Hi all,
Just wanted to post a review of my experience at Fest for All in Baton Rouge, LA this past weekend. It was my third year doing the show and this one reached a new personal best for me.
Saturday was a bit slower than I had expected but still very steady. I sold 9 pieces beginning at 10:15 and ending around 5:00. Lots of interest all around. The show has long hours but luckily the show organizers provided lunch for all of the artists. The sandwiches were a great boost and considering I had left my water in the car, I was grateful for the bottled water they provided for us. I do think that the show could have ended a bit earlier on Saturday....maybe 6:00 instead of 7.
Sunday was fantastic. I sold another 9 pieces and received two commissions. Sales were steady starting at 12:30 up until 6:00. Two pieces were higher price points, (over 1k). My work is 2D mixed media, works on paper.
Load out and load in were very straightforward and easy. I was really impressed with how accommodating the organizers were- they even let me set up early knowing that I was on my own. One of the show organizers even stopped by to help me load up my vehicle. I thought that the show was run well and am looking forward to returning in 2014. I hope they will accept my application next year.
Comments
Hey there everyone,
It always amazes me how people can have such different experiences! Elle, I am so sorry yours wasn't a good one. I just recently had a disappointing show and it was super hot out. Ugh. And now I am putting it together, you were the awesome robot artist two booths down from me. I can not believe you didn't have a good show- your work is so unique and the old tins you upcycle are so eye catching. So hard to figure out why some shows are good and why some are a total bust. You should try for Jazzfest, I think that you would kill it out there. I find the New Orleans crowd to be a little more edgy/quirky.
My legal name is Hannah and because I am posting financial info I wanted to keep it semi anonymous but I am sure you remember me- you let me peek in the back of your sweet Transit Connect. (I now have transit connect envy.)
Also in answer to your question I have been an AFI reader for years but am always shy about posting. I realized how much it had helped me over the years and figured, what the heck, just put up a review. Partially coming off the high of this weekend I guess. Next is Austin, then Jazzfest, then Old Town in Chicago. I started doing those shows because of reviews I read on AFI.
Where are you headed? Any recommendations for shows in your area?
I was also at the Fest For All and it was my second time being there. We were there 2 years ago but couldn't go there last year because of jazz Fest in Nawlins'.
My wife Carol and I had the pleasure of meeting Elle Heiligenstein there and the three of us got together on Saturday night for dinner. Hello Elle...hope the long drive home was OK.
Elle has some really unique and fantastic work made with found objects...very nice...!
Load in and out was a bit of work and we had to cart everything in and out because our spot was on a narrow street and did not afford us the opportunity to drive up to the booth. I guess this is what we deal with when the show is in the old downtown district near the river. some shows are east setup and others are not so easy..you just gotta do what is necessary...but I was fortunate that my wife and I work together to load/unload.
There were no booth sitters or help at the show to unload...but I do know the show promoters for months have been consistently trying to get volunteers for the show...and if people don't volunteer it is difficult.
I did not care for the lunch and I ended up eating some chicken from the food vendors.
Overall the show was good for us and we had good sales, an award and met a lot of great people.
We will apply for Fest For All again