Well, I have to admit I have been derelict in my blogging. Done four shows and I am finally posting. Others coming.Frankly, the lure of the nearby golf course has seduced me more than writing. I will try to correct the errors of my ways.On with the show.Fort Wayne is a cool little town. I had never been there, but when I arrived, I was charmed by its ways.It has a good feeling of energy. New buildings blending with the old. Nicely treed, easy to get around. The people are friendly, most dress very nicely. They support the arts here.It is a small show about 130 exhibitors. Most are on Main Street (closed off from traffic),the rest are in a beautiful tired park around a fountained plaza. Everybody is set up on concrete.Plenty storage behind and on most sides.I was not expecting much, this was a filler show. Did not get in Krasl and was number seven on waitlist at Madison.Only a $200 booth fee. I made more than 10x my booth fee. Many others did not.This is an old show but a new committee is running it and they did a great job. Mellow setup and tear down.People are quite conservative and traditional in their purchases. Lots of Art on the Stick going by. Did not see many big frame pieces go by. Most of my sales were from print bins--$25-$80 range. I am a photographer.I have my own style that sets me apart from the rest of the herd. I don't do lighthouses or lake scenes. I do not do a lot of scenic spots. Been doing this way, successfully, for 42 years.That is probably why I did well there, I was a breath of fresh air.I would recommend this show if you live only 3-5 hour drive away.This is a filler show. My total expenses for the show,including booth, were under $500.FtW has some great restaurants with decent prices for yummy foods.Try Cindy's Diner for great breakfast. It is a five minute walk from the show.Try Main Street Bistro for great dishes ranging from vegetarian to good beef, drinks are cheap, and the place is a class act.That's all folks.Next, I will blog about the Des Moines show, then Columbus and finally, Kalamazoo.
No Nels I did not kill you off at BM, But was worried that you might have health problem.
We had a very good BM due to one customer who on Fri night purchased three small originals and was waiting by Lu's booth when we arrived on Saturday morning, she purchased two of her largest paintings. Did not see a lot of buying in our tent which is the smallest tent only 14 booth sin the East tent. Do not know of others, did not hear any great reports.
I saw old friend Christine Greene who was a returnee, likes the show and bought earrings from member Kathleen Clausen and had a great dinner with Old buddy Nels at the Oyster Bar. Great oysters ...
Nice review, Nels, and good to hear about a positive experience in mid-America and ,yes, you are truly "a breath of fresh air". Love the restaurant tips too...
I was there. Fort Wayne is my hometown and thought it was finally time to see this show. I had my show directors critique hat on and was really surprised at the whole thing. Nicely laid out, nice music nearby, spacious booths, mellow atmosphere. The park is a great place for a show with lots of trees. Nels is right about the attendees.
This is a big event, 80 activities, yet the art is set away and in the nicest part of the festival campus. If you weren't interested in the art you didn't have to pass
P through it to get to a concert or the "junk food alley." Nice planning. So you don't have to interact with crowds.
Comments
Wallace. one artist at BM killed it with $14K.
No Nels I did not kill you off at BM, But was worried that you might have health problem.
We had a very good BM due to one customer who on Fri night purchased three small originals and was waiting by Lu's booth when we arrived on Saturday morning, she purchased two of her largest paintings. Did not see a lot of buying in our tent which is the smallest tent only 14 booth sin the East tent. Do not know of others, did not hear any great reports.
Missed you at Boston Mills, Glad to hear it was because of sellout and not health.
Nice review, Nels, and good to hear about a positive experience in mid-America and ,yes, you are truly "a breath of fresh air". Love the restaurant tips too...
This is a big event, 80 activities, yet the art is set away and in the nicest part of the festival campus. If you weren't interested in the art you didn't have to pass
P through it to get to a concert or the "junk food alley." Nice planning. So you don't have to interact with crowds.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next