I have been accepted to Woodlands in Texas but was waitlisted for Main Street Ft. Worth (#4). I don't want to drive that far for one show or risk showing up for Main Street and not get in. I do well in North Florida in April as it's home base. Should I go to Texas or stay home?
Also, Leesburg or Las Olas? I can depend on @$2000 from LAs Olas, but Leesburg would be so easy and convenient. Has anyone done the Deland show in March? they want slides or photos?!?!), or do Hyde Park? Hmmm, so many decisions!
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I did a show in Leesburg in early March 2010 and the sales were awful! There were loads of people there, but they mostly came from the fairly new retirement villages in the area, and they wanted free art lessons, not to make purchases. I didn't even make the booth fee!
I have friends who live in Leesburg who do not speak highly of the show. As well as some other painter friends from Orlando who say much the same. I personally haven't done it. I'm doing very few Florida shows this year.
The Deland Fall show is good. It was usually the best or second best of my fall Florida shows. The Deland spring show I have heard is a crap fest. I lived 10 miles from there and never thought about doing it based on what I heard from other people. Hyde Park is supposed to be one of HA's better shows but I did not do well there. It is extremely cramped in certain sections.
Thanks guys! I'll go ahead and commit to Las Olas. I'm building a following there and have a place to stay. My gut says Hyde Park, but I just didn't know... I just love the forest and springs around Deland. I'm going to give my regrets to Woodlands. I can count on a good income from N. Florida and I don't have to take any risk or travel. I really want Bayou City! Maybe next year I'll get in.
Great reply Mr. Parker--you are spot on 2013 already. Heed his advice, he knows much.
Las Olas over Leesburg, definitely. The expense of the Las Olas show may be more than you want to take on, however. You need to compare your estimated costs. Las Olas can be very good for some, and horrible for others. I've never made much there. I don't have brightly colored fish or palm trees, or big paintings, so that might be part of the reason.
As for Texas, you need to decide whether you can make it work on one show, if you don't get into Ft. Worth. In your category, printmaking, #4 is going to be pretty far down on the list. In 2012, there were 10 artists in your category. 40% of that number needs to drop out to create a space for you, so unless you get in based on other categories not being filled, your chances are relatively slim of getting into MSFW.
Deland, mmmhmmm. Maybe not. It's a local crowd, and many people make the assumption that the monied Orlando crowd shows up for it. Maybe. Maybe not. I wouldn't count on it.