As some of you know, I am an artist who does a tiny number of local shows, but run two juried shows. One of which, the Key West Craft Show, was this past weekend and I had some interesting experiences. I would love to have your thoughts as artists on this. If you are not comfortable sharing in the forum, pm me.
Here’s what happened:
At least three people were directed to me after asking about how to get into the show next year. One of them seemed to be a hobby crafter, and was truly clueless about juried shows etc. The other two insisted that they are in many fine shows and understood the jury process, however, after directing them to our website and telling them the details and when the applications would be available, etc. they continued to tell me how fabulous their work was and why I should have them to our show. I continued to explain the jury system and they said of course, they knew all that …… but again…… continued to “sell” me on their work. In fact it got so over the top, that one of my volunteers mentioned how obnoxious it was. I continued to explain that they should apply with their best photos and explain all they were telling me on their app…… but on they went.
This is not a new situation. I have phone calls like this as well. And personally, if I’m being honest, there is a point of self confidence and pride in one’s work where it turns to arrogance and in this case plain pushy. I was turned off.
So….. what were they thinking they were accomplishing? They insisted that they understood a jury situation, but maybe that was the issue, maybe they didn’t and thought I was in charge of getting them in the show? I just wondered if you have any thoughts on this and how to deal with it as it seems to come up more often now.
By the way, we had a great show. I had quite a few artists who had record sales for this show and two artists said, “it was like the good old days, when people stood in line to give me money.” I hope the trend holds all over ….. I think the buy local, made in America thing is getting some feet and we are all going to see the difference!
Thanks all!
Lois
Replies
Ok... so you guys are saying that I am on track, no matter what I say or do, they are going to do this. (But consider this, what if I DO have something to say about who gets in the show and they annoy me so much that it backfires! Game changer!) I guess it's just the day after show crazy I have going on. It seems like I have very few people here that I can share this kind of stuff who "get it."
Overall....... I have fabulous Craft Artists who do a great job to get in and out under difficult traffic constraints, and all kinds of crazy Key West street rules and they all work hard to make this show a success. I really couldn't do this without them/you!
Connie...... you are going to have to make it down ... sooner rather than later!
Lois
You do need to be objective when you are doing the jurying…it is just like judging a show. I know of one artist that is very good at what he makes but he is extremely Arrogant. He only makes one piece a year and takes it to all the state show competitions just to win ribbons.
I had to judge two shows he was in…it wasn’t easy to put his personality aside and judge the work on its own…I did my best. When it came to judge best of division, the other judges just saw his entree and said “Well he won!” I asked why? I then explained why I didn’t think he should win… I made my case and the award was given to another artist. Now my case was not based on his personality, best of division at this show was based on execution, originality and uniqueness. All of his pieces are beginning to look the same, so no longer filled the originality and uniqueness classifications, needless to say he was not pleased.
Chris,
You are so right on being objective. Our committee sees images of work and booths and I see people and their personalities! It's good to be able to have them look at work from a non-biased perspective. Sounds like you did find the right objectivity and could back it up! It's a valuable skill!
Lois - this happens all the time, whether it's asking the organizer, volunteers or the artists how to get into the show, just assuming they will automatically be accepted, of course, some are clueless that we actually pay a booth fee, they think we just show up and set up and sell. Yeah right!
I have seen this handled very effectively by 2 different organizers with very similar results.
The organizer/volunteer kept a clipboard at the info tent, the prospective artist was asked to fill out a small form that included name, email address, etc. and told that they would be put on the list for next year's email notifying artists of the application process, etc. I watched this organizer do a great job of handing the clipboard over, asking the artist to give it to a volunteer when done and finding an urgent matter that required her immediate exit from the info booth!! I was laughing, I've seen her do this more than once when a prospective artist gets a little too full of themselves, also it's hard to fill out a form and keep talking about their work, especially when she threw in a process or technique question that required a little thought to complete.
Here is an idea for you. Have some applications printed at your booth or on your person. When one of them comes up and doesn’t take the hint to go to the web site, you can do the following. “Oh, your work sounds really interesting…you know I just happen to have a few applications with me.” As you look for them…”I always bring a few to hand out to artist I would like to see in our shows.” Once you find the application, write your name on the top and say… “here you go…just fill this out and send it with photos of your work. The sooner you get this back to me the better.” Then tell them to have a nice day and move on.
Now, some may see this as you sweeping them to get rid of them, but if they didn’t take the hint to go to the site, hand them an application and hopefully they will let you move on. Also, if you have an assistant close by you could have a signal of some type where they politely interrupt you to get you away.
Congrats on the good show, Lois. I would have loved to be standing in line in Key West this weekend!
I have encountered people like this. They just don't "get" it (the jury system), or don't want to because they are special and expect special treatment and should be allowed to go to the front of the line. I just point them to the rules and the process and ask them if they want to sign up to be on the mailing list. Do you have all of the info on your website. I'll bet you do. Polite and firm. They may have fabulous work -- tell them you can't wait to see it next year when your jurying takes place. Local people? that will be a little more touchy, especially if they have influential friends. You might also suggest that they visit a few other art fairs to see how the other events are run and they might get a better idea of the scope of organization that goes into what looks like a casual event.
Artists get these people in their booth all the time. We had photography and I don't think there was a show that would go by that someone carrying a camera would pick our brains and say they'd be in the show next year.
I think you are just too nice.