It occurred to me (while reading a very nice 'thank-you' response from an AFI member who found one of my comments helpful) to make a request of the AFI community. Here it is:
The vast majority of readers on this site are "lurkers": Folks who visit and read, but don't write. And God bless ya, I'm not here to criticize this: It's true of just about every other blog site on the Internet (including the ones that specialize in serving writers and bloggers!).
But I do have a friendly proposition for those of you who get help from something you read here:
Pay it forward!
That means (pick one!):
* Post a comment saying, "Thanks, that was helpful!"
* Ask a follow-up question
* Comment on another topic
And if you ask a question about a particular show that hasn't been formally reviewed, and you get information that helps you decide to actually DO the show, how 'about writing a short review of your experience afterward?
Doesn't have to be complicated; just cover the same questions you had when you asked about it in the first place. Here are the most frequent questions asked about shows:
* How were sales? Attendance? Were packages being carried around, or were folks sight-seeing?
* Is it worth the trip for an out of towner?
* How is the setup? Was it "day before show", "morning of show", or both?
* How far away was the artist parking?
* Were there amenities/awards?
* What did the crowd seem most/least interested in: 2D? 3D? Or dogs, music, wine?
* Is there a particular type of art/ craft that would do well/poorly?
* All things being equal, would you do the show again?
BONUS POINTS if you do any of the above RIGHT AFTER YOU REALIZE YOU GOT HELP HERE. To wait, is to be like one of those show visitors who says, "I really like this. Let me think about it!" ;-)
Thanks--in advance!
Comments
Guilty! I've never done an art show before and not a very good writer to boot! I did post a question once and got a good response. I'm a newbie, trying to get my you know what together to apply to a real art show instead of attending these so called "art & craft" shows here in Texas. My goal this year is to start. I'm struggling with photos and sizing for Zapp now. I have read many posts on that...lots of good information. I feel funny coming in a year or two later and making a post that I learned alot from a certain article so far after it was written. Point is, I felt maybe is was just clutter to say..great article. But now I know! I'm thankful to have discovered this site and I know if I keep reading, I will eventually get it together enough to actually start the application process. I really DO appreciate this site and all who contribute to it. Thanks to all of you!
My photography and I will be at Springtime Made in the South in Savannah this weekend (Feb 7-9)- Booth 208. Come by and say hi! Then we can compare notes for a follow-up review.
I write a review on every show I exhibit/attend - it's a "pay it forward" type action. Please, review shows Geoff is correct - we need to help each other by posting.
I am always looking for information on shows in the Ohio, Michigan, New York, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Midwest area - take a minute, post your opinion/ideas. It helps us all. Thanks !
Ruth, I have always enjoyed your posts. Don't hide out away from the group.
Also, other lurkers think about this. The more you post out here in the main area the more you may pull those west coasters and other lurkers out of their hiding places, as well. We want everyone involved here. It helps to make this place much more fun, and informative. Plus, it helps to make friends and start up friendships. It is also good for net working.
Lurkers, if the people who are taking the time to write up reviews and posts to help you out don't get any feedback, the writing may end. No one can afford that here. We need to share and communicate problems and information.
Thanks for nudging the lurkers Geoff.
Thanks for calling us out, Geoff...I tend to respond only to comments or reviews that I feel qualified to respond to but I certainly enjoy and learn from everything posted here.
I wrote the review and will continue ...it is very frustrating when you look for information on show and there is nothing.. it took 5 minutes
Yes me as well I will go and write my review on the Southwest Arts Fest 2014 in Indio California today!!!!
Ruth sorry to hear about the shows and wait list rejections... Hate it... maybe you need to give it a year or 2 before they start letting you in...
ok off to the place where you write the review
Good idea, I have to admit that as a resident of somewhere much further west than the vast majority of people on this site, I've gotten tired of writing blogs read by a few, commented on by very few and feeling my efforts were wasted. It's become more worthwhile to "hangout" in the SW and West Coast group than to spend my time on most of the rest of this site.
Maybe 2014 will bring me back out of my "mostly lurking" status, of course, if we were to ever get accepted into any new shows in TX/OK this spring that might help, so far we're waitlisted and rejected for every show we've applied for and that in itself is a massive discouragement. We moved south for the winter to avoid hibernation but so far other than totally enjoying a winter in AZ, that is not working as planned.
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