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So, I’m sure that’s not what the Choochokam Arts Foundation told the artists, they had varied explanations but it just comes down to the fact that this organization that has long lacked for planning skills, failed once again and this time the failure was big enough to cause a cancellation of an event that’s been running for 39 years, cancelling it when it was too late for artists to apply and make other plans for the weekend, in the midst of the relatively short art show season for the Pacific NW.

In April they let the artists know they were changing dates and location and now it's cancelled.  Announcing the date change in April meant many artists then declined the show, several are still waiting for their booth fees to be returned as they already had other shows they were committed to for the weekend.   This show is now forever off our list, even if they get their act together for 2017, which is too bad, we love Whidbey Island and had thought this would be a once every three years show we'd like to continue, but not a show we wanted to do every year.  

Article from the local paper:

http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/news/385268301.html

We last participated in 2014 and were taking a “wait and see” attitude to determine if we would participate again.  I wrote a blog post at that time about the demise of a show, from the artist’s perspective.  http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/demise-of-a-favorite-show

It's sad to see a show that had been a solid show, once I would classify as a very good filler show that was pleasant to participate in die.

Just a short review of the last show I did in Naperville, Illinois. It was the only show I had scheduled for this month and since I had done well at Old Town I thought that heading back to the Chicago area would be more of the same. That's the thing about this business.....it takes you high and then it BAM...slaps you right in the face. Ha! 

Naperville Woman's Club Art Fair is located in Naperville Settlement, a re-enactment of a early mid-west village with all the "feels".  Located in a very high end part of Chicago, it is a beautiful town with very expensive homes....and a great downtown with lots of unique restaurants and shops. It is truly a beautiful place to show. It is very well organized, having been around for 37 years and the booths have plenty of room with most having space on either side and lots of back space. You could drive up right behind your booth to unload and load up. It is laid out on the path you take to see the actual settlement, so you can't be missed by buyers. Plus, the weather was beautiful with both days in the 70's and a light breeze. There were about 140 of us showing that weekend.

So what happened? Both days had plenty of buyers walking through. "Walking through" is the optimal word here. Talking to other artist's... I kept noticing that there were a lot of us that were doing the show for the first time...I also noticed that none of us were doing much business. Was it the highest quality show I have ever done?...to be honest, not really, but it was nicely interspersed with those of us that were regulars and also some local artists. Judging was fine and it seemed like a lot of locals got awards...the big award however went to a fabulous photographer ( I am never good with remembering names) and it seemed to be as fair as could be expected. Judging is always somewhat subjective and I try to keep it off my radar. The dinner reception that accompanied it was so good we didn't have to go out to dinner that night.

I luckily sold one big piece that paid for expenses and left me with a little profit on Saturday. Sunday I did a whopping 175 dollars. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one, jewelers, photographers and most everyone I talked to had a rough weekend. If I am wrong, please correct me in the comments because I would love to hear of someone having a great weekend there.

I have to say for two beautiful days sitting in a lovely location listening to a great band was really nice. The ambiance was great, the show was also very well organized with cold water being delivered every couple of hours. I loved doing it- but i have to say I doubt I'll be back. Sometimes I think these older shows just need a new demographic. I felt like the people that came were true supporters of this lovely show and probably had all the art they ever wanted to buy. But honestly, that is not my call to say since I really don't know the in's and out's of what goes into delivering a show. I just know that personally, with a 9 hour drive there and back, it just was not worth it for me. 

There are two summer Art Fair Jackson Hole shows.  One is in July and the other is in August (8/12-14/2016).  Both are produced by the Art Association of Jackson Hole, WY. This review is for the July 8-10, 2016 show, but I would expect similar data for the August show.  This show was established in 1965 and this year was its 50^th anniversary. 

APPLICATION AND SHOW SETTING

     You apply to this event on Zapp.  The jury fee is $35 and a 10X10 booth space is $395.  The show is held in Miller Park, one block off the main street through Jackson.  Set up is Thursday before the show, and overnight security is provided.  There are assigned set up times.  I was originally assigned a 5:00pm set up time but this was changed upon request to 10:00am as it takes us about eight hours to set up.  Parking for set up and take down is around the perimeter of the park.  You dolly to your site on paved walkways or grass.  I dollied about 50’ on grass from the street. During the show, artists are asked to park at least 3 blocks away from the park.  Jean didn’t have any problems finding parking for the Suburban.

     There is a paid gate of $5 for non-association people.  Entrances were at the NE and SW corners of the park.  The association sold beer, soft drinks and water at the entrances.  There was a small food court at the south entrance and picnic areas at the north end.  A youth art zone and entertainment were in the center of the park.  I heard live brass ensembles playing classical to some good jazz.  Booths were laid out so traffic passed all of the booths.  Show hours were 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday.  There were public indoor accessible restrooms at the south end of the park and Porta-Pots and hand washing stations on the street.  Other details for artists can be found at www.jhartfair.org.   

GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

     Jackson is 6,237’ above sea level in Jackson Hole valley. Mountain driving on two lane highways over passes and through canyons is required to reach Jackson.  Flatlanders need to take precautions for altitude sickness.  Jackson is the gateway for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, and the National Elk Refuge.  Plan to spend some time here if you do the show.  As with any mountain location in the west, the weather can vary from hot in the 90s, to cold in the 40’s.  This year, Friday and Saturday were pleasant days, but Sunday started off with a rain shower.  Rain continued off and on all day. Complimentary umbrellas were provided by the art association for patrons.  Fresh snow fell above 9000’ Sunday night, and it was 32 Monday night in Jackson.

The population of Jackson is a little less than 10,000, but during the summer months the place is packed with tourists and summer residents.  Traffic can be a crawl through town.  Many super wealthy have homes in Jackson.  Gas, eating out, groceries and lodging are expensive in this resort area.  Condos generally rent for about $200/night, and motels with microwave and frig are higher.  The key is to make reservations early as “rustic” accommodations and camping can be found.  Bears, moose, and elk are just some of the wild residents to be aware of.  We saw a grizzle bear on the way home on Towgotee Pass.

THE SHOW

     This is a very well planned show by the Art Association of Jackson Hole, and it was managed this year by Erika Bossi.  There were 150 artists, and there was a good mix of mediums.  All of the work I saw was high quality.  Amenities were set up helpers, roaming booth sitters, free continental breakfast all three mornings, and beer and pizza Friday after the show.  Perimeter booths are very tight together because of the paid gate.  Access and storage space behind booths was variable. About 20% of the artists who do the July show, also do the August show.

     Attendance at this year’s show was down but there were still plenty of buyers.  The art association estimates attendance at 5,000 but IMO, 3000 would be a gift this year.  My clients were local Wyoming and Idaho ranch families, horse owners, and upper middle class residents and tourists.  Judging from the dress and jewelry worn by women, the super wealthy of Jackson are not taking in the show as they do in some Colorado resort areas.

Last year’s show is reviewed at: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/review-art-fair-jackson-hole-wyoming-july-10-12-2015

SALES AND ANALYSIS

    My sales for the show were a little less than $5.5K and only $176 less than last year.  Individual sales ranged from a $3 bandana from a set of napkin rings to a $500 pair of chinks (short chaps).  I had a total of 76 sales with an average of $71 which was down from $97 average sale last year.  A little bit of everything sold but belts in the $45-$85 range were the money makers. Other less than $100 sales were napkin ring sets, billfolds, checkbooks, spur straps, reins, slobber straps, holsters, rifle slings, suspenders, flasks, my book, dog collars and leashes.  Sales in the $100-$300 range were for canteens, fancy holsters and belts with silver buckle sets. I have special orders for suspenders, holsters, belts and an interesting horse harness for pulling elk carcasses.  My margin for this show was 57.5%.

THE DOWNSIDE

     The low attendance this year is a concern but I think it can be corrected.  Getting to the back of your booth can be inconvenient depending on your location. There was no sales tax information in the packets this year and management announced the the forms would be mailed out after the show.    

THE FUTURE

     I plan to apply to this show in 2018 because I want to return to Steamboat Springs in 2017. Steamboat has also been a good high-dollar show for me.  Expenses and time out of the studio are less for Steamboat Springs, and I believe it is important to “give an area rest” and not oversell it. 

FUN STUFF

     It is a ten hour drive to Jackson from Franktown, CO and we broke it up into two days. We both attended the University of Wyoming so there were lots of memories.  We passed two of three areas where I mapped and studied jade deposits for my Ph.D. thesis.  Jean’s college roommate was from the Jackson area and she visited the ranch back then. We met a woman from Star Valley who was her roomate’s neighbor as kids.  During the show I bought Jean some jewelry and a pot for myself.  Our hiking plans were rained out Monday morning but we got in an afternoon wildflower walk on Teton Pass. Other adventures during the show were described in:

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/art-fair-jackson-hole-wy-july-8-9-10-2016?xg_source=activity

I am still laughing about the free-spirit gal trying on the chinks. What a hoot.

October 8 & 9
La Jolla, California
Presented by: La Jolla Art and Wine Festival
150 Artists
Deadline: July 15
 
Fees: $25/Booth fee: $450-$1,050
 
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival returns to the scenic seaside village of La Jolla. This two-day juried art show and fundraiser has quickly garnered a reputation as one of the most prestigious art & wine festivals in Southern California. 

A fellow at Jackson gave me a chip card and we found a small piece of the chip had come off. It messed up my reader and I had to reboot it. The card would not swipe because it had a chip. The solution was enter card data manually. I am using Clover Go reader from First Data.   

September 17 & 18 Sandy Springs, Georgia 120 Exhibitors Deadline: July 26 Application fee: $25 Booth fee: $250 double booths available Present your art to an affluent, art savvy clientele Expect extensive Marketing through paid advertising, media sponsorship and editorial publicity Drive up loading and unloading - event is held on the street. The 31sh Annual Sandy Springs Festival returns to the heart of Sandy Springs this September offering two exciting days of fine art, live music, cultural performances, a pet parade, Chalk Walk Art Competition, 10K and 5K race, children's programming, classic rides, gourmet and festival food options and much more.    The Sandy Springs Festival has grown from a small picnic to a major event drawing 30,000 attendees.  As the primary fundraiser for Heritage Sandy Springs, the nonprofit organization that saved the original "sandy springs" and is dedicated to building community through preserving and promoting the historic and cultural identity of Sandy Springs, this celebrated community tradition has something for everyone. Come join us over the weekend at one of the largest community festivals in the area.   Learn more: http://heritagesandysprings.org Apply: www.zapplication.org   This event is hosted by AFFPS and is organized by artists for artists.

Find more art fairs that are looking for your application: www.CallsForArtists.com

Nothing like a little scenery when rolling into town for the show. For you "flat landers" this is the Teton Range in northwestern Wyoming. 

Recently, on a private Facebook artist group, an artist asked for advice on dealing with a challenging customer on a custom order.  (The details aren't important here, and I don't have permission to share them, anyway.) 

I read the comments already posted.  Some were helpful, some (a bit snarky) maybe not so much.  And I was about to weigh in with my own two cents, and then I remembered a quote (from Albert Einstein, I think), along the lines of: "To solve a problem, don't engage in the level of thinking that created the problem in the first place."  

And that got me thinking about a "bigger picture": about our relationship to our customers and them to us...and I remembered a conversation led by a master wedding and portrait photographer in a seminar I attended, one that I first heard many years ago. It had to do with "A", "B" and "C" Customers.

I don't know if the seminar leader invented this set of distinctions.  Maybe Bruce Baker talks about this topic in his sales tape series; I have no idea and if he does, by all means go there and listen!  But  I found it a useful way to look at my customers and my relationship with them, and my perceived value ("what am I worth to my customers?  And what are they worth to me?")  so  I thought it worth sharing in this forum.  

You may or may not agree with the categorizations for each "customer type."  If so, heeding Einstein's maxim, change 'em to suit your business and your values.  

You may think the exercise is deeply flawed, or has no value to you.  That's fine.  If so, heeding Einstein's maxim, say "thank you for sharing" and move on.  Please resist the temptation to nit-pick the details in the comment thread.  

So, with all that said, the conversation went something like this: 

A Customers: 
1.Spend money with you, respect you, have integrity in how they operate (keep their word, keep their deadlines) . 
2, Are "champions" for your work and reputation, and refer you to their friends, who may also buy from you. 
3. You feel like a professional when dealing with them, and that owning your work makes a difference in their lives. 

These are the customers that make your face light up when you see them coming to your booth.  

B Customers:

Spend money with you, but not consistently. Sometimes, but not always, fulfill 1, 2, or 3. (Your "bread and butter" customers.) 

C Customers:

1. Spend money with you, but make you work for it in ways that are occasionally aggravating and/or demeaning. Don't seem to understand or value your work.

2. Complain and criticize; may return items while they're doing it. Ask for excessive discounts or to not pay sales tax.

3. When working with them, you feel unappreciated, or that you're "doing it for the money", and that your work makes little or no difference in their lives. 

4. When they leave your booth, you're exhausted.  And more often then not, you're glad to see 'em go. 


The point isn't that we all should strive to work with only A customers (although that's one option!).  Or that we should never work with C's (although that's another).  The point is: know who you're willing to work with, and know who is standing in front of you. What behaviors or comments would you use to place a customer in one category or another? 

And here's a useful "bonus challenge" worth engaging in: For BONUS POINTS: Assess you and your business in the same manner.  Asked another way: "Who are YOU, for your customers???" 

Criminals have struck again

Last month California jewelry artists lost their inventories in two separate thefts.. Deborah and Kevin Healy of Healy Designs had their jewelry stolen from their van when they stopped at a restaurant after a show. In a separate incident, Laurie Lehman of Floral Jewels lost her jewelry while she packed her car after a show. These are devastating losses, and it will take many months for the artists to create a new inventory base for their shows.

“We, jewelry artists, need to remember that traveling to shows is inherently dangerous. We must be very mindful as we move our work about.” -- Deborah and Kevin Healy

It can be very difficult to know if you have been targeted by criminals and, even if you suspect your business is being cased, professional thieves will strike when and where your artwork is most vulnerable. Your best response to potential theft is to take precautionary measures and to insure against loss in case your precautions fail.

Here are some quick measures to take to protect your artwork:

• When on the road:

  • Never leave your artwork unattended. If your inventory is too large to keep with you at all times, shift coverage with a partner. If you're at an indoor show, use the convention center vault.

  • Be especially cautious during transitions -- arriving at or leaving a hotel, setting up or breaking down your booth, for instance. Call the police if you are being followed or have reason to believe your exhibit or hotel is being “cased.”

  • Keep your vehicle well maintained. Have a full tank of gas on the last day of the show so there will be one less stop as you travel from the show.

• At shows:

  • Design your booth so that you will be able to see all areas of your display at all times. No blind spots.

  • If possible, at the busier shows have an assistant. This is one of the best theft prevention measures

  • Thieves often work in pairs. One distracting the artist/seller as the other takes merchandise. Do your best to be attentive to one customer at a time while being aware of others.

• In your studio:

  • Consider having an alarm system installed in your studio if you don’t already have one. If you do have one, test and maintain the system regularly.

  • If your supplies, materials and artwork are of high value, keep them in a theft-proof safe.

  • Exterior lights and possibly an interior light on a timer are important crime deterrents

• Find more theft protection tips and resources at the CERF+ Studio Protector website, including resources such as:

  • Jewelers’ Security Alliance

  • Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company’s safety and security articles

  • Security and insurance ideas for shows and open studios from Harriete Estel Berman’s Artist Professional Guidelines

This article from CERF's Studio Protector Blog. Learn more about CERF here: http://craftemergency.org

So there is a large group of artists who break down really fast and get the heck out of a show. I am part of this group. I usually post my out time after a show to let people know about the logistics. Off the written record the group of fast break down artists compete with each other:). Just another fun thing we do. Honestly it gets stressful and takes strategical planning. It is awesome to get the heck out and get on the road and/or get back to home or hotel for a cocktail.

This past weekend we tried something new. It was HOT. Saturday hit over 100 on the street. Sunday was not as bad but was forecasted to be bad. We planned on a really slow breakdown. I enjoyed the best break down ever. Didn't get overheated, never fought with my partner and hopefully didn't freak my booth neighbors with swear words.

Our booth neighbors had their amazing son at the show. During the show this awesome kid rigged up a "roller coaster" out of dollies and ratchets. Gave him stuff to make signs, 25 cents for 3 rides BUT if you were an artists you got 4 rides. Once the show closed it was free for artists. We had so much fun riding the "roller coaster" and visiting with the other slow poke artists breaking down. Artists camaraderie is the best. I think I have been missing out high tailing it out of shows. I may be a convert of the slow break down. I think we Maybe got out 45 minutes later than if we would have gone fast and furious.

November 25-27 
Covington, Kentucky
Northern Kentucky Convention Center

In 2014, my wife and I participated in the Occassion for the Art in Williamsburg, VA.   This show remains our best show.  Last year, we arrived in Williamsburg in the middle of two solid weeks of rain.  Our RV trailer was up to its hubs in mud but since the show was on solid ground, we didn't worry too much.  What did worry us and the promoter, Leo Charette, who is also a show photographer, was the forecast of a hurricane taking aim on the area.  The storm didn't directly hit us but as it approached land, the winds were punishing and Leo made the only decision possible; he cancelled the show.  We've all gone through situations like this one but the bottom line was very different.   Within a day or two after the cancellation, we received a note from the promoter which stated that he would do everything possible to refund our booth fees, or at least as much as possible.   True to his word, a few weeks later, a check arrived for the amount of our booth fee.  This is something other promoters ought to consider.  No wonder an Occasion for the Arts has such a loyal following and a solid wait list.   It's an outstanding show, run by an artist who understands artists.  

Columbus, IN is a sweet little town about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis and is known for its wealth of architecturally significant buildings, both vintage and new.  So it seems like a perfect place for an art fair.

For many years the show has been held the same weekend as Penrod, a Saturday-only monster of a show also in Indiana.  The Columbus folks apparently decided to quit fighting the beast and changed their date to three months earlier.  Having done so, now the location on the streets of the charming downtown wasn't available for the new dates, so the venue was also changed to a beautiful park on the outskirts of downtown.  The show went on, and on this particular weekend the temps were well into the 90s with suffocating humidity and not a single shade tree in the show area.  Thus the perfect storm occurred.

The organizers did a good job of coordination and planning.  The guy in charge is a show-going photographer himself, so to my mind the little details like set-up hours, driving to the booth to unload and load, quality of art, etc were done well well.  Best, I have to say, were the indoor artist-only restrooms with incredibly soothing ac cranked up to a luxurious level.  Ahhhh.

But the show just couldn't overcome the perfect storm.  Very few shoppers appeared.  Everyone's sales were dismal.  It was what it was.  I did meet some delightful customers, however, so that was the shining light for me.

To his credit, the organizer took it hard and said he would be soliciting artist input by email in a few days, in addition to meeting with the board to discuss changes for next year.  If I had to guess, the location was too remote ... when you're downtown, people who didn't know about the show have the opportunity to trip over you and slow down for a look ... to be able to overcome the other obstacles.

This was my first time doing the Columbus show and, in spite of this year's problems, I think I would actually try the show again.  They get it, so it's just a matter of getting all the pieces in the right places.

I just completed the Wayzata Art Experience and want to share while it is all still fresh. 

First, this show is on no one's radar. At all. There are no reviews anywhere, so I emailed a few folks who participated previously. They said it wasn't great and that I should proceed with caution. Wayzata (Why-zet-uh) is about 40 minutes from my home north of Mpls. It sits due west of Mpls, and for a $190 booth fee, I thought, "I'll roll the dice." The show is right on Lake Minnetonka on the main drag of Wayzata. Cool breezes off that big lake kept things pleasant even when it hit 90F. 

Turned out to be really well run. Good communication, easy, close parking for artists, load in and out at your booth with staggered times; TONS of volunteers checking in on you during the show, giving out free water all day, offering to booth-sit, and free snacks as well. The citizens of Wayzata, MN love their town on Lake Minnetonka and it shows. 

This is a small show with fewer than 100 artists, and under 10,000 visitors, but the demographic base is ideal. Somewhat older crowd, multimillion dollar homes...people with money who aren't afraid to spend it!

Saturday was hot and humid with storms on tap for late afternoon. I made a few sales early Saturday and then it all cooled off with weather coming in. The shut down early at 4 p.m. and we all stowed the breakables. Sunday had to be better, for sure. The weather would cool way down and be clear and sunny. Perfect! 

Sunday was beautiful and the crowds were better, and sales all around me were happening later in the day, but not so much earlier. I got skunked on Sunday and I'm still trying to figure out why. But I made my expenses so all was not lost. There are some pretty high-end artists there who say it's a good show and they make money. There were also good craftspeople participating, a replacement window outfit, canoe builder, gardening exhibit, lawn ornaments, henna, etc. A really wide mix made up the show, and now that I've seen it, I'd call it a community festival, not an Art Fair. but I'm not sure I care if the audience buys. They didn't buy much from me, but I know others did ok. 

Anyway, if you are local to Minneapolis, this one might be worth a shot. Pretty place, well run show, but keep your expectations down. 

September 10 & 11 - Franklin, TN
September 17 & 18 - Memphis, TN
Presented by: ArtWorks Foundation, a 501c3 corp.
80 Artists
Deadline:  June 29

Application Fee: $35; Booth Fee: $300

• Franklin, TN - Sept 10 &11 (set up on 9/9) - in Liberty Hall at The Factory, a 12 building dining, shopping, and entertainment complex listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Franklin is an affluent suburb of Nashville TN. 

• Memphis, TN - Sept 17 & 18 (set up on 9/16) - on the indoor courts of The Racquet Club, in East Memphis (best area of town)...the courts offer phenomenal lighting!

Art Paired is an in-door art fair featuring fine-craft, coupled with tastings of wine and distilled spirits. Expect works in all media categories by talented artists, from across the US and the immediate area. 

What to expect from these shows:

• The concept of this show is new: we're using wine & Bourbon sampling as a drawing card to attract new art consumers.
• Highly Targeted Direct Mail (our mailing lists from visitors to our previous shows + other affluent households), partnerships with glossy, local magazines, and radio that skews to women 35 to 64 for the basis of our marketing plan.
• In Franklin, we also have a an alliance with the home-town newspaper. In Memphis, we add outdoor advertising to the mix.
• We'll also have a strong online presence on both cities, including a Groupon Discount (on our already ultra affordable tickets: full price only $10 pp).
• Both of these are new shows, but we've staged others in these cities (and hopefully learned from our mistakes). We've also worked to develop partnerships designed to drive traffic (for example, the fee of one of the venues is tied to the number of admissions). 

What was said about us:

"...you go way beyond for the artists. I am glad I did the Memphis show but I would not have done so if it had not been for your gracious attention to the artists at the Franklin show. The people that attended the show in Memphis were well educated in the arts and knew what they were seeing." - Mia Tyson

Apply to Franklin: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=4437

Apply to Memphis: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=4436

Learn more:  www.artworks.foundation/our-next--big-show--.html 

Contact:  Greg Belz, gregbelz@hotmail.com, (901)327-4019

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Find more art fairs looking for artists: www.CallsforArtists.com