Hi Guys....me again, I waited for a while thinking someone else might want to post a review on this show, since I posted one a few weeks ago. I didn't want this to be like a journal of my ups and downs. But in the hopes that each review helps everyone else and knowing that my show might not be your show, because we do very different things...here goes nuthin'.
Tennessee Crafts is the new name for TACA, a spring and fall show that runs in Centennial Park in the heart of Music City two times a year. In the spring it is predominately Tennessee Artists and surrounding state craft guild members. It seemed to have a fairly big representation outside of the state this year which I think made the show even stronger. Since I live in Tennessee, coming here is always a homecoming for me and even if I don't know someone, I know of their work, and it's fun to mingle and see everyone's new stuff.
Load in was dolly in because of the recent rains....yuck...I hate it but I do it....get the dread over with and set up. It wasn't as far for me from the parking lot as it was for some. This is such a happy show to do, no attitude, no drama, people smile and the promoters come around and talk to you more than once a show....maybe it's Tennessee, people are just naturally nice here( I'm originally from New Jersey so I can say that). Thursday night was a party and reception for artists at a gallery but sorry- I didn't go, I was beat and wanted to put my feet up and relax.
Friday started breezy and cool, I was under a big oak tree...Thank you Jesus! Shade, even when it's cool, is better than anything else for moi, so after borrowing a beautiful silk shawl from Vicki Viperman, a fiber artist...the day went by slow for me. I made a whopping hundred dollars and wondered seriously if this was the fate of the new work I was doing. We always second guess ourselves when we have a bad day...it's the nature of the beast-right? So Saturday started with me wondering about a lot of things, art, life, my ability to stay upbeat and happy when I don't make a pot to pee in.....well the sun came out, it was a beautiful day and the crowds came big time! I had my single best day ever at a show...I was thanking the wax gods for looking so kindly down on me. I saw a lot of big items go by too and I know the jeweler, printmaker and basket maker around me did very, very well too. I did talk to a friend who is a wood worker and he said it was just an average show for him, unusual because wood is usually king for shows in Tennessee...people love their wood rockers and cutting boards and also metal garden geegaws...
Sunday was also packed and I didn't even have a chance to sit or eat because I was so busy. That is not to say that booth sitters weren't plentiful and one even went and got me a smoothie because I couldn't leave the booth. Water was also delivered a few times a day. Oh and did I mention the breakfasts? Probably the best anywhere- fresh fruit, artisan breads, oatmeal, even sandwiches for lunch prepared to take. ..plus the Bella coffee was incredible.
Load out was not problematic, there was plenty of room to drive on the lawn and load right from our booths since it was dry. I have to say that Teri Alea, the head of TACA is an incredible spirit for this show. she is organized, always looking to make things better and so completely joyful that I wish I could live in Nashville so I could be her friend...she is that cool.
Drove home that night across the plateau to Knoxville, it is amazing how driving home is no problem when you have a good show and what a pain in the patoot it is when you don't ...we seem to live and breathe on our successes and failures in this business..but for this one.....it was a pleasure.
Comments
ditto that Susan...you are right on all counts... and Hannah is wonderful too.
I had a really good show too. I've done TACA (TN Craft) for years and You have to stay optimistic, even in the rain because in time, you will get followers of your work. I had a really good show last year despite the torrential rains because of the people who did just that. I had two groups drive from Kentucky to see and another couple (I forget where they're from) who come each year on their wedding anniversary to get a heart for the wife. I've seen people's children grow up too. I love people like they as they make my heart happy too. While I need the money to pay bills, there's other rewards to be had in our work. I just love it when my work becomes something meaningful in their lives. Yes, Teri is to be applauded as she really cares if we do well and I'd like to give a shout out to Hannah Cofer, the Program Director who is so much more as she cares about us too. I feel like TACA / TN Craft has helped me grow as an artist and as a person.
I didn't add in my original post that the 2013 spring TACA show with all the rain, low temps and mud was my first large outdoor show. Many friends couldn't believe I came back after that. So glad I did!
Interesting. Of the folks I spoke with on Sunday, most reported sales below normal and/or below last year's show, but a potter friend said it was the best show he had had in years (and there was competition, with 47 artisans in the clay category, by my count).
Hey Cat it was great to meet you this weekend, Hope we can get together in the future and I'll see you down the road. Alisa, thanks for your kind words and so glad you had the same kind of show I did. All your input was great-but I have to say that I am glad I missed it last year, it sounded like it was pretty rough and even last weekend many were talking about it. You never can tell with a show-all dependent on weather and if the crowds venture out in it. Hope to see you in the Fall. Connie- you, as always are so supportive..thanks again.
Good review, Margaret. I too did the TACA spring show last weekend. My sales were good all three days but the best on Sunday. The number of buyers were definitely there all weekend and most were very engaging- interested in my work and processes.This was my second year to do this show. My sales were up 50% over last spring. Two friends who do metalworking told me it was there best show in many years.
My booth was located in the park near the brick and mortar arts center which provided the artists a "real" bathroom. What a treat! No port a potty. I've been lucky both years to have that location. Even though we had to dolly in this year and last, the proximity to the street made it occur with little effort.
I'm sorry you missed the pre-fair reception at the Clay Lady Studios (http://www.theclaylady.com). There was wonderful food to enjoy along with wine and beer. Also at the reception, Tammy Gentuso (a Tennessee Craft member) was kind enough to offer discounted photo sessions for all artists wanting jury or website photos taken. It was fun to have that time to mingle with old friends and make new ones.
I have to comment on last years spring show which reflects on Nashville's customers. 2013 began Friday with very low temps (in the 40's) and high winds. Centennial park had made the decision to kill all the grass in the park and reseed but due to low spring temps, the seed had not germinated. So Friday was a dust bowl. Then that night the rains came in. I mean thunderstorms. I returned to my booth Saturday morning to find a mud pit. A deep mud pit. Teri Alea and her crew of volunteers were quick to spread out hay easing the way for our patrons. The rain stopped late in the the day but returned that night to provide us with yet more mud. I know I would not have traveled out in that rain and mud to shop BUT it did not stop the Nashville patrons. They showed up in their galoshes, rain coats and umbrellas. I was quite impressed. Everyone had told me previous to last year that Nashville looks forward to this show and they come no mater what. Well, they did.
I look forward to the Fall TACA show. Drop by and introduce yourself if you're there.
Margaret, it was great to meet you this weekend! Thanks for giving me a few days to submit my Sunshine Artist report, so that I didn't subconsciously write your words. But I gathered pretty much what you said by talking to the artists. It was fun doing a report Sunday afternoon while not having to worry about Lee needing me back in the booth "pronto"! He is close to finishing his studio out in Rutherford County, but today he's fussing having to paint in the basement before we leave tomorrow for our last two Florida shows! Hope we run in to you again soon.
Connie, yes same park, but the American Artisan festival fizzled out after Nancy died.
Shhh ... don't tell anyone, Margaret, but it seems to me that there is a lot going on in Nashville and this may be a very nice fertile area for shows. I know this show has been around forever, but it has been handled well by the guild and not been commercialized. I'll bet they can keep it this way and be stellar both seasons.
Is it held in the same park as the "Nancy Saturn" show?
Thanks for your kind word Connie, I do hope more chime in on the show, it would be great to get more opinions. I have done the TACA show three times. It's always a pretty good show for me but I think that Nashville is on the rise right now, an influx of new people and lots going on in this town and that might have had something to do with better sales. The Fall show is always opened to anyone but the Spring show is predominately for Tennessee artists and now art guilds in surrounding states, so it brought in some out of state people too. It didn't hurt, probably made it stronger, but I can't speak for everyone, that's just one person's opinion.
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