I am one of the patrons of an art festival that everyone is always talking about. I love art festivals, if I miss one, I am sure that the perfect piece of art will be at that festival and I won't be able to get it. Consequently, I go to a lot of art festivals. I have been known to shedule vacations so I can go to art festivals in other parts of the country. I live in Miami and just purchased a 2nd home north of Chicago, where I have lived a good portion of my life. I get to go to art festivals pretty much year round.Since I have to furnish a new place from scratch, I have enjoyed festivals more this year than usual. However, as a retired person, I have to watch my budget more closely to match quality and quantity as much as possible. I have noticed that a lot of artists have a wider variety of price points which makes it easier for patrons to purchase art. Others offer quantity discounts which is helpful to me and the artist. If I pay in cash, a lot of artists have absorbed the tax which in Cook County, IL is now an aggravating 10%. Other artists have offered me payment schedules or to negotiate the price on a piece. I appreciate all of this.(I have taken classes in various art mediums because I was curious how things were made and frankly, I was curious why some artists seemed to charge so much for their work. Understanding a process made me more cost conscious from the artist's point of view but I have also found that some artists are inordinately "proud" of their work)I go to the majority of Amy Amdur's shows. She is the largest show producer in the Chicago area. It is hard not to go to one of her festivals. For those of you considering doing a lot of her shows, keep that in mind. While Cantigney is southwest of Chicago, the majority of her festivals are on the north shore and in close proximity to one another. I am not the only one who puts off buying from an artist who I am going to see 2-3 more times in a season. Her layouts are the same at all festivals limited only by the physical limitations of the site. The artists are usually excellent and there are artists at each show that you have never seen before although I have probably seen atleast 50% of the artists at multiple festivals.DW events is finding a lot of artists that I hadn't seen before but their festivals are very small. Cuneo was a total bust, I was out of there in 20 minutes. Deerfield was good and I bought two pictures there. Northbrook was not very good but I found one of "those" pieces that made the show worthwhile for me.I have had a lot of success finding wonderful things at the independent art festivals. For sheer quality and imagination, the Suburban Fine Arts Center Fine Craft Festival in Highland Park, Il is a consistent winner. It is a 3D only festival. Through the years I have consistently had to return to my car to put away art because I couldn't carry it any longer and was not done buying.The Schaumburg Arts Center had a very nice show. It was a little inconsistent but there was plenty to see at a wide variety of price points. The Fountain Square Art Festival in Evanston was the usual mix of artists similar to the demographics of the city. I always find wonderful things to buy there from a wide variety of artists. Monument Square Art Festival in Racine, Wisconsin is back on my list. The quality this year was uneven but I somehow spent more there than anywhere and made several trips to my car.I have atleast 13 more festivals to go to this summer including Morning Glory in Milwaukee, Port Clinton in Highland Park, Il, Lake Forest, IL (most improved the last two years), Art in the Barn, Barrington, IL and Mt. Mary Starving Artists in Milwaukee which is the most fun and nervewracking festival to go to ever.Of course I will probably have most of the house decorated by the end of the season but there is always room for one more shelf for that irresistible piece of glass or pottery, room on the wrist for one more bracelet and a girl can never have too many earrings.Keep doing what you do, I will do my best to keep buying it.
Hi Geri,
Thanks for your comment on my BAHA series. I had no choice to continue working, I like to eat!
I read you post about going to the art fairs and found it very interesting. We love patrons like you. I'm looking forward to meeting you in Chicago. I probable won't have any of the BAHA with me. Last year Amy Amdur told me I should stop making all my other work and really develop the Harmony Series. So that's what I've spent my winter doing. Hope I can create enough work for my season, I'm on a tight creation schedule.
Sorry David, I haven't been to that show. Elmhurst is in a high density population area so the figure could be correct. Which guide are you looking at?
GERI
I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR COMMENTS "FROM THE OUTSIDE". HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF YOUR AREA TO A SOUTHERN FESTIVAL? THERE ARE A FEW GREAT ONES COMING UP THAT YOU MIGHT ENJOY.
Just wanted to say thanks for putting your thoughts down on paper. It goes to show many out there that patrons to shows are very smart - especially in your testimonial mentioning how you have experimented with various mediums to learn everything you can about it including price points. Hearing from you, a patron, really does help fellow artists gain perspective on not just your thoughts and how you perceive us, but how we can better serve you. If we don't get the feed back, we would be clueless as to what we are doing right or wrong. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Hello Geri - How absolutely wonderful to read your post. Most artists are at Ann Arbor this weekend and I'm sure once they arrive home, unpack and reorganize for next weekends shows, you will be hearing the same from many.
I'd like to thank you for being a great supporter of the arts! You are the reason we put forth the effort and dollars to participate in the shows. I can't tell you how many times I have groaned a little when packing my equipment and art into the trailer on Thursdays or Fridays but have had my spirits lifted by a patron's interest, praise & purchase. It is you that leads me to know I have the best job possible. I also understand the effort it takes for you and any patron to attend quality shows. You deal with the heat, the cold, the rain AND the crowds as we do. But here's the thing..... you don't have to..... you could purchase your items at a retail store and not go through the process. But Bless You - you support us and American made items.
I am appreciative you have joined this forum. The thoughts and insights you provide are priceless and I hope you frequently add your observations. I'm sure by the end of the year you will be well on your way to furnishing your home. Won't it be nice to have a personal story with each item for years to come?
Again, thank you so much. See you at Morning Glory!
Comments
Thanks for your comment on my BAHA series. I had no choice to continue working, I like to eat!
I read you post about going to the art fairs and found it very interesting. We love patrons like you. I'm looking forward to meeting you in Chicago. I probable won't have any of the BAHA with me. Last year Amy Amdur told me I should stop making all my other work and really develop the Harmony Series. So that's what I've spent my winter doing. Hope I can create enough work for my season, I'm on a tight creation schedule.
Says 15,000 attendance in Illinois guide.....is that accurate?
Thanks for taking the time to post your comments. They are very helpful!
Colin
I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR COMMENTS "FROM THE OUTSIDE". HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF YOUR AREA TO A SOUTHERN FESTIVAL? THERE ARE A FEW GREAT ONES COMING UP THAT YOU MIGHT ENJOY.
I'd like to thank you for being a great supporter of the arts! You are the reason we put forth the effort and dollars to participate in the shows. I can't tell you how many times I have groaned a little when packing my equipment and art into the trailer on Thursdays or Fridays but have had my spirits lifted by a patron's interest, praise & purchase. It is you that leads me to know I have the best job possible. I also understand the effort it takes for you and any patron to attend quality shows. You deal with the heat, the cold, the rain AND the crowds as we do. But here's the thing..... you don't have to..... you could purchase your items at a retail store and not go through the process. But Bless You - you support us and American made items.
I am appreciative you have joined this forum. The thoughts and insights you provide are priceless and I hope you frequently add your observations. I'm sure by the end of the year you will be well on your way to furnishing your home. Won't it be nice to have a personal story with each item for years to come?
Again, thank you so much. See you at Morning Glory!