Reston Virginia Art Festival. May 15 & 16

Comment by Ginny Herzog on May 19, 2010 at 11:55am

This was my 12th straight year in this event and it is one of my favorites. I set up my entire booth on Market St. near the Hyatt and hung all but my small 8x8 panels. My booth was stable and weighted and I left the show site about 4:30. I was staying with friends about twenty minutes away and we were on our way to Leesburg for dinner when we got a call from an artist friend, Cynthia Cunningham, who was at the show site and noticed that my friend, Joyce Stratton's booth was blown open. We returned to the show site with cinch straps and strapped our booths to trees and light posts. Joyce was able to secure her damaged tent sides with duct tape. One of my booth panels had moved a few inches due to the booth next to me partially collapsing because of unstabilized panels. I want to point out that I think this was a good test for the Eaton Stack on Weights. I have two on each leg. I hope Connie has a link to their website.

With the special preview event going on at the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), I don't think that they had committee members prepared to alert artists about the approaching storm. I'm hoping other artists who were at the show site will comment about that aspect, as I was about 20 miles away.

The weather was breezy on Saturday, but very manangeable. Collectors came early for the best selection. I had an okay show, sales wise. Sold mostly $700 pieces, one small one and one large one. Had one repeat buyer and the others were new. I also have a good lead for providing art for a new restaurant to open later this year in DC. This show has consistently been good for commissions for me. The crowds were good all weekend and there were plenty of volunteers to booth sit. There was a complimentary box lunch delivered to the artist booths on Saturday and coffee, pastries, juice, fruit for the artists each morning. Set up and take down are very easy. Plenty of free parking nearby for the patrons.

Artists around me were mostly satisfied with their sales or ecstatic. I think that everyone was selling something. Unfortunately, since I was alone, I did not have time to walk the show but I heard the quality was very good. They cancelled the awards party for the artists this year because of the lack of sponsors. I missed it mostly for the opportunity to socialize with my artist friends.

Comment by Victoria Ryan on May 19, 2010 at 11:55am

My gosh the things we and our artwork go through! I'm glad your show ended up well. Those are some beautiful paintings Jorge!

Comment by Connie Mettler on May 19, 2010 at 6:25pm

Jorge, Thanks so much for your report. Your paintings are wonderful and I'm so glad you had a good show. This is pretty much your 'stomping grounds', isn't it? Don't you live near and have a following?

Comment by jorge Caligiuri on May 19, 2010 at 6:54pm

Thaks Connie and Victoria for your words. I am glad to know other good artists like my work. Ginny sorry for your damage, I was with Joice after the party and I tell her about my tent, she was very obset but she didn't mentioned about her tent (maybe was before she knew). I am glad I decided to stay in the festival, but after the party I was thinking just to come back. My God!! to much work to do for 2 days. :)

Comment by Ginny Herzog on May 30, 2010 at 12:47pm

Jorge, thankfully, I had no damage to my display or my work. My booth was secured and weighted well. But I'm sorry for YOUR display damage and I'm sorry I missed seeing your wonderful work at the show. So glad it was a good show for you. Hope to see you next year.

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