Hinsdale Art Festival was the second weekend of June. There were many shows this weekend. Old Town in Chicago, Wells Street Chicago and many others in the Midwest. I spent many years in the Midwest and enjoyed all the city Chicago art shows as a young patron. When I finally decided to try the Midwest as an originally only artist I threw the dice and went on Hinsdale this year.
Hinsdale is a suburban community outside of Chicago. Big old homes. It seems that most of the people that work there commute into Chicago for work. From what I know, and what do I know, many of the people who live there have been transferred for their jobs for a few years or more. These folks have money and many have more than just one home. Including lake homes and other homes around the country.
The group that put on the show do a great job. They have wonderful communication with the artist. They are there for support for the artist and when you check in they actually remember your name. Set up is on Friday. The show is in a small park right in front of the train station and the quaint town of Hinsdale. This is somewhat of a dolly in show. I say that because the park is small and depending on where your booth is and where you can park the dolly part is short and easy. You are given plenty of time to set up. Parking options after unloading are great. I was concerned about not being able to find a drop off point that was convient but since there are only around 100 artist that do the show we don't crowd each other. You set up on the grass across from each other. Most of us are set up along a sidewalk that is about 5 feet wide. Booths on both sides so if two booths across from each other each want an awning they may hit. Most of us had lots of room in the back. Set up was a breeze and in and out in less than 2 hours with a double booth. The show offered artist rates at nice hotels outside of the town. I couldn't find any hotels or air bnbs in Hinsdale but we could stay a few miles away.
The weather forecast for the weekend was bad. Friday was cold, well cold from a girl who had just come from Atlanta in June. Saturday I dressed with my rain duck shoes and a long dress and a rain coat. Mistake and I know better because I lived in the Midwest for 5 years and I know the weather changes on a dime. It was muggy and thankfully did not rain. The crowds were not big on Saturday but those that came did buy. Sales were decent but I wanted more on Sunday. I was told this was more of a Sunday crowd. Holding my breath.
Saturday night it rained a lot. Sunday called for more bad weather. When I arrived at the show many easy ups were down. This is not a shot at easy ups. Not all went down but I had noticed that there were many easy ups sagged the day before or had tears. Most of those collapsed with the heavy rain. The show promoters were great and offered what ever tents they could spare to help the artists reset up. I don't know if I would have it in me to reset up to come to my booth being destroyed. Kudos to those that did it. The other artists help rig up temporary tents for others and we all just tried to get on with our Sunday hoping the weather forecast was wrong again. The forecast was wrong again and the weather held. More patrons came and bought. It was a nice day and most people pulled it out. I was a happy artist by the end of the day on Sunday.
Break down was not bad. No rain. Dolly out so a bit more challenging than many shows but again this is a small show with only 100 artists . Not a big deal. I believe the show offered breakfast and lunch and waters but the show is set up near the very nice town and I usually bring my own food or splurge and get to go at a nice restaurant. Hopefully someone else can comment on the artists amenities. I like to have them but that is not a factor for me when deciding to do a show.
A few tips and side notes. There are a lot of tolls getting around. Depending on the time of day or where you get on this can be a PIA. If you want to just blow through the tolls remember where you did it and you can pay online within seven days. I also questioned some of my buyers about where the people were. Many told me they would go to their lake homes for the weekend. I don't need a big crowd to have a good show. If you are an artist that needs a big crowd for a good show this may not work for you, but again what do I know. I hope to be invited again next year. I miss a good Chicago Dog and the Home Run Inn Pizza.
Comments
Connie, thanks! I try to come by when I can....
The traffic was sparse all weekend. Many of those that came, walked around with their hands in their pockets or with strollers for an afternoon walk. I did see a little advertising before the show, but no local banners anywhere. As a general statement, most shows are aiming at the wrong features: entertainment, great art show..... Show implies viewing ... hey promoters.... stress SALE direct from the artist! ALL ORIGINAL WORK! Value, value, value.
LOL! Thanks for today's laugh, Michael (and it is always great to see you s how up here).
Nice hanging out with you, too Barry! When you get arrested for unpaid tolls, call me. I probably won't bail you out, but I'll make you laugh! When you get there, take out the biggest guy first. Either that or make out with him. I've never been totally sure about which was the right way to go.
You can avoid most of the tolls by taking I-94. A toll taker once told me you get two freebies per year. I've tested that and did not get notified by Chicago that I owed them anything.
I had the pleasure of hanging out with Michael this past weekend. Hi Michael!! What a great guy!!
I don't blame you for being cold up here. It has been cold and rainy - even for a Northern girl. Just today, July 5th, I told my husband that I thought it finally felt like summer. I have had a sweat shirt or sweat jacket on for portions of everyday.
I can't imagine you dollying out your work. It is huge!
I love Chicago but those tolls and the roads around it can be torture.
Thanks for another great review!
Yours sounds more exciting. WoooHooo!!
The fact that tolls were cheaper with the EZ Pass (by half sometimes) is what it took to get me to get it.
Melanie, I have an EZ Pass for the tolls. The signage isn't clear in Illinois, but it is accepted just like their I-Pass. You pay less than the cash toll and you do not have to stop or even slow down. The EZ Pass is accepted every place I drive that has tolls, (mostly the NE and Eastern US). You will eventually be able to use it in GA and the rest of the US when the rules on reciprocity of toll systems kick in (I'm not sure when that is, in a few years I think. I read about it in the newspaper). The only place I need to pay tolls that the EZ Pass isn't currently accepted is FL. I have a Sunpass for that and just like the EZ Pass, you pay a reduced toll and don't have to stop at the toll booths. I bought the EZ Pass online (I think they are based in NJ) and the Sunpass at a Publix in FL. Just the reduced toll fees make them worth the time to get them.
Glad to hear you were happy with the show!
There were awards. If you read the fine print in one of the handouts, it states that the jurying for awards takes place electronically, based on your submission. They did the same thing last year. I saw a "Best Newcomer" ribbon for the Horns (photography on metal); and I saw a (1st place?) ribbon for a Hinsdale-based water color artist. Don't remember the others.
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