To Connie M. and the artists who contribute to the blogs on Art Fair Insiders THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Last weekend I participated in my first art festival. The Granville Art Affair & Wine Festival which was a small local festival with about 100 artists set on the polo fields (yes polo) of Bryn Du in Granville Ohio. A Friday set up was a bonus and I was able to get my tent and furniture set up within the 3 hour time limit - yeah I know you veterans can do your booths in less time and with all your wares ready to sell but is was really hot and humid and my husband was on a golf outing so I was on my own and four bottles of water did not keep the dehydration cramps away.
The forecast called for heavy rains and high winds for both Friday night and Saturday afternoon so I decided not to hang my paintings until Saturday morning. This was due to the fact that I saw the results of the Columbus show and I was terrified my EzUp would be 2 counties away after reading the blogs about the failings of EzUp Tents. I did have my 8 tubes of 25 lbs of cement and doggie screw tie downs attached to the corners and I lowered the tent before I left.
Saturday I was the first person in the gate. The tent held up but the sides were flapping in the breeze and the zippers came unzipped during the night. I saw that some of the other tents had big clamps holding the sides to the poles. (Make a note of that to self.) The tent behind me was totally trashed from the wind during the night. It was raining and I forgot a rain coat - woman next door handed me a rain poncho, thank heavens because I am way to old for a wet T-shirt contest. (make a note bring a poncho)
I began carefully hanging my paintings and putting up the titles and prices next to the works. All the paintings were level, prints were set up, table with small works and rack cards for commissions and business cards with contact information were neatly displayed. Slathered on the sunscreen, wiped some sun block Burts Bees across my lips and jammed on a big brimmed hat. It was a half hour before the opening and I was ready!
I made a quick trip around the booths and then went back to my booth waiting for the crowds of eager customers. Several artists stopped by and made comments about my booth and some even took notes. Here is where the thank you’s come in - many commented that I must be an old pro at this and had an excellent, professional set up for selling and was prepared for all types of weather. When I told them this was my first show they were amazed. I told them that several months of reading Art Festival Insiders and Art Festival Calendar blogs had prepared me for my first show. Again THANK YOU!
BTW - I ONLY MADE ONE SALE - BUT IT WAS A LARGE PAINTING! Used my SQUARE and had a crowd saying what’s that. I also have been contacted a by a few people interested in a commission so it was a good show. Bonus was an actual polo match on the adjacent field and I had the end booth next to it. Guess what I will be painting for next year!
Comments
Well, you know the old joke. Two artists bought a lottery ticket and each won a million dollars. One moved to the South of France and retired. The other bought a new van and new display and continued to do art shows until the money ran out.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Great story, Terry! You made my day ;)
My favorite saying: "Smart people learn from their mistakes, but really smart people learn from other's mistakes." Looks like you are one of the Really Smart ones! Good job.
Another easy idea for keeping your zippers zipped, get some of those nylon ties (long skinny transparent that are adjustable) and put those on the ends of the zippers when you close at night.