In their review,, Sunshine Artist, in their September issue, makes the following statement when talking about the five different sections that make up the St. James show:
"Each event targets different audiences by focusing on a specific style of art, from high-end art to fine craft, providing something for everyone".
Can anyone shed any light on which section focuses more on high-end art and which on fine craft? Or which ones may lean in one direction or the other?
I probably should have asked this question prior to submitting an application but, I failed to do so. Now that I've been accepted, I'm following up to see if I applied to the right section or should have done something different.
So, it now becomes an academic question but, I can't help but wonder. But, should I do poorly, perhaps I can blame it on the fact that I was in the wrong section. And, if I'm in the right section and still do poorly, I may just have to blame it on my work. Heaven forbid that that could ever be the issue!
Comments
I've been at St James Court for two years now, and will return this year - it's been a great show for me. I think that the Court, Belgravia, 3rd St and 4th St are all good shows. The first year that I applied, I got into the Court and Belgravia, and was waitlisted for 3rd and 4th Streets! Good luck this year!
Don, I have been on Belgravia for several years now, and love it there.
My booth is not far from the entrance, on the street end, and we always get there later in the day ,,,after 3:00PM so most everyone is already set up .
The path can be crowded during the show, and usually is. I found having a double booth has been worth it, otherwise the crowd may push by , without a glance. That can be a problem at any show though .
Bring shims,,,,your booth will likely be on an incline. The area where the booths are , are on a slight hill .
I have exhibited in the court and on Fourth st. I found both venues to have good and bad aspects. I walk the entire show every year and with a few exceptions the quality of every show is moving in a more professional direction. There are a few questionable ( seemingly grandfathered) crafters in the Fourth st. show but the overall quality of Fourth St. is good. I've talked to many patrons over the years and I don't think that any of the shows are shunned by the public for any reason. There are no "junky" shows. While I have never shown in the Belgravia show I find the narrow walks to be disturbing. I have to spend more time watching the people in front of me in order to not run into them then I spend looking at the art work. It also looks like setup and breakdown would be a nightmare since the only place to park your vehicle while setting up or breaking down would be in one or two alleys that run through the show. Since I have never done the Belgravia show my observations may be irrelavant. One more comment: this may have been mentioned but it 's value bears repitition. Artists on Third St. park there vehicles right behind their booths. I love that. Good luck at St. James . I'm sure it will all work out for you.
I liked Fourth Street better than Third Street as well, although it had the reputation of being the junky show. Sales have just fallen off so much there in the past few years that it's not really worth the drive for me.
Jim,
Thanks for the comprehensive review. I'm in Belgravia and it sounds like it might be ranked #2 in your ranking. Perhaps I could have done better in The Court but, based on your comments, it sounds like I could have done a lot worse. Between the five sections, it sounds like the show has something for everyone. The crowding issue could certainly be a problem but, I guess I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best. Thanks again.
Briefly, and this has been covered before:
St. James Court, the most fine art. Newbies get put in the inner court, where the traffic is about half.
Belgravia Court, nice smaller show, with some loyal artists and patrons, mix of fine art and craft, crowded corridors make it harder for patrons to see your work.
Fourth Street used to be the junkiest of the four, but has made strides towards improving the mix. Still some real crap gets let in, along with some very talented artists. I've been next to both in this show and finally gave it up, as sales plummeted the past few years.
Third St.- a little better mix than Fourth Street, but still a mixed bag. Some good locations, and some odd placements, with booths half on and half off of lawns. Both fine art and craft.
1300 Third St. Section - above the main show streets, gets less traffic. Can't speak to the quality, as I've never walked that section.
West End Church-- if this is your show, and you are selling painted lightbulbs or jelly doughnuts, you'll be fine. Otherwise, cancel. Mostly a craft bazaar.
All in all, there are many more walkers than buyers at this aggregate show. Ann Arbor has been plagued by similar slowdowns the past couple of years. If you are local, or close, it might be worth doing. I'm six long hours away, and haven't done it for a couple of years. Too many gawkers, not enough buyers, even in the Court.