Well, it has been a while since I did a show blog. Here goes--about this year's Ann Arbor {AA}.
I am in the Guild show on Main Street, it was my 30th year doing AA shows--it was also my most putrid year for AA.
Each morn before the shows opened, I walked to various other shows there. Trouble was, most booths were not open yet at 9 AM.
I kept track thru social media what was happening overall.
I have reviewed this show for many years and you can check my previous blogs for setup info and other relative factors.
There are four major shows in AA at one time. Over 2000 booths and that does not include the squatters.
You have mucho artists competing for a slim margin of buyers. Some artists make out very well, others get by barely.
I had a horrible show. Cannot blame the weather {it was pretty nice for AA--no 100 degree days for setup or teardown--rain was minimal}
I saw numbers and numbers of disinterested patrons trudging down the street, more interested on checking out stuff on their cellphones than looking in the artist' booths.
When I got a sale, it was usually lowend.
Some people around me prospered, others withered on the vine like me.
I found the crowd quite conservative in what they chose. I am speaking from a 2-D artist's view.
Personally, I think my time is done on Main Street, may have to choose new venue locations.
It is in the works.
Let me now give you my analysis of what is going on here.
If you depend on volume sales here it is not a good bet like it used to be. If you sell high-end you can snare a few that will make your show.
It wasn't just me who suffered.
I talked to Bernie, Robert and Gary, all photographers, in the State Street Show. They basically responded, "WTF is going on here, nobody is buying anything."
A couple of them had a decent show because of one customer who bought a bunch. If that one had not showed up, they would have been up the creek without a paddle.
I just do not see enough people coming to that show anymore to make a serious purchase for putting over the bed or the fireplace. I never heard one conversation about this.
Also, you mainly get one shot at them. There are very few be-backs. The shows are too long, and far apart. It is almost a mile walk from the west end of the shows {Main Street) to the east end {South University). Most people are exhausted.
I think the return on your money invested in this show is too low for the time involved.
You are talking about a four-day show with a day before setup. MOst artists are going to take a half or full day to get there and then go home or on to the next show. You are essentially devoting a week of your time. With very long, boring hours every day.
You are paying nearly $800 for a single booth, parking can run you another $75. You gotta eat at AA restaurant prices and pay for hotels the same way.
For most artists it is going to cost $1500-$2000 to do AA.
Now, look at your return.
In the old days {pre-2006} you did not mind these expenses. Heck, a lot of us would do $5K on opening, and closing day. We would do lower amounts on the other two. In a really off year it would mean a $5K show, in a great year it could be anywhere from $12K on up.
Right now, many artists are lucky if they gross $5K sales. That is not a great return on money invested. This year, I barely made more than expenses--that is deplorable.
I just do not see AA getting any better as time goes on. It is too many booths chasing too few sales.
Interestingly, next year, they are going to start the show on Thursday and end on Sunday. It will be interesting to see if having the extra weekend day increases sales.
Here is another point to ponder.
So many good artists have quit doing AA. Why has not a sharp promoter staged a show on that date to attract all these good artists? No Howard, no Amy, no Patty doing a show on that date. I think they are missing the boat. Any comments?
I do not want to end this blog on a downer side--so here is a little golden find.
If you like sushi and also spicy Korean style food--think lettuce wraps with chicken, pork or beef, then consider Seoule Garden restaurant on Boardwalk Ave. This is just one street east of State Street out by the interstate. Not far from the Red Roof, Hilton and Embassy Suites. This place is uncrowded, very reasonable and fun to eat at.
Later, Gators.
