This was our first time at the La Grange Show. It is directed by Erin Melloy, who directs a number of shows in the Chicago area.
We arrived on Saturday morning. Most of the artists had set up Friday night, as there was a Jazz Group who performed. Artists were given the option to be open during that Friday night event. We choose not to do so. Set up was on the street, with easy load/unloading available. We were able to drive right up to our booth location. And set up quickly. It normally takes us 1.5-2 hours to set up. We were all done in just over an hour. We were concerned about the weather, as the skies were dark.
Everyone opened at 10:00 and the showers came by 10:30. This limited the attendees. But the few who showed up, were buying. Many of the artist who we talked to told us this has been a lower attendance show, but lots of buyers. That is fine with me. Despite the weather on Saturday, we did OK in sales. Sunday brought sun in the morning and clouds in the afternoon, but no rain. Many more people shopped on Sunday and sales were fair.
I believe this is a show we will try again next year. It seems to have potential and the set up is easy. Even more important, people seem to like our mixed media framed art.
Comments
I'm actually going to bite on a few more of Erin's shows this year. I think she works hard to make the artists happy. When I say happy I'm not looking for sunshine and rainbows. I'm looking for a promoter that listens to concerns and fixes them when possible, has a fair jury process and where you feel like they are working hard to bring in the buyers. I think she does all that. I also haven't seen her padding a show with low quality work or buy/sell just to bring in the cash. That all adds up to me being willing to take a chance on some newer events.
Of course, on the same weekends there are a few rock star shows around the country with 25 to 1 odds of getting into and I apply to those as well but I would end up content and feeling like I have a good shot at a successful weekend at a number of EM events.
Yes it was fun and easy show to do. I will give it another try next year. I hoping for more traffic and better weather. I did in the range I was expecting for this show.
I opened Friday night since it is close and Erin provided electricity. I didn't expect much, but it turned out to be a really fun evening (plus ran into a lot of people I know who came out for the music). People were stolling the art fair and some made some nice sales. I had a customer stop in that couln't make it on the weekend - and a nice sale.
Luckily the weather was nice on Sunday and those that didn't want to brave the cold rain on Sat came out on Sun. There were also several sports events on Sat and since it is a family community many had other commitments.
I was happy with my sales and since I also have my work in a store in the next town it is a show that I use to drive traffic to the store and I get many repeat buyers there.
I like doing Erin's shows since they always seem to have a good mix of mediums and artists. It was a nice show to end my summer season!