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Coconut Grove 2017.  Here is a review on todays Coconut Grove.  Barry gave us a good blog on what the Grove use to be.  I only know todays Grove so here it goes.

President weekend Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  This is a big show and a big event. There are over 350 artists and many other event tents, a culinary pavilion, sculpture garden, vip areas, family zone, and music stages.  Fun Miami dance music.  In my area we could hear it but wasn’t intrusive to conversations  and made for some fun dance parties behind the booth.  They charge a gate fee for $20 and offer many different level passes at $100, $250 and $500.  Last year I stayed about 2 miles away but this year I stayed a few blocks from the show and watched this massive event unfold on set up day Friday.  Wow there is a lot of coordination with the city, police and community to make this show happen.  The main part of the show is along Bayshore.  Just closing the street down is a major feat.  There is a fence put up around the show since they charge a gate fee and this covers a large area.  I can’t imagine all the work that goes into pulling this off. 

Set up is on Friday after 3pm.  For such a big show in the city the set up is very easy.  You drive up to your booth and park across from your booth.  Set up is uneventful and easy.  You are sent a lot of information before the show via email.  You can print off an entry pass for your vehicle to get in and out.  Check in is when you have time on Friday, before, during or after you set up.  Booths are on one side of the street along bayshore.  You have a median behind the booth.  There are two off shoot roads with booths and the set ups are across from eachother.  I have always been on Bayshore.  You set up the tent about a foot away from the curb and if there are not too many plants in the median behind the booth you have even more storage.  There is not a lot of space between the booths so if you need to get to the back of your booth make a door. 

The weather was perfect from set up to break down.  Sunday was warm and hot in the sun but it didn’t stop the crowd.  They estimate over 100,000 people attend the show.  Looked like it to me.  Saturday morning there was a big line at the entry gates of people waiting to get in.  It got crowded fast and serious buyers were out shopping for big work.  This show is suppose to be originals only.  Many artists cheat unfortunately.  There are so few shows that are originals only I wish the artists that don’t want to do original only shows would just not do this show instead of cheating.  We only do originals so it isn’t anything new to be at shows where people sell reproductions.  Just like anyother show so it doesn’t change all that much for us.  The boat show is also the same weekend.   Saturday and Sunday packed all day.  Monday crowds were lighter in the morning but picked up.  Strong sales all three days.  Monday is the day the bargain shoppers come so be prepared to be low balled on prices especial 15 minutes before the show closes.  People come from all over the world for the boat show and also attend this event.  These are people with money and they are shopping.  We are shipping work to Germany, Italy and Egypt as well as California, Seattle and Chicago from this show.  Miami is our market and The Grove was an excellent show again.  Better than last year.  Of course not everyone had a good show.   In our area there are lot of trees, excellent for shade and to keep you cool, but the booths can get dark so you better have lights.  I think this show more than any other we had a lot of artists to come and see how to set up a light system at our booth and asking advice.  Lights make a big difference.  Yes more to set up, haul around and more money into the set up but one big sale because of lights your investment is covered plus some. 

Artists amenities, they offered just what I love.  I don’t care about dinners because I am always too tired at the end of the show to attend.  Lots of booth sitters.  At The Grove they have a VIP area which the patrons pay $60 for but the artists are allowed in.  You are given two alcohol drink passes a day, food comes out through out the day, cold non alcoholic drinks through out the day and a trailer a/c bathroom.  Waters are also passed out at the booths by volunteers.  Monday they ran out of water to pass out  but you could just go to the VIP area and grab as many cold waters or sodas you wanted to bring back to your booth.  There is one area of the show, Pan Am street which is not convient to the VIP area for the artists to get to.  Many shows don’t offer anything so I am thrilled with what they offer and there are always booth sitters for you to run and get away to the vip area regardless of how far you are. 

Break down also pretty easy for such a big show in the city.  You are suppose to break down your tent before you get your vehicle.  This is not monitored and most artists do not follow the rules.  It didn’t affect us since we do break down first and have a double booth so as long as the road is kept clear and we can get in we just park in our double booth spot while everyone else parks across from their booths.  The block captain was very good about keeping the roads clear so no problem.  Everyone works well together.  Those artists that wanted to get on the road that night we all gave them first dibs on getting in since a few of us were staying the night because  we always stay an extra night and plan deliveries Tuesday mornings.  Not a stressful breakdown at all. Show ended at 5pm and even going slow we were out by 6:45.

This show is a very expensive show to do.  One our most expensive of the year.  Double booth is $1660 and jury fee $55.  Lodging is very expensive this weekend in Miami and we stay for 5 nights.  Parking is $20 a day unless you pre pay and get artists parking for $40.  A great way to cut expenses is to get a house and share with other artists.  We had an amazing house, best air bnb yet, a few blocks from the show.  This area isn’t going to have anything not nice or cheap but being able to cook meals and park for free saves a lot.  Its really fun staying with artist friends too.  We share cooking meals and support eachother with other aspects of the show.  It’s a great way to go and we try to do it at every show possible.  Total expenses for this show costs us close to $4,000 by the time we pay double booth, lodging for 5 nights, travel expenses, food and cost of art work sold.  You need to have a high return on this show for it to work.  Run the numbers and see if it makes sense for you.  Our expenses are higher since we do a double, stay close to the show, two of us are eating and the cost of materials for a large scale original piece is not cheap to make.  The show is well worth it for us and we love it.  Really hope to be accepted again next year.  

Best air bnb to date :)  enjoy the journey