Its all about not wanting, its all about using what we got.
Recently a fellow artist asked about a show in ATL (my hometown), unfortunately he asked too late. My response is that the private company that puts on the show has hit or miss attendance, and the time to ask about a show is BEFORE you apply.
That said, another drop of wisdom fell from my beleaguered brain...some promoters can get people to a show once. Typically they often stage more shows in the same area, relying on the same social and in some cases traditional media to attract essentially the same folks to an event. The problem is, that if someone comes to a new event and purchases a piece of art, how likely are they going to come back and purchase again? It seems true collectors are already attached to established shows. Folks that wake up on Saturday and "need" something for over the couch, well they are really hit and miss...unless it is an established event.
I'm just saying, how sustainable are these shows that are popping up like mushrooms after the rain?
Comments
I'm still looking for the 3rd key to success.
1. Ask for info before you apply
2. Be wary of oversaturated areas
3. network? or is that the answer to #1?
P.S. if I print your post above I'll run out of ink.
I have found that some of our Florida resident collectors will come see us at whatever show we are doing nearby within a 100 mile radius. One Gainesville couple even came to Atlanta to see us at 2011 Dogwood since when we were at Florida they were away somewhere else.
I don't know when or if we'll ever come back to Atlanta since Dogwood was such a bad show for us that year and we've been reading about all the shows popping up like mushrooms after the rain. So I understand your gripe.