The South Haven MI art fair, traditionally held on Sunday, is transitioning to a 2 day show. I know they polled artists last year. I can think of so many reasons to keep it as a one day show, that I am really surprised they are going ahead with it.
The nearby Saugatuck show has always been the Saturday before. A lot of artists did Saugatuck on Saturday, then exhibited at South Haven on Sunday (not me: setting up 2 one day shows back to back is too grueling to do by myself). Now South Haven will compete with Saugatuck, both to attract patrons and participating artists.
I like the South Haven show, but never felt the traffic would justify 2 days, which is what I told them on the survey. I suppose they believe going to 2 days ill make iffy weather on one day less of an issue, but I think it will just dilute any buying intensity. When it has been a one day show, people knew that rain or no rain, it was their only chance.
Hotels in that tourist area are astronomically expensive. One night was bad enough…but two?! Priceline does not operate anywhere near there on a holiday weekend: the hotel owners have no vacancies anyway, so don’t need Priceline to fill them.
I’d like to know what other past participants are thinking of the change.
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I am as puzzled as you about this, Linnea. Is there new leadership at the show that thinks this is a good idea? The back to back shows have worked for years. I'd guess they may be thinking that artists don't want to do one day shows and they may get more applications. I have never participated in either show but have listened to the talk about them for years.
I like one day shows because people have to decide and not think they are going to come back the next day. Usually they are more intense, in a good way. Last year, for the first time, South Haven allowed prior evening set up. That made Sunday MUCH easier. I never did Saugatuck, having heard for years that it was a tough set up, and since I’m always setting up alone, doing the back to back thing is too hard on me.
I called the Art Center the other day and asked for a call back to see if I could get background for this change, but as you may know, the whole west coast of Michigan has had severe weather and mounds of lake effect snow this week, let alone frightening low temperatures. I'd guess they didn't open all week.
I always like one day shows also, in, out, they buy, they get on with their day.