For one thing, the weather at the Winter Park Art Fair couldn't have been better. 60s with no wind for setup on Thursday, 70s and no wind on Friday, low 80s, and again, no wind, on Saturday and Sunday. Perfect art fair weather. If there was a downside, it would be the dry conditions that caused a lot of dust in the air and coating all the artwork. But I'll take dust over rain any day.Construction along the train tracks disrupted the load in procedure, but the committee was on it, with structured load in and load out schedules that seemed to work very well. We waited in the designated artist parking lot for about 20 minutes until a space opened up near our booth. We unloaded at about 2pm and started to set up. Earlier scheduled set up times were asked to move their vehicles out after unloading, but, since we were in the last set up period we were able to keep our trailer in the street opposite our booth for the duration. That gave us the luxury of packing empty boxes into the trailer as we hung artwork.For the most part, booth sizes are very generous at Winter Park... Especially in the park. The booths on Park Street have a little less space but are still ample at about 12 foot wide. In the park booths are set up along winding concrete and brick paths, but with some set up along mulch paths. The mulch paths were probably the least desirable and most prone to dust. Our booth way at the intersection of the sidewalk along Park Avenue and a brick pathway winding into the park. Tons of room, and access to my booth from both the path and the sidewalk,,, very luxurious. Most artists had lots of room to spread out and a large number were able to exhibit on side walls as well.People come out and support this long running show in droves. And they save their art fair purchases for Winter Park because of the high quality of art on display. I believe 1200 artists applied to this show, but only around 225 were accepted. It's an excellent field of high quality work.This was our third time exhibiting and our sales have been increasing every year. Friday sales were the lightest at $775 (but I also had a$100 sale during setup on Thursday), Saturday our sales doubled, and Sunday they doubled again. We grossed just under $5600 for the weekend, about a 20% increase over last year.There is big prize money at this show... Over $50K. Lots of artists won prizes and I was disappointed that I was not one of them. But, I know how subjective the judging process can be (having judged a few shows myself). My only suggestion to all shows is that they consider bringing in a judge or two with some experience with new media. I'm a digital artist and there were three or four other digital artists exhibiting some really impressive work. None of us were recognized in the awards. Although shows are reluctantly admitting us digital artists into their shows, the judges they bring in are more often than not experienced in traditional media, and can't see the value of the computer as a creative tool. With the majority of art students these days embracing digital media, it would seem like shows should recruit from this highly creative pool of talent. As the art fair artists continue to age, we need more young blood on the art fair streets, and some new ideas and new media.Anyway, this was a very good show for me, but, like all shows, some artists did well, and some didn't. We did Gasparilla a couple weeks ago and did pretty well, so our Florida trip is looking a lot better than last year when I did seven shows, mostly in the saturated south Florida market. I'll fly home to Michigan for a month ( leaving my rig in a friend's boat yard), then fly back for Mainsail in St. Pete in April before driving the rig back north for the spring and summer shows.
Actually I may not even try to get in next year. Lakewood Ranch has been pretty good to me. My sales this year were the best I've ever had there. Plus I got first place in the pottery category. Always a bonus...
HA! Good explanation of the mysterious "jury process," Ken. Somehow, I've gotten into the show three years in a row, but every year I steel myself for a rejection. It's a tough show to get into. I have no idea what the secret is. Hope to see you there next year.
John, I will take your word that the show was great. I have never been accepted nor do I know anyone that has, though not for trying. Personally, I believe that the Winter Park show does not really exist or anyone who says they've done it. I think that you and the show are just part of a large Matrix-like computer program made to drive me insane. It is for the pure enjoyment of a bunch of Mr. Smiths to watch me bang my head against the wall wondering what the hell I have to change to get into the show. Of course I will continue to send in my jury fee with updated pictures knowing that it is all for nothing. Lakewood Ranch, here I come again.....:)
Another excellent article from the Orlando Sentinel (including a video) that chronicles the artist's roving lifestyle. It profiles photographer Cali Hobgood, painter Russell Yerkes and jeweler Megan Clark. You're going to love the schedules these people have lined up for 2013: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-winter-park-art-festival...
Great, idea, Geoff. In fact, the organizers at the WPSAF have already sent me some ideas on that. In the works ...
Good that this worked for you, John, just shows what a little homework and a disappointing former season can do for you. Great to hear that 2013 is working better for you. There is always an excitement about participating at WPSAF. Hope they choose you again next year.
By the way, I couldn't agree more with the paragraph you wrote about digital media. Especially apt is the comment that young people with art degrees know digital media, and recognizing this in jurying is going to help lure the next generation into art shows.
Connie, how about a radio show one day about "Creating the next generation of art show artists"?
Comments
Thanks for the review John. Sorry you didn't win an award. Maybe next year.
Actually I may not even try to get in next year. Lakewood Ranch has been pretty good to me. My sales this year were the best I've ever had there. Plus I got first place in the pottery category. Always a bonus...
HA! Good explanation of the mysterious "jury process," Ken. Somehow, I've gotten into the show three years in a row, but every year I steel myself for a rejection. It's a tough show to get into. I have no idea what the secret is. Hope to see you there next year.
John, I will take your word that the show was great. I have never been accepted nor do I know anyone that has, though not for trying. Personally, I believe that the Winter Park show does not really exist or anyone who says they've done it. I think that you and the show are just part of a large Matrix-like computer program made to drive me insane. It is for the pure enjoyment of a bunch of Mr. Smiths to watch me bang my head against the wall wondering what the hell I have to change to get into the show. Of course I will continue to send in my jury fee with updated pictures knowing that it is all for nothing. Lakewood Ranch, here I come again.....:)
Another excellent article from the Orlando Sentinel (including a video) that chronicles the artist's roving lifestyle. It profiles photographer Cali Hobgood, painter Russell Yerkes and jeweler Megan Clark. You're going to love the schedules these people have lined up for 2013: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-winter-park-art-festival...
Great, idea, Geoff. In fact, the organizers at the WPSAF have already sent me some ideas on that. In the works ...
Good that this worked for you, John, just shows what a little homework and a disappointing former season can do for you. Great to hear that 2013 is working better for you. There is always an excitement about participating at WPSAF. Hope they choose you again next year.
Here is some more info -- for those of us who weren't there:
http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/con...
By the way, I couldn't agree more with the paragraph you wrote about digital media. Especially apt is the comment that young people with art degrees know digital media, and recognizing this in jurying is going to help lure the next generation into art shows.
Connie, how about a radio show one day about "Creating the next generation of art show artists"?
Way to go, John! Persistence, talent, and smart show selection will always win out.
Fantastic result for you John - congratulations!