In an effort to do my part for this great online art community, I dare to tread where others have gone before--namely, by reviewing a show I just participated in.
This was my first time to exhibit at the Fairhope Art Show, a three day event.
For several years, they have had two adjoining shows going on at the same time and place-One is run by the Chamber of Commerce and the other run by the local art center. I was accepted into the one run by the Art Center. The Chamber show got a bad rap for a while because of the buy/ sells they let in. I heard they were trying to clean this up, and I need to give them credit for trying to eliminate that "problem" as I didn't see that many commercial vendors in their area. However, an antique store on Section Street apparently decided to get in the act as they sold spaces to buy/sells outside their building.
As regards set up--It was a mixed bag. We were not allowed to start setting up until 6 p.m. I assume because of nearby businesses and traffic. I understood this and had no problem complying. Just the same, some artists were piggy in the way they blocked the street with their large vehicles. We tried to be thoughtful and pulled our truck to the side of the walk across the street from our booth to share space with those around us. We had put a good part of our supplies in our booth space and wouldn't you know it, someone decided to not only pull his big van in the middle of road but smack dead center in front of our booth. They saw us awkwardly hand-carrying and wheeling around their van to set up and didn't offer to move. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to make things stressful for the remainder of the show.
By the way,I was assigned a space on Oak Street, a street Art Fair Source Book said to avoid because of the lack of customer/patron flow. It was dead on correct in saying to ask for Section Street as that is where most of the foot traffic went. And, for some reason, they put all likes of a kind next to each other which didn't help anyone's sales. Glass jewelry artists and potters were side by side with similar items. We decided to dub this "Silica Clay Valley." For this reason alone, I'm thinking about applying for the Chamber Show next time as they didn't line their artists up in this manner.
Side note:The Art Center offered breakfast for the artists each morning, had an hors-devoure (spelling) gathering one night, and had water delivered to the artist tents at least two times on Friday.
My sales were very slow the first day, (it didn't help that the booth next to me was selling $3 and $5 items-I don't know how she could sell things so cheaply. I know I can't because of the time I invest in making everything I sell)-- better on the second--and since huge thunder storms hit the area, they cancelled the third day. I was sad about this as I was expecting certain customers to return, but I understood the need to do that and am glad they did that.
My husband & I had to break down in pouring rain accompanied by the crackle of thunder and flashes of lightning. He wondered if our tent would make a Faraday cage, but I didn't want to find out. We threw things into our truck as fast as we could without the normal care we prefer to use. We were wet right through to our underwear.
I would like to thank the Art Center hosts for offering us a hot breakfast after this take down. It was greatly appreciated. If anyone has any questions, I'll be glad to answer them as best I can. Hope this entry is ok for my first review attempt.
Comments
Very nice review! Since I am considering heading South next year for a bit to test the waters (not Florida!). This info will indeed help in my decision process...after the important decision, that is! In or out!! Looking forward to your input on 4 Bridges.
Oh, and I looked at our notes--we had 10 jewelers and 6 potters all side by side.
Geoff, I will definitely do that next time.
Next month, I will be doing a show in Chattanooga called 4 Bridges and I will be doing the Tennessee Craft show, formerly known as TACA this coming May that's held in Centennial Park in Nashville. I will add the headlines for sure. Thanks for the suggestion!
THANKS for a nice review!! We really need to see more reviews from Southern shows not in Florida; this is a great addition.
Suggestion: If you can edit your post to mention the location in the headline (for example: "Fairhope (AL) Review") that would be helpful.
We and the potter next to us on Oak Street stayed but were told to pack up because of the upcoming storms that came. I wish we had packed up the night before. Funny thing is that it wasn't raining on Section Street at the same time it was raining on Oak. Section Street got rain much later in the day.
I was one of the artist that elected to pack up Saturday evening rather than face "100% chance of severe thunderstorms Sunday". I have been doing the Chamber Show for over 25 years and this is the first time I remember doing this, but I'm glad I got loaded when I did. I'm just wondering if anyone stayed? Did it rain all day Sunday? Did any patrons show up to look at Art?
Wow, Susan! What a shoplifting story. Shoplifting is one of my biggest fears! Trying to watch everything while dealing with customers is so difficult. Thank goodness you had a security officer to report to. We had an experience when no one was to be found, ever, all day for 2 days! Well past the time of doing any good. I'm also rather timid about accusing anyone, but admire anyone with more gumption.
Thanks everyone for your support. The temperature was in the 60's. I've never done Magic City, although I have friends who have. I've been told it rains a lot there, so bring rain clothes. I also had a friend who experienced shop lifting (of jewelry, I think) by someone who was very well dressed. I have learned from experience to not judge a customer by his/her appearance. I once had a piece stolen by a neurosurgeon. I suspected she had taken one of my pieces--reported it to the security officer--and guess what? They found my necklace and works of other artists in the bottom of her hand bag. She tried to blame it on her young daughter. I didn't "buy" it and prosecuted her. She eventually confessed. I'll be at 4 Bridges next month and promise to review it too. Thanks again, everyone!
well then....that makes sense.
Margaret, Fairhope is on Mobile Bay down near the gulf.
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