So, this past weekend Oct 16th and 17th was the Bethesda row art show in Bethesda Maryland.
Unfortunately it is one of those shows with a Saturday morning set up starting at 5 a.m. That being said, set up was very well organized with easy unload and plenty of time to be set up before the show. Every street has a street captain and they kept things moving and traffic to a minimum. Free parking garages located near by made this even better. I will say that as it got later in the morning there was a back log of artists but everyone seemed to be able to set up and open on time (10:30 a.m.) with the show officially opening at 11 a.m. Show director Katie Beckett and her team did a great job.
Weather for the weekend was great. A little wind on Saturday with mostly sunny skies temperatures in the 60's. Sunday warm and pleasant with themperatures in the 70's
The jury committee did a great job with a lot of great art and artists. The quality of work was outstanding.... much along the lines of the Reston show earlier this year.
The crowds were great with people filling the streets from open until the close of the show. This also seems to be an area that appreciates art and understands that their is a price attached to one of a kind orginal art. Many wanted to know the process and what was behind the art. The people in this area were friendly and were not afraid to spend. I saw a lot of art being carried to cars including my own.
Though I didn't talk to a lot of artists (I was busy!) , neighbors seemed to be pleased with results. A great silk artist who produces wearable art across from me seemed to do well and was busy. A wood artist also across from me who makes spoons,salad tongs, forks (useable art) was busy both days for a large part of the day. And a painter beside us who sells large pieces of original work sold a couple of nice pieces. He said he usually doesn't gauge the success of a show based on what he sells at the show but more on commissions after the show. However, he was quite happy selling the pieces he sold. He has been doing this show for several years.
Nothing fancy about this show like an artisits' dinner. Awards were handed out Sunday morning, donuts were offered to the artisits off the back of a cart traveling through the show Sunday morning. Bottom line however, is that none of that really matters as long as the show is run well with high quality work and people attending willing to spend their money on art they appreciate........all of which occurred at this show.
Tear down Sunday night was again very organized with street captains keeping things moving and organized. Katie the show director also visited booths during the show to see how things were going and soliciting any comments from the artists.
Though I am relatively new with only about 20 shows in the last two years the Bethesda Row show was one of the best run, best attended and organized show I have done. I look forward to getting the opportunity to show again there next year.
