This is my first post and inquiry. I was so looking forward to doing this show at the Callanwolde Mansion in Atlanta, GA. I applied and was accepted by the jury. I went to pay my single booth fee (a week before the deadline) through ZAPP and received the message that it was "SOLD OUT". Confused, I clicked on the double booth (which I did not need or want) and it was available. Again, I tried to click on the single booth with the same message. After sending two emails and not getting a response about the "sold out" question, I finally got this e-mail:
2014 Callanwolde Arts Festival: January 25-26, 2014
STATUS NOTIFICATION
Dear Amy,
Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2014 Callanwolde Arts Festival.
When the jury made its selections, you were either Invited or placed on the Wait List.
The response to this event was immediate and very strong. Those who received the invitation to participate secured their space quickly, many with double spaces.
Although we set the deadline to confirm your participation (make payment) and open the Wait List on January 13, we are now completely SOLD OUT.
How did this happen?
The jury invited 90 artists to participate. This venue will hold a maximum of 86 artists. There is no room to "expand" to include more space. We were quite surprised that no one declined, and many purchased a double space. It is very unusual for our events to sell out so quickly and it really put us in a bind, because we hate to lose you!
We regret that we are unable to invite you to join us for this event, however if we receive any cancellations, you will be the first to know!
Don't forget, we have many more events in 2014! Click HERE to see them all.
If you have questions, please send us an email and we will do our best to reply to you quickly.
Sincerely,
Patrick, Randall, Lisa and Sarah
Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces
info@affps.com
After going back and forth, insulted by one of the staff (saying I shouldn't have waited until the last minute to pay, which I didn't), I finally just gave up on them... they were selling double booths (and then not single) before everyone who had been juried in had a chance to get a single booth.
I was very frustrated and miffed...
Has anyone else have this happen to them? Should the people in charge of this made some of the double boothers, give up half their booths to accomodate the four of us that just were plain out of luck...
Comments
Yes, I was told by someone other than Patrick (his name is on the letter above) that he would send me a check. Later, I e-mailed him back to ask him if he offered the others (who were accepted and didn't get a spot) a refund as well. He said he'd look into it and then asked me for my address to mail me the refund. I haven't seen it yet.
The thing that is even stupider is that they had a wait list so why even invite more artists than there were booths? That is what a wait list is for. In addition to posting here, I would post this on the NAIA facebook page as well as any other facebook pages or websites you belong to. The way that some organizations, promoters or directors treat artists is baffling at times.
Susan, When stuff like that happens you need to contact ZAPP and let them know that the show is abusing the system to pad their bottom line.
Larry Berman
I applied through ZAPP for a Sugarloaf show ... and didn't hear anything. I called once a month for four months and was told "Oh, I was being juried next week." To make it short, never heard from them either accepted or rejected. So, that was an easy $35 in their pocket.
I agree with another comment that I am going to concentrate on small shows sponsored by individual organizations (like Hagley Museum) then the commercial ones.
Nancy
I bet I know who you spoke with.
It was the art fair review forum on Facebook.
Larry Berman
Larry, was it on the Callanwolde site?
Maybe I should start a new thread...
Friends in the area said they will boycott the show because of it and their lack of professionalism (I let them read all the e-mails back and forth).
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