I am pretty new to the FL art scene having lived here just over a year, but I want to share a quick post about THE BEACHES ART FEST in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
I have Participated in the spring show in St. Augustine, FL put on by the Holiday Art Show promotion team. Lynn Wettach, the organizer is very warm and supportive person who really seems to care about her artists and the event that she is running.
The Beaches Art Fest is a relatively new event as I understand it, only in its fourth year in 2017 and previously only a one-day show so this was the first time it was a two day event.
Load in and load out were very easy, as you could drive right up to your space. Of course it is always a bit of a jumble with everyone trying to come in and out at the same time but in our case it was very smooth and trouble free.
The show takes place on Pablo Avenue, a street which abuts The Beaches Historical Park and Museum. This is a very nice facility- clean, well-maintained and obviously a valuable part of this community. It was nice to have access to clean restrooms which were very conveniently located. A shopping center with a Publix grocery store was only 1/2 block away which was very handy.
Sales on Saturday were steady and I saw many people carrying packages and framed art. The crowds were not huge but they were definitely there to buy. The Sunday crowds however were reduced by at least 2/3. Could be the weather a factor as it was very, very hot. Also it may be that people did not realize it was now two days and just did not come out that way.
Every thing about the show is nice and well managed is a very good event that has the potential to be a really great event. The artist amenities are good from a nice breakfast provided, coffee/ water and juice available, restrooms very close by and a caring staff.
This was just the second time I had done a "sleepover" show out of town. My husband is in the US Navy and so we took advantage of staying on base at the Navy Lodge Hotel in Mayport about 10 miles north from the show site. We had a very nice renovated room overlooking the beach w/ breakfast for cost of only $85 a night. Very important when you are on a budget.
I realize not everyone has that access to base. There were hotels suggested by the show management I believe a Hampton Inn nearby and I know other artists stayed at the Red Roof Inn in the area and seem to feel that was reasonable too.
This show is in a neat little area just a couple blocks from the ocean in Jacksonville Beach Florida. Lots of delicious restaurants there. We had dinner at the "Blind Rabbit" just two blocks from the show on Friday night after we set up--- delicious! We also spent a bit of time at the Green Room brew house on the main drag , also just 2 blocks away , enjoying their craft beers. Dinner on Saturday was Mellow Mushroom [always yummy!] about 2 miles away as we got a pizza to go so we could get back to our room to watch college football that night. Sunday we got up early and attended mass at the Catholic Church just 1/2 block away from the show, then had a tasty breakfast at Waffle House 1 block away prior to the show start at 10.
All in all we had a good show and also a fun weekend away . That is a win in my book.
Comments