Hi Everyone! Just finished my last outdoor show of the year in Mt. Lebanon, PA this last weekend. Mt. Lebanon is a very well to do neighborhood south of Pittsburgh. The show is put on in the PNC bank parking lot one block over from the main road (Washington Road).
New directors took over the show this year and approached me at a show earlier in the year and invited me to exhibit there. Now, I know several of my friends have done the show under the old management and have dropped it over the years because they didn't do well. I decided to give it a try because I really liked Steve and Wendy Denenberg and their enthusiasm. They own a beautiful gallery in Mt. Lebanon.
This was one of the most organized show I've ever done. As soon as I pulled up, volunteers came up and had my van unloaded in about 3 minutes. They were also there for tear down, and they were helping people take down their tents!!!). I was able to move my car and come back and set up while drinking nice warm coffee and eating gourmet pastries from a local bakery (The second day it was homemade biscotti). Plenty of volunteers and Steve and Wendy were available for even the hard stuff.
There were 64 booths of mostly beautifully juried art (too many jewelry booths, though). The weather was perfect both days and there were people shopping. There were food trucks in a small parking lot adjacent to ours, food Trucks included Pgh Taco Truck, Oh My Grill, Bella Christie and Lil’Z’s, and crepes. Luke Williams Band was set up for a good part of both days and entertained us with his beautiful voice.
A lot of other events were going on at the show, a food drive, a blacksmith demo, touchstone center for the arts had an information booth. It was impressive for a first time event. The show was the end of a weeklong Plein Air event in town where artists from all over came into town to do some open air paintings, then they were judged for awards.
Sales for me on Saturday were disappointing, but several of my friends had good days. I sell jewelry. Then on Sunday, I had a pretty decent day. One lady who bought a pair of earrings for a gift on Saturday, came back on Sunday and said her husband told her she couldn't give them away....so she came back and bought a matching bracelet and pendant AND 4 other items for Christmas gifts!
I didn't make what I usually make at shows or what I wanted to make, but many others did and this show will do nothing but improve. I did well enough to want to do it again next year, but honestly would want to do it again even if I didn't do that well. Of the artists that I talked to, some did very well, some did not. But most would give it another try. I think in a few years, this will be one that will be very hard to get into.
Steve and Wendy and all of the volunteers were there the entire time and wanted comments and suggestions from us. I really believe that they will implement some of the suggestions that were given by some of us 'seasoned' artists and make this one of the top Pittsburgh shows.
There was talk of changing the date, but then maybe not. Also talk of not being a part of the Plein Air festivities, but as a separate event (GREAT idea, maybe change the name too). They may even provide housing for some out of town artists (do I qualify?). Just a very artist friendly show that really appreciates the artist's.
In my opinion, this is a show to watch. If you are interested watch their website for updates and information: http://www.mtlebopartnership.org/mt-lebanon-arts-initiative/
Comments
Hi Connie,
The show is about an hour away from me (or three depending on traffic!). And you are right, it's nice to have a local show with no hotel expenses. I usually do Three Rivers Arts Festival and 'A Fair in the Park' (in Shadyside in September). That's about all I do locally. I'm planning a 'Studio Sale' Thanksgiving weekend with a couple of my fellow artists.
Steve and Wendy do not have any experience with promoting and only took the show over this year. The show started out as 'Art in the Park' and was run by the local Rotary Club. It just never took off, don't know if it was lack of advertisement or what, I never did it before this year because it conflicted with St. James Court. I'm not sure how they became involved, but they own a local gallery on the main street in Mt. Lebanon. What I like about Steve and Wendy is that they aren't afraid to ask questions and really want our input. They just called me yesterday to ask my opinion about changing the date of the show. I am on the board of 'The Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh' and 'A Fair in the Park' is our flagship event, so that is why Steve and Wendy are asking me for my opinion. They are thinking about September 26 & 27 next year. I think it would be a good move. The weather would be a little more pleasant and they won't be competing with any other shows. This year it was the same weekend as Ft Ligoinier Days nearby. I think it's important to stay consistent once they decide on a date and not change it every year. They also want it to be a completely separate event for the Plein Air event and are going to change the name (if it's all approved) to the Mt. Lebanon Arts Festival. This is just in the talking stages and I can post on here when it's all finalized in case anybody wants to give it a try next year.
Thanks, Laurie. This show was close to home for you too, wasn't it? When you can keep the expenses low it is smart to support local shows because you never know when an old reliable will stop producing for you and you need some fallback. Then, if you have supported that event you have more options for your schedule.
Do Steve and Wendy put on other shows? Were they involved in developing the Plein Air event?
How many shows do you do in this area?
So good to hear about people who sound like they know what they are doing and are interested in listening and improving.
(This is the third show I've heard about this week that sounds like it has promise-- got some good reviews on ArtShowReviews.com for a brand new show in Florida and one in Wisconsin too!)
Keep up the good reports. We need good news, enough of this Isis and Ebola.
Do you think they should change the date?
Laurie, Thanks for such a positive and uplifting show review...a nice change from the usual sturm und drang. It does sound like one to watch...thanks again.