This was my first year attending this art fair. My medium in Photography. I'll always try for art fairs on any of our Great Lakes. 100 artists participated in what appeared to me to be a well judged event. No schlep artists in the bunch. Wonderful artwork in all mediums and nicely balanced. Returning Artists from all over the midwest (WI, IL, MN, IA) and one each from Florida and Arizona participated.
The Organization - $15 jury fee and $200 show fee. All entry forms and images are submitted on paper via USPS. When checking out this art fair, I had a difficult time finding information about it, although it is billed as one of Wisconsin's oldest and most respected art events. Show runs from 10 to 5 on Saturday and 10 to 4 on Sunday. Setup went easily on Friday night with some setting up on Saturday morning. Drive up to covered area for both set up and tear down. Artist parking provided but there is a parking ramp right across the street we took advantage of for $1.50 per day. Friday evening during setup artists gathered in the "Artist Center" for tons of pizza, fruit, drinks & goodies. This was great as we finished setting up around 6 and I was starving. All volunteers were great, checking in frequently for breaks etc. Each artist was provided with "Gift Drawing" coupons. Any patron purchasing an item was entered in a drawing (3 per day) and the winner was awarded with a fine art piece. Great idea. Both Saturday and Sunday the "Artist Center" was open for water, Racine Kringle etc. An entertainment area hosted a wonderful guitarist that could be heard throughout the show.
The layout - Located on the water in lovely Festival Park. The majority of the booths are either under permanent "car port" type of structures or a huge commercial tent. I was inside the tent along the back row. While it was not what I would normally consider a favorable location, all booths are laid out for a comfortable patron flow and there was no doubt in my mind that the crowd filtered through each area equally. The artists are limited to a 10x10 space with other artists tightly along the back and each side. No overflow or storage space. As I was under the large commercial tent, I did not put up my personal tent. Glad I brought my lights as the overcast day combined with being under the large tent structure made lights necessary. Electricity provided for all.
The weather - Wind was no problem but overcast skies gave way to showers on Saturday. Many wore jackets most of Saturday. Overcast again on Sunday, but the rain held off until 3:30
The crowd - Not having attended before, I'm not sure if the crowd was typical for this show. I found it thin. Perhaps many were attending the Blue Angels program at the Milwaukee Lakefront both days. I did notice there were many area graduation parties. This area has a few well developed condos that are filled with folks from all over the states. There were quite a few attendees from other areas (Madison, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Arizona, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan etc) and the sailing crowd appeared on Sunday.
Methinks there needs to be an award for BEST PATRON. Our great friend Geri Wenger drove up from Illinois again to check it all out. Geri, I was thrilled to see you again. You are the best ever. I'd be interested in your comments of the artists present.
The $$$$ - I did just okay and a bit less than the smaller Montisori School Lakefront Art Fair in the same area on May 1st. Made my expenses by noon on Saturday and the rest was a trickle all weekend. No high end sales were made, altho great interest and may get some after show sales from that - happens frequently for me with the sailing crowds. Not sure how others did but those around me did about the same except for one stained glass guy - he was selling quite well both days.
Food - other than the above for the artists, food vendors included Uncle Ed's BBQ, Uncle Harry's Ice Cream/Frozen Custard, Chippy's Kettle Corn and JC's Dough Jo.....
I also had the pleasure of briefly meeting another artfairinsider artist from Madison - Lisa Berry. We only talked briefly on Sunday as we needed to pack up a little early for the upcoming storm. What a sweetie and very talented artist.
Comments
By practice however, we tend to video when crowds are thin as I need Neil (one who takes the videos) back in my tent to help me with sales.
The setup / break down went great because of the fact that we could bring our vehicles right to our tents. I was very pleased with my spot by the Artist's Center. I talked to some of the other vendors who have been there for years, and they felt the crowds were not as plentiful as in recent years, but that could 've been because there are so many things going on in the general area on this same weekend.
My sales werent great, but I made my expenses and then some, and I know I have an "after the show sale" when I get back (I am in Florida right now). The person who will buy when I return also bought from me at the Lakefront Art Fair, so I do have a follower :)
I would definitely do this show again.
I will add that when we did the show last year, the crowds and sales were much better.