Blog

Comments

• 

  Jacqueline Webster June 14, 2010 at 1:16pm

  Thanks for the Sweet Pea info! Will definitely take all the inventory I can jam into the Jeep. Glad to hear that it's a good show. I'm taking along my mom as a helper and I'd really like for her to get the full experience.
• 

  dawn rasmussen June 13, 2010 at 6:41pm

  About Shaumburg... It was hot and I had hopes since it was an art center show, rather than a promoter show, that is would be better. I think these smaller shows saturate Chicago and I suspect that other than the really big main shows most are not worth a long road trip.
• 

  dawn rasmussen June 13, 2010 at 6:36pm

  Unfortunately I will not be in Sweet Pea... that is a show I got into the first couple of years I did art shows. I have either not applied or not been accepted since.. hope to be back there some day. If it is your first time... come prepared with lots of inventory !
  I will be in the August Jackson show and basically applied to Missoula as a back up in case I did not get into Jackson, now I am trying to decide if it is worth it to be on the road for an entire week. I need to double check, I missed the one day only part.
  Missoula looks like the music part of the show might be the main draw. I have done a show in Sheridan Wy since it began with only about 30 vendors and it continues to be an annual highlight of my season.
• 

  Joan Tweedell June 13, 2010 at 1:52pm

  I did the Prairie Arts Festival in Schaumburg too, and lost money. It was HOT, few people came out and they weren't buying much. Hard to believe it was a top rated show a few years ago.
• 

  Jacqueline Webster June 13, 2010 at 9:04am

  Hi, Dawn. I looked into Missoula. The only review I could find anywhere was an interview with the show director who was excited that they had more than 30 artists last year. I do know someone who thinks that Missoula is the artiest (sp?) spot in Montana, though. I chose not to apply to River Roots, especially since it's only one day. But I will be at Sweet Pea - will you be there?
• 

  Connie Mettler June 12, 2010 at 10:14am

  I should have known you'd be on top of those things, Dawn. It is all the planning that can make these trips worthwhile after you've done the homework. I just worry about newbies setting off on cross country trips, maybe coming back from a great adventure, but even more in the hole. Hopefully someone here can be of more specific help to you.
• 

  dawn rasmussen June 12, 2010 at 9:55am

  Thanks.... I use that approach... figure all of my costs, including the actual cost of my time on the road (lost work time etc not to mention lost family time :-) . I am in Jackson Wy the previous week... that shows is worth the trip, the Sweet Pea in Bozeman is a show like none other (except possibly Madison) and in general Montana shows have been pretty good, this one is fairly new so I would like to hear from artists who have done the show to get an idea about expected revenues.
  But you are right, I have found as well, that long road trips for shows you know nothing about can be a financial blunder.
• 

  Connie Mettler June 11, 2010 at 9:26pm

  Thanks for these reports, Dawn.
  
  How far a drive is Missoula for you? How many days will it take to go and come back plus the show? Personally, I cannot imagine making that kind of trip for a show that I've never heard of -- so add in a modest amount of money per day that it will cost you to be there...add it up for each day, then how much money do you think you should make from this trip? Do you think you can come out in the black? Do the math, that is unless you have family in Missoula, you're a photographer and will get some good photos, you've always wanted to do to Montana and this is your chance...