I applied for the Fourth Avenue Street Fair as a lark. It would be part of a painting trip and visit to my dad, who lives about an hour south of Tucson.
I had a very good show, good enough that I would happily consider doing it again.
When I told people here and elsewhere that I was contemplating this show, many discouraged me, saying that it really is a street fair, as opposed to an art show. And it was - but there were tons of people there, and they were buying everything from jams and jewelry and tie-dyed T-shirts - to sculpture and ceramics and, yes, paintings.
It's a three-day show, in a funky, artsy, hippie neighborhood in Tucson. Parking is atrocious, set-up can be dicey, and take-down is a madhouse. For lots of reasons, I rented a tent, and while that came (as it always seems to) with its own share of issues, it solved even more issues for me. I did manage to get a good parking place, so my set-up was easy, and I dollied out and avoided the take-down madness.
So that's the downside - and that's it!
There were TONS of people at the show. All three days, from before the official opening to after the official closing, the street was jammed. People were friendly, interested, polite.
Volunteers came by regularly with water, snacks and offers of booth-sitting. Saturday, there were not as many volunteers, or at least they didn't visit as frequently, but Friday and Sunday, I'd say they came by every hour.
An odd thing at the start bears mention - homeless people, or I am assuming they were homeless, or at least down on their luck - came by, seeking work helping putting up. Several of my neighbors used these guys, and said they worked really hard and did an excellent job, for $20-$30.
Other good things included decent food, plenty of port-a-potties, and a restaurant/coffee shop nearby that was OK with letting people use their facilities. The merchants put on the show, and were generally happy to have us there, though the show does close down the streets for three days. Security was evident and abundant.
The show was organized really well, it seemed to me. The director came by on Sunday and introduced himself, wanting to know how I was, how I'd done, and how the show could improve.
I made about $3,000, and was pleased.
Comments
Congrats Carrie -to not expect much and be rewarded with decent-good sales would be fabulous!
Wow, Mark, your stuff is gorgeous! Beautiful.
I wondered about the December show, and whether people would buy paintings. I have rarely done well with Christmas-time shows... but maybe I should try.
We did this show last December and were surprised also. Tons of people buying good art. Yes there are a lot of characters here! We will do it again this December.
Elle, good luck this weekend! Where is the show? Sorry you had a rotten weekend last weekend. This weekend is bound to be better!
Hi, Brian - I think my stuff is sort of contemporary, with a high impasto and different colors. It was hard for me to find the words to say what I was trying to say. I'd say that more "serious" art might not work as well in the show. I don't really like to say that, because it implies that my paintings aren't serious - and to me, they are. But my stuff is more fun and funky than serious. I'm just digging the hole deeper here, so I will stop.
Thanks, I would have thought more contemporary and modern art would have been popular given the area. Most the shops there are funky and hip.
Thank you, Kay and Brian, for taking the time to comment.
The people who bought my paintings ranged from mid-20s to mid-50s, from college students to established Tucson business people. I guess my style was a good fit. I hate to say that my work is not serious, because to me, it is, but it is bright and emotional and semi-representational, and I would say happy and light-hearted. If you are a "serious" painter, schooled and traditional or schooled and abstract, this might not be a show for you - if that makes sense.
At any rate, I had three terrible shows in a row in Florida, and so it was doubly, even triply wonderful to have some decent sales.
Hi Carey, glad you had a decent show. I looked at your work and your style would be a good fit there. Thanks for reviewing. I'm in Phoenix and don't do this one, gave it only 1 shot. I'm a contemporary jeweler. Nice review!
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