Starting the spring marathon. This is the first of 11 (maybe will cut to 10) shows in 13 weeks. Lucky enough to get into the shows we wanted, we are crazy and going for it. SO my reviews will be a bit more brief. I have reviewed Spring Festival on Ponce since the beginning. lots of info if you want to search it here on AFI. Working on iPad and I can't figure out how to post pics but past pics are pretty much the same.http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2160589%3ABlogPost%3A299536&commentId=2160589%3AComment%3A300581http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/festival-on-poncehttp://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/why-i-chose-the-little-guy-spring-festival-on-ponce-atlanta-gaSpring Festival on Ponce in Atlanta. Just finished this one. It is a small show, 125 artists and craft. It is set up in the park along Ponce de Leon in a very nice neighborhood. Big houses, lots of money, family friendly and lots of dogs. Lots of celebs show up at this small show. President Carter usually makes it but didn't this year that I know of. Set up is dolly in but for many of us that just means crossing a street and over a bit of grass. We carry our work and don't use a dolly. Some do need to dolly on the side walk. You set up on Friday. It is easy and low key. You have lots of room to blow out in the back for most. We set up our 20' in a single space. Fees are under $300 if I remember right. Cheap booth fee in my world anyway. Break down is also easy, at least in my section. You don't need a pass. You just need to get a parking space which is easy to find once the show closes and the patrons leave. We always are out and driving off with in an hour after closing.Saturday was windy but not bad, about 15 mph. No big deal except this show has a lot of artists that don't do many shows. Those folks struggled with the wind but those of us who have weather ready booths were fine. It was full sun and in the 60s. People were ready to come out. This is the first outdoor art festival in Atlanta. I love this show. Atlantans are ready to shop and get back to their art festivals. One of the reasons I like this show is it preempts dogwood. You have the buyers who are starting to look and will buy before dogwood and the buyers who don't want to deal with the hassle of dogwood. This show has always been a strong one for me. This year was another great one. Saturday sales were not as strong but Sunday sales were excellent. I know people in every medium who had wonderful shows. Of course not everyone did. If this isn't your market you won't do well, but if it is your market it is a great show.Another reason I love this show is because it is one of the most relaxing shows to do. The park is beautiful. My booth is the closest to the acoustical music stage. They have nice background music for an art show plus the director of the show has me and the sound guy work together since I am the closest art booth. If the music ever gets to loud for the booth I just have to tell him. That's awesome. Never had a problem. This show is really getting a following. I think it is the 4 or 5 year. I have clients who only want to support this show. The work is a big mix. On one side of the park is the art and music. On the other side there are the sponsors, children's area and crafts.The staff is great. They run a tight ship and I like that. Artist parking is in the neighborhood. I have never had a problem finding parking within a couple blocks from my booth.
I was in Atlanta during 2 art shows and never made it to either one. I could kick myself now. We arrived very late Saturday night after driving from Michigan. I was exhausted on Sunday. We were there all week. Friday night my son Jay noticed after the fact that the Dogwood show had had booths open for a while but we missed that also. We had to leave for home again early Saturday. Later after we left, Jay decided to go to the show and he ended up buying a couple pieces for his apartment. Jay is my art lover! Sorry I missed you, Melanie.
Good luck with your upcoming show schedule. It is hard work!
Thank you Kathleen. I need to reload on the vitamins you are right:). I think the out of town shows will be easier because we won't have to deal with the home front. Hitting the road in a couple days.
Feel like I've been there when I read your reviews, Melanie. I remember when Pres. Carter was near your booth. WOW! Wishing you fortitude and awesome luck for the next 12 weeks! Take your vitamins!
Comments
I was in Atlanta during 2 art shows and never made it to either one. I could kick myself now. We arrived very late Saturday night after driving from Michigan. I was exhausted on Sunday. We were there all week. Friday night my son Jay noticed after the fact that the Dogwood show had had booths open for a while but we missed that also. We had to leave for home again early Saturday. Later after we left, Jay decided to go to the show and he ended up buying a couple pieces for his apartment. Jay is my art lover! Sorry I missed you, Melanie.
Good luck with your upcoming show schedule. It is hard work!
Feel like I've been there when I read your reviews, Melanie. I remember when Pres. Carter was near your booth. WOW! Wishing you fortitude and awesome luck for the next 12 weeks! Take your vitamins!