Just a quick post with a little info on two shows.
Anyone, please feel free to add or comment.
Mt. Gretna Art Show, Mt. Gretna, PA
Jenifer VonStein posted a bit back on Mt. Gretna Art Show.
Thought I would add. I have done this show about 7-8 times over the past 10 years.
This show is a two day mid August. Situated in scenic Mt. Gretna, PA.
Wonderful setting. Trees, grass, decent food and background music.
Apps are on Zapp : https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5172
As well as most of the info.
Sales have always been satisfactory for me and my neighbors. I live within a few hours but when I was about a 7 hour drive, it was still worth it. One year we had rain on Sunday and it did bring in much less people, who do have to pay at the gate.
Set up can be on uneven grassy areas. When it rains, some areas can become muddy. I have seen a booth or two with a built up floor for these areas.
I don't recall having any 2d neighbors that traded info with me, but the area is probably a more traditional buying area. I am selling pottery, both functional and decorative have sold for me here.
There is a second show running right next to this one, same time. Did not notice any less sales due to it.
Central PA Festival of the Arts, State College, PA
Also on Zapp: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5133
Deadline has passed for 2017. Mid July, seems to run on a weekend when there are other good shows.
I have been doing this show since 2010, when I moved here.
This show runs 4 days, plus a day to set up. On the streets, plus some of it is on Penn State Campus.
My booth has been close to one of the ends of the show, not close to the busy area or the food.
I have stayed in that space as I had a trailer, and it made it easier to park it nearby.
I have had decent sales, even in an area that is possibly not premium space. I believe most people get through the entire show or close.
The hours of this show are a bit long, going to 8 pm, then it is preferred to take you work out of the booth at night due to lack of security.
I do not have any info to pass on from other exhibitors who are coming a distance. I have had neighbors from several states away, who have not returned, one I know applied but did not get back in, a few others returned and moved to another space.
There is another show going on , maybe 5 miles or so miles away- many people attend both.
Comments
Anything of value? Our stock has considerable value in terms of time to produce it, not to mention cost of materials. But sometimes it's simply too exhausting to remove everything every night and set it all up again the next day. And often shows are aware of the problem and simply don't have the manpower to protect their artists/participants. As you say, there are trade-offs, but losing your art to thieves and vandals shouldn't be part of the equation.
Jacki you are definitely right. No security does keep some people away. I've talked to people who had thefts before and I've heard more than once they simply won't go back because of it. Of course, I imagine if people are aware of this ahead of time they will take out anything of value each night. But as with any show there are trade-offs, pros and cons...
Local police patrol,but it's a very large area and very few officers, lots of drinking and kids out of control with sharp-eyed people looking for booths to break into for theft or just to do sheer mean destruction. You leave stuff in your booth at your own risk, as with all shows.
Doesn't the show at State College provide any security? I would hate packing up every night? It would seem that the thefts would keep people from wanting to do this show.
Brutally honest. Thank you.
Yes, you are correct about the theft and vandalism.
I have always told my new out of town neighbors to take their stuff out at night. I do, it's pottery and it takes forever. Many of my neighbors do not pack up. Some have been lucky, and some have not.
Security is a real issue at the State College show. It seemed there were break-ins and theft or vandalism every year of the several years I did the fair. It's often on alumni weekend (which brings in the out-of-town clientele who are more viable buyers than the locals) and it ends up with some pretty noisy beer drinking and partying on Saturday night and people passed out on lawns Sunday morning. Nice staff, OK sales, didn't balance with the damage and loss for some booths.