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After an awesome 24 days in Cartagena Colombia we came back For Coconut Grove.  We were waitlisted for this show.  It is hard enough to plan a Florida tour but when a waitlist happens it is extra difficult.  We have never been to Coconut Grove.  We have the travel bug and really didn't want to come back home where it was wet and cold after Beaux Arts.   October we decided we were going to get off that waitlist and planned like we were in the show.  Hotels this year were CRAZY expensive for that time.  It is a three day show Sat, Sun and Mon,  and you setup on Friday.  That is 5 nights.  Hotels were going for $400-$500 a night in the area and house rentals were being snatched up fast.  We booked a four bedroom house with other artists and committed to being there whether or not we got in.  We figured if we didn't get in we would have a chance to check out the show, enjoy more time in beautiful Coral Gables and help out or artist friends.  Luckily we got off the waitlist.  This is an expensive show to do even with out the hotel rates.  The booths are high cost and we double booth it.  This is a really big show and there is another show right next door.  Lots of artists and big expenses.  We had shied away from the show because the reviews were so mixed.  You never know until you try it so this is what we did.

 The show is set up like a backwards Z or a hard S.  Most spots are along Bayshore.  There is a big median in the road.  Booths set up along the median with booths on one side.  The other two off shoots are across from eachother for the most part.  Here and there along the main drag you may have promo booths across from you.  It is a really big show and too difficult to explain.  Some booths are better than others but that is true for most shows.  We had some room on either side, enough to walk thru.  

Set up is Friday afternoon.  You drive up to your space and unload.  You can check in after set up.  Some spots it is easy and clear others a bit tight.  Everyone seems to work together.  You can buy artist parking.  This works for some if the parking is near their booth.  There are plenty of other parking lots you can pay for that may be more convenient.  We had a double spot in the 800 block and could easily park and set up.  We didn't have to move since noone else was there setting up around us.  We are fast and got set up  in about 1 hour.   Coconut Grove has a lot going on.  The marina is right there and a great shopping/restaurant area.  The logistics for getting around is challenging for the first time. 

The weather forecast was perfect for Saturday.  Finally great weather.   The crowds were good  but most sales were around $300 from what we saw and what other artists told us.  We are large scale original only abstract.  Nothing under $1k.  We didn't meet many patrons on a mission to find original art Saturday.  Sunday another perfect weather day and it  felt like a different show.  People were out on a mission with a plan.  They were shopping for big work.  We had a great day.  Monday there was light misty rain on and off.  The bargain hunters were out.  Sales happened even after break down.  Of course some had excellent shows and some had ok shows and some did not do well.  Many artists have done this show many many times.  They said maybe it was time to give the show a break.  We were thrilled with the show. 

Artists amenities were good in my opinion.  It changed from years past and some artists were not as happy.  This year they had a VIP area opened up for the artists.  They had food, cocktails, beer, wine, soda, water etc all day.  They had trailer porta potties (my favorite).  It was located at one end of the show.  This is a long show so if your booth wasn't near the VIP area it was difficult to get to.  With free booze some artists spent too much time in the VIP area.  It was not too far from us so we used it for the nice bathrooms but I always pack my own food.  Some artists care more than others about artists amenities.  For me I just want a strong buying crowd.  They had plenty of volunteers for booth sitting.  We don't need booth sitters but the offer was always there. 

Load out.  This was really unclear.  Our entrance into the show was closed at the last minute because of a safety problem.  That messed up our exit strategy since the truck was already lined up.  The show ended at 5pm.  We were out by 7pm.  Not too bad considering the confusion. 

I really liked this show.  It is big.  It is confusing.  It is expensive. There is a ton of competition and amazing artists.   Miami is a great market for our work.  The patrons are all ages and ready to buy if you have what they want.  Be prepared for bargaining. 

After this we finally had to head home for a bit to restock and take care of home business.  Next up Gasparilla.