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  Beverly Smith January 26, 2011 at 8:46pm

  Roxie - Well, I have decided no more mall shows. This was my first at a mall and it wasn't what I really expected. I expected to be in a large parking lot of an indoor mall. The type in Atlanta. At least I made my expenses. After reading some of the other comments, not everyone did. I am staying in Atlanta the rest of this year since gas prices are predicted to go so high. I haven't done local shows, but have gone to many. Depends on what you sell. I thought Chastain had great artists and I know some sold. Not sure of the general consensus. I didn't like the shows at Piedmont Park. The artists were good, but the energy was down and I understand sales were low for the costs. The new midtown festival did well. It's in the fall. I didn't go to Decatur, but it's a good art area and think it would be good. The general art energy seems to be growing in Atlanta. We just need the economy to pick up.
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  Roxie Spell January 26, 2011 at 4:47am

  Thanks Beverly, Appreciate the information. I do live close by, so I do have a special interest. I do not like to work that hard for a fill in and I am 50 mile round trip. I am doing the art shows, as you are I am sure, to try to make a living and sharing sales with an upscale mall 3 years ago killed me, depressed me and basically determined me to do any other show till it leaves the mall.  Which they have assured me they will never do. I do want the promoters to see what others think and if we do not speak up, no change. Even if we do speak up, no change. Maybe some do not want to speak up out of fear of rejection. I am proud to be fearless and an advocate of the artists. How are things up in Georgia? I was looking at some shows to shoot for next year. This year, I have had to stick to the 100 mile round trip shows. Decatur looks good. I heard Chastain was not. I used to live in Atlanta area and called it home for almost 10 years.
  Thanks again.

  Roxie
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  Beverly Smith January 25, 2011 at 7:51pm

  Roxi, I replied to Lori's post since I saw it first, but I agree I was so tired by the end of the show I did not fill out the report. Most artists I talked to were happy enough with the set up, but very unhappy with the sales. I understand advertising was better than the past, but many people I talked with did not know until they got there an art festival was going on. So, even though there were many people, I don't know how many of them were actually there to see the show more than shop the mall. Most seemed to be more interested in the mall. If you live close by, it is worth doing if you just need a fill in.
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  Roxie Spell January 24, 2011 at 3:38pm

  Pam Marron, co-chairman, was not very kind in her email to me today. Accusing me of representing them. I NEVER said I was. They DID ask me to help out in West Pasco, but I wanted to give them feedback that many artists do not give them because really, do you take the time to fill out the form before you leave? I know I would rather send the promoters I do shows for a note afterrwards because all I want to do is pack up and go home. Research for the group does not mean I am representing them, As I wrote back to her, I am representing the artists local or otherwise that do not do mall shows.  I believe we were the only ones giving SAF any feedback on facebook. As I said, they are trying, but competing with a fabulous 2 story Barnes and Nobles is tough, I would shop there if I was at the festival because we do not have one in West Pasco. If they move to the parking lot, maybe it will help. I would be extremely surprised if they did.
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  Roxie Spell January 23, 2011 at 8:44pm

  No Lori, she was not aware of this, but I am doing this for them. I would love to know how it went for the artists so I can pass on the information to the promoters, and Pam Marron. They did ask me to help them with their festival here in West Pasco and I certainly feel giving them feedback would be one way to help. I have been paying attention to all that they have been trying to do and this year and I think the promoting has improved since 2009. I was unable to participate because I had another show I was obligated to do. So anything you can say, good or bad will be good for them to hear. (Wind was rough Saturday wasn't it?)  I hope the show was a success for you. I really would like to participate next year.
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  lori kay January 23, 2011 at 8:27pm

  Hi Roxie, I did the festival and I'll be posting a review later (after a warming glass of wine).  I talked to the co-chair Pam about what info she had you gathering for them and she knew nothing about it. Did I misunderstand your post? I was concerned because I thought perhaps she was looking for a new location, but she assured me that was not the case and that the show would be staying at the current location.
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  Roxie Spell January 21, 2011 at 10:51am

  correction on typo,... not as favorable for the artists as it was for the mall stores. (I was not alone in the disppointment.)