywhere from 4-5 nites in a hotel. If anyone has any ideas on the best way to start an adopt an artist program so that we can find more homes for artists to stay in, please post it here. I know that other shows do this successfully and the artists at Coconut Grove deserve the best.
The art at the Grove did not disappoint. Here's looking to the 50th season.
Comments
Connie asked me to comment on our "Artist in Residence" program at the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. This will be our 4th year of hosting artists in private homes in the community. We ask the Krasl Art Center membership to host an artist. We do our best to match artist's needs with a host. Free lodging is generally 2 nights and does not include meals unless the host offers. With minimal coordination, this has been an simple, easy program to manage. It is part of our effort to be sensitive to the financial needs of artists. If anyone would like more specific information I would be happy to share.
Jacki, I am persona non grata with CGAF or I would be glad to do it. I wanted to do it a couple of years ago and approached an artist for help but without a patron list, we have no place to start, I'll just continue what my husband calls the Wegner Home for Wayward Artists!!
Absolutely, Geri. I would put up and artists, too. The Opera House always has plenty of people willing to take in Actors (some for 8 weeks, too). They give the people who take in Artists tickets to the shows for helping out. Locals might like free passes to get into the show and a parking pass for housing an artist. If they had one volunteer to organize that it would work.
Jacki, I approached the show years ago when I volunteered in the their office for a year. They shot me down. Maybe they will be willing to revisit the situation. If it is true that they are thinking of raising the booth fee, they may be more amenable or use having available housing as an excuse to raise fees. Don't want to dilute the potential savings to artists.
I don't think patrons even think about these things but I am sure there are plenty of people with a favorite artist that would be happy to have them stay at their house.
Geri, we have an old opera house here in our town. Every summer we have summer stock plays there. Someone connected with the opera house as people who patronize the opera house if they would be willing to host an actor. They have the actors for one or more shows and could have an actor for about 2 months of the summer. Most people enjoy having an actor and try every year to get one of them. It seems to me this could work for artists, too. The actors don't pay rent or for their food. If they had to, they wouldn't make much money. The show directors could put the word out asking if anyone would like to host an artist for the few days of the show. With overhead being so high for many artists, they could submit their names to be put on a list, first come, first served. That could be done plenty in advance and there could be some artists that wouldn't get housing. This could work but they would need to have someone be in charge of it and commit to work on it. Maybe someone should put the bug in a few show producer's ears.
Dogwood may be the answer for you, Virginia, and I don't doubt it. But the last year we did Dogwood we made twice the money at the Grove. I'm sure the problems Mark had the first time he went there won't be repeated next year. He'll have it scoped out. At a big event like this there are just lots of logistics to figure out.
Hi All, this was great info to have. I for one would never entertain doing a show with 400 competitors nor pay the outrages fees that are asked. There are other smaller shows that are run very well and are very organized.( Taking point about the set up problems from the person who posted the info) For me, I'd rather earn less then have to jump through the hoops that some of these shows make you do and get away with.
I have been juried into the Dogwood Festival, Atlanta for the past 4 years and they have it very well set up. There are vendors as well but they are set aside in their own place and food is only in one location. Peolple come for the art and they do come 250k during the 2 1/2 days.
Although from Georgia< I typically do not do Florida shows. This year I am trying Vero Beach , Under the Oaks. I will report as to how it went.
I remember when the judges used to come around to the booths and pick which piece we should take over
(like at Winter Park) I actually had a judge ask me what 3-D stood for!! Yikes!
But, how about having your best piece tied up where no one can see it for over 5 hours? Do they mention who the judges are? Are they the same as the jury?
Mark, you will see plenty of dogs at South Miami, including mine, the perfect art festival dog. She sits quietly in a booth while allowing me to enjoy myself.
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