After a less than stellar tour of seven Florida shows in February and March last year, I'm considering a more abbreviated Florida tour in the fall this year. My only unqualified success last winter was Winter Park, which I will be delighted if I get into again. But, I'm also wondering about Fall Florida shows. I'm curious about two shows, especially: Dunedin on November 3-4 and DeLand on November 17-18. I did DeLand several years ago with limited success, but that was 8 or 9 years ago. I know its too much to ask, but, wouldn't it be great to find a "Winter Park-quality" show, with a good rep for sales and community support?
I'm also thinking Armand Circle in Sarasota on the 10th and 11th (the weekend between the two shows mentioned above). And, a related question to those who have done Armand Circle: Street or Park? Park is attractive because Friday setup is possible, while setup on the street is Saturday morning.
Comments
I have never done DeLand. Some it is good for, others, not so much. St.Armands is great! Deadline though? Dunedin, the show that I know of is a craft show on Nov 17-18. That is why I asked if you were referring to Art Harvest earlier, by chance. Hope this reply helps you~
Are you allowed to mention which show in Nov your referring to? Art Harvest perhaps? Regardless, I believe that you have come to the right conclusion of staying put, unless you can afford to take a risk over what might be a win or loose turnout. I am to familiar with Florida shows.
I did fall shows in Florida for many years because I was local. Here's a rundown of the others from 2010 for you John:
Maitland - better than the spring show. Grueling hours, sprawling layout and last time I did it they had added music that pulled the customers away - my last gross - $400.00
Winter Springs - Very good artist treatment. Unfortunately very little money.
Mount Dora Craft show - Never did this one. I hear the crowds are substantial but it is a craft show.
Winter Park Autumn - a great show for me every time. But you have to be a Florida resident.
Lake Mary - used to be an okay show then they got a new director. Don't even go near this crime scene.
Halifax - better than Lake Mary but not by much. I was across from the pony rides.
Naples Fall (Thanksgiving weekend) - Long stretches of time where the artists outnumbered the attendees.
Space Coast - never did this one but I have heard from a couple artists that it was good last year despite the decimation of the area by the NASA cuts.
Nels may know more but I think the snowbirds don't show up in Boca / Naples until after Thanksgiving. They are the ones with money to buy art.
Dunedin is a nice local show--but not worth traveling any great distances for unless you have built up a strong following for it.
I think the consensus is that there are no really good shows in Florida in November but DeLand seems to be the best run with the best possibility for success. Nels is very adamant about skipping Florida in November all together... especially for us Northern artists looking at a long and expensive road trip. DeLand does have big prize money, and they have a patron purchase program, which I like, but I'm now leaning toward Nels advice of skipping Florida in November. Anybody have experience with Dunedin?
I am a Florida resident and have been doing DeLand for about 6 years. My wife also does the show each year. The crowd is pretty art savy and my sales have been good there each year. I have had some great years there and, with the economic situation where it has been, the sales have suffered somewhat. The show is very artist friendly and the judging is extremely fair (unlike some other Florida shows).
Meant to say "You got into" good shows up above. Fricking typos.
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