Noone walked out empty-handed

Mt. Mary Starving Artists Show in Milwaukee is a Sunday after Labor Day tradition. I have been told that people line up at 6am for the 10am opening. Nothing costs more than $100 and there are some real deals at this show.

We arrived at noon and the crowds were tremendous. Parking is plentiful and there were people already leaving so there was parking that was relatively close. There is a nominal charge to get into the show that benefits the college.

The quality of the 200+ artists ranges from average to above average. There is a very good mix of media but I did notice a proliferation of various types of yard art including the ever present stone birds. Except near several booths where people were 2-3 deep looking at what was usually jewelry, the spaciousness of the aisles made it easy to get around. The booths were clearly numbered and the aisles were marked so if there was a particular artist you wanted to see, you could easily find him/her.

This show has wonderful pottery, about half of it functional. I would have been in heaven if I was a raku collector and I had to remind myself that I had enough serving bowls and trays, there were so many I wanted.

A certain golf-playing glass artist was kind enough to let me leave my packages at his booth while I finished my tour of the entire area. It takes atleast 2 hours to get around if you don't talk to too many artists and make quick decisions. This rapid pace is necessary because items literally fly off the shelves.

I really did not see too many people walking around without something in their arms. I hope the artists had as successful a day as I did.












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  • I know many mixed media artists who sell prints and small paintings for under a hundred and they are very successful etsy sellers.I wouldn't look at it the way some posters have said.I think it would be great to arrive at an event and be able to purchase art in this economy.I would also be thankful if buyers were purchasing my under a hundred dollar pieces as well.
  • I also meant to mention that it's so nice to do a show where people actually come to BUY. So many shows these days are just a source of free entertainment. Here they come with envelopes of cash ready to buy.
  • I agree Ruth.. There is some really nice work there. I didn't put out anything I normally sell for over $100. If you look at it as a show with lower end pieces, I think Mt. Mary does a good job finding decent artists that fit that bill
  • I have done a couple of clearance/garage sale type shows - crappy booths, flashing blue light specials, rock bottom prices - and really hated the experience. Mount Mary is nothing like that. It looks like a normal art fair and you are not even allowed to post sale or clearance prices. You choose what you want to sell at $100 and under. Everyone does it differently. Some sell outrageously expensive pieces at $100 while others have their totally normal booth because everything they have is normally under $100 anyway. It's not a show for everyone, but I had a great time and made money.
  • Lynn-be happy that the packer game was the late game or the crowd would have left at noon!! I thought the crowds were bigger this year for that reason. People in Wisconsin do love their Packers.
  • The show is as it is billed "Starving Artists" -- it is a clearance sale. Way cool for everyone -- artists with excess inventory and customers who always love a deal! No one should be participating unless they know that is what they are in for...actually, I think the organizers make it pretty clear and I'm surprised that there is any confusion as to the intent of the event. One of my favorite events to attend is the Art Fair Garage Sale in Kalamazoo every February -- always on my calendar!
  • I had a great day of sales at Mt. Mary. The weather couldn't have been better and sales were brisk until about 3:00
  • sorry Geri, guess you could take it as harsh but it is what it is and by no means no offense to your post, was simply glad to see a review from an artist perspective on here that ended up confirming my thoughts all along on this show.
  • We did this show yesterday, my husband is a landscape painter, and yes, it is difficult at times to part with his paintings for $100, but in this economy you have to make a decision about how much you want to take home at the end of the day. It is a high stress, fast paced show and most people sell like crazy from 10am-2pm and then the show slows way down. But it is an experience like no other. This year at 4pm I think we only had 7 pieces still on the walls of our booth, that is an amazing feeling. And when I walked around I noticed that we were not the only ones with bare walls/shelves. If one is to make money at this show you have to go prepared to sell and yes sometimes you are underpricing your work, but you have to play the game to win.
  • Tom, that is a bit harsh. There were artists there that I have seen at Coconut
    Grove, Port Clinton, Gold Coast and Beaux Arts. I don't disagree that this show is a good way to move inventory but there is still a lot of fine work for sale. The artists try to bring enough product but there is a snooze you lose mentality when you find something you really like. Win-win for artists and patrons.
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