Review: Turtle Creek Arts Festival, Dallas TX

8869184662?profile=original

Turtle Creek Arts Festival in Dallas Texas is the second weekend of November.  This was the inaugural show.  The show takes place in Reverchon Park next to Katy trail.  Turtle Creek is a very high end area of Dallas, in the middle of the city.  Many artists won’t do a first year show but I have had success with new shows when they are in the right area.  Downtown shows, especially in high-end neighborhoods,  are the exact market for our work.  So we decided to go for it even though that meant driving all the way from Atlanta.  It didn’t hurt that a single booth was only $225.  The show is run by FFPS based out of Atlanta.  Some of our top shows are put on by FFPS and we like working with the team so this was another big factor on why we decided to go. 

 

Set up was on Friday with about 100-125 artists.  This is a park show with one road.  Everyone had to dolly.  Some dollys were easy and close and some were a bit of a hike.  I have seen worse but be prepared.  When you arrived you checked in and then parked on one side of the road to unload.  After you unloaded you went and parked your car near by then went back to set up.  Set up went very smoothly and even though the road in and out was tight there was never a problem.   Every booth had lots of space especially in the back.  The booths were along a path and completed a circle so all booths were visited.   There was a kids area in the middle of the show next to the playground.  It didn’t interfere with the show.  There were about 4 food trucks and music that were placed appropriately, close to the show but didn’t interfere with the art.  

8869184881?profile=original

The show was Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-5.  The weather was great on Saturday.  Lots of sales going out, big sales, right away.  We did 10x booth by 11 am on Saturday.  I heard many artists asking the director if they could have the same booth spots next show before noon.   The crowds were good, not packed but good for a first year show and we had interested and knowledgeable people in our booth the entire day.  The patrons were not sure what to expect since it was the first year and they were all very excited to see real art.  There were a lot of great artists and overall I was impressed.  

8869184275?profile=original

Sunday morning we made our deliveries from the day before and went to open up the booth.  It was a rainy day, nothing heavy, mainly a mist for most of the day until around 3 pm I think.  The crowds were not as strong on Sunday.   Rainy days often bring out the real buyers and I saw a lot of art walking out.  Luckily the rain ended early enough that the tent was dry and we wouldn’t be breaking down in the rain. 

Breakdown started right at 5pm.  The deal was you had to breakdown, dolly your stuff to the curb, get a pass then get your vehicle.  I was worried about breakdown and getting everyone in and out but it went so smoothly since the show enforced the rules.  A couple artists tried sneaking in spouses vehicles ahead of time but the staff was strict and made them move.   

8869185061?profile=original

I really enjoyed this show and will definitely  return if accepted.  There are always challenges with a new show.  This show will need to work on parking options.  On Saturday the artists were told to park on the streets of the neighborhood so they could save the parking in the park for patrons.  It was easy to find street parking in the morning but got harder later in the day.  The show got a parking lot at the hospital next to the park on Sunday for the artists.  This helped everyone.  I know next time it will get even better.  Hotels  downtown can be expensive but there were a ton of very affordable air bnbs.   If you are a foodie you will love this part of Dallas, we celebrated at Trulucks,  one of the best meals I have had in a long time.   Can’t wait to come back.  

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

Comments

  • 2d abstract Amy
  • Thank you so much for this review!  I was wondering how the show went.  What is your art?

This reply was deleted.