this past week i sat down and wrote emails to a handful of potential shows. we have several issues: • jay uses a wheelchair so we need to be sure that the venue is accessible and there is a fairly flat area for us that is within the venue (and not off to the side); • universal spiritual messages that i design use the hebrew alphabet (much easier to manipulate) - so, for example, the word 'teacher' in hebrew is embedded into an apple - and then the piece is 'an apple for the teacher. messages are love, light, peace. because of our designs, we need to have a strong jewish population and 'church population.' tatoos are not our venue -- nor is a fundamental venue - because we are too out of the box.
this is my email:
i found you on artfairinsiders and have several questions.
i design 'hidden spiritual messages' that are placed onto sterling jewelry and etched glass. the messages use hebrew letters and are intertwined into different shapes, i.e., the shape of an apple has the word 'teacher' placed inside of it. you can see the designs at DorLDor.com.
so we need a strong jewish population that come to the shows as well as a 'church' based. we're out of the box -- and find that we connect with people who can visualize the messages and connect with them. at least one time during a show, someone actually breaks down in tears -- and then we know - that there's a story that's connecting to a piece.
our other issue is that jay uses a wheelchair so we need to be sure of accessibility and a relatively 'flat' area for us to pitch our tent. is this going to be feasible?
do you think that this show would be a good fit for us
thanks in advance for your advise.
this was the answer:
Good morning, Deborah:
I am not at all sure your ministry will succeed in our area.
Our mandate doesn't allow us to promote religion or political.
this was my reply:
oh my -- perhaps i wasn't clear -- spiritual messages are words such as 'love,' 'light,' 'peace' -- universal -- nothing 'religious' in itself. the word 'teacher' within an apple is definitely not religious nor political.
and this was the reply:
So don't ask me... I only run the event...I don't critique the content.
Click on the Shows on the Green and choose the event of interest to you.
Scroll down to INFORMATION and read all about it, download and print the application.
Send to the FLORIDA address listed with your check for $350 and 4 - 6 photos of your work and display.
And let our jury decide.
should i say that we were a bit aghast of each of the replies? i don't think that we are welcomed at this venue. cannot believe that in today's day and age we get this answer.
btw, i got other replies from 2 other venues who gave me honest answers on the 'fit' -- one saying that the venue would not be wheelchair-friendly and the other saying that judaica had never been shown -- and didn't think this would be a good fit. both jay and i appreciate the honesty of response.
Comments
check out website DorLDor.com (generation to generation) - click jewelry and see spiritual messages
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Deborah - sorry you received such a "don't bother us response, but oh by the way, send in your $$". If you ever find yourself in the Pacific NW looking for shows, let me know. There's one show in particular that we have a large number of Jewish customers who continue to hound my husband to make a Star of David after they see his crosses:) If we get into that show next year, he has one an idea on the "drawing board" that will hopefully be created at that point in time! Trying not to miss that opportunity again.
That's a "Don't bother me" response if I ever heard one! Don't waste your time on this guy or his show.
Wow, Deborah! Could you say that the person responding was having a bad day????? That doesn't seem welcoming at all to me, and besides, it would hurt my feelings! I hope that you find your match.