I am really impressed with the discussions, the write ups, the comments, and mostly, the supportive environment here in the Art Fair Insiders site!
I just did an art festival, an indoor one here in Chicago (Artopia). It was non juried, low key, and it was a blast. Unfortunately the venue was changed literally the DAY BEFORE the event and to an area with absolutely no foot traffic so our numbers were really hurt (at least that's what I think)...but I still managed to do better than I thought I would!
So of course now I can't wait to actually finish my Zapplication and get a tent set up (er, um...get a tent--then set it up and take photos) so that I can get into some juried shows. (yikes, what if they don't like me...No wait, be quiet negative thoughts! But I'm just new and... NO! I said Be QUIET! Yeah, this goes on over and over and over. Thankfully it's in my head and I don't actually scream both roles out loud!)
I check in here quite a bit and have read about all I can find on tents, and even went out to 'scout' tent information at the lovely Gold Coast Art Fair by Amdur. What an amazing production it was, but it seemed a little sad that the artists weren't selling more! However, almost every single one of them that I had the fortune to speak with gave me lots of information and seemed like they couldn't wait to give me their tidbits of knowledge. It seemed so different than so many other areas of life where people 'guard' their secrets and expect noobies like me to just 'figure it out like WE had to'!
So there it is...I look forward to reading more and hopefully seeing some of you out and about at all sorts of great events!
Replies
Hello Anita and welcome to our group. We are glad that you have joined us. It sounds like you are getting your feet wet with some shows. You will learn so much doing these first shows. In no time at all you will be helping other newbies out.
I hope to see you in our forums. It is a great place to learn and help each other out.
Thank you very much! :)
You got it, Anita. Artists are great people and are willing to share all kinds of information. That was really smart to attend Gold Coast, worth a year of going to smaller shows I'd guess. It is huge so you got to see all kinds of different displays, lots of different work, watch the artist at work, figure out how they all got their work into that large park. I'd say that running this show (Amdur Productions) has got to be a huge logistical battle, getting all the pieces in place and working with the City, police, security, traffic, parks dept., etc.
We look forward to hearing more from you as you make the transition. It is not a business for the fainthearted, but gives you power over your life and there is something new to learn at every event and great people to meet.
Do you have any shows lined up?
No, I'm working on applications and I'm actually working also on a website, I thought that'd be pretty smart to have.
So many of these festival juries need to see a photo of the space you'll be working in (your tent) and I haven't purchased one yet.
I live in the city, I have none of the logistics of this figured out just yet except that eventually I plan to move the heck away from Chicago, live in an RV, carry my Wrangler behind me and go to lots of art festivals. I suspect I'll find semi permanent places to stay in the RV and move around just every few months or so.
So, that was a really round about way to say 'no' to your question. If you know of a smart option for starter festivals I'm all ears! I also considered renting a tent for the first few times. Opinions on that? (My mind is starting to hyperventilate...fortunately my body remains totally stable!)
Hi Anita! It's great to have a little humor in this business. I enjoyed yours! Good luck in Zapp apps. Hope you have much success. :-)
Thanks, Pat. Humor helps everything-as long as I can hold on to it!