I was just logging on to write a review of the "For the Love of Art" show in South Bend, IN but Alison Fox beat me to it. Alison covered most of the bases and was spot on, so I'll just add on my experience and if you want to see exact logistics check out her review. I stayed in the Double Tree with the artist rate and it was so nice just being able to walk across that skywalk over to the show! The venue was really really beautiful! The previous years it had been held at a location actually in Elkhart. This year it was in South Bend. This was my first year doing the show, but everyone I talked to agreed that this venue was much better!
Friday night after setup we drove a short distance to get dinner and ended up in not so nice an area, so I was a bit worried about the demographics of the area, but Saturday proved excellent art buying demographics. The crowds were never very big, but it was 95% very knowledgeable and interested clientele. I don't think I've ever had so many people actually carry on real meaningful conversations about my art with me.
I set up the show not really sure what to expect and figured it would be mainly a print show and I'd be lucky if I broke $1000. I sold 6 original paintings and 4 prints, which almost doubled my expected sales, so I was thrilled!
And yes, Shireen is the most dedicated, energetic, and caring director that I've ever met. She was helping unload carts, taking tickets, distributing meals, making coffee, talking to all the artists. She came around to talk to me at least 4 or 5 times before, during and after the show. Her preshow emails were very helpful, and I loved her setup instructions/drawing. Made me smile. And the organization was without a flaw, at least to my experience.
Oh! And she got news crews to come out Saturday morning at opening of the show, and I had at least two sets of clients tell me they came to the show because they saw it on the news that morning, so huge KUDOS to Shireen for advertising and getting the word out.
I would definitely do this show again, even though its a 5.5 hour drive for me, and I look forward to working with Shireen again. I'm sure with her passion and energy this show will be a little jewel.
