This was the 9th consecutive year that I have done this show and I have received two first place fiber arts awards during that time. Golden, CO is at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is home for the Colorado Scool of Mines, a top engineereing school, and the Coor's brewery. Students were returning to school the weekend of the show, August 18 and 19, 2012.The show is set up on 11 th street with food courts at the ends of 3 blocks of art booths. There is live music throughout the day at the food courts. The local historical society hosts demonstrations of art adjacent to the art show. There are art events for kids. The business community supports the show and there is coordination of downtown art events with he show. A great reception for artists is held at the Table Mountain Inn Friday night and the Golden Hotel hosts morning coffee and bagels, as well as a lunch and break room.The show is very well advertised in print and on TV. It is promoted as a destination for folks in Denver. There was ample signage along the main drag directing people to the show. Set up, take down, and parking are easy. Cash awards and ribbons are given. The crowds turn out and people buy art.I saw lots of shopping bags and large rectangular pieces wrapped in bubble wrap going out and the people coming back for more. Very high quality work throughout the artists.My show started Friday afternoon with a repeat client stopping by during set up and buying four belts for over $200. The show officially opens at 10 on Saturday but people were out buying at 8:30. I had a buying frenzy all morning until noon when it got hot and it slowed down a bit. The frenzy on Sunday was around noon. My goal was to break $5K this year as sales have grown over time, but I narrowly missed my mark. Belts were the best selling item with other personal leather goods, equestrian gear, gun leathers, and K-9 gear adding to the total. Other artists I talked to we're smiling about their sales as well. I only saw a few booths shutting down early on Saturday. I will apply to this show in 2013. This is a great show put on by great people!
Well, not sure how to take that. Not all clowns are alike. Some of us are fairly quiet out of costume. If you worked with latex, I'm wanting a "fur bearing catfish" puppet. I have the story line and patter, but need the puppet. "Clyde?" was mountain raised, thus the fur coat. Latex comes to mind for the head /face with lots of big whiskers, with fur for the remainder. Cheers!
Thanks for this review, Richard. We definitely need more reviews from your neck of the woods and appreciate your taking the time to share your information.
Golden Fine Arts Festivsl and Alpine Art Affair in Winter Park are both a mix of fine art and fine craft. Give them a shot. Golden is the higher end show and you have a crowd with academics from Mines, as well as up scale professionals that work in Denver.
I think Bill's advice is pretty good. Most of he kids I saw in Winter Park were outfitted for mountain biking on the numerous trails in the area. WP is a destination for moutain biking in the summer.
."I have applied to some shows and I got rejections. I think it was because some shows just don't want work that is used mostly by children."
Children's entertainers, clowns, magicians, storytellers should prove to be a good market for your puppets as well. Clown conventions, Library conventions, etc might be good venues for you. Good luck!
Comments
Well, not sure how to take that. Not all clowns are alike. Some of us are fairly quiet out of costume. If you worked with latex, I'm wanting a "fur bearing catfish" puppet. I have the story line and patter, but need the puppet. "Clyde?" was mountain raised, thus the fur coat. Latex comes to mind for the head /face with lots of big whiskers, with fur for the remainder. Cheers!
Great review Richard and congratulations on great sales!
Thanks for this review, Richard. We definitely need more reviews from your neck of the woods and appreciate your taking the time to share your information.
Here is a story I found online with more info about Golden: http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/golden/news/arts-fest-was-quite-fine...
Children's entertainers, clowns, magicians, storytellers should prove to be a good market for your puppets as well. Clown conventions, Library conventions, etc might be good venues for you. Good luck!
Bill