Amy Amdur Productions unfair

I paid $425 for the Skokie art show in mid july......then had  three surgeries and cannot attend......so I sent Amdur Productions a request for a refund ......Amdur rules say they do not process any requests for refunds after May 1....and my request was made in early June.....so I was late in my request based on her non compassionate rules......Amy Productions....there are exceptions.....and surgery is one of them......it is time for you to get into modern times.

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  • What is CERF, Pat?
  • I often find myself defending Amy, and I'm really too new at fine art shows to know what I'm talking about.  But I've found Amdur to be surprisingly, impressively professional after my years in craft shows.  She reminds me more of the people I've met in my corporate life than in the art world.  Corporate people can be tough and less emotionally receptive than us artist types.  We're all pretty caring people for the most part, so it is surprising and disappointing when you run into someone who doesn't come across the same way.  I think Amy really wants her artists to be successful and she is clearly not in the business of art fairs just for fun... she's out to make a profit too.  I know many artists will apply to multiple shows and decide which they plan to attend.  There may have been too many problems with late cancellations so they just made that rule.  I agree that you should provide documentation and continue to make your request.  Someone in that organization has got to have a heart.  I hope you are on the mend!
    • Wendy, I thank you.

      And Barb, Pat, Janet and Carla!

      I apologize, Dave, if I offended you. I never mean to offend.

       

      Hey, Dave,

      Did you know there are many Artists Relief Funds? I googled them and at least two cover your situation. Others may, depending on where you live. Would you try them?

       

      Or maybe AFI should start our own FUND?  What do you all think? Should we put it up to Connie? Then we could donate and artists like Dave would have a secondary recourse.

      Thanks,

      Linda

      • emmm....

         

        No.

         

        I've seen too many scams where someone perpetuates a need (online usually) and it turns out to be false.  CERF (Craft Emergency Relief Fund) is a legit organization that screens those in need VERY carefully.  I remember they were very big in helping out those who were impacted by Katrina.

         

        I've been following this thread with much interest.  I'll keep the rest of my opinions to myself except to say that it's not just "older" artists who have health problems.  Assuming/accusing someone of age discrimination is a pretty slippery slope.

        • It has been interesting to say the least watching David commit professional suicide. How can a person not fulfill their end of the deal then get on the internet and blast the other party! Surely other promoters are watching this thread. In Davids profile it says the thing he loves most about art fairs is.... THE MONEY. In his previous post he states that he isn't going to beg for a refund but after slamming Amdur Productions, goes on to suggest that she return his booth fee or send a check. You can't have it both ways, and if you are in this for "the money", you should reconsider.  Toodle-oo, John
          • John.....I cannot believe that a professional promoter would not allow me to have a valid point of view regarding one of their policies...a refund for not attending due to 3 surgeries....remember that they are all professional promoters who run professinal organizations....the key word word is "professional" here.

             

            Gee, I want the money and I would like Amdur to reconsider without me begging for same....not one or the other....this is a pretty fine point, John, and I am sorry if I am missing your point here....which I may be.

             

            In fact, Amdur Productions called and asked if I had received an email regarding settling this matter.....I told them that I have not received the email and wrote them with my correct email address.......hoping they will send the email again.

  • One major point to be made from this thread is that I believe we, as a group, are getting older.  I've only done shows on the east coast and mostly Florida but I have seen very few young people in shows.  When I first started I thought I would be in the minority but I seem to actually be in the majority.  I see almost no artists in their twenties, a smattering of artists in their thirties.  The vast majority of us either started young a long time ago or, like me, got into this as a second career in preparation for retirement.  And us older people have emergency surgeries and elderly parents with emergencies much more often.  Shows that do not have a reasonable emergency refund policy are going to start losing artists. 
    • I agree.

      When I first started, the Boomers were coming of age and buying their first homes. Times were good and they had a disposable income. Pottery was all over the place and potters were plentiful at every show. Customers needed stuff for their walls and 2D was gooood.

      The housing boom came along and again, everybody needed stuff for that super Mc Mansion they couldn't afford. And here we were, willing to help them out.

      We aged right along with them. Shows and fairs were part of the American landscape for over 40 years.

      I call it the "greying of our industry". Yes, as a group we're aging. (I'm older than Dave.) So when an emergency comes up, a good promoter will make allowances. A hard nosed corporate one will not. And to paraphrase Sam Walton, we will "vote with our feet" who we wish to do business with.

      • Chris, you make a good point about our aging artist population. In fact, Art on the Lawn made a concerted effort this year and last to court some emerging artists who have shown great talent. The Emerging Visual Artists Project here has helped to identify some of them, who have added a wonderful new dimension to the show.

        This year alone, we lost at least six veterans who have been with us since the beginning in 2000, almost all for health (their own or spouses) or mobility issues. Show directors need to take a long, hard look at how they do business, and if necessary, offer incentives. For several artists at AOTL and my other one, I have helped them to arrange the loan of tents and panels, which makes it possible to test the waters without a huge investment. We have to woo young artists, they will not just magically appear.

        • Barbara,

          We have been doing a similar program with emerging artists, contacting Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutger's university and Montclair State to encourage new artists to get involved in art shows.

          As we all know, the "greying" problem is with attendees as well as exhibitors. We are working with social media to attack the former.
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