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Muskegon - Part II

Posted by sherry curtis on July 6, 2011 at 8:00pm

I was also in Muskegon. This year due to health issues with my husband we have tried to stay closer to home. This show was a BIG mistake. The park is set up like a wheel with 4 spokes. I was placed on a spoke and found that at least half the people didn't come up the spoke. Had terrific show neighbors who also were doing the show for the first time. We all agreed that this would be the only time. On top of that 2 of us had thefts. My other neighbor with the theft ran into the promoter who said "well we Do have security" Couldn't prove it by us, they never came into the middle........same with the judges. I saw the artists who won and their work was very nice but it would have been nice to be included. Never saw so many people with whole body tatoos and pink, blue and yellow hair. I though the clown brigade was passing through. The park wasn't exclusively fine art there were lots of crafters in the mix. There were no redeeming features to this show in my opinion.

sherry curtis

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Comments

Caroline Kwas July 7, 2011 at 10:39am

Sherry, since it was one of my first reviews here, I kept as neutral as possible. I try not to generalize an entire group of people, but yep, the freak parade was out. I'm sickened to hear about the thefts. Don't think it's going to be on my list next year. Some Michiganers were telling me about the Saugatuck show, that there's beaucoup bucks there, but lack of advertising is one reason to think twice before applying.
Larry Berman July 7, 2011 at 8:58am

Here are links to both one day shows. They are very popular with tourists from the Chicago area.

http://www.southhavenarts.org/

http://saugatuckdouglasartclub.org/

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Lynda Wallis July 7, 2011 at 8:51am

I did the Grand Haven show a few weeks ago---personally very disappointing-almost non-existent sales for me---not so for some of the artists around me. I was asked over and over agin if I would be at Muskegon. WOW am I glad I didn't do it. On my way home from Grand Haven, I spent a great afternoon poking around in Saugatuck. I didn't see one poster or notice anywhere about a show over the 4th in either location, Saugatuck or South Haven. Wonder if both one day shows even exist today?
Larry Berman July 7, 2011 at 7:45am

Didn't anyone consider doing South Haven (and Saugatuck) July 4th weekend? I used to do Muskegon (about 20 years ago) and realized all the smart artists were packing on Saturday night and driving to South Haven for a one day show on Sunday. Then I found out about Saugatuck (Saturday) and for years, did the two one day shows back to back on July Fourth weekend. Either one day show was better than Muskegon and both together made it a real weekend,

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Jude Maceren July 7, 2011 at 2:56am

Anyway experience like that will help us learn and improve for the better in the future. I also joined an art fair few years ago not knowing that the place was secluded and away from the big crowed. It was also an unfortunate experience but I learned from that and now I know how to pick the best ones. I wish you the best Sherry!

http://www.learnportraitwithpencil.com
Annette Piper July 7, 2011 at 12:23am

Sorry to hear this was so disappointing Sherry - its so disappointing when due to the organiser's idea of set up you miss out on the traffic flow.
Jacki Bilsborrow July 6, 2011 at 10:45pm

Hello Sherry, this reminded me of the first time I went to the Ann Arbor Art Fair. The art Fair was fine but I wasn't accustomed to seeing all the piercings and tatts. I just kept thinking I hope one of my boys don't bring one of these girls home sometime. That was about 16 years ago. Coming from a small town I wasn't used to seeing people like that. Sixteen years later, it seems like I see kids like that all the time now, not that I like tatts and piercings any better. I hope you at least got to eat some yummy food while you were there.

Jacki B
Charles Bingham July 6, 2011 at 9:47pm

Thanks for the heads up... what is your medium and price range?
Connie Mettler July 6, 2011 at 8:59pm

Well, Sherry, it gave pink and blue and yellow haired people a place to hang out. Good for you providing the entertainment.