Madison Wi ( art-fair on the square ) This was my third year for this solid show. 300 artist surround the capital building with another show just off the square for just Wisconsin artist. Quality runs the gamut at this show so there is something for everyone. With 100 invites handed out every year you are applying for just 200 spots. And this year there were a lot of quality artist that got juried out, while down the street there is soap on a rope and kaka on a stick. Ah, so it goes. This is Kate Hunters (the director) last year running the show, she is graduating and moving on. For me it was a journeyman show just average, some around me did well. I did hear a SICK number from some one who reverse paints on glass, they shall remain nameless. The best part was my wife watched the booth sunday so Mark Reynolds and i could sneak out and watch the final of the World Cup. A month earlier Reynolds picked Spain and I picked Netherlands. I still hate the Octopus. The rain came about 3:30 and everyone packed up early and went home.
My power steering pump went out on the way to Madison limped into town got it diagnosed friday afternoon, parts ordered. limped to the show, PS pulley shears off and drops the serpentine belt. No water pump, no battery ,no nothing. Get packed up on sunday and drop it at the shop. Did i say it was a $printer. Monday afternoon got out of Madison on our way to the west coast a little liter $$$$ Special props to Joe Van and Sharon Fujimoto who shuttled me and my wife around Madison for the weekend.
Salem art festival, this is a three day affair that should only be two. Being from Oregon (30 yr. ago) i had an idea what i was getting into. Just a filler on the way to Bellevue. While it was the lowest grossing show of the three it was the most pleasant one of the bunch. From the location, to the administration, to the setup lunch or dinner (two shifts ) the salmon burger was great. The catered preview party with live music and open bar and great food on thursday night to the artist breakfast (sat,sun) with the cook to order omelets and marion berry pancakes,accompanied by a stringed quartet, and snacks and drinks all day long. The weather was made to order,low humidity temp in the high 70’s . Debby Leahey and her staff made this show an easy one to do. Quality was above average, with comments that this was the best year ever. There are always the exceptions , the colorful pepper mills made in china ,and CNC marquetry spit out by a NY shop of 40 people. And this was the first year that the show was gated and a admission. For some people this might have been a issue, but for me having high end work,it cut the chaff. Anyone who balks at a 5$ dollar gate is not my client. They clog the show and we are just entertainment for the stroller pushing masses. With high unemployment the show was a uphill slog, comments like,” this has been a good show in the past and i don t know what happened “ were not uncommon. For me it was below par and just a filler. Now on to Portland and golf with artist William and Tamen VanScoys and family, we had three groups of 4. Tamen and my brother John tied at one under par.
Bellevue Wa, the Museum show. the most anticipated show of the group.Sales were the best of the three shows. But with a 900$ booth fee one would expect a quality show. 300 plus artist with 80% of the show in an under ground parking structure, ya i know sound inviting ? and 20% on the street where i was. But thats not all, two more show in the area bringing the total artist count close to AA status.. Word was that the show was a week earlier than usual, and some patrons did not know this, its usually the last weekend in july. And the weather was great , warm, low to mid 80’s probably to good. People boating, hiking, taking care of the house, as this was the first summer like weather the northwest had this year. But hey! are we just looking for excuses here!! yup.
` Friday the show was full of qualified buyers, and most had there best day, or should i say morning as it dried up in the afternoon. The show runs 9 to 9 for friday and saturday then 9 to 6 on sunday. It is held adjacent to a mall so there is plenty of built in traffic, so it was hard to say just who was here for the show and who was just shopping and passing through. There were plenty of Eddy Bauer, Macy, and you name it bags walking through. Spotted Michel Monroe (ex director for the Renwick, ACC, and Bellevue Museum) cruising the show early Friday morning. Word is he was unhappy with the quality of the show. And It was easy to see why, buy sell rugs, wooden watches with cheap inserts, a booth that sold prepackaged ceramic bowls that they designed. don't know if they make them. The parking garage looked like a flea market, anyone who had a check book could do the show. People who were rejected, were call to do the show, and they still could not fill it. I counted at least 4 empty spaces. What has happened to this show? I had heard such good thing about it. And have friends that have made serious money here, but I have no answer. not this year. I was thankful for what i did. The show seemed to have the most potential. I know lets blame it on the ECONOMY!!!!!
We drove to Portland and parked the van flew home for a month and fly out to begin the second leg of “The Great West Coast Swing” Sausalito,St Louis, and home for Atlanta art festival.
down the road.
M.
Comments
Your second set of shows should be better have a better outcome at least monetarily, don't you think?
I missed you in your booth on State Street in AA and then Toni and Jay told me where you were. I am pleased to know that your sales weren't the reason for abandoning us there. Sounds like a great trip to see your family and as we all know there are many perks to the art fair lifestyle which obviously you two do employ. Hi to Bea.
I hope you'll give us a report after the second swing.