Hi Friends....here is my review of Krasl!I arrived for Friday set up and checked in. Found the booth spot and set up without any issues. This show is extremely well organized and well staffed with an army of volunteers. I was asked several times if I needed help setting up, which I didn't, but they were willing to help if need be.Saturday the show ran from 10-6 and we had nice weather. Sales were slow, while crowds were good. Lots of lookers. I met Barry Bernstein and chatted with him for a bit and bought a gorgeous pot from him. I think I have a new favorite potter now!I ended Saturday with sales well below costs of doing the show.Sunday the show was from 10-5. It started with light crowds that eventually picked up to good crowds through the rest of the day. I met Nels Johnson and we chatted for a bit and i left his booth with a very cool photograph. My sales were awful on Sunday. I ended the show $100 below costs. Unprofitable show for me, and it is a shame.I am writing this review as I wait to load the van up, everything is broken down, but I can't get in yet, no big deal as I am here in Michigan all week anyway and am in no hurry to get to the hotel.I did not have my audience here. I know others did well or ok here. I polled 10 artists who said they did not do well and won't be back and four who said they had a good show. It's a mixed bag, as usual. I had a hard time selling $40 items here, just my experience.I would like to say that if there was a model for other shows to go by, Krasl would be it. This show is expertly ran and I never had a want for anything here. It is just excellent in its layout, artist treatment and volunteers. They got the crowds here too.Overall, it's a great show!I will be at Ann Arbor Summerfair starting Wednesday and will review that show when I get home next week. Thanks for reading!!
Thank you to all the artists who participated in the 2013 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. Thanks to those who posted comments regarding our show. It is always my goal to visit each artists booth over the weekend (I did not make it to every booth this year, so my art fair assistant Cara helped).
Feedback from aritsts is always a "mixed bag" in terms of sales. Usually I receive 3 basic responses: artists who are "over the top" in sales, middle ground sales (solid as one artist phrased it) and those who don't sell well at all.
It is always hard to respond to artists who don't have good sales. We really do our best to get buyers to attend.
I am open to any ideas or suggestions for improving our buying crowd. I would love to hear from you.
Thank you for your frank and generous report of the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. I value your level of professionalism that despite poor sales, you were able to give praise to our show. If I could only give all artists good sales, I would! I am so glad we had a chance to talk in person and just wish I could have seen more of your work.
Hoping you have good sales this week at Ann Arbor.
I have done this show at least 10 times & it is usually one of my top shows each year. 2013 was less than 1/2 of 2012, terribly disappointing. But I hope to return, as I have loyal repeat buyers there from MI & IN, & my (snail-mail) postcards brought many of them out. Congrats Ginny!
Krasl is my favorite show, and I always do well here. I live down the road in Saugatuck, and my images are strongly about West Michigan, so that may be the reason. In contrast to Ginny's review, I sold mostly small items. Biggest sale was a $400 print. I sold 88 pictures in all, with an average sale price of $50. I sold lots of $20 prints. Surprisingly, my newest work (which is not about West Michigan) sold very well too, so, that is encouraging. Next up is Ann Arbor (groan), a show that I do not like very much, but keep coming back to. I guess I need to punish myself.
I see your point Larry. I do consider myself to be an artist, but one might also argue that the term "exhibitor" has a trade show connotation to it. I was an artist there to represent and sell my creations, but my main point was that it is difficult to know what factors contribute to making or breaking a show. It can't be the same factors for all artists since some did well and others not.
It was my first time as a vendor at Krasl and I have to say I, too, am impressed with the organization of this event. Sorry to hear some didn't do well. I wish I knew exactly why, but I had one of my best shows ever, and hope to be back next year.
I am so happy for you, Ginny! Congrats on these good sales and meeting new people for your work.
And thank you, Elle, for this balanced report, even though your sales were not what you wanted. One of the things artists consistently say about Krasl is that the show puts everything in place for what an artist needs to prosper. They do good PR, the attendees are not distracted by other options, it is in an affluent area with lots of second homes, Parton Bucks program, people are devoted to attending the show.
And then they deliver for the artists: with lots of helpful volunteers, a comfortable setting that is attractive not only to artists but to attendees, easy setup, good food, free lodging opportunities and a quality event.
Then we have the two contrasting sales reports, familiar to many of you have been in the business for a long time: some do poorly and some do well at the same event.
This was my first year at the Krasl Art Fair and I'm dubbing this one, "Sleeper of the Year." I concur with Ellie's review of the show that the volunteers and organization of the show are the BEST!! Load in and out were a piece of cake. In addition, artist parking was nearby and free. There were NO loud sponsors hawking their free stuff, no loud music or other entertainment stages or other side shows. It was ALL ABOUT THE ART!! There couldn't be a more beautiful setting. All of us were on grass and not hot pavement and many had the shade of big trees. There were cool breezes to keep us comfortable. I had my turbo fan and electrical access but never needed them. I stayed with a lovely host family, along with two other artists which really helped on expenses as hotels in this area in the summer are expensive. There were many patrons that participated in the Patron Bucks program that encourages buying and collecting. There were fabulous breakfasts and lunches for the artists that were free, by the sponsors. I would recommend by passing the $5 sandwiches that we could order and go to the free lunch buffet at the Boulevard, instead!!
As for the most important part, SALES, this show rocked for me and equaled my very good Cherry Creek Art Festival on the previous weekend. I sold nothing on Saturday but had good vibes and leads for big commission work. On Sunday, I sold my favorite large painting and at exactly 5pm, closing time, I sold my largest (40x50), which I will deliver this morning. In addition, this collector will be commissioning a larger (40x60) for their Chicago apartment. I have about a half dozen leads for other commissions that I will follow up on after my season is over in October. So, I'm very happy to say that there are some heavy hitters at this show. So if you produce large, 2D work you may want to give this show a try. I was excited to receive Best in Category for 2D MM and definitely plan to return next year!! My work is architectural abstractions in oil/collage. My prices range from $150 to $6000.
I'm sorry that many of the artists did not do well but urge others to give this show a try or two. I did much better here than my past two years at Madison, on this same weekend.
Comments
Thank you to all the artists who participated in the 2013 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. Thanks to those who posted comments regarding our show. It is always my goal to visit each artists booth over the weekend (I did not make it to every booth this year, so my art fair assistant Cara helped).
Feedback from aritsts is always a "mixed bag" in terms of sales. Usually I receive 3 basic responses: artists who are "over the top" in sales, middle ground sales (solid as one artist phrased it) and those who don't sell well at all.
It is always hard to respond to artists who don't have good sales. We really do our best to get buyers to attend.
I am open to any ideas or suggestions for improving our buying crowd. I would love to hear from you.
Wishing you a good art fair Season,
Sara Shambarger,
Director of Art Fairs
Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff
Hello Elle,
Thank you for your frank and generous report of the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. I value your level of professionalism that despite poor sales, you were able to give praise to our show. If I could only give all artists good sales, I would! I am so glad we had a chance to talk in person and just wish I could have seen more of your work.
Hoping you have good sales this week at Ann Arbor.
I have done this show at least 10 times & it is usually one of my top shows each year. 2013 was less than 1/2 of 2012, terribly disappointing. But I hope to return, as I have loyal repeat buyers there from MI & IN, & my (snail-mail) postcards brought many of them out. Congrats Ginny!
Krasl is my favorite show, and I always do well here. I live down the road in Saugatuck, and my images are strongly about West Michigan, so that may be the reason. In contrast to Ginny's review, I sold mostly small items. Biggest sale was a $400 print. I sold 88 pictures in all, with an average sale price of $50. I sold lots of $20 prints. Surprisingly, my newest work (which is not about West Michigan) sold very well too, so, that is encouraging. Next up is Ann Arbor (groan), a show that I do not like very much, but keep coming back to. I guess I need to punish myself.
I see your point Larry. I do consider myself to be an artist, but one might also argue that the term "exhibitor" has a trade show connotation to it. I was an artist there to represent and sell my creations, but my main point was that it is difficult to know what factors contribute to making or breaking a show. It can't be the same factors for all artists since some did well and others not.
Not vender. Artist or exhibitor.
Vender has a buy/sell connotation.
Larry Berman
It was my first time as a vendor at Krasl and I have to say I, too, am impressed with the organization of this event. Sorry to hear some didn't do well. I wish I knew exactly why, but I had one of my best shows ever, and hope to be back next year.
I am so happy for you, Ginny! Congrats on these good sales and meeting new people for your work.
And thank you, Elle, for this balanced report, even though your sales were not what you wanted. One of the things artists consistently say about Krasl is that the show puts everything in place for what an artist needs to prosper. They do good PR, the attendees are not distracted by other options, it is in an affluent area with lots of second homes, Parton Bucks program, people are devoted to attending the show.
And then they deliver for the artists: with lots of helpful volunteers, a comfortable setting that is attractive not only to artists but to attendees, easy setup, good food, free lodging opportunities and a quality event.
Then we have the two contrasting sales reports, familiar to many of you have been in the business for a long time: some do poorly and some do well at the same event.
So, it is on to the next show!
This was my first year at the Krasl Art Fair and I'm dubbing this one, "Sleeper of the Year." I concur with Ellie's review of the show that the volunteers and organization of the show are the BEST!! Load in and out were a piece of cake. In addition, artist parking was nearby and free. There were NO loud sponsors hawking their free stuff, no loud music or other entertainment stages or other side shows. It was ALL ABOUT THE ART!! There couldn't be a more beautiful setting. All of us were on grass and not hot pavement and many had the shade of big trees. There were cool breezes to keep us comfortable. I had my turbo fan and electrical access but never needed them. I stayed with a lovely host family, along with two other artists which really helped on expenses as hotels in this area in the summer are expensive. There were many patrons that participated in the Patron Bucks program that encourages buying and collecting. There were fabulous breakfasts and lunches for the artists that were free, by the sponsors. I would recommend by passing the $5 sandwiches that we could order and go to the free lunch buffet at the Boulevard, instead!!
As for the most important part, SALES, this show rocked for me and equaled my very good Cherry Creek Art Festival on the previous weekend. I sold nothing on Saturday but had good vibes and leads for big commission work. On Sunday, I sold my favorite large painting and at exactly 5pm, closing time, I sold my largest (40x50), which I will deliver this morning. In addition, this collector will be commissioning a larger (40x60) for their Chicago apartment. I have about a half dozen leads for other commissions that I will follow up on after my season is over in October. So, I'm very happy to say that there are some heavy hitters at this show. So if you produce large, 2D work you may want to give this show a try. I was excited to receive Best in Category for 2D MM and definitely plan to return next year!! My work is architectural abstractions in oil/collage. My prices range from $150 to $6000.
I'm sorry that many of the artists did not do well but urge others to give this show a try or two. I did much better here than my past two years at Madison, on this same weekend.
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