Well, this was attempt #3 at this show for me and I'm pretty darn sure it is my last. 

This show is held in Downtown Kalispell, MT at Depot Park. It's a great (mostly shaddy) area. The layout is always tricky and easy to get lost and miss booths but this year the organizers did a much better job to help keep dead zones from happening. The volunteers come around every so often to ask if you need reprieve. I was in an area close to the food, music stage, and right next to the wine/beer garden so I saw volunteers and promoters a lot! They are so nice and accomodating. 

There was music at the stage which was much better this year...I hate it when they get acts that make you want to take a nap instead of sell art. But the volume was WAY too high. There were times I was shouting at my customers and they were shouting at me to have a conversation. Didn't sell much of anything at that point. 

The weather was topsy turvy. The Jet stream blew in smoke from those fires in Washington and it was REALLY smokey Friday night to early afternoon on Saturday. Then a huge windstorm came through and blew all the smoke away. Of course there were a few art fair newbies with inadequate weights on the tent and they, a few friends/other vendors/customers were all holding onto the frame to keep it from blowing away.  Sunday every flippin' weather forcast called for 1 hour (mid afternoon) of thunderstorms. Yeah, it rained ALL DAY LONG. 

Friday was the best day for me. With promising results...made booth fee. YAY. I was optimistic because Saturday is always my best day and that is the time I normally sell larger pieces (Oh, I sell Watercolors bytheway). Saturday was ridiculous. There were a TON of people the first couple of hours buying a little here and there but then it died. All the vendors would pop out of their tents every now and then, wondering what happened, and quickly return to their booths in hopes of not missing a sale. The last 3 hours of the show we didn't care anymore. We all were wandering the lot, chit chatting with each other, discussing this or that, but mostly wondering where all the people were and why no one was buying anything. I spoke with at least 8 other artists who either hadn't made a sale from noon on or sold only a few items. Sunday....Surprisingly I sold a few small items even though it was rainy. 

All in all, this was a disappointing show for me. I know an acrylic painter that "killed it" last year with "$26,000 in sales". Not really sure if that's true but I would've expected to make more than $403 last year. This year was the best year for me of the 3 years I've participated and I only made a couple hundred over booth fee. (hangs head in shame and silently cries). Obviously, this isn't the venue for me. I'd like to say that 2D art doesn't do well here (several others I know didn't sell much of anything) but that acrylic painter "killed it" again. Hmmmmm... 

It's a bummer really because this show is sooooooooooo close to me. Just a 15 minute drive down the highway. But sitting for three days in the elements for just over $500 seems like a big waste of time. Oh well, 3rd time was not a charm at this show and maybe that means I'll find something great in an area I've never been to before!

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  • That is so disappointing!  Hope that you can find another, better suited show to take this space.

  • Interesting comments, Kim. I'm new (2nd year) in this business and still trying to figure it out. I am a wildlife photographer trying to determine the best locations to sell my upscale wildlife photographs - prices go up to $1995 for a 30x45 photograph.

    My wife and I did well in Colorado last year, with many of our buyers coming from Texas. So, we did the Bayou City (Houston, TX)) and Cottonwood (Richardson,TX) festivals this year. They were not as good as expected. So, we're now thinking that people tend to purchase art when they're away from home.

    Since I sell wildlife photography, I'm currently focusing on art fairs in locations where individuals come to view wildlife. Colorado is definitely one of those locations. Along that line of thinking I am also searching for other venues, thus the reason I was drawn to your post since Glacier National Park is nearby.

    Before reading your post, I checked out your website to see if there was any similarity between what I do and what you do. I was happy to find that you're a 2D artist (watercolor) and many of your subjects are also wildlife. I then read your post and was surprised to learn that the Kalispell show has not been good to you for the past three years. Bummer! Where do your paintings featuring wildlife seem to sell better?

  • Sorry about the poor show. Heard from a photographer friend that he had the same results and with many of his images being from Glacier National Park, and with all the tourists this time of year, was expecting better results.  Have yet to try any shows in Montana although we keep thinking about it.  Would love to find a good one that we can combine with our Couer d'Alene ID show for a fun trip.

  • Boo.  I'd let it pass and find a better show.  I also have started to pass on some local shows because they are time away from the studio for little results.  Keep your chin up!

  • Too bad, and so close to home, Kim. Those are the shows you want to make work for you. 

    And all that weather! I just read the post by Dean Mackey about the indoor art fair that they are building in Florida in an old mall that is being refurbished. Kind of makes you long for that.

    Was the crowd smaller than usual? Other than the weather, can you think of any reason for why the folks weren't there and buying on Saturday? Do you do other shows in the area where you sell better? 

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