The Great Lakes Art fair is held April 10-11-12 INSIDE of a big clean convention hall called the Suburban Collection Showplace in this Detroit suburb. I've always felt that the "idea" of this art fair is a good one. It is held in a big open indoors space in the early spring when weather is a BIG factor, and at a time when all those pesky summer booth fees come due. Us Midwest artists can use a little cash after a long cold winter.
The art fair is run by the convention center itself, so to be a viable event, it must turn a profit for the convention center. Application and booth fees help finance the show, as well as a $7 per head admission charge. Since the Convention Center started organizing this show 7 or 8 years ago, it is rumored that the show has not turned a profit. I may be wrong about that, but, if its true, I appreciate the persistence of the convention center to keep pushing this event. There used to be both a Spring and Fall version but last year the Fall version was dropped and all their efforts go into the Spring version. Connie Mettler has been a fan of this show, seeing its potential for us midwest artists. And I think she has acted as a consultant to help get it off the ground.
I hadn't done this show in the past three years. I gave up on it after participating 3 or 4 times, seeing my sales drop every time I did the show. Of course, that was during the big recession when all our sales were dropping. The last time I did the show (3 years ago) I grossed around $900 for the weekend and I just had to strike it from my schedule. This year, with the economy improving and with a new stable of artwork, I decided to try it again. I'm glad I did.
Crowds were never very big, but they seemed to be responsive to my work. I was able to coax many attendees from my Michigan mailing list and made a few sales to past customers. The show ran from 2-8pm on Friday, and, not being a big fan of Friday night shows, I was happy with sales around $1000. Saturday (from 10-6) was only a little better bringing in $1150. I had a modest target of $2500 for the show, so I thought it would be a cinch to make or exceed my goal. But it was not to be. Sunday was bleak for everyone. The buyers just didn't show up and were virtually non-existent after 3pm. I had only two sales totaling $160 for the day. Bummer. But at $2400 for the weekend, I had almost made my goal.
I wouldn't consider this a great art fair by any means, but I so like the timing of it when I really need some extra cash. My thinking is that if I can get my sales up to $3K or more, this show can find a place in my schedule. Like all shows, some artists did well and others didn't. My impression was that everyone was hoping for better sales than they got.
But, here's the thing... the show can use a lot more fine artists. There is a lot of crafty stuff. It can use some good artists to bring in the fine art buyers. It's an easy show to do. You can drive right into the convention center and take your time setting up. The weather is not a factor. There is no rain, no wind. Its easy. Tear down is just as easy. You drive your van right in and load it up.
I encourage other fine artists from the Midwest to try this one out if they offer it next year. It may not be a huge money-maker, but it can pay a few booth fees for the coming season. And the more good artist who embrace this show, the more art buyers will come. Its already considerably better than it was 3 years ago, the last time I did it. Hopefully it will keep improving and it will become profitable for the convention center to keep holding this event.
Comments
At $7 a head to get in it would seem that very few people would go to the show with the thought they wanted to buy crafts. It would seem that that admission price would keep the craft buyers out. How low end are the crafts? Or is it higher end crafts?
i also agree that timing of the show is good... we do need a big jump start to the season, its indoors, and the opportunity is there.
Sunday should be eliminated... because it was so slow... so painfully slow.
Yes, this is the show I just wrote about, and posted a review. For us it is a 2.5 hour hike from Cleveland, and involves lodging expenses. First lets get this out - we love that show. We want that show to be a wonderful success. It is a great venue, easy load in, and clean.
But we have a few concerns which i mentioned in my review. They view our work as specialty (I do shibori - japanese bound resist silk painting) and my husband makes handcrafted soap.) and specialty booth fees are $500. That said it was a banner year last year and we sold well, met our expenses and actually were profitable. We eagerly ran back to it this year, however made just about $40 over booth and expenses.... not profitable at all. Jackie and her crew are wonderful, and the marketing seems to be well done. There was a lot of media there this year... filming just about daily to local tv channels.
My grumble is that they have the cutco knife people, the shriners raising money for their charity, the gutter guard guy, home repair companies, some guy that sells some sort of electric impulse device to reduce pain.... and on and on... and they put us in the midst of that hot mess. Even if our customers were there, they did not want to walk the gauntlet through those high pressure sales people. Sadly i believe these people buy year long leases, and are at every event because of their lease. I think they should be placed in a quadrant away from the main show if they must be there.
We got home and looked at our history,ran the numbers and we actually took in 1/3 of what we did last year. Everyone we talked with told us their numbers were very low, their sales sluggish. I have to really think long and hard if we will be back next year. At this point I am still prone to say no no no, not doing it again.
We'd just like to add a comment about Sunday sales. With only three years' experience, my husband began keeping sales statistics two years ago so we would know where and when to go -- he's a historian at heart. It doesn't matter where we go, but Sunday sales are statistically the lowest of any given week, no matter the venue, or a given weekend's gross. Customers just have different things to occupy their time, and their minds, on Sundays. We've attended very few shows with Thursday events, but still, our average gross for Thursdays exceeds any of our Sundays. As do Fridays and Saturdays. If we could get our festival and craft show organizers on track, they'd all be Friday/Saturday shows. Which would let us do on Sundays what our customers do -- something else!
One of the problems I had with the show the last time I did it was the buy/sell they allowed in. When I questioned it, I was told that they do all the shows at the facility (ie, they are not juried in) so they would always be there. In one case it was manufactured jewelry right across from me with cheap, cheap prices which as a jeweler, killed it for me.
Thank you for taking the time to do this review. I live within an hour of Novi, and how I wish I made enough sales to consider going back. I agree, the venue is great, the show offers nice support, great time of year, easy load in and out. Sadly my sales were BAD. Sold less then last year (where I won 2nd prize - so booth fee was paid, otherwise I wouldn't have been back) I am a fine artist and my paintings - price range $95 - $1400.00 - just didn't move. Thank goodness my large one for $1400 did sell, otherwise I would have made $350.00 for the entire 3 days. So, at this point would not recommend this fair for fine artists (the prize winner this year - a fine artist - I heard, did not make good sales as well)
too bad, a nice fair otherwise (that's a BIG otherwise)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the Great Lakes Art Fair... This was my first year ( I am more on the crafty side) and really appreciated the mix! I know that many of the customers coming through my booth commented on the great variety this year and that there was something for everyone. It was a good weekend for me and definitely a good start to the season. I totally understand your comment about wanting more Fine Artists, John ( your work is BEAUTIFUL! I love seeing all of the fun buildings and layouts you put together!). I also know that variety helps, and that perhaps some of those who purchased smaller price points this weekend will be those return clients who pull out fine artists business cards around the holidays. I advertised the show on my facebook page and through postcards and had many of my regular clients come shop. They purchased some beautiful art from other booths as well... I'm thankful for everyone who invited their mailing list as each one helps!
I agree with Thad and Catherine, that Jackie and the crew were terrific and that they did a great job of making it a smooth pack in and out for us all! I appreciated the Show Office with snacks and drinks as well as the Artist Reception. They did a great job of making my team feel special and appreciated for participating. Many shows don't do much so it really stood out to me.
Like Thad and Catherine, I did well at this show. I know that every show is different and that it just depends on the day! I hope all of you have a great season!!
Off to restock...
Jenn
Snarky But Joyful
We have done the Great Lakes Art Fair for the past three years. Each year it has gotten better for us in sales. I believe it is a good mix of fine art, fine crafters and crafters. There is a broad mix of attendees, so it's nice to have the vendor mix. I know that some people didn't have a good weekend, but it was a great for us. I don't usually like to share numbers but our sales were more than double what John made. You never know what people are looking for. Every show is a gamble. We have a wide range in prices so we feel we have something for everyone. I hope they can keep the show going. Jackie and her crew work hard to make it a successful show.
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