Hi,
I am new to this forum, so hello to everyone.
I wanted to know if anyone is familiar with Paragon Fine Arts Festivals.
They do Montauk Fine Art Festival, Easthampton and Westhampton Fine Arts Festivals, Cape Cod Fine Arts Festival and a couple of others.
I went to their Long Beach Island Fine Arts Festival today. About 100 vendors. A good mix of arts and crafts. Jewelry was kept to a reasonable 20% or less. I did see (I think) 2 buy/sell vendors (clothing). Not a lot of traffic.
Just wondering if these are new shows/new promoters and if anyone know anything about them.
Thanks everyone.
Robin
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
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My husband is doing the Washington International Art Festival this week and Saturday does not seem to be going to will with sales, he is going to see how Sunday does. Be he does not seam to impressed by a first time show in National Harbor, DC.
Robin Kale said:
Hi Keith,
Thank you for your response.
I am glad that the show was good for you and I hope this year you do as well.
I am going to jury for the show and see what happens. Do you mind my asking which of his other shows you are jurying for?
Robin
>Hi Robin, I think we know each other from the circuit. I used to run The George School Show in Newtown, Pa. I tried the LBI show last year too. I was also a little dubious about trying this new event. But I signed up anyway. The traffic was better on Saturday than on Sunday as I recall, although I made more sales on Sunday. My concern at the time was that the show was schedued to take place before the Summer season kicked in. One of my questions for Bill Kinney, before I signed up was how much of an adv budget did he have. His response was $100,000. Still, I was a little sceptical considering how many times bick adv bucks have been promised,by other promoters, only to find that there were more exhibitors than customers. When talking to the people that stopped by my display, I found that most were from out of town and all had seen the adv in their area. I demonstrated at every show last year and this event was no exception. I believe that there were more knowledgeable art loving people at this event than attend huge shows in our area like Manayunk and Haddonfield etc. I had a good weekend in terms of Sales and have signed up to do the event again this year. I have already applied to three of his other new events for 2010 too. I think Bill Kinney is here to stay and believe that for the first time in over 14 years he is someone that has our backs, probably because he knows how tough this business were in is right now.
Robin Kale said:
Thank you for the info Whitney. Do you mind my asking what his craft is? I was there to take a look at the show on Sunday from 12:00 - 1:00. Not a lot of traffic at that time, but I too thought the quality of vendors was high. Can you ask him when it was most busy...Saturday or Sunday? Early or later in the day?
Thanks, Robin
Whitney Peckman said:
My husband did Long Beach, and Jersey Shore last weekend. He did pretty well, considering the economy and other shows lately, and was very pleased with the number of ppl who showed up. He said the audience was very happy to have the show, saying it was such high quality compared to what they've had in the past in that area. He's feeling pretty optimistic about the Paragon shows.
Hi Robin,
I have only signed up for LBI and their new one in Cherry Hill. The other two events which I was considering were Monmouth County and the one in D.C.
My gut tells me that the D.C show I think, will be a good event, just based on the show which Howard Allen runs in Alexandria in Sept.(Which I can't seem to get into anymore). Its being held at the National Harbor, which is a newly developed area just on the outskirts of the city and very close to Alexandria.
The only reason I haven't applied to it, is cashflow. Going to D.C. involves two nights in a hotel, there is also the show cost and general expenses. I would be looking to spend close to $1,000 even before I open my tent zipper. My booth costs have to spread further this year.Last years show season was generally tough, which means this year, I have to stay close to home until things pick up.
I'll definitely be including Paragon on my list of shows further from home in 2011. They just seemed to know how to bring the right customer to the event.
Monmouth county, unfortunately I'm unable to do, because it conflicts with something else.
Hope this helps,
Keith Mountford
Keith Mountford said:
Hi Robin, I think we know each other from the circuit. I used to run The George School Show in Newtown, Pa. I tried the LBI show last year too. I was also a little dubious about trying this new event. But I signed up anyway. The traffic was better on Saturday than on Sunday as I recall, although I made more sales on Sunday. My concern at the time was that the show was schedued to take place before the Summer season kicked in. One of my questions for Bill Kinney, before I signed up was how much of an adv budget did he have. His response was $100,000. Still, I was a little sceptical considering how many times bick adv bucks have been promised,by other promoters, only to find that there were more exhibitors than customers. When talking to the people that stopped by my display, I found that most were from out of town and all had seen the adv in their area. I demonstrated at every show last year and this event was no exception. I believe that there were more knowledgeable art loving people at this event than attend huge shows in our area like Manayunk and Haddonfield etc. I had a good weekend in terms of Sales and have signed up to do the event again this year. I have already applied to three of his other new events for 2010 too. I think Bill Kinney is here to stay and believe that for the first time in over 14 years he is someone that has our backs, probably because he knows how tough this business were in is right now.
Robin Kale said:
Thank you for the info Whitney. Do you mind my asking what his craft is? I was there to take a look at the show on Sunday from 12:00 - 1:00. Not a lot of traffic at that time, but I too thought the quality of vendors was high. Can you ask him when it was most busy...Saturday or Sunday? Early or later in the day?
Thanks, Robin
Whitney Peckman said:
My husband did Long Beach, and Jersey Shore last weekend. He did pretty well, considering the economy and other shows lately, and was very pleased with the number of ppl who showed up. He said the audience was very happy to have the show, saying it was such high quality compared to what they've had in the past in that area. He's feeling pretty optimistic about the Paragon shows.
I am glad that the show was good for you and I hope this year you do as well.
I am going to jury for the show and see what happens. Do you mind my asking which of his other shows you are jurying for?
Robin
>Hi Robin, I think we know each other from the circuit. I used to run The George School Show in Newtown, Pa. I tried the LBI show last year too. I was also a little dubious about trying this new event. But I signed up anyway. The traffic was better on Saturday than on Sunday as I recall, although I made more sales on Sunday. My concern at the time was that the show was schedued to take place before the Summer season kicked in. One of my questions for Bill Kinney, before I signed up was how much of an adv budget did he have. His response was $100,000. Still, I was a little sceptical considering how many times bick adv bucks have been promised,by other promoters, only to find that there were more exhibitors than customers. When talking to the people that stopped by my display, I found that most were from out of town and all had seen the adv in their area. I demonstrated at every show last year and this event was no exception. I believe that there were more knowledgeable art loving people at this event than attend huge shows in our area like Manayunk and Haddonfield etc. I had a good weekend in terms of Sales and have signed up to do the event again this year. I have already applied to three of his other new events for 2010 too. I think Bill Kinney is here to stay and believe that for the first time in over 14 years he is someone that has our backs, probably because he knows how tough this business were in is right now.
Robin Kale said:
Thank you for the info Whitney. Do you mind my asking what his craft is? I was there to take a look at the show on Sunday from 12:00 - 1:00. Not a lot of traffic at that time, but I too thought the quality of vendors was high. Can you ask him when it was most busy...Saturday or Sunday? Early or later in the day?
Thanks, Robin
Whitney Peckman said:
My husband did Long Beach, and Jersey Shore last weekend. He did pretty well, considering the economy and other shows lately, and was very pleased with the number of ppl who showed up. He said the audience was very happy to have the show, saying it was such high quality compared to what they've had in the past in that area. He's feeling pretty optimistic about the Paragon shows.
Hi Robin,
I think we know each other from the circuit. I used to run The George School Show in Newtown, Pa.
I tried the LBI show last year too. I was also a little dubious about trying this new event. But I signed up anyway.
The traffic was better on Saturday than on Sunday as I recall, although I made more sales on Sunday.
My concern at the time was that the show was schedued to take place before the Summer season kicked in.
One of my questions for Bill Kinney, before I signed up was how much of an adv budget did he have. His response was $100,000. Still, I was a little sceptical considering how many times bick adv bucks have been promised,by other promoters, only to find that there were more exhibitors than customers.
When talking to the people that stopped by my display, I found that most were from out of town and all had seen the adv in their area. I demonstrated at every show last year and this event was no exception. I believe that there were more knowledgeable art loving people at this event than attend huge shows in our area like Manayunk and Haddonfield etc.
I had a good weekend in terms of Sales and have signed up to do the event again this year. I have already applied to three of his other new events for 2010 too. I think Bill Kinney is here to stay and believe that for the first time in over 14 years he is someone that has our backs, probably because he knows how tough this business were in is right now.
Robin Kale said:
Thank you for the info Whitney. Do you mind my asking what his craft is? I was there to take a look at the show on Sunday from 12:00 - 1:00. Not a lot of traffic at that time, but I too thought the quality of vendors was high. Can you ask him when it was most busy...Saturday or Sunday? Early or later in the day?
Thanks, Robin
Whitney Peckman said:
My husband did Long Beach, and Jersey Shore last weekend. He did pretty well, considering the economy and other shows lately, and was very pleased with the number of ppl who showed up. He said the audience was very happy to have the show, saying it was such high quality compared to what they've had in the past in that area. He's feeling pretty optimistic about the Paragon shows.
Robin (hoped I clicked the right reply button) , Syed does fused glass panels, some on copper, some on clear glass. His whole show was on Saturday. Though he spoke with plenty of ppl on Sun, just wasn't able to close the sale. (Don't know whether it was early or late...I think it was pretty steady for him.)
Thank you for the info Whitney. Do you mind my asking what his craft is? I was there to take a look at the show on Sunday from 12:00 - 1:00. Not a lot of traffic at that time, but I too thought the quality of vendors was high. Can you ask him when it was most busy...Saturday or Sunday? Early or later in the day?
Thanks, Robin
Whitney Peckman said:
My husband did Long Beach, and Jersey Shore last weekend. He did pretty well, considering the economy and other shows lately, and was very pleased with the number of ppl who showed up. He said the audience was very happy to have the show, saying it was such high quality compared to what they've had in the past in that area. He's feeling pretty optimistic about the Paragon shows.
My husband did Long Beach, and Jersey Shore last weekend. He did pretty well, considering the economy and other shows lately, and was very pleased with the number of ppl who showed up. He said the audience was very happy to have the show, saying it was such high quality compared to what they've had in the past in that area. He's feeling pretty optimistic about the Paragon shows.
I've been an artist advisor to Bill Kinney (the director) for the past two years. He's doing everything he can to run the shows properly. He's good at getting sponsorship money and know how to advertise. He doesn't allow buy sell and prefers to keep the shows small to keep quality up. He's an experienced photographer on the show circuit and understands what's necessary to run a good show. And his jurors are experienced artists on the show circuit.
But like all the other shows, the economy is also effecting his shows and the artists that do them. Last year was the first year for the two Long Island shows and this year is the first year for the other shows. Prior to listing the shows with ZAPP this year, he reduced the booth fees of all the new shows to take it easy on the artists. Like any show, it's hit or miss for the artists. I know artists that did real well at his shows last year and I also know artists that didn't do well. I haven't spoken to him yet since his shows started this year.
Replies
Robin Kale said:
I have only signed up for LBI and their new one in Cherry Hill. The other two events which I was considering were Monmouth County and the one in D.C.
My gut tells me that the D.C show I think, will be a good event, just based on the show which Howard Allen runs in Alexandria in Sept.(Which I can't seem to get into anymore). Its being held at the National Harbor, which is a newly developed area just on the outskirts of the city and very close to Alexandria.
The only reason I haven't applied to it, is cashflow. Going to D.C. involves two nights in a hotel, there is also the show cost and general expenses. I would be looking to spend close to $1,000 even before I open my tent zipper. My booth costs have to spread further this year.Last years show season was generally tough, which means this year, I have to stay close to home until things pick up.
I'll definitely be including Paragon on my list of shows further from home in 2011. They just seemed to know how to bring the right customer to the event.
Monmouth county, unfortunately I'm unable to do, because it conflicts with something else.
Hope this helps,
Keith Mountford
Keith Mountford said:
Thank you for your response.
I am glad that the show was good for you and I hope this year you do as well.
I am going to jury for the show and see what happens. Do you mind my asking which of his other shows you are jurying for?
Robin
>Hi Robin,
I think we know each other from the circuit. I used to run The George School Show in Newtown, Pa.
I tried the LBI show last year too. I was also a little dubious about trying this new event. But I signed up anyway.
The traffic was better on Saturday than on Sunday as I recall, although I made more sales on Sunday.
My concern at the time was that the show was schedued to take place before the Summer season kicked in.
One of my questions for Bill Kinney, before I signed up was how much of an adv budget did he have. His response was $100,000. Still, I was a little sceptical considering how many times bick adv bucks have been promised,by other promoters, only to find that there were more exhibitors than customers.
When talking to the people that stopped by my display, I found that most were from out of town and all had seen the adv in their area. I demonstrated at every show last year and this event was no exception. I believe that there were more knowledgeable art loving people at this event than attend huge shows in our area like Manayunk and Haddonfield etc.
I had a good weekend in terms of Sales and have signed up to do the event again this year. I have already applied to three of his other new events for 2010 too. I think Bill Kinney is here to stay and believe that for the first time in over 14 years he is someone that has our backs, probably because he knows how tough this business were in is right now.
Robin Kale said:
I think we know each other from the circuit. I used to run The George School Show in Newtown, Pa.
I tried the LBI show last year too. I was also a little dubious about trying this new event. But I signed up anyway.
The traffic was better on Saturday than on Sunday as I recall, although I made more sales on Sunday.
My concern at the time was that the show was schedued to take place before the Summer season kicked in.
One of my questions for Bill Kinney, before I signed up was how much of an adv budget did he have. His response was $100,000. Still, I was a little sceptical considering how many times bick adv bucks have been promised,by other promoters, only to find that there were more exhibitors than customers.
When talking to the people that stopped by my display, I found that most were from out of town and all had seen the adv in their area. I demonstrated at every show last year and this event was no exception. I believe that there were more knowledgeable art loving people at this event than attend huge shows in our area like Manayunk and Haddonfield etc.
I had a good weekend in terms of Sales and have signed up to do the event again this year. I have already applied to three of his other new events for 2010 too. I think Bill Kinney is here to stay and believe that for the first time in over 14 years he is someone that has our backs, probably because he knows how tough this business were in is right now.
Robin Kale said:
Thanks, Robin
Whitney Peckman said:
But like all the other shows, the economy is also effecting his shows and the artists that do them. Last year was the first year for the two Long Island shows and this year is the first year for the other shows. Prior to listing the shows with ZAPP this year, he reduced the booth fees of all the new shows to take it easy on the artists. Like any show, it's hit or miss for the artists. I know artists that did real well at his shows last year and I also know artists that didn't do well. I haven't spoken to him yet since his shows started this year.