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My southern Florida tour.  I was hoping to get this out sooner, but that didn't happen.  So here we go. 

I left and drove my art van for Florida the beginning of December to visit Art Basel and Art Miami.  What an amazing place to go as an artist.  Each venue is so different and the art ranges from amazing to what the heck.   Most of Miami stops during the time of Art Basel and events all day and night are going on through out the city.  I can only handle the tents and convention center for so long before I head out to alternative art spaces, Wynwood being my favorite especially for night time events.  Spectrum was fun as well, it felt like I was back at an outdoor art festival.  I believe I recognized at least 50% of the artists there.  If you haven't had a chance to attend the art mecca that is Miami during Art Basel then try to go, at least once.  This was my second year.  It is overwhelming in many ways and a first visit is difficult.  This year it was much more enjoyable knowing the lay of the land a bit better. 

Right after Art Basel I had 6 weeks before my first and only show in Florida for the season.  For the past few years I have been going on inexpensive cruises between shows but this year I opted for something else.   Instead of going back to Atlanta where it was cold, or staying in Florida where it is expensive, I left my art van with another artist friend in Miami.  I used my air miles I had collected from all the show expenses for the year and got a plane ticket to Peru.  Great decision.  Flights are cheap from Miami, the dollar is strong in Peru and it is cheap in Peru.  I was able to travel and enjoy the country for 6 weeks and spent less there than I would have just staying at home in Atlanta.  I was also able to find unique materials for my art that I can't get back in the States.  What an amazing experience. 

After the six weeks I flew back to Miami and picked up the art van and got ready Beaux Arts Festival at The University of Miami in beautiful Coral Gables.  This was my third year.  The weather in Miami is almost always wonderful at this time.  This year it was perfect again.  You can set up on Friday. Depending on where you are you will get a morning or afternoon time slot.  Some booths are on grass, some on pavement.  Be ready to dolly if you are on the grass and the terrain can be rough.  The women that run the show are very nice but besides having a check in tent for you to get your packet of info, that is all you will see of them during set up.  It is up to the artists to work together getting in and out.   It goes pretty smoothly considering.  Booths are set up all over the place.  Some back to back, some across from each other.  Some booths have a lot of room around them some have none.  It just depends on your spot. 

The show runs Saturday and Sunday and falls on a holiday weekend, MLK Day.  Many patrons think the show runs on Monday as well, but it doesn't.  I try to mention this to people when I talk to them.  Both days the crowds were good, not huge, but a steady crowd both days and pretty much all day.  Many artists say Miami shows are Sunday shows, but I had a fully booked evening delivering art on Saturday.  Even had to go to Fisher Island again this year.  It was 11pm before I got back to my place that night and I hadn't even had a chance to eat dinner yet.  Sunday was another beautiful day.  Around 1pm the booths near me started to take big pieces down and wrap them up.  I looked around and at least 1/2 of the booths were closing sales.  I had more deliveries to make that night and deliveries the next morning north of Miami, which I could easily do sense I was heading home the next day. 

Breakdown, again pretty much a free for all.  There are no passes, you don't have to break you tent down first, you just figure it out and do it.  Depending on where your booth is, it may be best to break down then go eat dinner, then come back and load.  My spot was along the street so I was able to get my van in asap and was out in 30 minutes after closing. 

If you are interested in more details about logistics for this show just check out my past two years reviews.  

This show was a good one for me, and thankfully it was because it was the only Florida show I decided to do this season.  I wanted to mix it up this year and do a few more things back at home base.   Not everyone had a good show.  I heard a lot of artists saying they would never be back.   The patrons at this show are very cultured and ready to buy original art.  Many of my clients each year tell me that they don't go to Coconut Grove anymore, it is too much for them, and they do their shopping at Beaux Arts.  It is difficult to find shows for Original only artists.  Glad there are still a few around.