Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
Kalamazoo Art Fair
This is a one-day show sponsored by the Kalamazoo Art Center. It is held in and around Bronson Park and artists with booth locations on the interior can drive in on the sidewalks for set-up. This was my 5th. year in a row doing the show and it has become a real gem and a pleasure to do since they offered the Friday set-up.
This was the second time they suggested we be open on Friday evening. Last year we arrived in the late afternoon and were busy setting up while patrons were milling around the show. We didn't sell anything that evening, but had a very good Saturday. This year we came early and were ready for the 5 to 8 PM opening. We sold nearly $400 and didn't close-up until 8:30 PM.
Saturday morning the show picked up right where it left off. Many of the same patrons from the night before came by and made their final purchases. There is a parade that goes by the park and provides a distraction for an hour or so and the library had a book sale that is well attended. This year the Art Center had a "Garage Sale" in their galleries and that was fun too. There is also "craft" show set up a half-block away to take advantage of the large crowd.
The day became more and more overcast and rain was predicted for 7 PM. The show closed at 5 PM and within a half-hour the rain began as a drizzle. We all packed out wet but most of us were really pleased with our sales. Any one-day show that can deliver a $2000 + paycheck is a winner for me these days.
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Comment by Connie Mettler on June 8, 2010 at 3:22pm -
I always loved participating in this show -- easy in, easy out -- and money to take home! I just love one day shows. So glad to know the mojo is still working. Thanks for the report, R.C.
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Comment by Sandra Rathbun on June 8, 2010 at 6:16pm -
I got there Friday afternoon and before we were done setting up we had people shopping. So from 4:30 till almost 9 we were steady with customers. It was definitely worth it to open Friday. I did notice at my end of the show only about a 1/3 of the artists stayed open. Some set up and left and others didn't come till Saturday. I did ask a few who were open Friday how they did and most said not much.
Saturday was cloudy all day but only a few sprinkles in the early afternoon. The people who came early to shop seemed to be serious buyers who knew what they liked and wanted. I saw alot of packages going by all day. All said it is an easy show for set up and tear down and you even get a boxed lunch. A very fun and profitable little show.
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Comment by Warren Townsend on June 9, 2010 at 12:01am -
Yeah but they were out of coffee at 8:30 AM and I never got any. Show was okay for me not as big as dollars as last year. Lots of small items sold.
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Comment by Sandra Rathbun on June 9, 2010 at 5:47am
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Warren if I had known I would have got you coffee. I had a friend make an emergency run for coffee.
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Comment by Bill Sargent on June 9, 2010 at 8:00am -
Hey, that's encouraging if you had a nice one day show in Michigan. Keep it up.
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Comment by Terri Drake on June 13, 2010 at 12:02am -
Despite the threat of possible rain, it sounds like you did well. Congratulations. I'm hoping to start doing shows in the near future. Need to do a little more research on what is needed, i.e., tent, tables, etc. before I get my feet wet, so to speak. Plus I need to get inventory up, right now its meager at best.
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Comment by Pat Sorbini on June 13, 2010 at 12:09pm -
Terri..One of the best things you can do right now, in addition to participating in forums like this, is to start attending shows as a researcher. Observe everything you can about the way artists are selling their work. From displays to attitude. It is, to me, the best teacher. Good luck!
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