DO NOT ever exhibit at Custer's Last Stand. You probably already know this. In case you took one fellow artist's word for it like I did, you were probably as disappointed as the rest of us last weekend. It's just a drunken street fair flea market. My fault! I should have researched it more. (You warned me, Claudia!)
It inspired me to write about trying to stay positive at a bad show in my blog. I'm sure some of you can relate to the stories I share about this particular craptastic experience.
http://pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2012/06/be-positive-sarah-jessica.html
Hope you had a MUCH MUCH better situation last weekend and that next weekend will be wonderful for all of us.
Crossing my fingers for us!
Wendy
Comments
I did that show about 4 years ago. I've been doing shows for 18 years and it was the absolute worst I have ever done. $5 t-shirts, incense, etc. You name it, it was there.
Hey Wendy, I did Custer's Last year, did make some money, load in and out were ok and was able to stay at a friend's house within walking distance. Given all that, I couldn't bear the thought of watching the stilt walkers and circus side show roam the streets again this year. I was surprised by what I sold, but it wasn't enough to return this year. You are correct, Custer is NOT an art show, it's a neighborhood flea market/party/dog parade. Here's to better sales next weekend. : )
I know this is not an Art Fair, but does anyone have any experience with the Evanston's Ethnic Festival? It will take place in July.
Thanks!! :)
Thank you, Geri!!! I guess I should change my statement to, "Don't ever do Custer's if you want to sell anything." I broke even, but 10 hour days and the worst load-out I've ever experienced should have yielded much more. But I'm still not crying about it!!!
Wendy, your blog was wonderful even if the experience wasn't. With the exception of ACE, I don't think there is a good festival that involves art left in Evanston. Arlington Heights is a good show and should be a pleasant change for you. Good luck this weekend.
Our experience in a number of Chicago shows has been less than exciting. We are now only using Chicago area shows as filler shows. The buyers are not there. I don't understand. The Chicago market show be perfect for our art.
This has nothing to do with Chicago Special Events. Custers Last Stand has always been a flea market. I did it twice, the last time in 1995 (the first time in 1988 or 1989), and have written about my experience in two different blogs where questions were asked about the show.
As for Wells Street, I also did that twice. The first time I had buyers from Old Town walking the show and I came close to having my best ever two day show. The second time I did next to nothing and never went back.
I think the "do not ever do" is a little harsh if you know in advance what you're getting into and maybe need a filler "show" in the Chicago area. The second time I applied, I knew what I was getting into but I needed a show in the area because I had a ticket for the Grateful Dead concert Saturday night in Chicago.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Those guys have a track recording of taking good shows downhill to a lowest common denominator. As far as I concerned, they're toxic. I decided after some very serious thought to bail on FS and just lose the entire booth fee rather than risk losing way more. I don't have confidence in the success of their shows. The only reason I signed up for FS was experience there over 15 years ago. I did Lincoln Park last year and swore I would never do any of their shows. There was a variant of their name on the ZAPP app and I didn't catch it as being the same crowd of clowns. That was an expensive lesson in reading for comprehension =8-o