I have been doing shows for almost five years now and I have truly run the gamut from "great" to "please shoot me and put me out of my misery" and I have to say that this past weekend ....I found my favorite show.
Picture this: Tuscaloosa Alabama, a home Alabama Football weekend, no available hotels under two hundred dollars...and smack dab in the middle of it all... the Kentuck Fine Arts Festival. Ok, honestly...does that sound like the scenario to a great show? Well, usually you would avoid this type of show at any cost.... but this one is the exception.
First, the weather was fabulous, and load in was great, even though this show is in a wooded park and it is a bit (a lot dusty) we are able to pull right up and unload at our booth. Booths have quite a lot of room behind and in front for bins and what not. Some are roomy enough to be able to open your sides and show but I was not as I was in a line that was close together.
I put my rubber floor down but wish I hadn't, because by the end of the show I just wanted to throw the filthy thing out instead of put it back in my car...that's how dirty it was. Nevertheless. the show ambled in and out of the woods in a relatively uniform pattern and visitors were provided a good and logical map to plot their course through the show.
What I loved about the show was the quality of art there. Absolutely no buy and sell and lots of Folk and Outsider art that was of the highest quality, mixed with more contemporary work. I saw so many artists that I had never seen before. The jewelry was incredible! The paintings were amazing! Where have these people been? There were lots of artists demonstrating and giving away free art.
Next to me I was honored to have Amos Kennedy from Michigan, a letter press artist who brought his whole family and were a blast to be around. On the other side I had Karen Fincannon from Atlanta, a whimsical clay animal artist from Atlanta, whose work is enchanting and who is equally upbeat and fun to be with.
Saturday starts at 8am with a special Patron's walk through.....they give out ribbons to those they purchase work from (I'm guessing a certain price level-not sure how it works) and I was lucky enough to receive one. Coffee and donuts were served and the artist hospitality tent was always ready with snacks and drinks all day.
The show was packed....although there was a noticeable lull while the football game was going on. Still, it was a good day and I didn't hear many complaints. Lots of bags and large items walking out. After the show there was an artist dinner and reception and awards were handed out at the Kentuck Museum.
The judging was truly spot on, first rate (and no, I didn't win anything...) I was lucky enough to stay close to the show in an apartment with some fellow artists and after the soiree at the Kentuck we headed out to have a few drinks and find a place to get some additional food, although it was pretty darn crowded because of the Alabama win.
Next morning we were back at it bright and early and the crowds came in force. It was an outstanding day. I don't think I sat down once and didn't even think about lunch. Speaking of: bring your own food as the selection is dismal carney fare with no food trucks in sight (that is the only thing I can think of that could improve). Load out was pretty easy as we could park close to our booths and they had help if you needed it.
The best thing about this show was the people (well honestly... the best thing about any show is the money we actually make), but the people at this show were a close second. Southern Hospitality is alive and well and for all you naysayers that think the South is just a bunch of hicks..... a lot of money was spent on interesting and high quality art at this show. Done with a smile and a warmth that sometimes you don't feel in other places.
Actually, I kind of hate to talk about this show too highly as it might be harder to get in next year. Hell, I would go to this show again even if I didn't get to show...it was that good. Kudos to the Director and staff that puts on, in my opinion, one of the best unsung shows in the country. Addendum: I have already gotten three really nice emails today from people I met that want to purchase more work...YES!
Comments
I think Barrie wrote about this show a while ago & gave it 5 stars. Too bad it's dusty. I went through dust this weekend at a very good show. Had to wash EVERYTHING. I showed glass & had allergies galore. No more dirt for me but it sounds like fun to visit the show & just have to wash myself. Thanks for reporting Margaret.
... so unhappy that I've never been to this show. Who wants to go with me next year? Tina, you in?
Thanks for your upbeat review, Margaret. As a fan of folk and outsider art, I'm sure I would have loved it...glad you did well and could share your experience with us.
I applied to it this year, but did not get in. I have great memories of that show from when I lived about two miles from the festival during my years in college at UA. Next time, be sure to try "City Cafe" on the cute little main street there in Northport. What great food.
Outstanding! So glad that you did so well!!...and thanks for your generosity in posting a review with such praise. We all should be doing that but I've met a few who like to keep the really good ones to themselves (wink).
Appreciate Barrie's and Connie's additional commentary, too.
Thanks Connie, I am not surprised that it got votes for best show. It was good for everyone I believe.....one type of work didn't over shadow any other and the buyers were many.
Great review, Marge. Glad it was a good show for you and it sounds like a great place to spend a weekend. I just found this article online about the show: http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/10/kentuck_festival_...
There are lots of photos and you'll get a sense of the ambiance of the event.
The images show a lot of folk art, outsider art. You have more traditional work, do you think the buying is across the whole spectrum?
And interestingly, in the Best Art Fair Survey, Kentuck got votes today as the Best Art Fair in the country.
My brother lives near by in Tuscaloosa and my nephew attends the university there - so thanks for telling us all about the show!! I have been there a few times and they love their football!!!
I will have to try for the show so it could be a 'working' vacation......
Kentuck is a pretty big deal around here. I've been attending since I was young and this was my first year on the other side of it all! I did well, about on the low side of average, and since I live a walking distance from the park I'll keep showing as long as they'll have me.
Kentuck isn't an unsung show if an article in October 2003 Smithsonian Magazine means anything. It started out as a folk art show with 20 artists and grew to 35 by the time of the article. Now it's a normal big show with an abnormal mix of folk and fine. We've done it twice and can't quite decide if we need to be there or not. There's a lot of potential at the show to do well. Our first experience there in 2009 got us invited to be featured artists elsewhere the next year, and the featured artist gig became our best ever show and remained so until being topped recently by another show elsewhere. Kentuck is interesting, to say the least. Well worth anyone giving it a go, and certainly worth attending even if not as an exhibitor.