High winds hit Howard Alan's Venice show hard overnight, as reported elsewhere by Barry Bernstein and Nels Johnson (with great contributions from others). It didn't stop the show in Venice, though it made Sunday morning startup a bit complicated for some.
The show was quite well attended both days (very warm and humid on Saturday). This town supports the heck out of this show in all weather--the "vibe" is more like a Rotary show than a big art festival. Although the pockets aren't deep, for the most part, if you have $30-40 items you can sell plenty of them. I haven't done this show in several years, and I was quite surprised to get visits from customers who bought from me not only here, but at a small, low-key show at the Venice Airport that I did in 2009 and 2010. It is one friendly crowd, for sure.
The weather front moved through just before dawn on Sunday morning. I was unable to walk the show but show manager Helayne Stallings said that several tents were damaged. One artist near me was trying to put the roof back on his tent as I arrived; high winds later on Sunday knocked over one sculpture right off the pedestal, shattering it all over Venice Avenue. For the most part, damage was reported as minor.
We probably caught a break, in that the winds were 20-30 mph from the NW, and the show is set up east-west, so the buildings helped to block them. There was a rumor circulating on Sunday that Helayne had authorized artists to leave if they wanted, so I tracked her down to check.
It wasn't true, she explained, and told me about the only show she'd ever cancelled (I believe in Bloomington Hills, MI) about 15 years ago. The weather cleared up after the call had been made, and she caught quite a bit of flak.
So the on-site show managers give a full report to Howard himself, and he alone makes the call whether or not to cancel the show, she said.
At any rate, the crowds continued to come (attendance and sales were even better on Sunday for most of the artists I spoke with at show's end-- quite surprisingly to me).
This show doesn't fly high on the radar screen, and my sales aren't what I get at Coconut Point and Naples by a long shot. But it's a reliable paycheck, the 70-mile commute to my home is easy Interstate 75 driving, and I've always appreciated the warm welcome I get here.
Nearly everyone I spoke with was happy or at least satisfied with their sales. Or maybe, like me, they were just counting their blessings that they survived to show another weekend.
(Note: Haven't heard from anyone about Naples Mercato, which was cancelled on Day 2. Anyone?)
Comments
Kathleen
Thank you for investigating our concern. Both Susan and I want what everyone else wants, a safe show environment. Once again thank you and we both look forward to exhibiting at future Naples Art Show events.
Bill/Susan, I found out more about the tent situation; there was some confusion with the rental company that we are aware of and are handling for future shows. Thank you for the nudge to check into it.
Thanks for the feedback and the nod, Geoff. Bill/Susan, I'll check about the sponsor tents to find out more before I post about Mercato.
Another great review Geoff and good to hear of a show that the locals really get behind.
Great report Geoff! It was my first experience doing the Venice Art Festival and I was very satisfied with sales and a little surprised it's been off my radar. I thank you for your past posts on this show, as it was one of the reasons I had decided to give it a try.
Compared to Las Olas it was a much different show. While setup was still in the morning, it was a breeze to pull in behind my booth space (behind the medium) and setup. I was even allowed to park there the whole day! Granted, not every one could do that, but in my western location of the show it was a wonderful option. Then the show began and while the crowd wasn't huge like at Las Olas it was a good turnout. The people were older than the Las Olas crowd and not as fast paced. They took their time to check out the booths. While older crowds aren't usually my target audience, I loved these people. Most people were very friendly, easy going, not hagglers and often connected with my work. Best of all they bought! I love this town and enjoyed photo shoots before and after the show. Take down was a snap, even though I was parked only 12 steps behind my booth. By the end of my break down the front street had cleared, so I could drive right up to my booth to pack the remaining heavy things. Sales, weren't great, but very respectable and in line with Las Olas and much easier to do. Other than dealing with the stress of the wind on Sunday, this show was a very pleasant experience.
Thanks, Ken, and Bill/Susan! Bill, I'm not sure why sponsor booths didn't have any weights, but the Naples Art Association's new PR person, Kathleen Taylor, is a new AFI member so perhaps she will read this and address this.
I did the Venice show....it was great as usual. The people were buying and didn't seem to mind the roar of the wind. The palm trees were swaying like mad, but amazingly the canopies weren't......
Yes Geoff, the Naples Mercato Art Show was cancelled Sunday morning and the artists were instructed to pack up and leave. The weather front moved in the am hours and did damage a few tents from what i heard. After the front passed between 8 - 9:15 the weather gradually became much better and by noon you couldn't have asked for any better weather. Sure it was a tad breezy and the temps. dropped to around 70. Patrons were beginning to walk the show when the artist were packing up. A couple specifically drove from Ft. Myers to see a jeweler and were disappointed to find out she had already packed up and left. One more point. The art show had some sponsor booths sprinkled throughout the show layout and they were either those flimsy kd canopies and or easy ups that had no weights attached. If these canopies went flying then perhaps the show committee or Mercato thought they were art show tents and thus to prevent damage to their buildings thought it was best to cancel the show. Which begs the question, why didin't' the sponsor booths have any weights?
Glad you survived Geoff. The rent a tent guys that work with HA shows were running around me most of Sunday in Fort Lauderdale. I talked to them and it was a tough day for them with Las Olas and Venice.