Has anyone participated in past Woodlands Waterway Arts Festivals? If so, what were your thoughts?
I've been accepted and am super excited but since I'll be driving 30 hours to do the show. I'm breaking out of the area I usually show in and thought it'd be fun to do a Texas show. Just want to double/triple check to make sure I'm making a good decision!
Thanks for all of your insight!
Kim
Replies
Thanks for the detailed information about this show! I feel like my decision has been validated. Thank you!
I know it is a major undertaking to travel that far for a show, especially since so many factors can determine the monetary outcome (weather, economy, artistic tastes, etc, etc). I've always wanted to go to Texas (never been!) and figure I'd make a road trip out of it so I figure if I break even, it would be worth the experience and the adventure! :) and if I don't break even, then I'll have done an awesome road trip!
I'll make sure to plan my trip so I arrive early to set up and to make it to the preview party!
See you guys in April!!! :D
It is a nice show, with perhaps one of the best VIP events in the business. I would think twice about driving that distance to do just Woodlands however. I did it once that way, and I was on the waitlist for Main St Fort Worth. Didn't get into Ft Worth, but made it worth my while by taking an extended loop around the southwest and making a bunch of new work which paid for the trip, ultimately. That time, Saturday was cold and blustery, and storms raked Houston the Friday evening before. No one came out on Saturday. There might have been 1,000 people. Then Sunday was bright and clear, and we were mobbed. One of the best days, sales-wise, we'd had up to that point.
We did it again last year, and are in this year, and I am happy to be going to Woodlands rather than to Dogwood in Atlanta. We had a very good show there last year, and the weather was terrific. That certainly helped sales, for me. The Texas shows are scheduled strangely this year, with three on one day, and only one the weekend of Easter. But if you can put a couple of shows together it helps with the cost of getting there.
The audience is well-educated and well-heeled. The setup can be tricky as the path is narrow, and there is no real room to maneuver. Patience is a virtue. The extended setup on Thursday is a god-send, and you can wait until Monday to load out, too.
The organizers are very nice, very polished, and overall, what Travis said.
Kim...My wife and I are doing this show for the first time also. I will be following this discussion. 30 hours is quite a long drive unless you have other shows planned back to back. It is only about a 5-6 hour drive for us.
It is an excellent event, with wonderful artist support, and good to great sales. It has been getting better every year, and is now one of the top shows in Texas. If you can, take advantage of the Thursday set-up, the convenient host hotel, and the very enjoyable Preview Party on Friday night. The preview party requires a donation of your work, for which you receive two tickets to a lavish buffet (plus a drink or two) at the host hotel. It is fun, and often leads to sales over the weekend.