This was our 4th year participating in this show in Eastern WA and this was the first time we left there totally mystified, not quite understanding what just happened, but definitely feeling as if we had been punched in the gut.
I’ve blogged about this show before, logistics, set up, etc. have not changed other than Friday was an hour shorter, they ended the show at 8 PM instead of 9 PM on Friday which was a welcome change for the artists. The link to 2012’s blog, which has a link to 2011’s blog can be found here. http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/art-in-the-park-allied-arts-richland-wa-july-27-28-2012
So what happened this year? Definitely a lack of sales and a HUGE disappointment for almost all of the artists we talked to. We were all assuming Friday’s weather and high temp of 102 caused a slower than normal Friday, plus the local Hanford plant that takes every other Friday off was not off this year on Friday. Over the past few years their Friday off coincided with this show so we were all hoping they would show up on Saturday when the temps were supposed to be 8-10 degrees cooler. Unfortunately the crowd did not materialize on Saturday. In fact, the crowd never really showed up, not like it has in the past. We watched a small crowd walk through on Friday morning, then thin out considerably as the temperatures climbed, unlike prior years, the crowd never really returned in the evening.
There also seemed to be more "no show" artists than usual. This show is held the same weekend as the 3 Bellevue shows with 800+ booths on the other side of the state. After trying that madness and mayhem one time, we decided Allied Arts was a better option for us. However, this is a show that some artists will apply to as a back up and if they get called off the waitlist for a Bellevue show, they forfeit their $80 booth fee and take a chance in Bellevue. Interestingly enough, this year I was actually hearing some good reports from Bellevue unlike the past 3 years while I wasn't hearing that very many artists were happy with their sales here in Richland.
We left there very disappointed and wondering if this year was an anomaly or this is a start of a new trend for this show. And as always, since I have a tendency to over analyze everything, I’m sure we’ll be thinking about this between now and next March when we will need to apply for this show.
Comments
That's definitely a consideration, we have other shows where we skip a year or we do it 2 out of 3 years and always seem to have good success when we come back. And, have to admit, it's always nice on the ego to hear someone say "we missed you last year"!
Thanks for the review Ruth, interesting point what Dennis says about oversaturation. This is something I'm always concerned about as I show in a relatively small geographical area that isn't heavily populated. You can't forget about your regular clients, so what about doing the show every second year instead? That gives them a year off but still a chance to buy down the track?
This is sad to hear. I am from Lower Yakima Valley and worked in Kennewick for several years. My family still lives in WA. I had applied and been selected for the show and had planned on making it a working vacation while visiting my kids. Due to health issues I had to call and cancel my booth. My daughter was working Saturday on the other side of the river with some of the Waterfollies sponsor booths. While they rent their space for all 3 days (at a MUCH higher rate) the people stopping in was very low for them also. Her take on it had much to do with the heat. My ex and my DIL both work for either contractors or EPA and had not mentioned any of the layoffs so just from what was not said on that subject I'm not sure how much that might have affected it. I still plan on doing the show next year and had also hoped to do the Prosser Ballon Rally in Sept but had to cancel those plans also for similar reasons. Allied Arts had several events this month in their gallery. Could that have had any impact on the lack of attendance at the festival?
Thanks Dennis, did not know about the impending director change again. Wasn't it last year when they also had a new director? So they are quickly changing staff which is never good.
I'm sorry your results weren't better, I did see a few of your pieces walking by our booth so I was hoping you were having better sales than we were. I'm "muddling through" your comment about the oversaturation. Like you we had a lot of customers who came in and talked about what they bought last year, but didn't buy any of the new pieces. Tri-Cities is not a huge area and we were in the Allied Arts Gallery for 2 years as well, we might have also hit that oversaturation point. Yet something else for me to overanalyze!!
I also heard on Saturday night from another artist that Hanford had issued some "pink slips", as the area's largest employer I'm sure that would have an impact. Did you hear anything about that?
Ditto on your take on this show Ruth. This was my 10th (?) year doing the show and I came away with similar feelings. Friday was the typical mad rush as soon as the show opened but unlike years past, the crowd petered out way sooner than normal. I, like you, assume the 100+ temps had a lot to do with that. Saturday, started out so slow I had already crossed it off my "to apply too" list for 2014, but leave it to those show gods to dangle a great sales afternoon for me which had me rethinking my decision to bail in 2014.
Driving home early Sunday morning I came to my senses. Friday afternoon I started counting how many comments I had that went like this. "Really love those pieces I bought from you last year." "My dad loved the fractals I got from you for his Christmas present." "I have so many pieces of your work, I'm sure I'm your largest collector." I gave up after I reached 50.
Even though I pushed back with "hey I brought a ton of new work with me this year" 90% left without buying. What do this tell me? I've saturated this market even though a few new customers came in Saturday and bought large wall pieces saving my show. A few things I pointed out to the new director which BTW is leaving after this year, hmmm, was it is essential to help us artists out with advance booth placement via email, not the surprise most artists get when they show up. Plus the handout given to the public states that that this show is in the top 200 festivals in the US and that over 40,000 people attend. Both mis-statements. After looking, I can't find a top 200 ranking anywhere and the Chamber of Commerce' website say that 40,000 people come to town for the annual hydro plane races. I guarantee not all of these visitors come to the show. I'd be surprised if 10,000 made it.
So, if any high ups from Allied Arts reads this I'm sure not to be re-invited in the future but I try not to pull any punches when my and my fellow artists livelihoods are in the balance.
Hi Ruth. I always ejoy reading your show reports. Sorry about this outcome. We have had several usually good shows end up less than stellar this year. The first couple, I thought were just due to whatever, but after 4 or so, can't help wonder what's going on in the Midwest. Interesting that you have seen this in the West as well. I thought that the economy was on the rise last year. I'm waiting to see what happens over the rest of our show season.
Thanks for the review Ruth. This show has been on my watch list the last couple of years but for one reason or another I've never applied. I think the heat may be one reason.