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There are two summer Art Fair Jackson Hole shows.  One is in July and the other is in August (8/12-14/2016).  Both are produced by the Art Association of Jackson Hole, WY. This review is for the July 8-10, 2016 show, but I would expect similar data for the August show.  This show was established in 1965 and this year was its 50^th anniversary. 

APPLICATION AND SHOW SETTING

     You apply to this event on Zapp.  The jury fee is $35 and a 10X10 booth space is $395.  The show is held in Miller Park, one block off the main street through Jackson.  Set up is Thursday before the show, and overnight security is provided.  There are assigned set up times.  I was originally assigned a 5:00pm set up time but this was changed upon request to 10:00am as it takes us about eight hours to set up.  Parking for set up and take down is around the perimeter of the park.  You dolly to your site on paved walkways or grass.  I dollied about 50’ on grass from the street. During the show, artists are asked to park at least 3 blocks away from the park.  Jean didn’t have any problems finding parking for the Suburban.

     There is a paid gate of $5 for non-association people.  Entrances were at the NE and SW corners of the park.  The association sold beer, soft drinks and water at the entrances.  There was a small food court at the south entrance and picnic areas at the north end.  A youth art zone and entertainment were in the center of the park.  I heard live brass ensembles playing classical to some good jazz.  Booths were laid out so traffic passed all of the booths.  Show hours were 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday.  There were public indoor accessible restrooms at the south end of the park and Porta-Pots and hand washing stations on the street.  Other details for artists can be found at www.jhartfair.org.   

GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

     Jackson is 6,237’ above sea level in Jackson Hole valley. Mountain driving on two lane highways over passes and through canyons is required to reach Jackson.  Flatlanders need to take precautions for altitude sickness.  Jackson is the gateway for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, and the National Elk Refuge.  Plan to spend some time here if you do the show.  As with any mountain location in the west, the weather can vary from hot in the 90s, to cold in the 40’s.  This year, Friday and Saturday were pleasant days, but Sunday started off with a rain shower.  Rain continued off and on all day. Complimentary umbrellas were provided by the art association for patrons.  Fresh snow fell above 9000’ Sunday night, and it was 32 Monday night in Jackson.

The population of Jackson is a little less than 10,000, but during the summer months the place is packed with tourists and summer residents.  Traffic can be a crawl through town.  Many super wealthy have homes in Jackson.  Gas, eating out, groceries and lodging are expensive in this resort area.  Condos generally rent for about $200/night, and motels with microwave and frig are higher.  The key is to make reservations early as “rustic” accommodations and camping can be found.  Bears, moose, and elk are just some of the wild residents to be aware of.  We saw a grizzle bear on the way home on Towgotee Pass.

THE SHOW

     This is a very well planned show by the Art Association of Jackson Hole, and it was managed this year by Erika Bossi.  There were 150 artists, and there was a good mix of mediums.  All of the work I saw was high quality.  Amenities were set up helpers, roaming booth sitters, free continental breakfast all three mornings, and beer and pizza Friday after the show.  Perimeter booths are very tight together because of the paid gate.  Access and storage space behind booths was variable. About 20% of the artists who do the July show, also do the August show.

     Attendance at this year’s show was down but there were still plenty of buyers.  The art association estimates attendance at 5,000 but IMO, 3000 would be a gift this year.  My clients were local Wyoming and Idaho ranch families, horse owners, and upper middle class residents and tourists.  Judging from the dress and jewelry worn by women, the super wealthy of Jackson are not taking in the show as they do in some Colorado resort areas.

Last year’s show is reviewed at: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/review-art-fair-jackson-hole-wyoming-july-10-12-2015

SALES AND ANALYSIS

    My sales for the show were a little less than $5.5K and only $176 less than last year.  Individual sales ranged from a $3 bandana from a set of napkin rings to a $500 pair of chinks (short chaps).  I had a total of 76 sales with an average of $71 which was down from $97 average sale last year.  A little bit of everything sold but belts in the $45-$85 range were the money makers. Other less than $100 sales were napkin ring sets, billfolds, checkbooks, spur straps, reins, slobber straps, holsters, rifle slings, suspenders, flasks, my book, dog collars and leashes.  Sales in the $100-$300 range were for canteens, fancy holsters and belts with silver buckle sets. I have special orders for suspenders, holsters, belts and an interesting horse harness for pulling elk carcasses.  My margin for this show was 57.5%.

THE DOWNSIDE

     The low attendance this year is a concern but I think it can be corrected.  Getting to the back of your booth can be inconvenient depending on your location. There was no sales tax information in the packets this year and management announced the the forms would be mailed out after the show.    

THE FUTURE

     I plan to apply to this show in 2018 because I want to return to Steamboat Springs in 2017. Steamboat has also been a good high-dollar show for me.  Expenses and time out of the studio are less for Steamboat Springs, and I believe it is important to “give an area rest” and not oversell it. 

FUN STUFF

     It is a ten hour drive to Jackson from Franktown, CO and we broke it up into two days. We both attended the University of Wyoming so there were lots of memories.  We passed two of three areas where I mapped and studied jade deposits for my Ph.D. thesis.  Jean’s college roommate was from the Jackson area and she visited the ranch back then. We met a woman from Star Valley who was her roomate’s neighbor as kids.  During the show I bought Jean some jewelry and a pot for myself.  Our hiking plans were rained out Monday morning but we got in an afternoon wildflower walk on Teton Pass. Other adventures during the show were described in:

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/art-fair-jackson-hole-wy-july-8-9-10-2016?xg_source=activity

I am still laughing about the free-spirit gal trying on the chinks. What a hoot.