Affordable Arts Show Review in arrears

Having been too busy to report on past shows I thought I'd catch up while resting up for Bayou in Houston. The Affordable Arts show idea was borrowed from another show (Milwaukee? my memory doesn't serve well right now but it was mentioned in a blog here not long ago) which has been running for a long time now. The idea being that everything be priced at or under $100 be they marked down items, discontinued dust collectors or whatever. Jim DeLutes, a long time art show artist and director of the Downtown Denver Art Show, decided to start it out this year as he had participated in the previously mentioned event himself and liked the idea for Denver.

The event was held on Sunday August 26th on the campus of Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, CO. Jim did a good job of advance publicity with stickers on the local area newspapers, a roadside sign, etc. Set-up, for those that could make it, was on Saturday. We had to attend a wedding in the mountains on Sat. so it required an early set-up on Sunday. Jim was out there before the sun was up to greet us and give us our packet. Load-in couldn't have been easier as we could drive right up to our spot on the large lawn area. The grass was plenty wet so some tarps were required to keep boxed items dry. Booth spaces were extremely generous on both sides and around back so extra inventory could be stored and didn't need to be hauled from the nearby parking area. A few folks were lined up at the entry early on and the $5 admission, for the ACC scholarship fund, was reasonable enough to keep the casual lookers/entertainment seekers out.

The day was pretty muggy and uncomfortably hot (we had a record number of above 90 degree days this summer) as well, so, by the middle of the afternoon people were looking a little like heat stroke had hit! Most of my sales were in the middle of the day with one exception at 4:30 a "be-backer" actually came back and bought two big pieces for $100 each! 

After all is said and done I would do this show again. Given how dismal sales have been at other shows that I have had to travel long distances to, for a 1 day new show, I was quite satisfied with the results as I was able to clear out some big pieces that I don't show anymore and make some money as well! Jim reported that attendance was about a fourth the amount that show up at the other show and that one has been going on for 40 years or so. He was satisfied that his marketing efforts paid off for the shows inaugural year.

The only downside that I experienced was having to set-up and tear-down the same day but as I mentioned earlier that was only because I couldn't set up the day before. It made for a long day that left me more exhausted than a 2 day show! Hopefully, next time I'll have my tent up the day before and save a little wear and tear on myself.

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Comments

  • Well, you got me to read your review - I had to know why a show was in "arrears"

  • Wish there was a show like this in Ft. Myers once a year, my gf is getting on my case about the closets. LOL.

    Brian, enjoyed your report. But I found it really difficult to read because it's all one paragraph.  Could you add a little white space every few sentences to break things up visually?  Thanks!

  • Glad you had a good show Brian - sounds like this is show is worthwhile.

  • With three shows in quick succession I wasn't able to get those reports written like I do when I have more space between shows. I'm trying to get caught up but I guess to no avail as now I've had two more back to back! Cottonwood and now Bayou this weekend. We did get a quick trip in to Galveston today!
  • I live about 5 minutes away so no gas to speak of and no hotels! Yeah!
  • Geez, Brian,  you usually report right in! But thanks for posting this info even though it was "in arrears." There are a few shows like this one including the Mount Mary Starving Artist in Milwaukee as Sue reported above, ArtWorks run by Colin Murray near Madison and the Garage Sale Art Fair in Kalamazoo run by Bonnie Blandford and Michael Kifer and I think they are great events. We all have extra inventory for some reason or other and the chance to turn it into some cash is wonderful. Congrats to Jim DeLutes for starting this for your area. I hear such good things about how he does things, nothing like an artist to run a show.

    Do you live near and can sleep in your own bed? This makes it even better as it is just about all profit in this situation.

  • Yeah - I thought the same thing when I read it about the show being in arrears

  • But it makes it sound like the show is in arrears which isn't really fair to the show if someone doesn't read your review. I understand being behind since I'm currently living my life that way...

  • I was just being funny...The state of being behind in fulfilling obligations...about reporting on the show late.

  • I think he meant he was late with the report.

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