Stone Arch Art Festival, Minneapolis, MN (Father's day weekend)

Comment by Sabrina Aughenbaugh on June 20, 2011 at 10:06pm

Hi Katie...thanks for taking time to send us this review.  Wish it would have been more profitable for you.  So happy you are home safe.  Best of luck with your next show.  

Sabrina (administrator)

Comment by Debbie Roberts on June 20, 2011 at 10:54pm

Thank you for this report!  Hopefully in the future (when I hope to eventually participate) people will be ready to spend some money.

Comment by Jill Flinn on June 21, 2011 at 8:22am

We had the same intrepid attendees in the rain, but reluctant buyers throughout our end of that show as well. Artists around us said people had actually narrowed their selections down to one piece, yet still wouldn't buy. We had an okay Sunday as new condo owners wanted work for their new walls, thankfully.

Another 'show' was the lightning display in the south sky as we drove home & into the storm.

Comment by Jacquelyn Morgan on June 21, 2011 at 9:11am

I prefer shows with less entertainment, especially when it comes to the beer and wine tent.  Maybe I'm selfish, but I want the attention to be focused on the artists.

Comment by geri a. wegner on June 21, 2011 at 10:31am

If a show is about art, it should be about art.  There should be food to encourage people to stay longer but, fuddy-duddy that I am, I don't see the need for drinking at an art festival that closes at five.  Appropriate music near the food vendors  can add a nice atmosphere but if the festival is a combo of music, food and art, the booth fees should be lower.    Charging a nominal fee to the attendees would net the promoter the same $$ but give the artists a break since they are no longer the sole focus of the festival.  

Hey Katie, see that you are doing Glencoe this year.  While you never know, this is a much better venue for your gorgeous work than the one I saw you at last year.

Comment by Tahmi DeSchepper on June 21, 2011 at 3:25pm

The show this year was a little down from when I did it last in 2009. It's a good medium show for me (made better by the fact that I have family up there and can actually see my dad on Father's Day!). But I too had the same experience on Sun. Lots of people - but it was really hard to get them to buy anything. Sat was really funny - thought the show would be over when the rain began but people there are tough! Actually had about $400 in sales during the worst of the downpour. Maybe it should have rained on Sun too - LOL!

Comment by Connie Mettler on June 21, 2011 at 6:44pm

Thanks for this report, Katie, full of pertinent details.

Here's a video of the event I found online:  http://kstp.com/article/stories/s2166399.shtml

Looks like a lot of younger people which can be good, a new audience, but maybe more interested in each other than the art??

Comment by katie balas on June 21, 2011 at 9:35pm

All walks of life were at this show, the people watching aspect of being an artist sitting in my 10'x10' space was very entertaining to say the least.  I just think the huge crowds were there for the food and entertainment more so than the art.  I say this b/c I watched the crowds flow down the aisle without even glancing from side-to-side to look at the art.  I had a few artists doing demonstrations by me, they had the crowds gather around their booths for a short time, but all left without purchasing a thing....they were there to be entertained.....at least that's how I saw it.  I have done a few of these types of shows now, and have finally decided they are just not for me. 

Comment by Jan Raven on June 22, 2011 at 9:23am

My booth was next to the artist (Kendra Baird) who had three paintings stolen (she won "Best Painting" award; don't know if the ribbon came with a check).  She did end up selling several pieces on Sunday.

 

I live in St. Paul and have enough experience with cool rainy days at shows in the Twin Cities to know that the rain does not send everyone indoors.  People here seem adept at navigating booths with their umbrellas.  I didn't have as many sales as I usually have at shows, but still managed to claw my way to "average," which for me is about 3K.

 

One more thing about this show, is that there are actually three or four distinct areas where booths are placed.  Katie, you and Tahmi and I were all in the business district of St. Anthony Main, which many patrons consider to be the full extent of the festival.  If you keep walking east, however, the show narrows down to a single line of booths that are right on the street facing the historic Pillsbury "A" mill, and then even further opens up again into Father Hennepin Park, where there are about 100 booths.  This park is right at the end of the Stone Arch bridge (and booths cost less at this end).  I've been down there and it seems to get less traffic.  People go to the main area (St. Anthony Main) and might get as far as the "A" mill, but it isn't terrifically clear that there is more to see, and so turn back.  There is also a new line of booths on the sidewalk that heads out to Waterpower Park, where the big entertainment stage is located.  I cannot imagine that sales are good there!

Comment by Char terBeest Kudla on June 22, 2011 at 1:43pm

Did you see on the FB page...they are considering adding Friday to the show...go to their FB page and voice your opinion......I say no to three days.

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