This was the second year I have done this show. Grand Junction is the largest town in western Colorado (pop. About 60,000) and it has a diverse economy of agriculture ( orchards, vineyards), ranching (cattle, sheep), energy ( oil,gas oil shale), tourism (Colorado Natl. Monument, National Parks in eastern and southern Ut, health care, government, and Colorado Mesa Univ. It is a regional center as there are no other towns of comparable size for 300-400 miles around (Denver, CO, 250; Salt Lake City UT, 290; Billings, MT, 670; Las Vegas, NV, 500; and Albuquerque, NM, 380). Main Street, where the festival is held u decent major renovation in 2011. It is now a two lane street with parking bays for 4-5 vehicles along a 2 lane equivalent mall with planters, sculptures, fountains, outdoor cafes, and seating areas.this year there was a piano outdoors for anyone to play. Some store fronts are historic. they house professionals, cafes, brew pubs, shops and galleries, i.e. about as much "culture" as you will see in any western town. The show occupies four blocks along main. The jazz stage is between blocks 1&2 but speakers are set up at other intersections. The last block has local demonstrating artists and art classes. Exhibiting artists' booths are set up in clusters of three or four in the parking bays. They are laid out 10 deep and about 14 wide so you can get around back easily with a 10x10 tent. The weather was in the mid to high 80's but a breeze kept it pleasant. The trees had begun to leaf out there. There was a brief thunder shower during set up Friday afternoon that rained on only a couple blocks and not the others. Show hours were from 2:00-8:00 on Friday, 10:00-8:00 on Saturday, and 10:00-4:00 Sunday. Set up and take down was easy with vehicle access to your site for unloading, loading. Free ice cold water was distributed throughout the show.The NUMBERS: besides the jury and booth fee listed in the art show review section of site, there is a $10 city tax license to be purchased. My gross sales were in the $1500-$2000 range. My gross and my average sale ($54) were both down about 30% from 2012 and other artists expressed the same observation. This was puzzling as the economy in Grand Jct. is certainly not depressed. Last year my belt sales along were equal to my total sales this year. Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening are the busiest times as that is when the better musicians play. Extra sales can be made by staying open until 8:30 or 9:00. Even though this show did not meet my $2K minimum rule for repeating, it was profitable and I plan to do it at least once more before putting it on an " every other year list". The mitigating factors are it is one of the earliest shows of the summer season in Colorado, while they are still moving snow in the mountain resort areas. The other is we can visit grand kids in Battlement Mesa before and after the show.This was a well run and well organized show produced by the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture. There was no buy/ sell in the show. Music was not distracting and the food/ beer / wine sales were adjacent to the music stage. Pets were not allowed, security was checking back packs, and overnight security was provided.
Comments
Thanks for the review Richard - I too have to rejig my figures for a "worthwhile" show. Sign of the times I guess.
very nice review....thank you