I have only done one show this year with a bulk of my shows coming up this Summer (starting in 2 weeks) and early Fall. At the shows I participated in last year, you could see there were less artists filling up spaces. My question is, with some shows having less artisan exhibitors, has anyone noticed if this has any effect on "your" sales? One one side I am thinking if there are less exhibitors that increases the likelihood of more sales with those present, but on the other hand I am thinking customers may be displeased with the "lack of variety" deterring them from buying. Any thoughts?

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  • I agree with you Christine. I find the higher the number of artists at an event, the likelyhood of being passed up grows too. Some people can't walk or won't walk far (say over a 1/2 mile) to see over 1 mile of artists neatly lined up on Main Street or for those shows that take place all over a small town where the whole town shuts down. Mind you there are folks that LIVE for those shows as their reputation usually guarantees lots of foot traffic so if not all people walk by their booth, it's ok as those who do, makes it worth while at the end of the day.

    I actually promoted a few events during 2008 and it was small and intimate. We had any where from 20-30 exhibitors over a span of 3 events we did that year. Our goal was double that, but not have any more than 75 because then, we felt, you run into: Jewelry, pottery, jewelry, jewelry, painting, photographer, jewelry, garden art, fabric art, pottery and repeat. We just didn't feel it would be fair to the exhibitors to have too much as it could hurt their chances of gaining a profit. The feedback from comment cards from both exhibitors and patrons, both said they loved the variety, but more exhibitors would make for a perfect show (worth everyone's while). We also learned from the exhibitors sales (from their comment cards) a smaller more intimate show did help them with sales too. However, I really don't know what others experience in their neck of the woods - a more intimate show may be just right for this area, but who knows some where else and of course from show to show. This is why I posted the question. - Michelle
  • I prefer shows that have less then 200 artists. I notice that there is less of an overwhelming feeling from the customers...who often get overstimulated by too much art..which I notice does happen once those booth numbers exceed 200. Plus once the numbers jump, that means more walking for all the patrons who are normally tired after the first 100 or so booths.

    Some of my best shows have been where the show is established but has kept booth numbers to 80-150 total. My worst shows have been less established shows put on by for-profit promoters who think that 200+ booths will keep them in business yet having a basic disregard for the welfare of the artists.

    Quality and variety of art can be established within that 80-150 booths. I notice often that unless a show is a high ranked (sunshine artists or art fair sourcebook) show that when they start having more then 150 booths, some of the art starts looking the same...ie: color photography, pottery, jewelry. High ranked shows on the other hand get a huge number of applicants and thus can have great variety of artwork within a larger booth number show....but then artists know that these are great shows and thus more variety will be more likely to apply.
  • There is a difference between competing events and the number of artists at an event. I do not believe that less artists means increased sales. One's work needs to be compelling and desired. If a show generates $750,000 in sales with 300 artists it does not mean the same show will still have $750,000
    in sales distributed between 200 artists.
    Less shows will happen, however an effort to limit the size may be a bad. The idea is to get as many individuals interested in art ,not a specific level of artistic expression or cost-- - that will increase with prosperity.
    Rich Peterson
  • The website is www.marylandwine.com/mdwinefest/ if anyone is trying to the use link below.
  • The art show amusement park reference is for anything where there are art booths but that isn't the main focus of the advertising.

    Larry Berman
    Digital Jury Services
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    Art Show Tips Blog
    http://ArtShowTips.com
    412-767-8644
  • Larry,

    The Wine Festival is over 25 years old and at a Farm Museum - check out www.mdwine.com (I think is the website) and they do a bang up job every year (recession or no recession).

    I myself have sold at art fairs, juried events, etc. for 7 years now - no close to you, but feel I am on my way to being a seasoned show vet. I have never heard of a craft show/amusement park before - but other foodie type events yes - BBQ and art for instance. My personal favorites though are the Art in the Park style events or the indoor convention center shows - where advertising is all directed to standard art show patrons.


    Larry Berman said:
    After doing shows for over thirty years, I have one rule that I keep reminding myself about whenever I read something like your reference to the Wine Festival. It's never do a show in a theme park because they come to go on the rides and not buy art.There are rare cases that shows like that work, like the New Orleans Jazz Festival. But the worst shows I've ever done were in conjunction with other events. I'm not saying the Wine Festival won't work if it has a history of good art sales, but if it doesn't have a history.....

    >I am all for partnering up with some things like the Maryland Wine Festival for instance, which is half about wines (and winning coveted awards for being the best wine/winery in MD) but the other half is made up of REALLY good artists and craftsmen.
  • After doing shows for over thirty years, I have one rule that I keep reminding myself about whenever I read something like your reference to the Wine Festival. It's never do a show in a theme park because they come to go on the rides and not buy art.There are rare cases that shows like that work, like the New Orleans Jazz Festival. But the worst shows I've ever done were in conjunction with other events. I'm not saying the Wine Festival won't work if it has a history of good art sales, but if it doesn't have a history.....

    >I am all for partnering up with some things like the Maryland Wine Festival for instance, which is half about wines (and winning coveted awards for being the best wine/winery in MD) but the other half is made up of REALLY good artists and craftsmen.
  • I agree with your opinion, Chip. I do find there are WAYYY too many events occurring in one weekend. Here in Maryland during Preakness weekend, for example, there are about 25 art fair/craft show events (and I am sure more smaller ones) where I could consider about 3 are really good ones. I for one would love to see a "getting back to the basics" when it comes to shows. I am all for partnering up with some things like the Maryland Wine Festival for instance, which is half about wines (and winning coveted awards for being the best wine/winery in MD) but the other half is made up of REALLY good artists and craftsmen. Then there are the other shows that say "carnival" and craft show or flea market and crafts. To me, it seems to send the wrong message to the public where they are seeing craft = simple/hobby and art = high end, pricey stuff that looks "weird". At least I am seeing this in my area - various counties throughout MD.

    Wait, how did I go off topic??? I guess very easily :-) Anyway, when it comes to those who truly appreciate art and are collectors are even thinking about collecting, I know in my heart of hearts those artists who do stick it out will be better off. I see the recession is weeding out some of those who really don't have the business sense needed to be a well off artist who is able to pay the bills and make some profit. I think it will help those folks really "find themselves" and their niche and if promoters are willing to put their hand out in friendship verses "jurying by check" - and WE as artists reciprocate, more good news will come out of this recession for us craft artists. - Michelle

    Charles Bingham said:
    I'm hoping that the shortage of artists will help counteract the economic downturn by concentrating art sales to the top-notch artists sticking it out.
    I hope fewer artists also eventually leads to fewer shows overall. There seems to be too many as it is.... I would rather see a few high quality events where the public gets really revved up than having a large number of competing events diluting the public's support for purchasing art. In some areas you can pick from a half-dozen shows within a day-trips drive on the same weekend.

    Just my opinion....

    Chip
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