I am not at the show, but my wife is as an exhibitor. We have talked back and forth over six times, Sat. and Sun.
One new, bad , development by the show promoters.
They have managed to put a large live music stage up at this show, that is new. Unfortunately, most of the music coming from it is so loud and raucous, that it is hard for an exhibitor to have a conversation with a patron.
For many yesterday, sales were off. Ellen sold one small piece for under $300. This is a hard show to break into with a high booth/parking fee that is over $600.
Again, exhibitors are being used more as shills to get a crowd there that buys beer and food and not a lot of art.
That is not to say some exhibitors are having a great show. But what about the other 200-exhibitors. OLD TOWN how far you have fallen.
Will give a full report on Monday.
Comments
Here are photos from the Old Town show that tell more of the story:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Old-Town-Art-Fair-2012-1584394...
@Annette - yes, the food and drink vendors pay more for booths, and the show may also get a cut of sales. They make a ton more money on beer than they do on art.
I really don't know why they do this - are they getting paid so much more for the booth spaces taken by food and drink vendors? Or are they just NOT thinking, just trying to get numbers through the door? Sounds like they've changed their focus too much and will lose a lot of artists.
Why do they always have to have the music so loud? I just can't take it. Wherever I go if the music is thumping I leave. I am sure there have to be lots of other people out there who feel the same. I wouldn't mind the music if it was at a normal sound level or off anyway from the art. You have to be able to communicate with customers if you are going to make sales.
Ellen got in late Sun. nite. She pulled two big sales near the end, made it a worthwhile show, but I doubt she will return.
The whole Old Town neighborhood is in a big uproar over the music stage. They do not like it, hope they made their sentiments known to the powers that be.
They had a change in runs sthe show this year, brought in younger folks who want to attract bigger crowds like Wells Street, art be damned, they just wanta sell beer and food, they don,t care if they drag this show down into the level of Wells Street. So there it is. "Caveat Emptor."
I was looking for you James but it was better for you not to be there. The set up was very BAD and ULGLY. I do not know if they are loosing the grip and this not suppose to be a street festival but it is a STREET FESTIVAL. People that live in the area go out of town for this weekend.
We used to stay with my niece up in Roscoe Village. This year I decided the Wells St./Old Town hassle was just not worth. The early setup with little time and little organization, the drunken crowds, the stupid questions, the late load-out. I've done well here over the years, but it's just ugly. Hope you all ended up well. I didn't miss it this year.
Nels I will put up later tonight my Wells street and 57th Community section reviews. The Saturday crowd was the worst drinking crowd I had ever see in my life and Sunday you have the buying crowd or more civil people. The was way down but the girl next to me sold over 6000.00 easily.
Wow I never think I will said this, If you are not from Chicago or near have a friend where you can stay THE HELL OUT OF HERE IS NOT WORTH IT.
I am not a big commenter on here... I lurk more than anything... but I have to say a couple of words about Old Town. I was there yesterday as a customer- checking out the show, the set up, the artists. I thought it was lovely. I got to meet a couple of artists who I admire so much... but as I strolled down one of the streets, there was a woman who was clearly associated with the show organization pushing through the crowd and screaming at someone on her cell phone. I felt really bad for whoever was on the other end, but unfortunately it didnt end there... the person she was upset with was in the booth right in front of me! This fair associate marched in to this artist's booth and proceeded to confront her about an issue they were having IN FRONT OF ALL HER CUSTOMERS! Anyone who was passing by could hear the show lady getting onto this artist and I felt so awkward. I obviously dont know a lot of details, but because the lady with the the Old Town association was being so rude and ugly, I felt so bad for the artist whose day was inevitably dampened. As an artist, it was so off putting for me, and as a customer I was embarrassed for everyone involved. An unfortunate incident for what was otherwise a nice experience for me as a customer.