Blog

This was a surprisingly nice small show in the dead of winter. I was cautioned about the show by another artist who had a bad experience there. It's a Friday evening and Saturday show, and while it wasn't gang-busters, it did turn a nice small profit.

Move-in is done by a schedule, and several museum workers were standing by to help unload vehicles with their carts. The van was unloaded in about ten minutes and the workers took your materials to the booth spot and unloaded for you. The same happened at pack-up at show's end, and most folks were out of the venue quickly and effortlessly.

Space was limited, as most booths were 10 feet wide and 8 feet deep, with no storage behind the space except for a few booths. There was an area on the next aisle behind us that had space available, and we were able to place our tubs and cartons on our dolly and store them out of the way. I normally prefer to sit behind my booth in an open doorway, but this time had to arrange a Pro-panel as a french door at the rear and sit back there.

Friday evening was the patron's party, and unusual for me, managed to eke out enough sales to meet the show expenses. Saturday started off with customers walking through well before the show opened, and a nice steady flow of people came through for the rest of the day, and I made a few more sales of larger pieces.

This is a small show with about 55-60 artists, all of whom must be Indiana residents. The artists are placed on two levels of the museum hall and lobby. I was told to make sure that I was on the first floor as the upper level does not get the same amount of traffic. Walking the second level confirmed that and most artists up there weren't happy with their sales. I was glad I specifically asked to be on the first floor as other photographers up there did not fare well.

Electricity was supplied, which was good, as the hall lighting was spotty and not good in some areas. Food vendors were there with a decent selection and reasonably healthy offerings. Artists were also extended employee discounts for the coffee and snack bar at the IMAX theater adjacent to the lobby.

All in all, it was decent small show in the winter, indoors in a well lighted and open museum environment with an appreciative and art cognizant crowd. I'll apply again next year :-)