This show is run by the Recreation Department under Lynette Santurro's supervision. (It is a Zapp show)
At one time I considered this one of the best one-day shows in the midwest, especially in September.
Times have changed. It is still a good show, a little too craftsey, but not numero uno anymore.
The show is held on a big recreation field in Upper Arlington, which is a very monied northwest suburb of Columbus. Think Jack Nicklaus. He is from Dublin which is just around the corner.
Ohio State is also, just around the corner. You have great homes around the area, many filled with young to middle-agers-- a welcome demographic for artists.
A lot of these folks won't bother going to the downtown June show and instead, will gladly walk two blocks from their houses to buy art here.
I have done this show for many years since the 1980's. I have a great following here which never hurts to have.
In the old days, one could do $2K by lunch and be at $3K at show end.
You can set up leisurely, the day before, on Sunday. Or, wait til Monday morn and do it then. About 50% do it one way or the other.
Most have ample storage space behind, usually some hanging space on one side.
They feed you a breakfast and also a bagged lunch--sandwich, cookie and ice water.
They have a very zealous fire department which checks to see if artists booths are properly staked down in to ground. No weights allowed.
So here is the only rub.
Too many booths, almost 225, for too few high end buyers. Low end price points do best here. I only saw about five large framed pieces go out of here--one of them was mine.
You don't see a lot of pros from the circuit do it anymore--sales are not there for them--they will wait for the June show. In the old days I would see photographers like John Galbo and Luciano--those were the days.
There is a lot of loving hands jewelry and pottery in the show. A majority of artists are from Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
I always stay at a Red Roof Inn, nearby on the river--get it on the CLC card for under $40.
I would say it is a worthwhile bet to do if you live within 6 hours of it and only want to stay one night in a hotel.
I will always go back and do it again so I can be beside Peter, the Mennonite broom-maker. The committee takes friendly bets on what time he will sell out of his stock, usually before 3 PM. This year he had a lot of brooms leftover, but he also brought 400 more than usual. Even Mennonites can dream large.
Comments
WE can't do anything about it. It's up to the committee to decide which type of customer they want to attract and then go after it. It sounds like, from Nels description, that their target audience is more of a low end crowd. If they target their more affluent community and make an effort to get better work, they may revive this shows slow spiral downward. St Louis targets really great work and lets the community know it. It has become a personal source of pride in Clayton. When you let the quality of work start to slide it becomes a slippery slop downward which results in lower sales for all. This is something all shows should consider. It could start with getting rid of some booths as Nels has pointed out, there are too many exhibitors.
So, Nels, I just read Barry B's post about the St. Louis Art Fair and how they are doing everything "right", which results in excellent results all around. This show also does everything "right." Right? It is easy to do, easy in and out, affluent community, stable staff with good ties in the city, devotion to the event. What are your speculations about why your sales are down here (and others too)? AND what can we do about it?
(Oh -- that is also a plug for the podcast tomorrow which is one of my personal solutions about what we can do about it.)
Thanks Nels, sounds like a good one day show.
Sigh. I blew it back in the spring and missed the deadline. I had done it for the previous two years, one of my better shows.