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  • Thanks for the information, everyone. I appreciate it! I have applied, and will give it a try if I get in. (I live in VA - Eastern Shore but still VA). 

  • I participated in this show last year.  Those who attended appeared to be serious buyers.  My sales were good.  The weather was a factor from set up to take down yet people still came out.  I think that speaks well for the future of this show.  The setting was outstanding.   My only grievance was finding out at set up that we would have to carry our gear about 200' from the car to our space.   The promoter was receptive to artist suggestions.  Last year, I was able to do several Virginia shows in a row making it cost effective to travel there.   This year, Workhouse changed its date and that coincided with a show I had already accepted.  The new date will also make it difficult to do several nearby shows in a row.  For those on the fence, I would recommend this show.  

  • Thanks for asking, Carrie. What I know is strictly from working with the show organizers. They definitely want a "fine art" atmosphere. I believe the director came from a Philly museum. Totally know about the affluent demographics. They hired Katriona Fraser from the Bethesda Arts Festival to advise them. Moving the date on a first year show is no big deal. They got blowback from the "other" event going on the same weekend and decided not to go head to head with it again (don't remember what that one was). They chose this date because they hoped to find some more fine artists who might be in the area the previous and following weekends. Lots of strategizing going on. All good. Now its just up to the marketing.

  • Hi Carrie,

    I was the jeweler next to you at Crozet.  I did this show last year and have applied again.  I won't repeat what others have said.  I didn't have high hopes for a first year show, but it wasn't expensive, close to home, and I had a free place to stay.  I did ok; not many sales, but a few higher ends made it worthwhile.  Not big crowds, but both the buyers and (I thought) the artists were good quality.  I'm hoping that the change of date is good and that the advertising brings the numbers that both they and we deserve!  

  • It is run by the same director as the Bethesda fine arts festival (may show). I was there last year, it was a dreary rainy weekend but people came! My sales were fine for a first year show and I asked all my customers how they heard about it- they all saw some advertisement. The grounds are perfect for a show with plenty of potential for growth. Real bathrooms, great artist amenities. Best of all a director who really cares!!! I would be applying again but this year they changed the date and it conflicts with a couple of other shows ( bad news for me). A nice new show with lots of potential.

  • Hello Carrie,

    I did the show last year. I live in Michigan near Ann Arbor so traveling for me was about an 8 hour trip. I remember the weather was overcast during setup. I added a photo I took as I was setting up and a photo of a small section of the Workhouse buildings that house many artist studios. The art fair artists set up in the center area surrounded by the buildings. For this first event artists could not drive to unload on this area because of the underground tunnels but I read that the tunnels were filled in and artists can now drive to unload and set up. I really liked the pod setting so every artist had a corner spot. There was room for more artists to participate but being a first year I'm sure some artists were hesitant. Overall the majority quality of artwork was excellent from the artists that took part. The welcome I received from several of the artists that make this place their home was wonderful and very supportive of the event. As far as the staff, any issues I had were dealt with quickly and professionally.  Artists were offered snacks, water and lunch. Loved the indoor plumbing. I spoke with several of the staff members as well as the volunteers and everyone was open to hearing what I had to say. It seemed very important to them to make this event successful.  They will have their work cut out for them to find innovative ways to get the information out about this new art fair. The surrounding affluent areas offer the income levels for a higher end art fair. Last year the dates were September 26 and 27 which coincided with another very large established craft fair just a few miles away. Several of those visitors saw the signs for the Workhouse event and shared that they were looking for a more fine art event and were happy to see this. I’ve heard that moving the date of a show could be the kiss of death but I think in this case is a smart move to

    move it to an earlier date in September.

    While I did not meet my projected sales goal for this inaugural show I did put my artwork in front of a new audience. I met some amazing artists and it was a unique setting that has potential to grow.

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