2010 - Blog - Art Fair Insiders

Columbus Winterfair Holding Its Own

Posted by Dennis and Clair Thompson on January 14, 2011 at 12:19pm

After much gentle but persistent nagging by Connie : ) here is my review of 2010 Columbus Winterfair~

Both Dennis and I exhibited this year and were very happy that the directors John Barr and Carole Snyder again accommodated our booth requests to be side-by-side (so important for couples who are traveling and showing in the same venue.) I had a new booth and lighting layout I wanted to try so I spent a lot of time setting up on Thursday-the committee was able to get us extended set- up time and I was grateful for that.

Friday started off with promise; busy, sales holding steady, less for me than Dennis, but still acceptable. Saturday slowed down for almost all in our immediate vicinity, including us. The first real snow of the season was forecast and perhaps that slowed folks down. I talked to a number of mid-price range jewelers like me and they almost all reported soft sales-still, there were plenty of people, a lot of good energy, but cautious, skittish buying ruled the day. I could not seem to close a sale for hours. I took bets with my neighbor on how fast I could run someone out of the booth just by saying,"Hello." Dennis's sales (ceramic sculpture) were way down as well. High-end jewelers, functional ceramics and fiber/clothing seemed to be doing quite well.

Dennis, being the lovable curmudgeon he is, pronounced the show "all done" by Saturday afternoon, and I wondered if my new booth layout had been a mistake. However, Sunday buyers rescued most people I spoke with, and even Dennis ended up with sales a little higher than last year (forcing him to recant his pronouncement and for those of you who know him, you can imagine how much he liked doing that.)

Many artists had ongoing doubts about Winterfair's decision to include a "market" of gourmet food, soap and sauce vendors; They are able to provide the buyer with an under $10 gift and most artists can't even venture near that price point. Still it helps bring in the folks which helps create a better buying energy-so for me it's a toss-up...my vote is still out on that. Plus I like buying handmade soaps and lotions, as well as fun holiday mixes and sauces and it's about the only opportunity I get since I refuse to go to the malls, especially during the holidays.

Overall, the show committee did a great job of promotion with a lot of community advertising and it showed. They were attentive and addressed issues promptly. They have made smart decisions about the length of the show, changing it from a four-day to a three-day event. Our experience with the Winterfair staff has always been positive. The buyers may be more cautious,but there's nothing new about that in the current economic climate.

Given Ohio's economy, it seems that Winterfair Columbus is holding its own.

Halloween in Hyde Park (Tampa): A little scarier than expected

Posted by Geoff Coe on November 2, 2010 at 1:00pm

I love doing this Tampa-area event and blogged extensively about it last spring. Hyde Park is a tree-lined neighborhood of '50s and '60s-era housing with a small upscale shopping area (Restoration Hardware, Williams & Sonoma, Bang & Olufsen) that serves as host venue for this long-running Howard Alan show.

Hyde Park has a hip urban sensibility and a little younger vibe than what you'll typically see in many Florida shows. Lots of younger couples, runners, dogs, baby strollers on hand to complement the older age brackets that we're used to seeing. And until this weekend (my fourth time at this venue) I'd seen steadily increasing sales for my wildlife/bird photography. But at this show, it just wasn't happening. Show quality was quite good, though perhaps a little heavy on the jewelry. But it was almost spooky how every artist I talked with (save one, about which more in a minute) gave the same summary: Modest, but acceptable, crowds and sales on Saturday; sparser, more disinterested crowds and lower sales on Sunday. Personally, I did about 40 percent of the business I'd done last spring (two weeks before Easter, when most snowbirds typically clear out from Florida). More tellingly, my sales compared with last fall's show were down 25%. No large canvas sales; nearly all my sales were 11x14s. Although I remarked ruefully to my neighbor (who zeroed on his fun, colorful "eco-art" made from scrap metal and rocks) that "at least my $4 notecard sales were up 800% year-over-year." Not exactly the fast start to the winter season I'd hoped for.

I'm thinking that Halloween might have impacted the show attendance, even though Howard Alan Events did their usual fine job advertising and promoting, and even brought around Halloween candy for trick or treaters and patrons (and, what the heck, a few artists, too! Howard's shows don't feature artist amenities so we have to take what we can get.) There were several other wildlife photographers on the artist roster, and although several had the same kind of weekend I had, local shooters Irwin and Carol Glazer recouped a slow Saturday with seven canvas print sales on Sunday. So, you never know! Gotta tip my cap to 'em, they're great photographers and really nice folks, too.

Besides the free candy,there were a few other positives to be had. Setup here is early, but easy: Narrow streets, but \ wide sidewalks behind your booth. What's more, several new close-in parking areas replaced the grubby, tight-quartered lot we'd used the last couple of years. Departure was, I must say, handled brilliantly by Helayne and her staff. Artists on either end were allowed in first, at 6 PM sharp...and folks in the center were asked to wait This enabled artists in the first group to enter from side streets at either end, eliminating the traffic jams so often seen on narrow streets when everyone tries to access the area at once.

The wait for us folks in the center wasn't long at all; in fact, my breakdown was complete just as Helayne gave the green light to get our vehicles. I was on the road a half hour later. It was almost like a parade!

Unfortunately, great logistics won't pay the bills. But there's nothing to do but dust myself off and get ready for Patty Narozny's fall show at Miromar (in Estero) this weekend. It's a local show for me, and it'll be good to sleep in my own bed on a weekend for the first time in months. Local shows in my hometown: a sure sign that winter--and snowbirds with vacation bucks to spend--are on the way.

The Plaza Kansas City - a review

Posted by R. Michael Wommack on September 28, 2010 at 8:50pm

This was my first time at this show. I do pastels that range from $450 to $3200. I had heard lots of good things about this show, and did not get in last year when I applied. I have to say that I found the good things to be true.

We had until 5 PM, when the show opened to the public. The public were there more like 4 PM and we were told to expect early birds. The weather was perfect on Friday, and the crowds were there all night.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the buying energy I experienced through the whole weekend. Many people had seen my work at Brookside in the Spring, and sought me out here. It seems to me that Kansas City folk use these two shows to shop for fine art. I wonder if the gallery scene is lacking, and these shows fill that void? I could be wrong about that, not really knowing the city.

Saturday started sunny, but with a warning of rain. This came around 2PM and stuck around until early evening. While Friday night was crazy busy with wall to wall people, Saturday was not dead. The rain kept some away, but there were serious buyers out in the rain. Works on paper are not good in the wet, but I sold 4 drawings (wrapped carefully) which I have not done in the rain before.

Sunday was beautiful again, and while most the big decisions were already made on my work, I noticed a lot of activity in the booths with smaller 3-D items. I saw quite a lot of artwork being carried around.

Breakdown was really easy, what with the wide streets. There was no system for being completely broken down before retrieving your vehicle, 'though artists did it this way. It seemed to flow well in my area.

I talked to my neighbors, who said they had an okay show, so my experience may not be typical. But while not my best show, it was my best "Original only" show. Price sensitivity seemed low as well, unlike every show I have done on the East Coast.

Peters Valley Craft Fair 2010

Posted by Amanda Taylor on September 28, 2010 at 5:59pm

This was our worst art fair that we have EVER done. The setting was beautiful and the organizers were friendly and vendors were very nice....BUT very low traffic flow and people were just there to look and not buy. We were also very disappointed with the "Best in Show" winners since booths and wares were not up to a particular standard that we keep our own work and booth display at. Since we drove the 6 hours to get there, it is a definite no for next year.

Creative Arts Guild Festival 2010 in Dalton, GA

Posted by Bill Moore on September 20, 2010 at 7:24pm

This past weekend we did the Creative Arts Guild's FESTIVAL for the third year  in a row in Dalton GA.  There were probably forty vendors there and we had good sales. The entrance fee the 2-day outdoor (under cover) show is only $65.00. The sponsors certainly take care of the vendors and we're very much appreciated....breakfast both Saturday and Sunday mornings, soft drinks and snacks all day and booth sitters.  For $25.00 there is also a month-long juried indoor exhibit, in which artists may show up to 3 pieces of art.  The culmination to this is a wonderful catered and well attended dinner Friday night for patron's ($50.00)and those artists (free)who chose to exhibit in the indoor exhibit,in which patrons may purchase the displayed art.  The crowds for the Saturday and Sunday outdoor show aren't big but folks do come spend money!  It's great for us since it's only thirty minutes from home.


Dalton is a small town about 30 minutes south of Chattanooga, TN, on 75 and nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains; it is known as the "Carpet Capital of the World."  I imagine the population to be about 35,000.  That might  currently be disputed since the carpet business has been greatly affected by the housing downturn.  Unemployment is currently just a tad over 10%. I don't know how much the folks (Terry Tomasello and Leanne Lawson) at CAG want it to grow, but it might be worth checking out.  We have a "good thing" and are most appreciative.

Bill Moore

Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival, Sept. 11, 2010

Posted by Geoff Coe on September 13, 2010 at 2:00am

Sunny skies and great sales were all around at this long-running (32 years) under-the-radar art festival in Bethany Beach, DE. In keeping with the town's low-key approach (the town has long been billed as "The Quiet Resort"), the show doesn't advertise extensively in the trade show mags. But it doesn't need to. Many artists and volunteers I spoke with have been involved with this the show consistently for 10 years or more.

Those of us who grew up in the Northeast and summered at one of the shore resorts know that September is the best time of the year to visit: school's back in session and vacation crowds have been replaced by homeowners who come down to enjoy the warm ocean, pleasant late-summer sun, and spend a little of the cash they've earned from three months of rentals. For artists, it's a great opportunity to sell to homeowners instead of vacationers, and this venerable one-day show fills that niche nicely. I was especially happy to be accepted, as it gave me an excuse to escape Florida humidity. Besides, I vacationed here with my family years ago and love the area.

Like most beachside shows, sales vary directly with the weather, and this year it couldn't have been better: blue skies, low humidity, and temperatures in the mid-70s by noontime. Crowds came early, in droves, and flowed steadily through my booth all day. I posted my second-best festival sales of the year...and did I mention this one a one-day show? (As in past years, Sunday is reserved as a rain date, and artists are requested to keep both days available. But this year, at least, it wasn't needed. Other artists I spoke to, including the aforementioned show veterans, also said sales were well up from last year and 2008 (a victim of bad weather).

Of course, one-day shows mean a same-day setup and teardown. And at Bethany Beach, that's not made easier by the site logistics. Bethany's boardwalk is short, and access is tightly controlled by volunteers and the town's police force. Setup didn't begin until 7 AM (maybe that's typical up north, but it sure seemed late for me, since most Florida shows start much earlier). There's load-in space directly in front of the boardwalk for 3-4 vehicles at a time, and plenty of angled parking next to that....but a series of three tiered platforms lie between street level and the boardwalk, which makes dollying difficult or impossible. After I made two trips, I belatedly realized that there just had to be a wheelchair ramp around somewhere, so I asked, and learned it was about 50 feet to the south, on the other side of a building. It's a steep one, tough to see from the street, but smooth enough to navigate once you know it's there. I suggested to the show organizers that they let the artists know about that in advance in the future.

Overall, it's a long, brutal setup and teardown for someone working solo.

Artists with 10x10 spaces were set up in an unusual, more or less square configuration on the wide bandstand at the center of the boardwalk, There wasn't any back-to-back: (each booth had 7.5 foot aisles for showgoers on all sides) and no back-side storage area, which made for a clean-looking show. Spaces were neatly laid on with blue masking tape, and you could set up your storefront facing any way you wanted...helpful if you didn't want the rising or setting sun in your eyes. As one of the show board members told me, "It's different, but it works!". (I think that outside of the bandstand, some of the booths were arranged more traditionally along the boardwalk, but frankly I was too busy to check that out.)

Artists (mostly crafters) who purchased smaller spaces (at reduced prices) were set up along the main street leading to the boardwalk. I didn't speak at length to any of them about their sales, but surely their setup/teardown was far easier than for those of us on the boardwalk. Artist parking was ample, well-controlled, and only three blocks away.

The organizers and volunteers couldn't have been more helpful. The show organizer personally booth-sat for me at 2 PM, and another board member found space to store some of my packing material to save me a trip back to my vehicle. Both pre-show and game-day communication was outstanding. Although I heard several veteran artists grumbling about the need to follow the rules ;-), most everyone had great sales and a good experience overall. Maybe I was the beneficiary of "beginner's luck" on my first out-of-Florida show, but this is one I'll definitely do again.

SURPRISES! Blue Crab Festival, Myrtle Beach SC

Posted by Heather Jordan on May 20, 2010 at 1:25pm

Blue Crab Festival, Myrtle Beach SC, May 15 & 16, 2010.

This was the scariest show on the planet. I am learning that festivals that have strict guidelines don’t necessarily follow them. If the numbers are good it doesn’t mean that they attract the crowd you are looking for. But, I learned my lesson to not judge a book by it’s cover.

Upon my arrival at 6:00 am I look around and proceed to see more imported items than the boat from China. My heart sinks, fine art no way. There were 8 fine artist in a vendor population of 250! I am shaking in my panty hose. This is not a good sign.

The crab and the crabby:

Set up was so tight that a fellow ripped off his side runners of his truck on an oak tree. I was told that break down may have some blood and slinging snot due to vendors fighting. Now do I run or try to pay the booth fee and hotel, do the show?. The husband is not going to be pleased. So I proceed to hold my head up high sinch up my straps and display my paintings of crabs, fish and oysters. My pro-panels look great next to the “monogram lady“, the artist that did “wine lights” and the “bee keeper selling honey“. I was located under a oak tree on a dead end but cooler than the ocean, I loved it, the breeze would blow a stinky smell from the trash and Porto Johns on occasion. The odds were against me from the start. Cheezy petes! Be positive I said, smile and sell those paintings!

The first day was almost a total disaster. I made the $375 in expenses and many be backers. Whew that was really close. I check into a hotel at 9:30 at night due to the annual motor cycle event that takes every single motel on the beach. She directs me to a restaurant that is next door named, “Mike and Pat‘s” for dinner. I am a little skeptical due to the motor cycles outside but go in. I hear a band and get a little nervous do to being alone. I get a beer to calm my nerves and look up to see a retirement group wrapping around the bar, dancing a small gig, adjusting their wigs and fixing their lips. I am literally at the point of laughing due to exhaustion when a fellow with a white suit, red tie and white patient leather shoes asks me to dance. Need I say more? Just pure hot….

Sunday was threatening rain but again I am a chipper happy girl and look on the bright side. It is now 1:00 and there are no sales. The odds were against me from the beginning and then the miracle happens…. People lots of people. Tattooed people, expensive boat people, Harley people, mothers with toddlers, beards and beer. I again put on my happy face and tell them about the art for the zillionth time. This is where the miracle happens. I sell a piece of art, then another and another and bab bing the large shrimp painting. I am literally shacking in my shoes from ringing everyone up so fast. I had a line for 2.6 minutes! Whew at 4:00 I got a break and looked up to see the glares from the vendors with their arms folded and their “stew face girl look”. I was shockingly happy. Called the husband and said, “Honey I am on my way home with a story you are not going to believe!”

So the lesson is learned about art shows. Be positive. Be chipper. Tell your story about your art people remember you and will be back, guaranteed even when all the odds are against you.
Happy Day!
Heather

Naples Mercato Art Festival, March 6-7, 2010

Posted by Geoff Coe on March 9, 2010 at 9:00am

A new show in an oversaturated market, but one with a lot going for it--and some significant drawbacks.

I'll borrow my description format from the fine blogs just posted on Gasparilla. First, the Good:
* You can't find a nicer venue. Mercato "Lifestyle Center" (I guess "shopping center" is too bourgeois a term for the moneyed denizens of North Naples) is located smack on US 41, a couple of miles north of the city's celebrated downtown. The shops are trendy, the center impeccably clean, and the brick pavers pleasing to the eye.
* It's run by Naples Art Association (a.k.a. von Liebig Arts Center), who put on several other well-known shows downtown, including the Naples Renaissance, Naples National, and the Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts coming up at the end of the month.
* Accordingly, they have a strong reputation among the arts community. Tthis paid off in a full roster of 125 artists, all very high quality, and a good mix for the paying patrons ($4 at the gate) to choose from.

* The city Powers That Be like that they've had lots of experiencerunning shows, and they run a brisk, efficient, and very tight ship. Load-in started at 3 AM on show day (and you thought Howard Alan shows were sleep-depriving!). However, I have no idea how many artists took advantage (?) of this opportunity; I arrived from my Fort Myers home around 6:30.

* There was good signage to the check-in booth. The process was quick, and a detailed show map was drawn up on a whiteboard (a nice idea; it made it easy for assistant director Nancy Doyal to point the way to your booth.) Not that you could really go wrong: the booths were laid out in a long, straight line down the central avenue of the mall, er, Lifestyle Center.

* What's more, several headset-equipped staff members, including show director Marianne Megela, walked along with your vehicle to your spot, and made sure that you followed the rules by backing precisely into your space. You were expected to unload immediately and quickly onto the sidewalk--Marianne even helped me unload--and head immediately to the artist parking.

It was staged with uncommon military precision, and if you trusted the process, it went extremely well. More about that later.

* There were certainly buyers afoot on Saturday: The painter of nautical subjects next to me sold one of his 4x5-foot originals twenty minutes after the show opened, and kept selling throughout the day, and easily sold into five figures. Hallelujah! to him! Everyone else seemed to be doing fair-to-good, though I was busy enough that I didn't have much time to walk the entire show. Sales on Sunday seemed to slow for nearly everyone, though. Not sure why, as the day was bright and beautiful. But as show vets can attest, those things happen and seem to defy explanation sometimes.

* It was a comfortable show to work. Booth-sitters wore bright vests, took pains to compliment your artwork, and brought water around if you needed it. Nancy and Mark, the show assistants I dealt with, were cheerful and friendly. The wide avenues had plenty of room for folks to navigate, and there was lots of room behind the booths for storage. (Though the brick pavers were uncomfortable to stand on all day. If you do this show, bring padding for your rug! )

The Bad:
* Attendance at the show was only 4,000, based on paid attendance. Some of my customers commented that they didn't know about this new show until the day before the event .
* Compounding the problem: Because of the center's design and the show's location, the show tents were barely visible from US 41, which surely hurt curiosity traffic.

The Ugly:
* Did I mention that load-in/out were staged with military precision? Unfortunately, that included several episodes I witnessed where artists who broke the rules or didn't follow directions were sternly rebuked in an in-your-face, boot-camp style that I hadn't seen since my days in est training. By the end of the show, I was half-expecting transgressors to be ordered to "drop and give me twenty" (pushups).

That really seemed unnecessarily harsh. After all, it's a first-year show, and it's unreasonable to expect artists to have 100% familiarity and execution right out of the box. That really left a bad taste in my mouth...and I wasn't even one of the transgressors. Rules are rules, and they should be followed. But there's a way to enforce them without belittling the artists the show will need to survive...and thrive.

BY THE WAY: Boulderbrook Productions (Richard P Sullivan) put on the Naples Masters Art Festival this same weekend. How 'bout a review of that show? Anyone??

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