Art Westport and Hidden Glenn two Kansas City Shows

Comment by Nels Johnson on September 21, 2010 at 4:39pm

Unless I am wrong, the Westport show is only for locals or people from Kansas City. Am I right?

Comment by S. Michelle Babcock on September 21, 2010 at 10:46pm

Right you are Nels. One must live within 40 miles of Westport. I live in Lawrence, so I'm in that range.

Comment by Julie Blichmann on September 22, 2010 at 9:28am

Hi Michelle,

Do you belong to Lawrence Art Guild by any chance? I joined earlier this year, and participated in Art in the Park (my first show). I have applied for Holiday Art Fair, but I'm not sure when they send out acceptance notices ( I had month's notice for AITP). I live up in Oskaloosa. I heard about Hidden Glens from a Co-worker who's son was playing with one of the bands there on Saturday.

Right now I'm limiting myself to one day shows until I get a better idea of what kind of sales I'll be able to pull from that type of venue. I had a solo exhibit at Old Jefferson Town in Oskaloosa this past August, and for the few people that came through, made a few sales.

Julie

Comment by S. Michelle Babcock on September 22, 2010 at 10:26am

Hi Julie,
I do belong to the art guild. I don't do their shows anymore for two reasons. They have been letting a couple of jewelers in where 80% of their product are buy/sell and they don't seem to care when they've been told and I'm not fond of one day shows because it's too much work for one day. Art in the Park is their best show. The Holiday Art Fair has been rough the last couple of years because they've been lax on the advertising. This year I'll be in Arizona for a show. Best of luck and let me know how it goes.

Comment by Barbara Nelson on September 22, 2010 at 11:33am

In defense of Hidden Glenn, it was one of my better shows this year. I didn't walk around during the show because I make more sales by staying in my booth. I had battery operated fans with me so I had some relief from the heat. I didn't think it was a huge crowd but it was my crowd. This was the 1st time I have done the show and I am sure being a new face helps. I thought they did a great job of organizing set up and take down as well as artist amenities during the show.

Comment by Joseph Murray on September 22, 2010 at 12:07pm

I also attended Hidden Glenn for the first time this year . I agree with Michelle's assesmant of the show . I am happy however for Barbara or anyone whom was successful financially . I was not and I know I wasn't alone . I am a painter and several other painters whom I visited left with zero's . I think the organizers did a good job and the artist ammenities were good but the organizers could not change or help the miserable heat and humidity that prevailed nor can they change the economic climate . Patrons were looking for price points under $150 in general . I can't reach those price points with my art . I also thought the load out was pretty tough . The aisles between exhibits need to be wider so that more than one vehicle can be placed in the aisels for load out and load in . Hopefully, they can enlist the use of boy scouts or other civic organizations for a fee to help artists load in and out and keep vehicles out of the aisles so people can leave easier or get to their respective exhibit area . I also believe they need to advertise the location better .

Comment by Julie Blichmann on September 22, 2010 at 2:25pm

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for the info. It remains to be seen if I will continue to do any of their shows, but I figure I have to get my "feet wet", and it's been more about exposure for me at this point.

I can certainly understand what you mean by a lot of work for one day! I just haven't wanted to commit an entire weekend to a show....just yet! Maybe I should, but I think I'll wait until next year to consider that! I'm hoping to setup a few solo exhibits here and there.

Comment by Julie Blichmann on September 22, 2010 at 2:33pm

Joseph,

I might have done okay at Hidden Glen. I didn't hear about the show until a few days before. Being a photographer, and printing my own work is probably a benefit in the situation you described. Most of my work can be acquired for less than what you stated, but they are not original paintings either! I have sold several small items (5x7s, 8x10s) but just recently sold a 13x19 print to someone that wants several more. For Holiday Art Fair (assuming I'm accepted) I will be preparing stock of small items for the crowd that wants a nice photograph to hang in their home, but can't afford to dish out the big bucks for my larger prints. I would love to be able to sell more of the larger prints, but as I stated to Michelle, this year is more about getting exposure than trying to earn a living. I hope that I am able to do that down the road.

Comment by S. Michelle Babcock on September 22, 2010 at 5:07pm

Barbara
I'm glad you did well. I walked around some just to catch a breeze because I was getting over heated. My batteries were running my lights and couldn't handle a fan. During tear down I talked to a few jewelers that made at most 4 sales. One lady, after coming back several times was making a final choice between a cloisonné pendant or a ring, suddenly was over come by the heat and we had to get her help quickly. I'm praying that she's alright.

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