Easter messed up the springs show line up. It is no secret that my favorite small show is the spring time Festival on Ponce in my home town Atlanta. There are around 100 artists, a few kid things that are away from the artists, a handful of food trucks, no funnel cake and a small acoustical music stage. Oh and it is in a VERY wealthy area of Atlanta. I have done numerous reports on this show and I am sure everyone is tired of reading the basics for this show (if you aren't you can check out past reviews all the basics are the same).
What was different about the show this year is the date. It is usually the first spring art festival in Atlanta. Usually the weekend before Dogwood. People are ready to come out and enjoy a show. This year the Ponce show fell on the same weekend as Dogwood and many other of the bigger shows in the south. I was not happy and struggled with what shows to chose. I decided to turn down travel shows since it would be crazy to travel for a show when I have two decent ones to choose from in my home town. Now which show to choose. The crazy circus show or the intimate art show. Obviously I went with the small intimate show. I sell originals only and I find that my price points are just too high for the huge festival shows that are really more about music and kid rides and funnel cake, etc, than about the art. This is just me, I know many artists need the big crowds and do excellent at the larger shows. I just don't. Yes I can count on making a "pay check" at these type shows, but rarely more than that.
So how did the little guy do this year when it went up against the big one? It was wonderful. I suspected that the patrons who would attend Ponce were not the same type Patron that attends the bigger events and I was right. One of the best parts about this show is that the Patrons are qualified. Even the college kids are qualified because their parents buy them art as gifts or start their childrens art collections. Couples jogging buy stop mid jog look at a 48"x60" piece, drink some water, buy the piece than jog home to get their car to pick it up. You don't need signs like this at Ponce
When I would see past clients of mine I would ask them why they choose to come to Ponce over Dogwood and their response over and over again was that it is too much of a zoo and not enjoyable for them. Again I am not saying that Dogwood is bad, I have many friends who killed it at Dogwood this weekend. I am trying to give a different perspective on the type of buyers I attract and what type venues are more conducive for my work. It was wonderful to not have to constantly tell people to stop tapping my work with their mini flags. I didn't get one person who had sticker shock. No one told me their kid does work like mine. It was a lovely weekend. I wish I had more shows like this one. Oh and President Carter returned with his daughter Amy and his granddaughter:) Very civilized show.
This was the music venue behind my booth. The music was always at the appropriate level and the patrons loved the setting as did I
Comments
This show also sounds relaxing. You can relax and enjoy the show. I get what people are taking about when they say it is a circus. I like to go to the popular shows but I hate the crushing crowds. I end up seeing nothing really and if a booth is packed I end up walking away. This sounds like it is enjoyable enough that those with money would end up buying.
My kids (in Atlanta) both warned me about Dogwood Fest. They said "mom, you really don't want to do it...so many people they can't see the art". Glad you found a show that is pleasand as well as being worth your time and effort.
I also sell only originals and I agree that often the smaller shows are the better shows-great to hear the review. Good luck with the rest of the year. I'm in the west but it makes me want to try east of the Mississippi.
It's good that you know your market. Sounds like a great show!