East Lansing Art Festival.
This is the first show I do since I stop working at my 10 to 6 job. So many questions about why quit and how can expect the shows to support me. The reality is that I could not believe how can I do both things at the same time. There are some many things that I need to take care now (health insurance, federal income taxes, state income taxes, medicare and social security).
I was call from the wait list. I did not have to much information until 2 weeks before the show. I book Super 8 for the weekend and that was a big mistake. Nothing that will make me tell them sorry but I can not stay here but it was close to it. I also found out that no all hotels are part of online booking service. I miss on Red Roof and that is always my first choice.
The trip is only four to five hours from Chicago. I was surprise how easy it was. They schedule you for a set up time. I got there a bit early since I did good time in my traveling from Chicago to East Lansing. I can pull up to my space and unload. Go and park at enclosed parking lot which there is no extra charge for it. Set up my tent and then head to the hotel. One thing that make sure is to know where a Target or similar, Menards or Home Depot, Movie Theater and food place are located. These place had help me to have a relaxing show. This around I need a second battery charger and because of the hotel I manage to watch the new Godzilla and stay out of the hotel until I was ready to sleep.
The show started Saturday at 10 am and end at 6pm. There was change of rain from noon to 6pm. That really never happen. I end having my best Saturday of the season so far. There was people purchasing art most of the afternoon. We get a very good artist dinner and that save me a meal cost. Sometimes you to this dinner and you going to another place to eat. The judging suppose to happen during Saturday but I think it never did or was not even aware of it. I do not know who won.
Sunday the show goes from 10 to 5. There was a lot of people walking the show but very few sales. I only did 1/5 of Saturday sales. I found out later on that East Lansing Art Festival is a Saturday show. So you really need to hope for good weather and sales on Saturday. If you do not get close to sales goal for the show in Saturday it will be uphill battle on Sunday.
Another sad thing that happen in the show a food Vendor run over to tents and total on tent and mayor damage to the second one. God figure that on out. Also Saturday night even the police station in front of the tent and fellow artist had his back wall and awning slide into pieces. Then the guy next to me also had the same problem. The damage is under 300 so insurance wont help.
The break down is very easy. Take your tent down and pass to get in. You pull in to your booth or parking lot near to your space and load up. I was back in Chicago by 10 pm CT.
Like any other show there are artist that did not break even. The cost for the show for me was $325 for booth and jury fee. $130 for the hotel. $100 for gas. I was told that this show usually produce between 1500 to 2500 in sales for photographers. I will only recommend to photographers that are close enough to the show or use it as a filler or back up.
Comments
It was just vandalized. I bring my tools with me but at the end of the show I take them with me. I found the hard way like you Kristin is better not to leave anything with black market value at the booth or van.
Good review, Oscar. Were the tents just vandalized, or were things stolen, too? I've had things taken from my tent at night, but the thieves were very neat and zipped my tent back up when they left. They didn't get much of value, mainly tools and supplies. I still miss my favorite pliers. I never bring my favorite tools to shows anymore!