Well, it has been five years since I last did this show.Been doing Ft. Myers instead, until this year.
No Edison-ville this year, so it was back to the hills of Mt. Dora.
This is an antique-ky kind of town with lots of old money inhabiting it. A little like if they dropped a burb of Conneticut in the middle of Florida. Its about 30 miles from Orlando, a few lights down from the "Villages", and about two hours from my home in Ybor.
It always draws huge crowds (think 150,000) to its tight little, hilly streets. Its has got 300 exhibitors easy. Rumor has it, that the Art Center added another 50-plus exhibitors.
Also they started a quaint new wrinkle to their show. If you wanted to be in the center core of streets of the show, you paid extra for that. People in the outer reaches paid a lot less.
I saw a number of "scab" setups near and behind booths. So everybody is trying to horn in on the action that crowds bring.
In the past, this show has always been a winner for me, far beyond just earning a paycheck.
This year I barely earned a paycheck.
I was not alone in this category. It was down for far more than it was up.
Which seems to be the early trend in Florida shows so far this year.
That said, their were a good number of winners who sold big dollars of stuff. One was right next to me.
She was a clay artist from out west, this was her first foray into Florida. She does scalloped, organic looking clay pieces in solid colors. She damn near sold out. She went home with a whole bunch of empty boxes.
A good glass artist that I know, from up north, had made more than 10K in his first two shows. It came to a grinding halt in Mt. Dora, but when you average that out after three shows, they are doing pretty fine.
Mt. Dora is hilly. There are few flat spots. Bring shims, boards, whatever.
It is all on the street so bring weights.
Space on your booth sides can be tight unless you paid for a corner spot--or were lucky enough to be next to a jeweler.
Most artists have ample storage behind them.
They give out good snacks, artist breakfast, water and great awards.
Now folks, what I just described above is called "meat"
When you know info like I just provided, it takes uncertainty out of the equation. So lurkers, learn. Nobody will wail at you for providing the basics. But, it will make all our lives easier.
I could go on and say more but I am going to bed, had a long day.
Artigras next.
Later, Gators--Nels.
PS. Any typos, I will edit them out tomorrow morn. The sheets are calling me.
Comments
I had read great things about this event for years and finally took the plunge in 2012. I always email and snail mail to not put us near food, music or someone who demonstrates. We were very excited to have a prime corner spot and after setting up the booth, a propane tank arrived. They put kettle corn 6 feet from our booth! After complaining, the next morning we discovered that they moved the kettle corn and put grilled chicken and sausage in that space! So, that cold Saturday morning we moved to a vacant space that was quite good. The patrons were not monied and all of our sales were low end. Many people told us that we should do the "great flea market" somewhere close by (not that weekend). We made enough to cover our expenses. Regarding the food vendors, other exhibitors explained that everyone complains about it each year and nothing is done about it. I walked the show and gathered from all of the comments that the show is mediocre and "okay" if you live close by. Our neighbors were not at all happy with sales as well. The "throngs" of people just were not there. I have to say that the weather was cold but mid-morning and afternoon were quite pleasant if breezy.
Never again.
AS one of the directors of Mount Dora Arts Festival I want to say I appreciate reading all of your reviews. For the most part they are really fair. There is rumor I would like to dismiss, however. There have not been extra booth spaces added to this festival. Each year the number is between 290 and 300. This year 293 artists participated. I think the confusion comes from people who confuse this show with the Craft Fair that takes place in October. That group has added booths to their show.
Thanks for the basics and the editorial also. Your subjectivity helps.
But, I believe, Jim, that you were one of the prize winners. Congrats on that!
We did this show once.
The people are there, no doubt, but what are they looking to buy?
What I liked about the show was that it had a very regional feeling to it. You knew you weren't in Minneapolis. Lots of paintings, ceramics, jewelry that had "Florida" written all over them. One of the pleasures of the business is seeing the show. We always set up early and went to have a look to see what was there. Now when I have that wonderful condo on the East Coast of the state I know exactly where I'm going shopping. The colors, the subject matter, the themes -- nice.
Best of show was a beautiful etching of cumulus clouds with an only in Florida sunset.
(What we learned: Black and white moody photos are not for this crowd.)
Nels, don't you think that the buyers here are unique in their tastes? with a definite slant to the purchases? I'm thinking "Florida colors" and themes ...