This is my second time doing this show, first time blogging on AFI. It was my single best show in a still short art festival career. (I started exhibiting in art fairs in 2014.) Crowds were great with art savvy patrons. The weather cooperated. Alexandria, VA is a vibrant, fun, urban spot on the shores of the Potomac close to DC. 200 artist booths form a line (almost all back to back facing the sidewalk) the length of King Street from Union to Washington Streets in Old Town Alexandria.
Show Hours: Saturday, 10am to 7pm; Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Free and open to the public.
Load In: Saturday morning in the wee hours. Artists can drive to their spots to unload after 3:30am but cannot start setting up until 5:30am when all vehicles have to be moved from the street. Booths should be open for business by 9:30am although the show officially opens at 10am. A new policy -- restricting the booth setup start time to after 5:30am helped in getting an extra, much-needed hour's sleep. (I unloaded at 4:30am and could have done so a little later.)
Load Out: No sales are allowed after 5:30pm. Artists break down their booths and when all tents on the block are down, they are given the okay to drive in to load out. I was staying at the Monaco Hotel ... and parked there so chose to dolly out. Some very quick neighbors were out of there around 6pm, heading home. Most, more like 6:30-7pm.
Amenities: Pastries, bagels, coffee, juice and fresh fruit + waters provided each day. The Monaco Hotel right there on King Street is wonderful. Plenty of great restaurants and shops in the area so lots of options to choose from for lunches, snacks although not too many quick ones. There are no booth sitters. You'll have to rely on your own "help" or your neighbors for a break.
Artist Mix: I never get the opportunity to walk much of the show myself but what I saw looked to be high quality, interesting art in a range of styles, presented well.
Price Point/Sales: As mentioned earlier, this show tops the list in sales for me. Purchases were made at the mid to top of my price range to happy, new (to me) collectors. I saw few people walking around with multiple purchases -- but did see some large work passing by. In the case of my collectors, the painting(s) they bought from me were their sole purchases (that I know of) that weekend. My best day -- by far -- was on Saturday. Two more paintings were purchased on Sunday but there seemed to be less buying energy that day -- in my booth, anyway.
Booth Layout: Booths run down the center of King Street, almost all back-to-back down the center line, opening to the sidewalk. There are some booths that are singles, opening to either side. Spaces are approximately 11 - 12 feet wide, so with some cooperation with your neighbors, there may be a little extra room between you for storage. With this single-street layout, all booths are good ones and the back-to-back arrangement means it is easier for people walking the show to see each one. Booth assignment/numbers are available the Thursday before the show -- but numbers are not posted so it takes some good communication to your potential visitors with the inclusion of cross streets and landmarks to get them to you. (I had at least one visitor mentioning that he wished he'd read the "fine print" on my email.)
Atmosphere: Perfect for producing a crowd concentrating on the art. No music, acts, activities, food booths, face painting, balloons. Any visitors interested in dining, drinks, other shopping had plenty of great options in the establishments there on King Street. Large, steady, art-savvy crowds. Lots of dogs.
Staff: This is a Howard Alan produced event. There aren't any volunteers, but there is a professional, capable staff on hand all weekend. There is no hand-holding involved. No check-in other than to show up at your booth at the appropriate time. Communication is clear and sparse.
Tips If Doing the Show: Because booth numbers are not evident, let potential visitors know your location by using cross street or landmarks near your booth. Parking is tough in Alexandria for show visitors and artists. I have a small vehicle by art show standards and stayed put at the Monaco Hotel.
Other Comments: My success at this show was at least partially influenced by name recognition and reputation in Alexandria. I'm a long-time member and frequent exhibitor at the Art League in the Torpedo Factory and two of my purchasers were already familiar with and drawn to my art. An artist neighbor indicated that very fine painters she knew did not do so well at the show. My immediate neighbors -- a jeweler and wood-turner did have a good weekend.
Yes, I would definitely return!

If you have been doing Art Shows for a few years, you know how you end up with items which don't make it to your shows any longer.



averaged $3 million each year






