This past weekend started the in town Atlanta shows with the Festival on Ponce. Spring is always busy. I had 11 shows in twelve weeks but cut it down to 9, still might kill me but a bit more manageable I hope. This is the first one and it started with a bang.
This festival is in its third year. I have done it all three years. First year Jimmy Carter and secret service visited my booth:) No they didn't buy anything from me. I have written two other detailed reviews on booths, load in and out already so if you want more details just do a search, but I will keep this review a little shorter on these things.
The setting is in a long narrow park with one side being Ponce De Leon, a busy road and on the other side a small neighborhood road. The festival can be seen by the passing traffic. Load in is on Friday all day. Some spots need to dolly in, others just have to walk their stuff across a small street. Not too bad but you can't drive up right to your spot. Still it is a pretty easy load in. There are only 125 artist and parking is relatively easy. Most artists are considerate of eachother and we make it all work. In my spot I was able to set up my 15 foot double trim and another 10 foot trim behind, so needless to say most of us have lots of space. I was set up and out in a couple hours. Not bad for basically setting up 3 booths.
Saturday the weather was beautiful. Plenty of sun and temps in the high 60s. The neighborhood is very family, mainly 30-40s with kids. A weathy, educated and established neighborhood. You don't really look at the shoes and purses at this show, but the strollers and sports wear to get an idea about the patrons. It is one of those rare shows when a couple with three young kids (who can see the bouncey houses) and a dog walk into your booth with the parents and the parents are still ready to spend a couple thousand on a piece.
Sales started for me at 10:05 am on Saturday. They were strong all day. The crowds didn't get strong until after noon, but then stayed steady. They have amazing acoustical live music through out the show. I usually am not a fan of musical entertainment at art shows but at this one it works. Actually I requested to be near the music because it is played at the perfect level to not interfere with the booths and the patrons all come and picnic around the music. Third pic is of the patrons listening to the music around my monster set up. That way the adults can shop while the kids run and enjoy the grassy area. Most of the people I talked to were happy with Saturday sales.
Sunday called for rain, all day rain. It was chilly and wet. I wound up putting my tear down clothes on underneath my show clothes for warmth. I was told I was the prettiest homeless lady they had seen in years:) The rain stayed away for most of the day. People started to come in the early afternoon. Not as many picnickers but a decent crowd considering the weather. Sales started for me at 1pm. That is my usual for an Atlanta show, main sales start after 1pm on Sunday. So I was thrilled that I had strong sales on both Saturday and Sunday. At 3:30ish they told the artists that rain was coming. Nothing dangerous but it would b wet so if you wanted you could start packing up. Last year I was selling strong in the rain so I wanted to stay. But by 4pm the shoppers were almost nonexistent. So I strted t slowly packup. Since everyone had left the streets were clear and we could bring our cars in near our booths. I was able to pack up the art dry and then all the tents easily with out getting very wet. I was driving out around 5pm.
I was in a pod of 5 booths. 4 of us had great shows. One was not happy. The other artists I know were happy. The jewlers were hot and cold on the show. I loaded many cars that had multiple works by different artists. Most of the buyers that I encountered were buying multiple items.
Since this was my third year, and the shows third year, I am happy to see the show continues to be a good one and keeps getting stronger. Another plus to this show that was repeated over and over by patrons, was that they preferred Ponce because it was more civilized place to shop for art compared to the circus that Piedmont Park could be. I really like how they have an area for the crafts in one section and the art in another. The show is small, only 125 artists and some of them craft. It works for me. I also really love the music venue. It works. Even the kid area is separate but easily accessible. The bouncy houses and face painting and kid craft area is NOT mixed in with the art. Even the food trucks that come are high end. No funnel cakes. Last year there was a fancy coffee truck, missed having that this year but you cant have everything:)
Comments
I would arrive one hour before the show started and have always found parking on fairhaven which is one block over and runs parallel to the show.
The nice thing about the spring show is that it stays lighter longer for load out and the big plus is it is the first outdoor show of the season so everyone is ready to go shopping.
Susan glad you enjoyed the show. I do most of the iTP shows in Atlanta unless they conflict with an out of town show I really love. Atlanta Arts is a conflict this year for me. It was great in 2013. Piedmont Park inAugust can be GREAT for some if it is your market. I also love Inman Park but doing Majic this year. Virginia Highlands Summerfest is hot as ..... I have a love/hate with that one. Good sales but it is hot.
I had a booth there and found that many people were making multiple purchases, especially on Saturday. I also parked in the Hari Krishna lot as it was almost directly across the one lane road from my booth but that was a personal choice. I could have parked further away I suppose. I don't know that the patrons could have detected an art section vs. a craft section. Melanie what other shows are you doing in Georgia?
I didn't find the parking easy. We had to pay extra to park at the Harri Krishna temple across the street from the park. 10$ last year each day. In the photos I see people without any purchases. Not one carrying a bag. They walk their dogs & strollers. I didn't return this year. Last year at the fall festival we packed up in the dark. There were some characters around & I waited anxiously for my hubby to come with the car. I'm glad it worked for you & thanks for the input.
What is your price point Melanie?
Doesn't it depend on how you define "craft"? It's certainly not a matter of price. A lot of fine craft has very high prices. A lot of painters have cheapo prints and note cards. For this reason I avoid any shows that separate "art" and "craft" - I am afraid of being called a craft and being put with cheap stuff. Jury everyone by the same standards and distribute evenly through the show.
Why do you prefer separating the art from the craft? Someone who isn't particularly interested in one may find something they like if they walk past all types of booths.
I have never been to a show that does that.
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