I was an exhibitor in Reston Virginia Art festival last week end. My second year in the event. Nice town but How about the weather...
On friday 14 I have to attend the preview Party where I was selected to exhibit with another 19 Artist from the Festival. Late in the afternoon I finish to set up my tent and I went to hang some of my paintings in the Party space. After that I came back to the hotel to get ready for the party and little time later I was walking in the way to the party when with surprise I discover that my tent ws blow over after a short wind storm. The tent was totally destroyed but thanks God my paintings wasn't in there. I was in shock and the only thing I was thinking in that moment was to go home. After the party and more relaxed I decided to rent a new tent and try to be ready for the next day.
The saturday morning was a little windy, but the day turn worm and beatiful. The Place was crowed and the visitors very interested in the high quality works exhibited.
Sintesis; The week end could not be more wonderfull, and fortunatelly was a very good show for me and for my neightbors. I want to say thanks to all the voluntaries for their help and for the great organization. In my opinion Northem Virginia Art Festival is one of the Festival with best organization . Clean set up and break down, and this people care the artist comunity. Reston Virginia Art Festival is a place to have in mind for the next year, but take attention about the weather.
Comments
With the special preview event going on at the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), I don't think that they had committee members prepared to alert artists about the approaching storm. I'm hoping other artists who were at the show site will comment about that aspect, as I was about 20 miles away.
The weather was breezy on Saturday, but very manangeable. Collectors came early for the best selection. I had an okay show, sales wise. Sold mostly $700 pieces, one small one and one large one. Had one repeat buyer and the others were new. I also have a good lead for providing art for a new restaurant to open later this year in DC. This show has consistently been good for commissions for me. The crowds were good all weekend and there were plenty of volunteers to booth sit. There was a complimentary box lunch delivered to the artist booths on Saturday and coffee, pastries, juice, fruit for the artists each morning. Set up and take down are very easy. Plenty of free parking nearby for the patrons.
Artists around me were mostly satisfied with their sales or ecstatic. I think that everyone was selling something. Unfortunately, since I was alone, I did not have time to walk the show but I heard the quality was very good. They cancelled the awards party for the artists this year because of the lack of sponsors. I missed it mostly for the opportunity to socialize with my artist friends.