Just drove home from the Dallas "City Arts 2010" and should have left on opening day.As I hadn't done an indoor show in a few years I had called a couple of weeks in advance when they announced that the show will be held for the first time indoors in the Automotive building, if they would have anyone that rents pipe and drape, the answere I got was "what is pipe and drape?". After explaining what they were she said she would call me back.. After a couple of days I called back and was told of a rental company I could call and rent some for at $45 a day per 10 ft and $90 delivery ,but they were not apposed to us setting up our canopies . No big deal so I just brough my Lite Dome frame and some drapes.. Arrived on Thursday to chech in and set up at Fair park in Dallas. Checked in and asked for my packet, Why would you need a packet or an Artist tag.I was told..again no big deal, I go into the building find my corner and set up, the A/C was off, again no biggie, for sure it will be on for the show. Remember this is Texas in May.
The show starts at 6PM on Friday till 10 PM for VIP's. The crowd of VIP's was underwelming to say the least but I was one of the lucky ones and did $1200. Most that I talked to did zero. BTW the A/C still hadn't been turned on. On Saturday they claimed on their web site 12,000 people were in attendance "No way" maybe and that's a big maybe 2,500 and most of them just happen to drop in because they came .....now get this for the "Craft" show that was in another building which we were never told of and had sticker shock when seeing Art for Thousands of dollars when they came to buy and look at $10 whirlly birds. Again no A/C untll 5PM and by that time you couldn't have cooled the building down, most were going back outside to cool down. This show had some fantastic Art, a lot of very high end Art and most said they will never be back. Sunday (Mothers Day) was no better. I at least made expences but most didn't and I talked to at least 20 who did zero.
Why, with the resourses of Dallas cant they at least put on a show even 1/2 of Houston's" Bayou's", even" The Woodlands Waterways",, Ft. Worths "Main Street", Southlake, Austin etc.
Comments
I agree, we need to work together to make Zapp responsible for the shows they advertise.
And MANY THANKS for a venue like this where we can get honest feedback about shows.
The Automobile Building showcased the artists but across the way was the Centennial Building which showcased buy/sell. I walked through there and it also had art in it. Not as big of a crowd and some of those people left on Saturday night.
500 inc. needs to decide if they want this to be an art festival or a market. If it's a market then get the buy/sell and forget the art. I keep hoping they will get it that if you keep the artists happy then the festival will be a big hit for all. Artists cannot help but feel that they were "used" for their money. Volunteers were in tears after some conversations with artists. It was heartbreaking. I genuinely would like to be on board the show together and work towards a great show for Dallas.
A glass artist next to me left after the 4pm flyer went around. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. I was packing up by 5 as was everyone else.
Too bad because Dallas has such a potential for a great show but no one has caught on to exploiting that yet.
I won't be doing CityArts again.
I feel like i was manipulated into this show with false information that is posted on Zapp. I could go into details But what's the point i would advise everyone to stay away from CITY ARTS FESTIVAL DALLAS.
I have done over 200 Juried shows and this may have been the worst.
How do we make Zapp Investigate what a show says about itself on Zapp ???
Was this event positioned as a "Bayou City"? Did people know that, or was it positioned as a "gallery type event?" Who was the organizer?