Hi,
I am relatively new to the artfair scene (couple years) and need to do a short string of shows in Florida this winter to break up the long stretch of emptiness in my neck of the woods (NC). I am fortunate to have my RVing in-laws staying in the Bonita Springs area from mid January-March. My plan is to go down, hopefully get to stay with them ( at least during the week), and do three shows. I wish I could do more, but with a 2yr old daughter, and a pregnant wife at home, three weeks is really going to stretch things as it is. I prefer to do these shows in February so I can be home by early March for my daughters birthday. There are so many shows down there that time of year that I could really use some guidance as to which shows might work the best for me.
I am a contemporary metalworker with wall art, sculpture, and recently some large kinetic outdoor pieces. I typically do much better in fine art shows opposed to arts and craft shows, but with pieces ranging in price from $100-$15,000 I can get lucky in either market. I prefer to do shows that are somewhat flexible with allowing me some extra room to display my, always crowd pleasing, kinetic works.
Any info that anyone is willing to share is certainly appreciated. If you have info. on which coast, areas, or cities might work better for my work, or even specific shows I would be most grateful. Thanks
Replies
Thank You Connie. That is the type of information I was after. Although my in-laws will be staying on the west coast, I have applied to a few shows on the east. I will likely drive back and forth during the week.
FWIW... I did contact Howard allen and was told that all the shows that I was interested in were still open, with the exception of one. I appreciate them being honest, but have noticed that the show that they said was full is still up on ZAPP, and anyone who doesn't know any better would be throwing money away by applying to it. I understand that in promoting so many shows you need to have a way to streamline the process, but I think that their system is flawed, and leaves too much room for potentially unscrupulous activity.
Sometimes a Howard Alan show is still listed on ZAPP, but when you actually click the link it will tell you if it is closed.
I wouldn't worry about unscrupulous actions by the Howard Alan people, Kevin. He is well known in the business and would have been called out a long time ago if he was taking money from artists when a show was closed.
I get that... I guess that I wasn't expecting the phone number that I got from the website to go directly to his cell phone as he is trying to run a show. I was really expecting to get the office, or even voicemail.
So, specific shows aside, and looking ahead to 2016... I have heard that there are areas of Florida where contemporary, more modern art does better than others. I have heard that much of Florida is more into traditional art and craft, and that I probably would not do well in these areas despite that the people there do have expendable income. Can anyone confirm this, and possible name a couple of these areas where people appreciate more contemporary, edgy work?
Only speaking on a personal level, and I know others disagree with us, we always sold better on the Atlantic Coast. It is hipper, there are more people from the Northeast living there and it seems they were more willing to think differently and not too concerned if they were buying what their friends were buying or that it match the couch.
I guess the phone number is transferred to his cell phone in case an artist has a problem or has to cancel at the last minute.
Just asking for a list of shows is not an answer. You need to research what shows other artists in your medium category are doing.
Some of the larger (and more difficult to get into) shows are Coconut Grove, ArtiGras, Winter Park, Mt Dora, Mainsail, Beaux Arts, Boca Fest, Naples and probably a few more. There are a ton of mid level shows as well as Howard Alan's shows.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Ok Larry. Thanks
Thanks for the replies.
I tried calling Howard Allen yesterday and he hung up on me. I know he is probably busy at a show, but I was a little disappointed with how he handled my call. With all the stories that I have heard from fellow artists over the last couple years, I'm not sure that I even want to support him and his shows.
The only Naples show that is still open is the one in March. I will likely apply.
I looked at the Barry Witt shows in Bonits Springs, and I have just missed the last deadline. I really need to develop a better system for finding, applying, and keeping track of show deadlines.
I will take a look at the website Connie, Thank You :)
Howard Alan runs an office with employees. Try calling during business hours Monday to Friday. Never call a promoter on a weekend when they're trying to run a show.
Larry Berman
Ditto! Call during office hours. He probably was at a show and not available to take care of this. He/his staff will handle your call respectfully during business hours. Count on it.
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