This last weekend I did it! I finally took the plunge and drove from Tennessee up to NYC to do the American Craft Festival at Lincoln Center. It's a pricy show but I thought that possibly my work would do well in the North, and felt it was time to test the waters. What was I thinking? Granted I am an old Jersey Girl and no innocent in the Big Apple, so I thought I was fully prepared to handle what the city could dish out.
First things first, have any of you ever tried to drive in New York City? I could have possibly done it if I had been hooked up to an IV of Valium as I was driving, nah, even that wouldn't have been enough. Now I know I sound like a wuss, but there was no parking anywhere, and I had been up since 4 am. People that parked where they could, didn't move and the rest of us kept circling Columbus Ave. praying something would open up...the show started at 12 noon....I was still praying at 10:45.
I finally found a place about three excruciating long blocks away from my booth. Luckily, I begged my nephew from the City to come to help me unload, but even then it was the worst and hardest load in I have ever, absolutely ever, done. This was not just my Encaustic paintings but a Crafthut and Propanels too....I was ready to leave the minute I parked. By the time I set up in the blazing sun, totally drenched with enough black and blues to make anyone think I had been mugged on the way there. I was ready to reap the rewards. After all this is where the savvy live, those with an eye for the unusual on the cusp of the art scene.....I felt that it might just be my day....NOT!
The crows were sporadic, with a surge when the shows or the ballet got out, but dead otherwise. During the lull I started walking around and realized that I was among the most "buy-sell" I had ever seen at one show. It was so outright obvious- crappy mass produced jewelery and clothing were everywhere. Yes, there were legit artist too but surrounded by the buy and sell I started questioning everything. Did the potter really make those pots or just farm them out from Peru? How could that designer make that many(seemed like 500) tie dyed jackets? It made me skeptical about everything there, and that is just not fair to the artists that actually really do make their own art. I am not sure the buying public really cared much, the buying power that first day was non-existent.
Yea, On Saturday I sold a bit but not enough to pay that booth fee. Sunday was better and I actually had a 1500. dollar sale and a few other good ones but I am not sure it was really worth it financially. I sure didn't see many big packages going by, and one painter that drove from California, who was there two weeks, sold nothing. The promoter, (one should never bash a promoter-right?) Well, this one was just rude, I always try to talk and introduce myself and I did.... and he didn't say one word, just looked at me... and turned around and talked to the artist next to me- totally ignored me...made me wonder if I had something hanging out of my nose....no luck, just rude, and I hate to say this, because I did meet some really nice people (and those are my roots), but hey.... that's New York.
I smartened up and moved my car early Sunday and got a closer spot but by 5:30 a micro burst flipped a few tents with disastrous results and the the threat of a storm on the way had us all trying to pack everything as fast as possible. I had hired an employee to help me load out- but he was no where to be found. Where was that Valium IV when I needed it...Luck came in the form of my next door neighbors, whose driver couldn't come for another hour. Julio and Nemo (fabulous fiber artists) were the best thing about the show-two of the funniest and kindest guys I have ever met. Shout out to Exot Treasures...and Julio helped me load up.
I was on my way by around 7:30 and heading to Pennsylvania...through a backed up Lincoln Tunnel, and the tolls, don't get me started on the tolls.....In the end, there were some wonderful moments and great people but would I do it again? There is not enough Valium in the world........
Comments
You are sooooo right Margaret. They are usually pretty nice after that. Your money is just as green as the next guy's and no one has the right to treat anyone like a nobody. It is never acceptable behavior! Word of mouth is a VERY powerful tool and you can bet I won't be taking part in the so-called "festival". Thanks again for the great review!
Howard, there is absolutly no comparison between your shows & the theirs. It's like night & day. The two of you are great !
As clay artists, before we became a show promoter, we did the Lincoln Center show when our 33 year old son was in diapers (yes, we are THAT old). The layout was different and to get to our space, we had to walk up 40 steps with our display and pottery. I think all of us in the business have to be a little bit crazy but it is a community I love to be a part of!
Hey Andy, I feel your pain....it really was a mess, wasn't it? There was no organization at all. I guess it's a lesson learned-but it's a hell of a hard one.
Yes I to was one of those new artist's (drove from Myrtle Beach SC)who thought his work would sell well in the Big Apple, but to no avail. I didn't even make the booth fee.
There needs to be a warning about what size vehicle you take into the city. I had a trailer and I couldn't find parking Saturday. I was only fortunate enough to have had my brother inlaw with me whose house I was staying at return the truck and trailer to his house in NJ so I could be present to sell. I don't like knocking promoters but yes they do need to do a better job if we are going to pay such a high fee for the show with little reward and no support.
I am glad we were able to break down early because of the storm. There were no buyers at 6.00pm.
Wow, Margaret, what a disappointment. Thank goodness for your sense of humor! Hope that the next shows are fabulous to make up for it!
Wow! Glad I dodged that bullet. I was solicited to do that show, no application, no jury, and still I decided not to go. Whew!
I have given my deposit for the American Fine Craft Show, mid-October at Javits. Have any of you out there got anything to say about that one?
I agree with the defense mechanism Wanda, I love NYC and Paris and I know that the "I don't have time for you" attitude can be defused by having the same attitude back. And usually people are pretty nice after that. But this was a bit beyond- it was pretty pointed and deliberate for whatever reason...I'm a nobody.... but I did pay a bunch of money to do his show so you would think. Ah, I'm over it...no use holding onto useless junk.
I am from NYC, born and raised, but have been living in the Midwest for some time now, so I am out of practice when it comes to the city scene. Yep, I have driven in the city - not fun. You have to drive like a cab driver! I have been thinking about places to sell in NYC, so now I can definitely forget about this one. Thanks for the great review! BTW, I know there really is no excuse, but I think a New Yorker being rude, is a defense mechanism. I had been held up at gun point and mugged at the age of 16. Tough city, but my heart is still there!
I stopped doing Licoln Center years ago for the very same reasons. HORRIBLE load/unload. Especially when the promoters are parked in the closest spots & NEVER moved their vehicles. Don't bash a promoter ? WHen they are are inconsiderate & downright rude rude, I think it is justifiable .
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