Well, I made a public commitment to return to Long Beach Island Center for the Arts & Sciences in my 2011 review of this show, when it was 104 degrees on Saturday and no one in their right mind ventured out to an art show on white hot sandy gravel. So here I was again, hoping that the nearly perfect show weather this year would bring out the buying crowds. And sadly, they did not. Attendance was very light at this show Saturday, under perfect show weather: cool, overcast, just a bit breezy, and low humidity. Sunday was sunnier but still pleasant, and most of the folks flocked to the beach, not to the show. |
Setup was scheduled for Friday 5-8 PM, and (if you needed it) 7-10 AM on Saturday. Like most exhibitors I planned to do so on Friday, but a nasty storm with high winds and heavy rain developed offshore on Thursday night and stalled there, putting nearly all artists into Saturday-morning-setup mode.
Which is a problem at this show. It's a small venue with a twisting show layout and limited access. (Those of you who have done shows on Sanibel know exactly the kind of layout I'm talking about.) So the dance-with-chaos began not long after sunrise. Luckily, nearly everyone at this show has lots of experience under their belts. Some dollied from the street or from their closest available spot in the traffic queue; some waited patiently, opting to unload later than planned. Most observed the show directive to unload first, then park. As for me, with a 7 AM arrival I am usually unloading in front of my spot no later than 7:20; with this show it was nearly 8:30 before I snapped the first poles on my Trimline into place. I made quick introductions to my neighbors (both of whom were great) and let them know that I'd be in "catchup mode" and not chatty until I got back on schedule. Somehow I got ready on time, ready for customers that were slow to materialize.
Promoters Nancy and Barbara Boroff of Renaissance Craftables don't stick to the usual 10-5 show script--the show hours were 10-6 Sat./9-4 Sunday-- but I can't say there was any advantage gained. The place was nearly vacant by 4 PM on Saturday, and despite the exhortation in the show literature to "show up on time, people come early" on Sunday, there were few folks browsing the show before 11:30.
Last year, despite the light turnout, I sold my more expensive images--canvas Gallery Wraps--to nearly everyone, giving me my highest revenue-per-customer tallies outside of Naples. This year, the odds evened out: I sold only two smaller, slightly damaged ones at a significant discount. A few matted 16x20s went out the door, along with a smattering of 11x14s. But although I had a crowded booth for two fleeting occasions late in the day on Sunday and no less than five folks had extended conversations about my wall canvases, none walked out with a package under their arm. All I had to show for the late-day rally were several oh-so-sincere promises that I'd hear back this week after they'd measured their walls.
Ummm...We'll see. I know only that, at the end of a disappointing three-show swing up along the Jersey shore and a raft of hotel bills to pay, I had perhaps a bit too much focus on helping them buy what I had on display, rather than helping them order something larger, later. My bad. It happens. But for now, I'm back in Florida for two weeks, trying to figure out how, and if, I'll tweak the product mix for my two-month swing to Delaware and Virginia that starts next month.
As for this show, I'm not certain if I'll return. A couple of things disturbed me besides the light turnout.
* Worried about a recurrence of hot weather this year, I had contacted Marcy Boroff before I left Florida to double-check on their policy about using a generator (with which I can power two large fans or even a portable A/C unit). No, she told me politely, but she said she was working on being able to offer me free electricity as long as I had a 100-foot extension cord. To her credit, she followed up next day to let me know that electricity would be available. So I left the generator home.
Imagine my surprise when one of the other exhibitors ran a generator all day on Sunday, without anything being said.
* The show has a policy that you have to show up by a certain time on Saturday for setup, or lose your spot. And you must promise to exhibit all hours of the show. So imagine my surprise, again, when an exhibitor across from me not only showed up just before noon on Saturday, but actually was accompanied by two of the show volunteers, hauling in her merchandise and tent on their golf cart. "Wow, I didn't know valet service was available," my neighbor Glenn commented to me.
On Sunday morning, she didn't arrive until about 11:15, claiming to her neighbors that she didn't get much sleep, and "you wouldn't want me to be cranky." So far as I and my neighbors know, nothing was ever said.
I have two Big Suggestions for show directors:
* Don't have more rules than are absolutely necessary
* Having communicated the one that ARE necessary, enforce 'em!
I've only done this show for two years, but judging from comments I heard from long-time exhibitors, it has slipped badly in recent years: more and more buy/sell, fewer fine artists, over-representation of low-end jewelry, clothing, bracelets, and photography. I like the Boroffs, but I wish they'd resist the temptation to look the other way when the rules aren't followed and the standards slip. Artists notice these things, and so does the buying public.
Comments
Rich: Good for you for following up with the LBIF director, as opposed to show director. (note to readers: That's the organization that hosted the show and received proceeds from the $5 gate fee). 4,000 seems high to me. My neighbor and I both guessed less than 2500.
I know everyone has their own idea of what a good or OK show is but I was extremely disappointed with the turnout and sales at LBIF. This was my first time there and followed Haddonfield, NJ. I grossed $580.00. I spoke with the LBIF director on the 26th and he said that 4,000 paid at the gate.
Then with the load out I had to wait 45 minutes to get two vehicles moved so I could get my truck out. This was definitely a first and last for me.
Thanks David! And good tip about the hotel in Toms River. Forgot to mention the high prices on the island. I stayed in Pleasantville, about 50 mins. drive from the show. The 'ville wasn't so pleasant, pretty run down, but the hotel (Baymont Inn & Suites) was $82/night and newly renovated.
I also did the show in Loveladies. I was set up next to the lady who showed up at noon on Sat. and actually helped her put her tent up. I figured she ran into some issues getting there so I felt bad and wanted to help. But then when she showed up at noon on Sunday because she overslept, well... guess she dosent take the art show business too seriously. The show for me was ok and Ill probably return next year. This was my first year there. My one big concern would be the hot weather that I assume is normally in the 90's in NJ in July and with the weather so nice on Sat and even Sunday I would think I would have sold more, so I may have to consider that for next year. Personally I though Marcy and Barb did a good job organizing and were on site the whole time. Breakdown was much more organized and easier than I though it would be. I tried to set up Friday night but the wind was just too strong so I drove 40 miles back to the hotel and returned sat. Morn at 5:30am. (I already knew where my spot was, otherwise I wouldnt advise comming too early because the spots are confusing unless you know exactly where you are)
One other issue with the show is the hotel fees. If you stay on Long Island be prepared to pay upwards of $200 and night (as my neighbor across from me did) or drive at least 40 min. I decided to stay in Toms River and managed a hotel for $81 per night with my CLC card. It was actually an easy drive up the Garden State, no traffic.
Geoff, you might want to do the Audubon show at Lake Wallenpaupack next year. I did very well and given the low show fee, the focus on birds, the pretty good turnout, the air conditioning and easy set up and pack up, it was a great experience for me. Plus there are inexpensive and good places to stay.
Well, Geoff said it best! The set-up was a bit chaotic and the traffic was light on Sunday. I was happy to get out of the NYC area where the patrons bargain and have little respect for the artists. I made some good contacts and overall I was pleased with the show. I think that I will return
Thanks, Megan. A couple of jewelers I spoke with did pretty well (and a few didn't).
I had high hopes for you when I saw the weather was going to be quite a bit cooler than last year. I haven't heard any good reviews for this show over the years and have stopped doing the Renaissance shows - I'm a jeweler and their shows tend to have a very HIGH number of jewelers. Good luck with your shows in DE and VA!
Annette, you are right to make yourself available to previous clients. I do three shows a year that are near Fort Myers and that are not big shows, but they are ones where I'll see those folks (I make a special effort to invite them). I even run into previous clients at my Northeast US shows--generally 3-4, at least--who had purchased from me at a Florida show.
Thanks for the review Geoff, I'm sorry to hear that the better weather this year didn't equal better sales though.
The majority of my sales each year are to previous clients and of the new clients I pick up each year a % of them become repeat buyers too. I do one show each year where for the first 4 years, sales rose astronomically each year. Then a change in committee and the GFC took effect and sales dropped dramatically. However, its not a costly show to do and is nearby, so I continue to do it as a courtesy for those clients who only see me at that venue. Sales go up and down but I still like to do it.
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