We were at the Sanibel Masters Art Fair the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, run by Richard Sullivan.  This was our 3rd year of doing this show.  Richard is very visible, seen walking through the show and helping to direct traffic at load in and out.  We appreciate the time he has spent getting to know and placing the artists.  The show was impressive in the variety and quality of the art work.  Load in and out could have been confusing, but was manageable because of the staff help directing things and the artists' patience with each other.

The absolute best part was meeting the other artists who happened to be the Stars of the Art Fair world!  We were right across from Fiber Artist,Shoshanna Matthews.  My husband bought me a beautiful wrap as an early Christmas gift.  Shoshanna and her husband were very personable.  We encouraged each other throughout the show, commiserating in the slow times, and giving each other thumbs up across the way when sales were made.  Just a little down the row was Geoff Coe, friendly as ever, whom we'd met at Estero last year.  Nels Johnson was a bit farther away.  I've been reading his AFI entries for several years so I made a point of going down to introduce myself and getting a picture of him. (If I only knew how to post it here :( ).  His writing is so forceful, that I sort of expected a giant!  Nels said that he's feeling well.  My next door neighbor was Alicia Renner who has amazing underwater photography.  Lots of other photos, too, and a great sense of humor.  A few booths in the other direction was John Di Carlo, who's been around the Art Fair arena for several years.  The first time we did this show he was across from us and generously offered some Art Fair insights.

I didn't get around to discover the other stellar personalities and art at the show.  My husband actually seems to think that I will be in the booth assisting clients!  Imagine!  If I didn't mention you and you were there, look me up at the next go-round!

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  • Melanie, I've signed up for the Boca Grande show.  Will you be there?

  • Wonderful summary, Kathleen!  I was also a part of this show for the first time. I have been to Sanibel in the past during the spring shows, but this is the first time I have exhibited with Boulderbrook Productions.  I found it to be run very well, and the requests I had for my booth were taken into consideration without any hassle, which is great for artists that need electric, back space, etc.  I had great sales all day Friday and Saturday, and really don't mind staying until 5 pm, especially when the show was finished on Saturday, and we had all day Sunday to sleep in and unpack the van!  I have signed up for more of Richard's shows for 2014, and think it will be a great option for me to mix in with chamber of commerce shows, ACE, and some others.  

  • Congrats on the air time! I also suggested a 4:00 close time on day 2. We were out pretty quickly, +- and hour, but it was already getting dark. Felt sorry for those with more to load up.
  • Hey, Kathleen, thank you for the writeup on the show! I had not done a Sullivan/Boulderbrook show in a number of years and was very pleased with the way the show went...very low key and well-managed. 

    The one item for improvement I saw was the 5 pm close on the second day.  I and others suggested that the show end at 4 pm, which Richard said is a reasonable suggestion...it would help everyone get out before dark, important since there is next to no lighting in the area.  

    Sales were OK for me, certainly not what I'd expect to do in high tourist season but not bad for November.  It's a nice show for me to do, being local.  Several other artists and I did two-minute segments for WINK News(a show sponsor) on day two (Saturday) and they seemed effective.  

    Overall I was happy with the show and hope to do it again next year. 

  • Not a problem.  Either spelling is a correct transliteration.

  • Shoshana, I apologize for misspelling your name.

  • I did OK.  Since it was a "home" show for me - within commuting distance so no hotel bill - I made a reasonable profit.

  • The sales were okay for us.  I saw lots of people with packages, but I don't know what was selling and what wasn't. I didn't see many large packages.

  • but, how were sales?

  • Thanks for making me a "star".  It was great to meet you.  Enjoy the shawl.

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