Well, this is a well attended art show and I did not see anything near or around me that was buy/sell. There were over 230 artists, a bit overwhelming for the patrons, but a nice weekend and fantastic weather.
I had picked my spot, same as last year and was happy to get it, then found out we had to cart in. I do these shows by myself and I do clay art/ceramic. It is heavy and then then weights as well as the tent...whew. I accepted the fact that it would be tough, but the set up day was marvelous. Came early, stayed 4 hours to set up and felt good about that, we had all day. Great. I saw one of the reasons we could not drive up to the booths like last year and that was that one entrance was totally blocked. It left one way in and one way out. Okay, I accept it. Then I get there and start the mule trip, ten trips, because of the weight and here is the "poster" boy of the show with his truck and trailer in the park and he is setting up right by his booth. Made bad feelings for everyone that was carting past. Did not bode well..Rules are made for everyone, not some.
The weekend could not have been better, lots of buyers, small purchases, but they added up quickly and that is great. The art I got a chance to see was really fine art and Jeff Eckert won best of show for his wonderful pencil drawings, he is amazing.
Doing shows by myself is a problem when it comes to bathroom breaks and this year they did not offer, I had to beg. Twice I had friends watch my booth, then a neighbor.
Breakdown...
Well, before it was over I chewed out at least 3 volunteers including one of the Co-Chairman. It seemed that the volunteers, many were drunk, were blocking the only sidewalk in and out for the back. After the 3rd time that I had to ask them to move I started getting rude. They would park there and walk away from the cart, on LOAD OUT! My cart would have tipped over if I moved off the sidewalk. I watched one female volunteer in particular help a guy friend move his stuff with the golf carts, then I saw the co-chairman (female) do the same after she and I had words. The last thing I said was, "there would be no show without the artists, they need to be respected" She did not like that comment, I wonder if I will be allowed in ever again. No one offered to help me as far as the volunteers go, but a food vendor worker helped me at the end, she insisted on the last load to carry something I was having difficulty with while pulling my cart with the tent. I applaud her kindness. Another artist told me he saw a volunteer on a golf cart, hit an artist with his golf cart. I realize volunteering is a hard job, I have done it, but I do not drink on duty. Sorry...do not like it.
There were many artists that did not sell and I felt bad for them,
the catagories were full, 30 ceramics, 40 jewelers, photography full..it was full of artists hoping to make some money on a beautiful weekend. Maybe too many..
I am sore and bruised, but did have great sales. Maybe after I recover, I will think about doing it again. (If they let me in)
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I was there too. Luckily I was near one of the entrance for load out. Even then after I had everything packed and my husband went get the van. Some yahoos got their trailers stuck trying to leave (tried to leave where there was not enough room to get trailer around other vehicles). It took 15-20 minutes longer than it should have for my husband to get to me, so we could load up.
It definitely was a hard crowd to sell to. It did not help that I was by an entrance. I heard all day that "We just got here." Almost every sale was difficult to close. I finally had a good show due to 2 last minute sales on Sunday and one of them I had to make a deal, but it was for a piece I wanted to find a home soon anyways.
Pleasant weekend though.
Just the cold hard facts...
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