Super Well Planned
What an amazingly well structured event this past weekend was! Wow. I’ve done a lot of outdoor art shows in my career, but I don’t think ‘ve ever done one that was this thoughtfully planned. From a neighborhood potluck dinner the evening before straight through to the final packing up process, things were smoothly run and artists-friendly, start to finish!
This show is going to grow. I’m sure of it. I would look for this to become an A+ Regional Show within the next 5 years. If you’re an artist I strongly recommend adding this to your line up. Be sure to bring some introductory lower end pieces with you though. I should have. There were a lot of people from the area with an open mind, but lacking a big art budget. I would like to have had some $20-$25 pieces they could have selected from. I think they would have.
Solidly Good Work
The artists and craftspeople selected were all high caliber. The mix was well put together, and every person’s work was well executed.
Great Music!
They had several music stages, and booked solidly good acts all throughout the day and into the evening. Friday evening’s crowd was happy and had good traffic. Bring your lights – electricity is included in your booth fee. Saturday’s evening crowd dwindled out by where my booth had been located – but seemed to remain pretty thick near the center of the show and the main stage. Sunday’s show traffic was slower than it had been Friday afternoon and Saturday – but the people were super friendly and showed an interest in the art and music – so who knows, if I had had some inexpensive pieces I may have done alright.
They had a variety of food booths, and a beer truck. There were activities for children, and roaming entertainers too! The neighborhood was charming and most of the galleries were open as well adding to the festive atmosphere.
Deserves to Grow
As it was for a fairly new and growing show my sales were decent and I’m looking forward to returning next year. This is a show that deserves to grow. And I think it’s going to.
Amenities for the artists:
- an endless supply of ice water delivered all throughout the day
- tasty boxed lunches
- a hospitality room
- air conditioned clean restroom trailers
- booths were spread out and each was a corner space
- electricity access
- pre-show potluck with yummy food brought by volunteers
- friendly people
Personal Highlights
They awarded my booth an award! THANK you!! (I drew a sketch of the judge dude – because his hat had made an impression on me!)
The band named The Duke of Uke. I didn’t get to hear them live because the stage they played was located far from my booth, but 2 of the band members stopped by and were so delightful I looked them up and have already downloaded some of their fun tunes! I drew them too. See above.
The show has a Facebook page, like it so you can get news for next year’s fest! Here’s their website too.
I have a slideshow on my site's post of this show: http://www.happyart.com/art-shows/upper-tier-hospitality-at-the-lower-town-art-show-in-paducah-ky/
Comments
I was at the end of one of the streets too, and though I noticed definite lulls in our traffic - the people that did come through for the most part were all very friendly and even ready to learn about the work I was showing ( colorful felting) even if they weren't ready or not interested to buy. I continue to think this show will eventually grow to become something that will draw more people into it. I don't think it's there yet - but it shows signs of becoming that.
Jennifer, I know what you mean about the lack of traffic at the ends of the streets. I was the next to last booth at the end of the street and it always seemed like there was more action further in. Where exactly were you set up? I've seen you set up at the SIU sale and such, but do not remember seeing you during my brief ramblings through Lowertown.
Sorry to hear you did not have the best time. I don't know what organizer you talked to but they apparently had their head in a location it would not normally occupy.
Fun review - thank you!
Very good review! I've seen the show losted but had passed on it. I may try it next year :-)
I will certainly agree that the people of Paducah and the art fair staff were very hospitable and the music was great!
Overall, I had a very different experience at this show. I didn't find the set-up/arrangement of the booths to be helpful. I was on a dead end and felt like I often got missed. Based on your account, I certainly got missed by the water guy! When I asked one of the organizers if I had missed the water I was berated and told that I should get my own water.
I had plenty of work in the 20-40 dollar range, but still had a lot of trouble selling. I know that part of the problem was the weather...Man it was hot! It certainly kept people at home.
I'm glad that others had a more positive experience. I really wanted to like this show as I love Paducah!
It deserves your attention Robert. Do bring some introductorily priced pieces though - to help give an art collection foothold to the local crowd. I think they'll appreciate that. I in tend to do just that next year. @Rob I don't know if they've published a list - didn't see one on their site nor Facebook page yesterday.
Yes, the Lowertown show was outstanding. The organizers and volunteers were remarkably nice and helpful (thanks Zach!). Most of the people who stopped in seemed genuinely interested in the art work. The whole operation was very well run and a good time. My only complaint was that my booth was not close enough to the music to hear it clearly.
Congrats on the award of excellence! Have you seen a list of award winners anywhere? I have been trying to figure out how many awards were given/who got them, but have not been able to find a list anywhere.
Marti, great review of this show!
I've wanted to do this show for a couple of years now, but I still haven't made the jump. I had a show at the Yeiser Art Center in Paducah in 2010 and absolutely loved the time I spent in the town. The people are fantastic and they really have a nice area. Great restaurants and nightlife as well. I'm definitely going to have to take a closer look at this show for 2013.