Posted by Nels Johnson on February 9, 2016 at 10:00am
This is a big show, too any exhibitors, and too few buyers from a crowd that numbers 100,000.MD is a lovely town about an hour's drive northwest of Orlando. It is very hilly, so most spots are on a slope, you better have shims.Buyers are mostly conservative and traditional in want they want for art. Hard to sell abstract or cutting edge here.In the good old days this was a $4K-$8K show for many of us.Sadly, it is no more.Weather was a big factor here, again. I have done five shows so far and only one of them had good weather. Fricking El Niño sucks.Saturday, we had steady rain from noon til show end at five.Sunday, no rain, but heavy wind and tremendous cold. I had six layers of clothing on.I was on Alexander Street and it sucks there. Booths are back against the curb and there is about 20 feet between the booth fronts for people to walk. It is like a cattle run. People are crammed and crowded and it is not easy to look at the art. Mainly people are just trying to get thru and go elsewhere. It made for sucky sales.I was called off the waitlist for MD and this street was where I was stuck on. I would never do the show again on this street.Some people had a great show, but by and large, sales were slim here.Not a good way to start off Febuary.
Sorry to hear this report, Nels. We did MD once, but felt it was a pretty "local" crowd without the more deep-pocketed clientele found elsewhere in the state and that they were really looking for "Florida" work. Well, I know you've got some of that ...
Here is an article from the local paper with some backstory and the prizewinners, including John Mascoll's (wood) back to back wins for Best of Show:
Comments
Thanks for posting, Nels. I always enjoy your informative and entertaining posts.
Sorry to hear this report, Nels. We did MD once, but felt it was a pretty "local" crowd without the more deep-pocketed clientele found elsewhere in the state and that they were really looking for "Florida" work. Well, I know you've got some of that ...
Here is an article from the local paper with some backstory and the prizewinners, including John Mascoll's (wood) back to back wins for Best of Show:
http://www.dailycommercial.com/news/article_1aeabe10-14ae-5415-9480...
I was there on Sunday and it was very crowded and chilly. Hope next time you get a better spot and great weather!