Golden Colorado is home of Colorado School of Mines and the Coors Brewery, and it is the County Seat for Jefferson County. It is at the base of the foothills of the Front Range, and it is a gateway to the mountains for tourists. The art show is held the same weekend that students at Mines are moving back on campus. The show is held along three blocks of 11th Street which parallels a historic park and Clear Creek. It is one block west of Washington Street which is the main drag through town. Access to Golden is along US 6 and 6th Avenue off of I-70 west of Denver.
SET UP AND TAKE DOWN. Set up officially starts at 10:00am on Friday, but in talking with other artists it’s as early as 8:00 as long as someone is there to check you in and confirm your space number. Eleventh Street is wide enough for two rows of tents and three lanes of traffic. As long as artists park close to their space, they can unload on site. I prefer to unload and get my truck off the street. “Traffic Czars” are pretty good about keeping the center lane open. There was parking in a Mines lot at the end of 11th Street. At several sites there are bushes 3 feet high back to the side walk in front of private property. You may only have a gutter width to store behind some booths. Another problem with the booth layout is that the booths are side by side for the entire block. If you need to get around back, you may have to walk a block. Takedown is generally easy but you may have to be assertive with some volunteers about stacking in front of your booth. Some assume you are going to bring a vehicle in too. I had to tell one guy “That stack of tubs is the right front tire on my truck!” One volunteer pushed a neighbor’s tubs back into his booth while he dollied a load out to his truck. He was upset as NO VOLUNTEER SHOULD TOUCH AN ARTISTS’ LOAD!!!!
WEATHER. It was hot for Colorado at 90 both days. Cloud cover and a few sprinkles Sunday afternoon broke the heat a little.
THE SHOW. This is a well-organized and managed show produced by the Golden Chamber of Commerce. It is well advertised in the Denver metro area and it is a destination for the weekend. The crowds were large, well into the thousands. There was seldom a time when there were no people in my booth, thus no rest for the old man. Although the show was open from 10:00am to 5:00pm both days, buyers show up as early as 9:00. The quality of the work is high and there is no buy\sell. There was also a good mix of art without a dominance of jewelry. There is a kid’s art experience. Food vendors and live music were at opposite ends of the show. I have done this show for nine years since 2004, and I have received two first place fiber arts awards (with cash) in the past. Sales have always been good at this show and in the $3-$5K range, and with custom orders throughout the year. Belts were the best seller with a good mix of gun leathers and personal leather goods. They were a few snarky artists this year which is unusual for Golden. Guess their sales were not so hot????? Nuts and bolts of the show are in the review on www.artshowreviews.com.
OTHER STUFF. There is a nice reception at the Table Mountain Inn on Friday night with wine and beer by Coors, of course. Saturday and Sunday there was a break room at the Golden Hotel with drinks and lunch. Some hotel staff came around with sandwiches for artists who could not get away. The Golden Hotel also provided morning coffee and bagels. There were also plenty of volunteer booth sitters. Besides Steve Appel, I met AFIs Pam Sharp, Dan Sawusch, and Jim Sincock. I had thought about having a cook out at the hotel Saturday night, but logistics were complicated. Six of us got together for dinner at the Mexican La Tapatio restaurant which was cooler and worked out well.
PHOTO NOTES. The crowds were like this both days. Looking east down 11th street, the building on the far horizon is the Coors brewery. Looking west is Lookout Mountain with the “M” for mines. Letters on mountains is a western thing. Freshman would whitewash the letter every fall at most schools, but at Mines the kids paint a fair-sized rock and haul it up the mountain.
Comments
You didn't miss a thing. If I was looking to go to Colorado to do a show I'd know exactly what to expect logistically. Thanks, Dick, and thanks for that review at ArtShowReviews.com.
So, would you say that this year was like year's past? I know you have new work -- picking up new customers? Do you do a mailing to past customers? Do you think a person should travel from out of state to do this show? Do you also stay in Golden? or are you close enough to home to stay there?
Good for you, getting together with other members, it is a great idea, and it really makes the feeling of community grow. You'll probably see these folks again at other Colorado shows. Do you ever leave the state?
Richard, think outside the box. Leather Fly-traps. Sell em to tourists and all the fisherman. You could make a mint.
That was an excellent review of the show, gives you a real feel of the layout and how the crowd was reacting to art. Me being a tropical boy with lots of tropical stuff, and colors, don't think I would fare very well out west with my work. Would love to just be there in August, but I think i would have to treat it as a very expensive vacation. Good review as always, Richard, you are a real pro and know how to relate it. I hope others will gain confidence off your review and learn to relay back to us.