Posted by steve appel on October 6, 2010 at 9:13am
This past weekend i did a show in Boulder City NV. Art in the Park. I walked the park after setting up and noticed a lot of buy/sell. One park had nothing but buy/sell. The fine art park was rather skimpy when it came to filling a park. It was 1/2 full. The art was very good with some b/s. Most artists had their own art and then there were one or two that had b/s. The other three parks had scattered booths of buy sell. What is the arts and crafts show coming to and when are they going to clean their act up.
This show had b/s back in the '80s when I did it a few times. Since the show is a fundraiser for the Hospital, there has always been more interest in money earned for that hospital than the quality of the show. And, 25 years ago, there was only one medium-sized show in one park! The only way you can do something with this show - and others like it - is word of mouth, research, look at the artist list for the previous year (start this search as soon as the info comes out for the current or next year, since a show may delete the previous year's artist list when they update their info). This show, in particular, will never really get rid of b/s because so many good artists have stopped doing it - for years! And they need to fill those parks!
As much as I agree with your post, my wife and I have been very successful at shows with moderate amounts of 'those folks'. When they become the majority, it's time to move on.
michelle, If i were running the show i would take the time to walk the show. i would make notes of the booths that had buy/sell in them and not invite them back. if i was unsure of the booth i have friends that i could depend on. I did walk the fine art park and someone was pulling out little stuffed animals on string. She was pulling them out of prewraped packages The people who jury the show are people who work at the hospital. When i talk to other artists and mention this show the 50.00 is a turn off. this show used to be 25.00 to jury.
i did write a letter to the promoter and got a very good response and am quite satisfied with it. She did walk part of the show and certain people will not be allowed back in. As far as buy/sell PVC bow and arrows. One booth i could understand but to be found in two booths. I also had people come into my booth and complain. my work is handmade not buy sell. i think after the 4 emails i received before reading your post something may happen
How timely! I have been devoting several questions of my 40 Questions Craft Artist Blog Series - posted here (you may have to scroll and find past posts) as well as on my own blog www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com . In the past few question - I'd say 31-33 - I have covered things such as how to compete against re-sell, how to approach promoters regarding reporting re-sell at shows, as well as what "buy/sell" is (and for future reference buy/sell really is just re-sell...) and why it is around. Of course there is still more, and will cover that in questions 34 and 35... Seeing how passionate you are about the topic - I encourage you to share your thoughts and comment on those blog questions - some are pretty lively and full of great comments.
With regard to your post however, I have to ask a few questions. It seems like the overall thing I get from your post is that "everyone" at the event was a re-seller, there isn't a whole lot of care and thought in coordinating that particular Art in the Park event, and you want something done. What would you like to see done differently if you were in charge of that event? I love hearing how someone is upset about a situation, but then give up my hopes up as "no one" ever seems to offer their own personal solutions. Of course it is a topic that could be discussion for decades, but if you were given all the resources in the world, what would you do differently in that particular situation to make it better? That is the thousand dollar question with the answer being worth millions!
My other question with regard to the Art in the Park is what was stated on the application? Handmade only? Art only? Was it a juried art event or not really? These are the meat and potatoes that help us get a better picture of the event. Not all "Art in the Park" events are created equal and some of this can be identified in the fine print of each application. If it is hyped up as a professionally juried show, high space fees, and so on and so forth - yeah, you have every right to be upset! However, if it is more casual and there are possible inklings that some re-sell may be present - you can probably assume that there will be more re-sell than true art from artists present. This is why I personally do as much research on each show I am about to apply to - read reviews, contact people who did the show in the past, walk the show, etc. to get a really good idea of what the show REALLY is like.
Also what was some of the re-sell you saw? I have heard people complain - at past shows I have done - and make a blanket statement that the show was 100% "re-sell" stuff from China. I look at the same show and might be able to recognize 1-2 in each aisle, but the others didn't see it. I am curious, if you wish to divulge, what were some specific re-sell items you saw at this show?
I would, if you are able to find a couple of minutes of your time, write a business letter to the people who organized the show. I would introduce yourself, mention that you are an artist (if you are one), you had a space at the event, and what you specialize in with a brief background in what you do - this gives the promoter/show organizer the ability to identify with you. Then I would comment - without it being full of emotional slashings - what you saw going on at the event that worked and didn't work. Give your opinion regarding the location, the time of year, loading in and out, etc. I then would make suggestions - suggest things like ideas regarding making the show a juried event for artists and list some shows that you do that are successful in their jurying, ask if you could be on their jury (especially if you do have a knack for spotting re-sell"), etc. Depending on how you word the letter you can either come across as snide or as a Prima Donna, but if done correctly come across as a genuine artist who is truly concerned with the way art fairs are going and really want to WORK WITH PROMOTERS to help make them better and ultimately more successful for both parties - the craft artists as well as the promoter too.
It seems more often that shows are allowing re-sell to creep in mostly due to not being able to fill the show with true artists - a show with just a few exhibitors is a poor show for them because who would come to a small event like that - especially if admission is involved? To them - I think the theory is it is better to have a full show with whoever can fill the spaces so at least there will be happy patrons and perhaps it will be better next year. Of course that is just a theory... I just have to say it is tough being a promoter in this economy just as it is being an artist. Hopefully a movement will come out of all of this to make people more aware of how re-sell -at shows - isn't the way to go! - Michelle
Comments
i did write a letter to the promoter and got a very good response and am quite satisfied with it. She did walk part of the show and certain people will not be allowed back in. As far as buy/sell PVC bow and arrows. One booth i could understand but to be found in two booths. I also had people come into my booth and complain. my work is handmade not buy sell. i think after the 4 emails i received before reading your post something may happen
With regard to your post however, I have to ask a few questions. It seems like the overall thing I get from your post is that "everyone" at the event was a re-seller, there isn't a whole lot of care and thought in coordinating that particular Art in the Park event, and you want something done. What would you like to see done differently if you were in charge of that event? I love hearing how someone is upset about a situation, but then give up my hopes up as "no one" ever seems to offer their own personal solutions. Of course it is a topic that could be discussion for decades, but if you were given all the resources in the world, what would you do differently in that particular situation to make it better? That is the thousand dollar question with the answer being worth millions!
My other question with regard to the Art in the Park is what was stated on the application? Handmade only? Art only? Was it a juried art event or not really? These are the meat and potatoes that help us get a better picture of the event. Not all "Art in the Park" events are created equal and some of this can be identified in the fine print of each application. If it is hyped up as a professionally juried show, high space fees, and so on and so forth - yeah, you have every right to be upset! However, if it is more casual and there are possible inklings that some re-sell may be present - you can probably assume that there will be more re-sell than true art from artists present. This is why I personally do as much research on each show I am about to apply to - read reviews, contact people who did the show in the past, walk the show, etc. to get a really good idea of what the show REALLY is like.
Also what was some of the re-sell you saw? I have heard people complain - at past shows I have done - and make a blanket statement that the show was 100% "re-sell" stuff from China. I look at the same show and might be able to recognize 1-2 in each aisle, but the others didn't see it. I am curious, if you wish to divulge, what were some specific re-sell items you saw at this show?
I would, if you are able to find a couple of minutes of your time, write a business letter to the people who organized the show. I would introduce yourself, mention that you are an artist (if you are one), you had a space at the event, and what you specialize in with a brief background in what you do - this gives the promoter/show organizer the ability to identify with you. Then I would comment - without it being full of emotional slashings - what you saw going on at the event that worked and didn't work. Give your opinion regarding the location, the time of year, loading in and out, etc. I then would make suggestions - suggest things like ideas regarding making the show a juried event for artists and list some shows that you do that are successful in their jurying, ask if you could be on their jury (especially if you do have a knack for spotting re-sell"), etc. Depending on how you word the letter you can either come across as snide or as a Prima Donna, but if done correctly come across as a genuine artist who is truly concerned with the way art fairs are going and really want to WORK WITH PROMOTERS to help make them better and ultimately more successful for both parties - the craft artists as well as the promoter too.
It seems more often that shows are allowing re-sell to creep in mostly due to not being able to fill the show with true artists - a show with just a few exhibitors is a poor show for them because who would come to a small event like that - especially if admission is involved? To them - I think the theory is it is better to have a full show with whoever can fill the spaces so at least there will be happy patrons and perhaps it will be better next year. Of course that is just a theory... I just have to say it is tough being a promoter in this economy just as it is being an artist. Hopefully a movement will come out of all of this to make people more aware of how re-sell -at shows - isn't the way to go! - Michelle