Cain Park is a beautiful festival in a beautiful, tranquil park setting. We did Cain Park a few years back, and decided to give it another try. It is usually the same weekend as Madison and Krasl, and some of the other biggies, but is more of a local show. It's a short drive for me (about 3 1/2 hours from the northern Detroit suburbs). It's an old-fashioned show, too, with an online application, but you still have to send in a check for the booth fee after the application is sent. If you're accepted, they'll cash the check for the booth, but they give you a couple of weeks ahead of time if you need to cancel due to other obligations. Pre-show information just includes a map to locate the show, a load-in time and some lodging information, with a cordial welcome letter. Booth information is withheld until your arrival at the park.
The venue is a jewel of a park, tucked away in a ravine in Cleveland Heights, with a beautiful amphitheater and winding pathways. After checking in, you are instructed to drive down one of several service drives down into the ravine. These paths are narrow, but most vehicles, including the 40' Dolphin motor-coach near us, made it down with only minor damage to the trees bordering the path. When it rains, these paths get slippery, too. More on the rain, later.
We had an early start, which is helpful, since we've got a 20' trailer in tow. The art show is divided into two sections, with the amphitheater in the middle. Food vendors are limited to areas above the concert stage, so they don't impinge on the art itself - a good decision. Most of the artists on the north side of the path have loads of space behind the booth, and can park their trailers right there, along with a vehicle. Bonus! It makes setup and tear-down a breeze, even with the bottlenecks on the narrow paths entering the park. Park staff is on hand to guide you in every step of the way, and they bring coffee and donuts right to your booth! If you need help setting up, they are there to help you with that, too, so if you need some assistance getting that canopy into the air, they will jump in and give you a hand. Can't say enough good things about the staff!
My spot was midway down the lower part of the path, right in the middle of the park. It was a bit sunny, with loads of room with 2 feet on either side. At 7:30AM, we were among the first to arrive. We took our time getting the tent up and saying our hellos to friends as they arrived. Chuck Wimmer, the wimmsickal drawer from Brecksville, was right across from us. Tony Eitharong, a painter from Orlando, was next door. Lots of photographers, including Jon Walton from Wisconsin, Craig Brabson, and Larry Berman, back on the show circuit after a long hiatus. RC Fulwiler and his wife Kim were just up the street from us. Randy and Jackie Kuntz were near the Lee Street entrance, where they made a killing selling his lovely blown glass flowers. Stevie Ray Baldauf and better half Anita were in a primo spot near the amphitheater, where he was able to spread out and take advantage of all that lovely grassy real estate.
Tony "No Pictures" Eitharong
The show opens at 3PM on Friday. Most everybody has ample time to get in, get set-up and get sweaty before they open the gate to the anxious patrons at 3PM. The show serves a light snack around 1PM, and by showtime, we are rarin' to go. A few people came trickling in. Friday is free, but Saturday and Sunday the show charges $5 to get in. When we did the show a few years back, they didn't have enough staff to take money at the back gate, and actually turned a few people away. Years ago, they didn't charge for the show, but times have changed. Now they've worked that out, and people can access the show from Superior Park, Lee Road, Alma, and Taylor Street. Interest is always good here, but sales are hard. I had a couple of sales, and some of our friends did well for opening night. I thought that there were quite a few browsers, maybe due to the fact that it was free on Friday.
RC and Kim Fulwiler
Saturday, the show runs from 10AM - 8PM. Three judges wandered by, and spent quality time with many of the artists. Sales were brisk, but not stellar. The morning started slowly, with cheery announcements over the park's PA system. George Kozmon, the show director, delights in urging patrons to spend money, and he is not shy about it. He has a great sense of humor. Both George and Honey Feinberg make a point to stop by and visit with every artist during the show. Cain Park is one of the most artist-centric festivals around today, and they are proud of their efforts. It shows in every detail. The people that come to the park are respectful of the artists. Most of them, anyway. There is a bit of haggling, but by and large, people are here to see art and buy art. Closing the sale is a bit harder, as Cleveland is suffering economic woes, much as the rest of the country. People are cautious, but I saw lots of work being carried away.
The one and only, the incomparable Larry Berman
Sunday morning, the show puts on a nice brunch, with fruit and pastry, before herding everyone into the amphitheater for the awards presentation. After introductions of some of the key players, George and Honey hand out a dozen or so ribbons, with hugs and smiles all around. Ceramics artist Adam Egenolf, digital artist Chuck Wimmer and photographer Craig Brabson were a few of the juror's choices this year. The show runs from 12 noon to 5PM. Again, it was hot and humid. Bring a battery operated fan or two! At least it didn't rain. When it rains, it can turn this park into a muddy morass. We were here a few years back during a Saturday downpour. Some booths in the lower section were under a few inches of water, and later the grass turned to mud. The show staff is very good about managing the mess, but there is only so much that can be done. The ravine is the former watercourse of a small stream, which has been channeled underground. If it rains heavily, the storm drains can fill up, much to the dismay of the artists near them.
Having the trailer right behind the booth is awesome!
Sunday sales were a bit better than Saturday, for me. Some artists did well over the entire weekend. Some did better on Saturday. The more unique, the better at this show. In my opinion, the painters, glass artists, non-functional ceramics and unique items did better than functional ceramics, jewelry and photography. Purely empirical. I had a slightly better show than the last time I was here. There were lots of times when there were only a few people walking the paths. It was very, very hot and humid, and that might have had an impact on the number of people who came out for the show. It did seem as if there was less energy. Logistically, it's an easy show to do. The staff is super. George and Honey make you feel special. And the patrons love the show and the artists. It's well worth taking a look at this show, as an alternative to some of the bigger shows in the Midwest.
Tony shows off his extra gallery space. Note big paintings on right leaning against my trailer, too. I charged him for that space.
for our online applications.
