Starting this post off by admitting to a little laziness, but well, my “day job” has been busier than usual lately and since we headed out on our almost 3 week road trip right in the middle of a  huge amount of work I haven’t had much time for writing or even thinking about writing lately.

I did review the first of our 3 Oregon shows, Astoria Crab, Seafood and Wine fest, you can read about it here:  http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/astoria-oregon-seafood-and-wine-festival-april-2012

From Astoria we headed east to Portland OR where we camped for the next several days just outside of Portland, OR.  Met Joe Clifton and his wonderful wife Mackie for dinner one evening in Portland at The Sextant, good food, good drinks, reasonably priced and a great view of the sailboats on the Columbia River.  Our next show was in Corvallis OR on May 5^th, a one day show that is held in conjunction with their Mom’s weekend events on the OSU campus.  I have to admit to a little “set up” envy as Joe and Mackie started unloading shortly after we did and were done way before us.  In fact, I think they were totally packed and gone at the end of the day before we had hauled our first load of stuff to the truck.  But, I digress, still it was amazing to see!  I usually thoroughly research a show before we do it,  but somehow on this one the details didn’t stand out and I hadn’t realized it was a same day load in and load out for a one day show until shortly before the show.  I also hadn’t realized that you had to haul everything to your spot, no cars were allowed in.  Uggg, talk about a test of endurance and stamina.   That being said, some artists did drive in and then by the time the rest of us had our booths set up, had a horrible time getting their cars out.  There were also some who decided to drive in during load out making it very difficult for those of us with hand trucks trying to get our stuff out to get past their vehicles. 

We lucked out with a good weather day, some artists (like Joe) didn’t even bother putting up a canopy.  We decided to put up the Caravan canopy, but without walls.  First time we’ve used our old canopy in 4 years since we bought a Lite Dome, but it was so much easier for a one day show.  The sun flirted with us all day but didn’t quite live up the weather forecaster’s predictions.  We all live in the Pacific NW where we understand the term “sun breaks” and enjoyed them for the short time they lasted and we were grateful that is didn’t rain, after the previous week’s rainy spring showers. 

The crowd was a little slow to start, but, this is a college town and the students were there with their Moms and several different Moms brunches were advertised on campus.  Sales for the first 3 hours were very steady and then died to a trickle with about ½ as many sales in the last 4 hours of the show compared to the first 3 hours.  It’s an inexpensive show to do with just $100 booth fee.  Overall we made money, but it seemed like a really long day and a lot of effort for the money we did make.   As we were packing up we were remembering why we didn’t like one day outdoor shows, so much work to set up and take down on the same day.

So why did we do this show? Our thought was that it would fit nicely into our Oregon Road trip schedule.  The show in Astoria the weekend before, the weekend after in southern Oregon for Medford’s Art in Bloom and a one day show on the Saturday in between to make a little money, leaving Sunday free to drive to Medford.  Sunday was a wonderful day for a drive with lots of sunshine and warmer temperatures as we headed south.  We spent the next week camped on the banks of the Rogue River enjoying warm weather and sunshine with a couple of family evenings getting together with a few members of our extended family that we hadn’t seen in well over a decade.  That alone, made us glad to be in the area.

Friday night load in for Medford Art in Bloom began at 7 PM.  This was a show we had heard good things about before we signed up for it, then after signing up heard a few mixed reviews.  Their pre-show organization left a lot to be desired so we were kind of wondering what we were getting ourselves into.  Their notification was 2 weeks late and for a show that notifies April 1 for a May 12 show, they aren’t leaving room for delays.  Once we were accepted we did receive the contract 3 different times, contract says no commission, email said there was commission, so we’re just a little  confused.  But, since the contract said no commission, we were going on the assumption that a signed contract was more binding than an email.

Friday night we wandered into downtown Medford and found lots of people setting up before 7 PM so we were able to obtain our booth assignment and actually get set up before 7 PM, ending up with an earlier night than expected.  Our biggest challenge was getting the truck out after we had unloaded and set up as the streets and adjoining parking lots were pretty jammed by that time.  All the booths on Main Street were set up in quads, giving everyone the advantage of a corner booth.  During load in we were told by another artist that the show was smaller than previous years.  Good, we thought, less competition, nice to go into a show with a positive attitude.

Unfortunately Medford’s Art in Bloom was not the show we were hoping for, sales were very slow for almost everyone, except those selling yard art.  The show was at least 25% jewelry, we got really tired of the comments, “Oh another jewelry booth”, “more jewelry”, etc.  Sales on Saturday were very disappointing, we didn’t even make our booth fee until Sunday which for us is a pathetic show given the booth fee was only $200.  We also unfortunately, had a pair of earrings stolen which made me grumble a bit.   A photographer we know who was also at the show was not having a good show, he was way down from previous years, other artists said it was okay, but honestly, no one other than the yard art folks indicated they had a good show, that was about the only style of art I regularly saw passing our booth that had been purchased.  The weekend was hot, temperatures in the low 90’s, the first really warm weekend of the year, so that might have impacted the crowds a bit, but overall, there were a lot of lookers, not many buyers.  Load out was relatively easy, but totally uncontrolled as artists started driving vehicles in even before the show was officially over.  The most difficult part of load out was the 90+ temperatures making everyone a little cranky.  This is a show we won’t even try again, realistically we didn’t even come close to breaking even by the time we include gas, camping fees and the booth fee.   For us it’s the first time in several years where we’ve actually lost money at a show, we had a couple of break even shows last year, but losing money?  That hadn’t happened since we were newbies and choosing the wrong shows to participate in.  So unfortunately, we were left with a long drive home on Monday, tired and a little discouraged as we realized this was truly the worst show we’ve had in several years and the longest (8 hours) drive we’ve done thus far.

Glad to be home and getting ready for our 4 day show over Memorial Day weekend, hoping for better results.   

Has any one done the Hotworks show in Oct in Estero Fl or have any opinions on it. I know that alot of snow birds come in Nov but leave again for the holidays. End of Oct?  Any experience with this show would be appreciated!

Has anyone done this show in Dallas? It has been held at the Fair Park in Dallas. It is supposed to be pretty big.

At first glance Crozet Art Festival looks like a county fair where someone stole the Ferris wheel.  It has a train and bouncy house for the kiddies and last year there was a roving guy doing card tricks. There’s also some sort of wine tasting going on. There’s a little something for everyone and the art can be described that way too.  Bonsai trees, hand made marbles, and some kind of herbs to large abstract paintings.  I did not see any Nerf bow and arrows though.  This is a local show for me and I did reasonably well.  I lost some sales to the fact that I am local but then again I’ve already added an additional sale of two framed pieces to someone who saw me at the show and called this morning.

Artists are set up in three locations, two pole barns and a big tent.  Free electricity is provided and lights are needed if you are in a pole barn or the interior of the big tent.  The pole barns do not have sides, roof only and they do not order the sides for the big tent unless bad weather is called for.  You are not allowed to put up your entire tent, only the frame so you will need clamps and tarps to close up for the night if you have one of the exterior locations.  The exactly 10’ by 10’ booth space must be a Virginia thing because that is what you get here although you can pay extra for a space and a half.

I was happy with my sales but I also had very low expenses and wasn’t expecting much.  I would think twice about traveling a distance to come to this show especially if I had large expensive work.  It’s a nice filler show to do.

Load in and out are fairly easy.  Depending on your location you might have some dollying.  A friend helped me with backing up so I was able to get right up by my booth for both load in and breakdown.  Depending on your location and how early you arrive you can usually park fairly close to your booth during the show.

Food – Do not miss the river biscuits on Sunday morning served before the show opens.  There is also free coffee and pastries provided each morning.   The barbeque is good.  I can’t speak for anything else.  For dinner, Clif and I headed into town for Crozet Pizza which is a fixture in Crozet.  Clif had hung out there as a teenager.  It is a pretty interesting place and good pizza.

Hi! I'm fairly new here on ArtFairInsiders, but not new to the art festival scene.  I posted some questions on an old blog from last year, to a few artists who mentioned that they were doing Buffalo Grove, when Connie Mettler asked "what are you doing this weekend"?  ...but, I haven't received any responses.  Soooooooo, I was wondering if anyone out there has any information regarding their experience at this art festival?? Thanks so much for your time!  Alice

And God said, I will smite your tent down with wind and rain and hail.
And Lo, the security guard will raise you from your slumber and lead you to your crushed and sagging tent. He will provide you with light and encouragement in your hour of need.

But beware the False-prophet who will stop and with forked tongue declare your type of tent is banned from many-a-fair, or at least Columbus. He will try to distract you from your work but he will offer no assistance.

And you will lose all hope as you attempt to rid the canopy of the gallons of water that have crushed it. You will void your tent of its water with a pocket knife by puncturing it 9 times. And you will have to break many supports to get underneath it.

 The bent and twisted tent will rest on top of your pedestals on your center table. As you raise it up you will discover  your ceramics knocked to the ground and jostled to the side, and you will be Sore Afraid. But you will discover that nary a piece is broken, cracked or chipped. And you will be amazed.  Other artists will not be so lucky and you will know you have been chosen.

  And you will take this as a sign. Your first born son, hearing your wailing and gnashing of teeth,  will declare: Father, should we give up, pack and go home? But you will not despair, only wail and gnash some more, then go out in very very early Sabbath morn , and I will provide for you. You will scavenge bricks  block, wood and Bar, and you will resurrect  your tent from the soggy ashes (and you will remember to  seek out the vendors who 'contributed' to your resurrection in the morning's light to explain your thefts).

You will then take inspiration offered from your offspring, remove all the artwork, rearrange your pedestals and tables so as to hide the destruction and the center pole. And you will be grateful that I sent your first born on this expedition to assist you as you cannot do this on your own.

And lo on Sunday morn, the sun will shine, the ravenous crowds will come forth in great hoardes, and they will wonder at your artwork. Any your son will rise at noon.

Man and woman alike will place money and credit cards on your table and you will make many sales, though not as many as the bearded Prophet with the Double wide Skylight  kitty-corner to you.

 You will be wise, take the money I have provided you in the face of disaster, and you will seek out a new, worthier canopy. You will turn a deaf ear to the vendor across the way who admonishes you for having an unworthy tent from Cosco  instead of the superior Walmart pop-up, and you will know it could have been any of the other 20 or more Ez-Ups that escaped my wrath THIS TIME. You will remember the other 4 destroyed Ez-Ups at the fair, and you will know that no foam-swimming-noodle could have altered my wrath. And  you will see the light.

You will have a vision of your Sta-Bar you used to support your demolished tent, and you will seek a tent made of that very same mettle and know that it is special, although a bit heavy.  And you will purchase a Flourish Trimline with Sta-Bar and you will not look back, lest you be turned to stone. You will know the added weight and  time for setup will lead to comfort in trying times and you will be glad you paid through the nose for this tent. You will give me thanks as you carry the Old One to the dumpster as even the zippers will work on your new canopy which always bothered you with the Pop-up. You will be joyful because the Trimline walls will even fit in their carry bag, which the Pop-up never did. You will consider it more than a long overdue investment for the future, it is a gift .

You will be thankful for the three years the Pop-up lasted and know you are meant  to upgrade. And Lo, from this day forward  light will shine brightly through your  own Double Wide Skylight on your artwork. Your Ceramics  will be much admired by the descending hoards and will find safe harbor from the fury of the summer storms to come.  

And you will  go forth and preach the good news to all Art Fair creation and make disciples of your new canopy and break the cycle of the Eternal Occurrence of the Same.

Amen

As part of our Birthday Party Pledge Drive we are hosting a special podcast on Tuesday, May 15 at 4:30 pm ET.

Listen Here.

Connie will talk with Wendy Rosen, whose Rosen Group developed the first nationwide wholesale marketplace for craftsmen, The Buyer's Market of American Craft. Wendy has a wide ranging background in the fine art and craft business and has been a passionate spokesman for Made in America crafts. And now she is running for Congress in Maryland!

Please join us for this "sure to be" interesting conversation. We'll have lots to talk about including how you can get involved and help get Arts issues in front of Congress.  Learn more.

If you have questions you'd like me to ask Wendy please add them in the comments below or email me.

I just completed another 2 shows which wraps up my autumn (fall) season.   I usually go into winter hiatus now working and start shows again in spring.   My first was a private school annual fair.  The area is semi rural to rural, lots of horsey people (as in, into horses), horse studs and coal mines nearby where the workers gets paid extremely well so generally a well to do area.  The women are traditional with a little fashion thrown in.

Looking down the "market" lane during set up ... before the crowds arrived.

The market area of the fair has grown substantially over the years - I've been going there for six years now and every year is different.  Four years ago I was in the street all by my lonesome... while there wasn't any other draw to pull them out, I did quite okay - the lack of competition probably helped!   The last three years they've built the booth numbers up and this year there were 57.   About half of these were buy/sell and half handmade.   There were two other people with jewellery in my price range and both also sold other women's goods - eg. scarves and clothes also buy/sell.   There were three other lower end jewellery booths as well- two handmade and one buy/sell.       A lot of handmade children's accessories, some gourmet food products,  womens accessories (not jewellery) and house products.  No art per-se.  Definitely set up with booths aimed at mother's day which was the next day.    Set up was from 6.30am for a 9.30am start, although most people didn't arrive till closer to noon.    You couldn't leave before 3pm although I didn't start to pack up till 4pm when most people had left.    You could drive in and unload /pack adjacent to your booth but had to move your vehicle asap out of the street.

I was in a prime position near the front gate of the school (the market is on the street adjacent to the school entrance) on a corner, and masses of people went by entering the school and looking around.     However I had a the two buy/sell jewellery and women's accessories products close by - one as a neighbour and one a walkway and extra booth away.   My neighbour had a brilliant day going by watching her count out her $50 notes half way through the day!  She probably did twice my sales, but most of that was in brightly coloured Chinese made scarves and wraps.

As it was for a school there were lots of children around, and the day before mothers day I had little girls coming into the booth with $25 asking if I had anything they could buy for mum.   (As an aside,  I haven't had time to check my stock, but I hope there were no light fingers around - I know I stopped one little group of girls (about 9 years old) who I overheard say "there's no one here, I guess we can just take one"!   Then they saw me hovering between my booth and the next (I was minding the neighbour's for a few minutes) and they laughed nervously, got embarrassed and ran off!  My neighbour suspected one of her bracelets was taken by a young girl later in the day. )

There were some mums buying gifts for themselves, and others doing last minute shopping for mum.   And a few bought for themselves.    Lots of lookers, but most carrying bags of some description.   All in all I was pleased with the day's sales -it wasn't mind blowing but it was definitely a good show.  Booth fee was $100 and I comfortably made 10x after expenses.

The second show was a one-off art festival in a remote but known to be "arty" country town about 2 hours drive away.    I was asked by the organiser to attend as she had seen my work somewhere else a few years ago and had kept my card.    I had the option of indoor or outdoor and chose indoor with electricity.  Everyone else had chosen outdoor though and it was with many misgivings after I received the site plan a few days prior that it was just me and an art exhibition in the hall.   I hoped someone would come in to see the art!!  

They wanted people set up from 10.00am but when I arrived at 8.30 there wasn't a soul in the streets.   I stood out there a few minutes in the sunshine (it was a very brisk morning!) and someone drove past and screeched to a halt.  It was the organiser and she wasn't expecting anyone till around 9am as everyone else was at church (which got out at 9am).   She drove away and came back a few minutes later with the keys and told me to set up wherever I liked and dashed off.   We looked at the exhibition and picked a nice sunny spot near a window since it was rather chilly to set up in.  One of the ladies arrived shortly after and so did the other stall holders.   There were 30 booths and what a mixture - local products (eg wine, emu oils, wood), books, good coffee, local lamb for lunch, an artist with her work and painting at the same time, some folk music,  etc.

We had positioned ourselves in amongst the art so that if anyone came through, they would see us.  We found out the art on display was all from the local area and most was for sale - from $30-$850.    This fact brought all my ideal clientele in - rural ladies over 40 -  with some husbands too,  and they sold quite a few pieces of art during the day, (I believe the top price paid was $650) - including one to me!

I had steady sales throughout the day - more sales than the day before, but most of them were of a lower value.   Most were buying for themselves (including a number of the organisers who kept dashing past me) but a couple of younger harried looking mums were cross at not getting a mums day pressie and bought their own!

I did hear that the non-art and non-food people didn't do well at all.  The wind had increased and it stayed cold (but sunny) and this probably impacted on people's spending - they kept their hands warm and in their pockets!    The people who were there came to look at and buy art rather than products it seemed.   Booth fee was a mere $25 so not much to cover in expenses.

After such a good weekend I can now rest happily and gaze at my new painting .

So who's coming to live downunder!?  Buy/sell is rampant but the customers still buy art :)

Deleted Blog

Connie and I have discussed this post and I have decided to delete it in the interest of fairness to the artists that have been offended. Serious issues such as this cannot be settled in such a public forum.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

July 15





10am-5pm
120 artists




Does the city of Kenosha, WI, have a place in your art fair future? Located



between Chicago and Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, Kenosha lures city people to this verdant community on this summer weekend.


One  day art fairs are great. Visitors await them all year and know that the  buying is "now or never." Art fairs associated with a cultural  institution bring the audience you are looking for. This is a beautiful  park setting with up to 10,000 people in attendance. It is one of the  most popular art fairs in the area with cash prizes of $1250.00.


The  art fair is the Friends of the Kenosha Public Museums largest  fundraiser of the year. Artists return year after year due to its  popular appeal.





What's not to like?



Have you had some larger than life clients?  I've had some wonderful ones, some difficult ones and some REALLY interesting ones.  I wrote about one of my most memorable clients in my blog today. 

http://www.pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2012/05/mood-swinging-with-biker-chick.html

I think most of us artists are open minded, but if you are squeamish about language, this one is a little bluer than usual, due to my need to quote my client accurately.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Be paid to have your work exhibited! Who ever heard of such a concept?

June 22-24
Detroit Riverfront
Deadline: May 20

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, sponsors of the River Days Festival, is hosting ArtScape, June 22-24, an open art competition in which winners are awarded more than $15,000 in cash prizes. Every artist whose work is accepted will receive a cash award of $500.00.  Jury fee: $20

The purpose of the event is to promote arts and culture in Detroit and showcase the Detroit Riverfront. The new attractions is intended to raise the already renowned quality of programming and culture at River Days, as well as to promote the Arts to the Metro community and specifically the 100,00 people that annually attend the River Days Festival.

All work submitted would be judged by a panel of experts, who will select 10 pieces of artwork, to be shown at the Detroit River Art Scape 2012.

PRIZES AND AWARDS:

• Each selected finalist will receive a $500.00 award for displaying his or her winning artwork at the Detroit River Art Scape 2012.
• Other awards are $2,500.00 first place awarded by the jurors and another $2,500.00 will be voted on by the public.
• $1,500.00 second place awarded by the jurors and another $1,500.00 will be voted on by the public.
• $500.00 third place will by awarded by the jurors and another $500.00 will be voted on by the public.

There will be a drawing from the Public Choice voters, and the selected person will win $1000.00 worth of prizes.

Learn more:
www.juriedartservices.com

Susan and I have been exhibiting at this event for 10 years or more.  The art section is considered secondary to the music lineup.  But what we have found out over the years is that the crowds are strong and there are many loyal art buyers that attend Sunfest for the art first and the music 2nd.  The event is located on A-1A right on the water.

The jury fee is $30 with the booth fee being $300.  Any corner location is an additional $50 and there are many more requests than available corner spaces.  We are one of the few lucky artists to obtain a corner space.  The music starts on Wednesday with the Art Show beginning Friday at 5:00 pm.  Art show hours are Friday 5 - 10, Sat. 12 - 10 and Sun. 12 - 9.  Yes these are long hours and there are times during the afternoon where the customer traffic can be light.  But once 4:00 comes each day the customer crowds pick up and continue to grow the rest of the evening.  Be prepared to have booth lights for the evening hours, especially from 7 - 10 pm.  Sunfest includes electricity to all exhibitors which is included in the booth fee cost.  They also provide free parking in a local parking garage about a block away for the 3 days.  Looking for a hotel/motel shouldn't be difficult as many options are available and relatively close.  We were able to find a special Sunfest rate at the Holiday Inn for $79/night about 5 miles away.

Set up starts on Friday at 10:00 am and goes on till 4:00.  The set-up is pretty smooth with very little hassle. Sunfest offers art exhibitors a nice dinner at 4:00 pm friday before the art show starts that consists of Lasagne, Salad, italion bread and your choice of water, lemonade, ice tea or beer.  Snacks, fruit and water, ice tea or lemondae are offered throughout the show at the artist oasis.  Btw I love their lemonade and drink it all weekend.   I heard that over 2000 cups were used by the artist and volunteers for the weekend.

Judging starts on Friday around 5:00 pm and the judge does enter your booth and reviews each artist body of work, even asking questions if need be.  Total prize money is $13,500 with overall best of show being $2000.

I counted 160 artist exhibiting.  The category breakdown is:

Glass  -  9 (5%),  Jewlry - 28 (17.5%),  MM 2-D & 3-D  - 22 (13.75%),  Painting - 37 (23%),  Watercolor - 5 (3%),  Woodwork - 9 (5.5%),Pottery/Ceramics - 7 (4%),  Fine Art Sculpture/Metal 10, Drawings/Graphics or Printmaking - 8 (5%) (6.25%),  Fiber/Textiles - 7 (4%), Photography - 11 (6.9%)  and Fine Craft - 7 (4%).

The art show chairman Will White and his vice chairman Phil Barbee are seasoned veterans.  They assemble a solid support staff that will help you any way you need including booth sitting and stocking the artist oasis with snacks, fruit and beverages throughout the event.  Everyone is friendly and prepared.  Will and Phil are on site the entire show and do whatever they can to make sure the artist have a pleasant Sunfest experience.

Sales can be very good at this event. It is my opinion in order to optimize your sales you should have something that is either tropical, contemporary, very unique and a wide price range that are $25 -  originals.  There is some extremely high value, tremendous art being sold here.   You have a mix of young people to wealthy socialites.  It amazes me each year how many young kids buy art.  I don't know where they get the $$$$'s but as long as they spend it on art work, I don't really care.  We even had George Hamilton come to our booth and strike up a conversation with Susan while she was demonstrating.  I did speak to a photographer who has been a loyal exhibitor for 28 years at Sunfest and he stated that sales had been good for him this year.  Another photographer didn't faire as well.  A metal clock sculpture was busy with sales all weekend.  Our neighbor a mixed media artist/painter did very well.  Both Susan and I had another stellar Sunfest.  We sold two originals to a wealthy West Palm Beach socialite and two one-of-a-kind pieces as well as other framed and mounted pieces.  It was the 3rd weekend in a row we had a "home run" art show. There is hope in Florida.

Sunfest concludes on Sunday night at 9:00 pm. with a 20 minute or so spectacular fireworks display on the water.  Susan and I take this time to relax in our booth observing the fireworks.  When the fireworks conclude the tear down begins.  We managed to get all packed up and on our way home by midnight.  Everything went smoothly as Will and Phil and their staff always do a bang up job facilitaing the tear down.  By the time we arrived home it was 3:05 am.  I can't say that we are an advocate for the late Sunday hours, but I know it's just one time a year so we accept it and sleep in till we wake up  which in this years case was past 1:00 pm Monday.

There is plenty of opportunity for artist to make $$$ at Sunfest.  Come to exhibit with an open mind, be prepared for the long hours and all types of art customers.

This was the first year for this event, and I know lots of artists won't do first year shows...I, however, choose to support new shows and events when I can (they have to start somewhere, don't they?)  As a stained glass artist, my customer base is different from the canvas artists, sculptors, etc, just as their customers are different from mine. so my experience will be different from other artists.  There were about 70 artists, I think, representing a good variety of media.  All of the booths on the main street were far enough apart, so that 3 sides of the booth had visibility, for those of us who chose to  open our booth completely.

There was a TON of advertising for this event, and signs all over town, even an electric sign just off I-4 heading into town.  They TV and radio ads and spots, as well as print media.

The promoters are very artist oriented, in that they and their volunteers (which were plentiful) made the rounds regularly to be sure we had water or soda, or needed a short break.  There was a breakfast both days of breakfast bars and sweet rolls, bagels, and fresh fruit to go with our coffee. They even brought a nice sandwich and soda for lunch on Saturday!  Restrooms were plentiful and nearby.  Parking was plentiful and close.

I always choose to set up as early as possible.  Load in on Friday afternoon was smooth and unhurried.  My booth space was on the street (they all were), and I was fortunate enough to be under a tree, which made the 90+ degree heat a little more bearable.  I got there early on Saturday to arrange my work in the booth.

Over the 2 days there were never any huge crowds, but there was a steady flow of folks all day both days.  I did not notice many purchases going by my booth on Saturday, and my sales were slow.  My immediate neighbors commented theirs were, as well.  Sunday I noticed more purchases passing my booth, and one neighbor said she had good sales on Sunday, which redeemed the show for her.  I was alone in my booth, so could not get out to talk to other artists, but I did hear reports of other artists doing quite well.  I did not make expenses, but I can't say I thoght it was a bad show.

Load out on Sunday was a breeze.

All in all, I understand that the Florida shows this year have been disappointing.  This new show, in my opinion, is one that has potential for future years.  I probably won't do it again, only because the 8 hour drive, and the cost of diesel fuel added to hotel  and the fees to do the show just make it cost prohibitive for me.

This week in New York City there is a big art extravaganza taking place, the Frieze Art Fair on Randall'sIsland, where they've erected the "world's largest tent." It is a temporary architectural piece that is holds the exhibits from international galleries, hoping to cash in on the important art auctions at Sotheby's and Christie's.

Actually, there was some flap on this, as the Frieze was accused of treading on already established art fairs in NYC, including the trendy Armory Show just two weeks ago. Imagine such a concept! It doesn't happen only at our events, folks.

Can't resist including this link from the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/really-you-call-this-art_n_1477854.html

Hope you'll enjoy these images and maybe post some of your own!

More links about Frieze:

Saltz: Why the Frieze Art Fair Could Solve the New York Art Fair Problem

Occupy pledges to ‘un-Frieze’ art fair

This is my review of the just concluded (Paragon) Silver Spring art festival. I got there the morning of saturday so load in was a breeze, although I heard it was hectic for those who set up on Friday.

Saturday started with a bang, Sold one of my biggest piece to the first lady that walked in my booth then felt I will be a rich man by the end of the day at this rate. At the end of the day I sold mostly small framed and unframed pieces at a steady pace, was very impressed with my earnings.

Sunday started slowly but sales continued, by 3pm I was happy with my gains, having just come back from NO jazzfest with an exceptional gross sales, I wasnt expecting what Silver Spring had to offer. The crowd on both days were steady and buying, most of those I spoke to were having a good show. Weather was good with a little threat of rain. On my final hour a lady that had spoken with me on Saturday contemplating my biggest ticket item came back with her husband I guess to approve the purchase, he raised his nose and I think disapproved based on the price of the piece, $2500, they walked away and I saw them coming back with a big piece of art work in his hands, I thought for sure the sale was blown. Then I heard them arguing  and she came in alone with him walking away refusing to turn around when she called onto him. She shouted $^%&#@ and turned to me saying she is taking it. I was very glad to make the sale I guess I can call it a defiant sale,  at this point I am just hoping I dont get a charge back.

Overall it was a very good show for me,  just sent in my application for the fall version and will be hoping for similar gains if accepted.

Im looking to buy a good quality pop up tent as a backup for my lightdome for shows that have same day set ups or are one day shows. I know ez ups tent to leak but this company (vitabri) claims that thier v3 canopy,  in addition to having good quality structure the top is made of 1000 denier fabric and is totally  waterproof. its about $900 (not including walls) but I really am looking for a quality Ez-up type tent that doesnt leak and I can use sparingly.  If anyone has heard or experienced this canopy please let me  know. Thanks!

Piedmont Park, looking south towards downtown Atlanta

I'd been trying to get into Dogwood for several years, so when the acceptance letter came in November, I was excited. The Dogwood Festival is an Atlanta tradition, held in midtown Piedmont Park, mid April most years. As most urban shows, it comes with its share of challenges. 

First challenge: the setup. Most of the booths are along a path that winds through the park, and borders a large open space. There is also a spur that leads off towards a public parking deck on the opposite side of Lake Clara Meer. This seems like artist hell, but many of the best talents in the show had spaces on this side of the show.

Dogwood Festival Map

To get in and setup, the organizers offer a choice of setup times, either on Wednesday for local Georgia artists, or on Thursday. Staging the artists in a large parking lot south of the show at the Civic Center, we were greeted by Lanna Knapp, the Festival Coordinator and her staff. I chose to setup as early as possible on Thursday, to avoid congestion with my truck and trailer.

Stephen Baldauf adjusts a painting before the show opens on Sunday

The paths are narrow. The artists vehicles are queued up, in booth order, and led to the site by Atlanta police on motorcycles. Like a funeral parade, only more cheerful, Lights flashing, we got to blow through every traffic signal to the entrance of the park. Once in, we had about 90 minutes to unload and park the vehicle. This brings me to challenge number two.

Parking is an issue in this downtown show. There are metered spaces along Piedmont Avenue and 12th Street, but it's pretty tough to fit a 40' truck and trailer into these. There are also several paid parking garages, but these don't take a trailer height vehicle. Luckily, there is a surface lot near the Midtown Hotel that allows trailers to be parked on the lot. You MUST pay in a timely manner, though, or you will be ticketed and booted. There is an automated machine that spits out $10 parking passes, good for 12 hours. Not cheap, but it works. It's about a ten minute walk to the park entrance, and if you are on the opposite side of the park, heaven help you. I moved the trailer and went back to my spot to finish my setup. The weather was blustery and cold, but it never really rained.

The show itself is fairly well-juried. Many nationally known artists do this show every year. A glance at the list tells you all you need to know about the quality of the show. I was set up next to Donald Krebs, a wood-turner from North Carolina, and Pui-Lan Cockman, a water-color painter. Our friends Anita & Steve Baldauf, and jewelers Marc & Wendy Zoschke were all the way across the field on the other side of the park. Another Michigan artists, Cherie Haney, of Shadow Charms, was just down the row from me. Fellow photographers John Hartung and Steven Daniel were there as well.

John Hartung and Steven Daniel, in John's booth

Friday, we had just a few sales. The weather was iffy, with chilly breezes and the constant threat of rain. There was a steady stream of potential customers, and a large mix, demographically. But the show didn't quite seem to live up to the hype. Saturday, there was more of the same. We were supposed to get heavy storms in the afternoon, but the rain held off until well into the evening. I was glad that I had paid for electricity, as the gloomy skies warranted a little extra help. My booth backed up to a hill, with zero space behind it for storage. But the organizers, thinking once again, stagger the booths in a single row, so that we were able to put some items in the wood chips across the walkway from the booth. I had my desk there, too, which worked out well come Sunday.

Sunday crowds in front of my booth

Saturday's sales were disappointing for many. I had an average day, with a few framed pieces and a few matted works going home with happy customers. But Sunday, the weather finally broke, and with it came the buyers. We were slammed almost all afternoon with browsers and buyers. I sold some big pieces as well as a good selection of smaller mats. My average transaction was well up from previous shows, and I was encouraged. Florida basically sucked this year, so to have a good show was, well, good.

Don Krebs talks to two potential buyers in his booth on Sunday afternoon. (He sold his largest piece that day)

My neighbor, Don Krebs, and I moaned about the lack of sales up until sometime Sunday afternoon, when neither of us could stop wrapping and ringing up sales. We both left happier than when we came. The gouache painter down the street from us brought some hard cover books with him, with his lovely cartoonish zombies -- I think he just about sold out of them at $10/pop. I even bought one. They were a fun souvenir. His painting were inexpensive and quite humorous, too. I think he did well. Cherie, my friend from Michigan, was happy at the end of the show, too. She sold her three largest wall pieces, (and several cartons of whimsical magnets, picture frames and other functional pieces). So the crowds were there, as well as the collectors. This show has them both. 

Challenge Number Three: we expected a hellacious load-out on Sunday after the crowds left. The art festival itself was over at 6PM, but there were many people lingering in the park, enjoying the sunshine and the atmosphere of the park. There is the usual drill: break down completely, get a pass, get the vehicle, wait in line to get back into the park, try to get past other vehicles down the narrow path, load up, go home. But it went surprisingly smoothly for us. I was amazed that we were able to pack up and get loaded and leave the park in 2.5 hours. It helped that our section managed to all break down at the same time, and get into the park more or less in the correct order. There weren't a lot of artists on our leg of the path, either, and we had an entrance and an exit close by.

Headed to the music and the carnival

Challenge Number Four: Competition for eyeballs and ears. One of the things that brings people to this festival is that it is a festival, not just an art show. While I didn't see any stilt-walkers or clowns, the music from two different stages was loud and intrusive, even midway into the park. The show tries to keep the music acts separated in another area of the park, but it's just too damn loud. I would not have wanted to be on the southerly stretch of park which bordered on the music area. 

There was also a carnival, with rides and stuff. Need I say more about that? The usual food vendors, and some restaurants border the park: Willys has good Mexican if you don't want corn dogs and turkey legs. I heard they ran out of turkey legs. And did I mention the dogs? While dogs are not allowed in "Dog" wood, there was a frisbee contest, and so some dogs did creep into the show. Not awful though. 

Lodging is expensive, if you try to stay near the show. You may have to pay for parking if you can't find a metered spot on the street and keep feeding it. Hotels on the perimeter are less expensive than the Midtown hotels. It's not a long drive in from I-75 and the perimeter freeway, either -- maybe twenty minutes.

All in all, we enjoyed doing the show. The weather held out, which if it had rained significantly, would have made this a muddy mess. The people showed up on Sunday and bought lots of stuff, both junk and treasure. 

Karyn Kozo and Anita Baldauf, photo-bombed by Steve.