Three Rivers Pittsburgh
First to note that I'm not an exhibitor there anymore. It's my local show and I did it for about 20 years and now sponsor an award of my photography or imaging services each period. I did booth pictures for a half dozen artists this year.
Though there was a mix of responses, overall the artists I spoke to did well. There are two different weeks and new this year were 20 Saturday and Sunday two day spaces on the island in the middle of Penn Ave facing the plaza part of the show. Those Penn Ave spaces were a little confusing on the map sent to artists prior to the show because there had never been booths there before. But the exposure was probably the best in the show and most artists I spoke to mentioned that they would have preferred to be there if they were only going to do two days. The first Saturday I was down there about two hours before the show opened and those spaces were mobbed even before the artists finished setting up.
A little history. This was the third year since they dropped the last week and limited it the show to 10 days instead of 17 days. When they did that, they turned the food booths around to face the park and put about 50 artists booths on the sidewalk lining the perimeter of the park. Those artists faced two problems. The stage is also in the park and the music can be loud, and there is no where close by to unload and dolly from. You can't drive into the park. Additionally they scheduled artists to be in the park even during the week for the first time this year, breaking it up to a seven and a three day period. I think it should have been two five day periods like the plaza spaces, but I guess they felt that having almost the entire show turn over at the same time would have been too much stress on the downtown area with no close place to unload from. There are open surface lots that vans can fit in but they are a few blocks away. The closest parking is the open lot in front of the Post Gazette building a block away. Even closer are two indoor garages that only minivans can fit.
I feel the plaza (between the Gateway Center buildings) is the prime space to be in the show. When I used to do the show, I always opened up around 9:00 (show has always opened at noon) and was able to catch people walking through the plaza on their way to work.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Larry Berman
<a href="http://BermanGraphics.com">http://BermanGraphics.com</a>
412-401-8100
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Comments
Sounds like an interesting set up and wow, to be mobbed wouldn't be a bad thing :)
I was on the street too. Saturday was mobbed. I actually couldn't close until almost 10pm. I only did well though because of volume. Most of my sales were under $45 each. Sunday was weird-the crowd was different, more the "something to do after church" crowd. I did less than 1/3 on Sunday what I did Saturday, but it added up. The street spot was also good because during load in we could park across from our booth & take our time setting up. Load out was dolly only but not too far.
Hi Larry,I was on the street for the last weekend.It was good for me.I know the couple next to me also did well.It was filled with people Sat early.And at 8:30pm I had to close to get something to eat.As I was closing down people were still stopping in.Sun was not as busy in the am.It did pick up in the afternoon.I had a good show overall and I am happy about the spot on the street.To many times shows add spaces that make no sense and do nothing for the artists.This was a good addition and gave all of the artists on the street a good chance to make sales.
This is always an interesting event to visit, be part of and watch as Pittsburgh rebuilds itself graciously into a very cool city.
On another thread there is discussion of performance art at shows -- now this is the kind of performance art I like to see at the shows: The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Does anyone object to this kind of activity at the art fairs?
http://www.examiner.com/article/pittsburgh-symphony-orchestra-perfo...
Also, if you're interested in this show don't miss the slide show at the link above.