Thank you Artstreet in Green Bay and John Michael Kohler Festival of Arts in Sheboygan

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Hipwell on February 9, 2010 at 12:48am

Of course if the show you want to get into requires that you have a booth slide......pretend that you love the idea of a booth slide.....

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shalana on February 9, 2010 at 1:50am

Being fairly new to art fairs, that is a draw back to me to have to submit a booth photo. In previous shows that I've done (small-time), I didn't have to. I guess that I'll have to mock-up something to submit. It would be nice if most of the fairs could just judge on the quality of your work - at least for a newbie like me ;)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Larry Berman on February 9, 2010 at 6:34am

I'm curious why this (and the previous thread) wasn't posted in the jurying forum.

I'm against booth slides also but would really like to see shows asking for more art images to see the strength of the presentation.and be able to jury artists based on their artwork The smarter shows require a booth slide to make sure that if accepted, you'll show up with a professional looking display. Some (like Fort Worth) instruct the jurors not to let the booth image effect the score.

My question to you is that if you get into one of these shows not requiring a booth slide, will you show up with a professional looking display?

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

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on February 9, 2010 at 8:55am

Until this year, I've never required a booth shot for my shows. However, after an experience last fall, I now require a booth shot from any new entrant. The photos submitted looked OK, passed the jury. The booth was a nightmare, looking more like a carnival booth than an art show. Included in the booth were many things not included in the submitted work, but the entire display was horrendous. The vendor (I can't honestly bring myself to call her an artist) was asked to remove everything that had not been juried in, including henna tattoos, feather boas and light swords for kids, and a host of other non-art items.

Had the jury seen a booth shot, she would never have been accepted. Had she sent a booth shot that was significantly different from what she actually had, I would have had the leverage to ask her to leave. I had only just taken over managing the show, and unfortunately, the previous directors were very lax, so she stayed. Nearly ever other artist in the show who saw her booth registered a complaint, and most suggested that we ask for booth shots from new applicants. For that show, the Rockford Artists' Fair, we now require a booth shot from any new applicant.

I don't have a booth shot of my own booth, but you can be sure that I'll be taking some at the shows I'm already in. I have several different kinds of setups, depending on whether I'm showing 2D digital art or 3D jewelry, or both. I plan to get shots of each, so that I'm prepared for whatever show I want to enter.

Only once have I had to set up in the back yard a *pretend* booth and take pictures. They were OK, but the real thing is always better.

Just my two cents as artist and art show director. Always put your best foot forward and make a good first impression.
Barbara

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Hipwell on February 9, 2010 at 5:56pm

The bottom line is that Artstreet and the Kohler show are not worried about me showing up with a professional display. What I say here does not matter.

Some shows will put high emphasis on the booth slide not matter what I advocate. However I do want a count of the artist who are in favor and against.....so I can present a number to promoters......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron Mellott on February 10, 2010 at 8:46am

I am for a booth shot.

For all the reasons Art on the Lawn just said. It is a burden to create one but that's part of the business of doing art shows and as Larry Berman says, convincing the promoter you will show up with a professional looking display. We've all seen way too many "artists", using the term loosely, show up with displays that are just somewhere between sad, pathetic, and outrageously bad if not deceptive.

There are lots of issues about what constitutes a good booth slide, split voices on what jurors say they want to see in a booth slide, but all that aside, it is up to the promoter to decide why a booth slide is important and what kind they want to see for what reason. Then enforce that in the jury process.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Zerjay on February 10, 2010 at 9:12am

I agree with Ron. I spent good money for my trimline, and I am proud of it. I try to upgrade my booth every year. Whether it be new shelving, or a new floor, new lighting, whatever. My booth shot changes with each upgrade. I take pride in my work, and my booth. I want my neighbors to do the same.
Yes booth shots are a pain. But if I want to be included in a quality show, the promoter should be able to see not only the quality of the artwork, but the booth display as well.

Ron Mellott said:

I am for a booth shot.

For all the reasons Art on the Lawn just said. It is a burden to create one but that's part of the business of doing art shows and as Larry Berman says, convincing the promoter you will show up with a professional looking display. We've all seen way too many "artists", using the term loosely, show up with displays that are just somewhere between sad, pathetic, and outrageously bad if not deceptive.

There are lots of issues about what constitutes a good booth slide, split voices on what jurors say they want to see in a booth slide, but all that aside, it is up to the promoter to decide why a booth slide is important and what kind they want to see for what reason. Then enforce that in the jury process.

• ▶ Reply