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Just got back from Birmingham AL and Magic City Art Connection show.  Many of you know there were challenges this year for the show.  About a month before the show the city told the show that they now, after years of never having too, pay for the use of the park, security for the show and other things that the show had not had to budget for in the past.  So......

First the show.  A three day show with set up on Thursday.  It is set up in a very pretty park right in the middle of downtown.  Everyone has to dolly in.  The lay out of the booths is very confusing.  After two years at the show with the same booth space I  still get lost when walking the show.  Luckily I set up near the library and just need to look up to see the library and head towards that.  The promoters of the show are the best.  They bend over backwards for the artist.  Anytime you call they pick up the phone and do their best to work with you.  There is a wonderful artist party on Friday night and there are a lot of awards, about 20 I believe.  The board members walk the show and meet the artists and they buy from the artists.  At the show you have people on site to help and answer questions.  They make you feel special and really want us there.  This is a big show with a lot of amazing artists.  There is also some questionable work, but over all some great art.  

Now what to do about this $$$$ hit for the show.  They decided to add for the first time a $5 entrance fee.  Noone really lives downtown.  This is a destination show, not a neighborhood show.  I did the show last year and the attendance was just ok.  I believe it is fair to say that many of us were very concerned about the new entrance fee.  Friday attendance was low.  Saturday called for bad weather. On Saturday the weather held and it was a nice day. Around 4 pm it started to rain and they closed the show 2 hours early.  It rained for 20 minutes then the skies cleared.  The locals told us since the tornadoes two years ago everyone get a bit over cautious.  Attendance was very low any way so most of us were glad to go.  Sunday beautiful day.  It was a ghost town until 1 pm and even at that point the crowds never arrived.  

Sales... So many people reported a good show but one persons good show is crap to another especially those of us who do this as a living.  I am sorry but $1500 for a travel show and even a local show just doesn't cut it.  Most people made about this.  For me, originals only, the patrons had major sticker shock.  The few times I had interest folks would want to walk the rest of the show and I knew they would have a hard time finding me.  The other problem the few patrons who were willing to pay over $2k for a piece were few and far between and like I said there were a lot of amazing artist.  Lots of competition for sales and just not enough patrons to go around.  If your price points are low, under $1k you might have done ok.  Folks that sold $5 prints were busyish.  (I know that is not a word:)  Even the locals that had a following with work from Birmingham at $20 were not that busy IMO.  

At the end of the show, dolly out obviously, I was about to have my first zero art show.  Last minute from pure luck I sold 2 of my smallest pieces as I was loading out.  Again sad to say I probably did better than many of the folks who felt they had a good show.  

I just hate to give this show a bad review.  It is a fun place to show at.  You can stay right at the show at a nice hotel for around $100 or just a few blocks away for $80.  If you want to stay cheaper than they offer good artist parking and you can drive in.  Birmingham has excellent resteraunts and it is a fun place to do a show.  I am sure there will be changes for next year and I really hope the show can get back on track.  I do know of artists that  pulled it out in the end.  Not a total lose for most.  Good Luck Magic City.

I recently returned from doing The Arlington Festival of The Arts in Arlington VA.  It was the third time for this show and the second time for me.  It is a small show, around 100 artists in a wonderful area on the streets of Arlington VA.  

Set up is Saturday morning but it isn't a bad one.  The streets are wide and I am able to show up around 7 am, drive to my booth and set up easy peasy.  There are plenty of parking options.  My booth is right infront of a Trader Joes (awesome) and I park the tall truck in their garage parking lot just under my booth.  Booths are set up across from eachother and everyone has room in the back.  

The weather on Saturday was perfect.  The people were ready to enjoy a day outside.  The people that live in this area are young professionals with money.   Everyone is qualified.  Everyone is looking for art.  The patrons mainly live within walking distance of the show or with in a couple miles.  Almost everyone I spoke with had plenty of empty walls and often more than just one home with empty walls.  The crowds started early and it was so busy my partner and I had to agree that neither of us could leave the booth for more than 3 minutes.  Quick potty breaks:)  No one had sticker shock.  By lunch time on Saturday our three biggest pieces were gone.  We could have left happy at that point.  Most of the work we sold that day we were able to walk it to the homes but we had some deliveries.  Since the traffic is crazy in the DC area we opted to deliver the pieces that were not in Arlington on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning I was dropped off at the booth and my partner ran around DC to deliver.  In my area we got a wind tunnel that morning.  By the time I arrived there were a few booths that had to break down because the wind was too much for their fragile work.  Even with the wind people were out shopping at 10 am.  It was hairy trying to baton down the booth with patrons trying to shop but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.  I was not as busy as Saturday but since I was by myself until 1 pm I rarely had a moment when I wasn't talking to someone.  Sunday I saw lots of big pieces walked out.  two three at a time.  Price points not an issue.  Actually the higher the better.  Not one of the smaller pieces sold but almost all the big did.   

Now not everyone had a good show.  It seemed that either you killed it or you didnt make booth.  If this crowd was your market than you killed.  The first year this show was in Spring.  The next year it was in the fall.  Now it was scheduled back in Spring.  Many patrons asked me if their would be a fall show.  They hoped there would be since they told me the weather was more predictable in the fall.  I dont know if that is true or not I don't live there.  

Break down was easy.  We opted to break down and dolley using the elevator to the truck.  On the road less than an hour after close.  They opened the streets for vehicles exactly one hour after close.  So if you can break down fast you can get out fast.

I dont have many pics, too busy, but these may give you an idea of layout.

Easter messed up the springs show line up. It is no secret that my favorite small show is the spring time Festival on Ponce in my home town Atlanta. There are around 100 artists, a few kid things that are away from the artists, a handful of food trucks, no funnel cake and a small acoustical music stage. Oh and it is in a VERY wealthy area of Atlanta. I have done numerous reports on this show and I am sure everyone is tired of reading the basics for this show (if you aren't you can check out past reviews all the basics are the same).


What was different about the show this year is the date. It is usually the first spring art festival in Atlanta. Usually the weekend before Dogwood. People are ready to come out and enjoy a show. This year the Ponce show fell on the same weekend as Dogwood and many other of the bigger shows in the south. I was not happy and struggled with what shows to chose. I decided to turn down travel shows since it would be crazy to travel for a show when I have two decent ones to choose from in my home town. Now which show to choose. The crazy circus show or the intimate art show. Obviously I went with the small intimate show. I sell originals only and I find that my price points are just too high for the huge festival shows that are really more about music and kid rides and funnel cake, etc, than about the art. This is just me, I know many artists need the big crowds and do excellent at the larger shows. I just don't. Yes I can count on making a "pay check" at these type shows, but rarely more than that.

So how did the little guy do this year when it went up against the big one? It was wonderful. I suspected that the patrons who would attend Ponce were not the same type Patron that attends the bigger events and I was right. One of the best parts about this show is that the Patrons are qualified. Even the college kids are qualified because their parents buy them art as gifts or start their childrens art collections. Couples jogging buy stop mid jog look at a 48"x60" piece, drink some water, buy the piece than jog home to get their car to pick it up. You don't need signs like this at Ponce

When I would see past clients of mine I would ask them why they choose to come to Ponce over Dogwood and their response over and over again was that it is too much of a zoo and not enjoyable for them. Again I am not saying that Dogwood is bad, I have many friends who killed it at Dogwood this weekend. I am trying to give a different perspective on the type of buyers I attract and what type venues are more conducive for my work. It was wonderful to not have to constantly tell people to stop tapping my work with their mini flags. I didn't get one person who had sticker shock. No one told me their kid does work like mine. It was a lovely weekend. I wish I had more shows like this one. Oh and President Carter returned with his daughter Amy and his granddaughter:) Very civilized show.

This was the music venue behind my booth.  The music was always at the appropriate level and the patrons loved the setting as did I

We are getting started in this art fair world.  This is our first year, and we have been hitting anything we can large and small.  This was the first larger fair of the year for us.  We have to stay somewhat local since we have small kids.  We figured we would do a broad survey this year and then narrow down as we learned more.

The booth fees were really affordable - $100 for a single space if you are not from Cary, NC.  No additional commission or donation requested.  $15 extra for a corner space.  $10 for delivered lunch.  $10 for a t-shirt. 

There were a couple choices as far as load in.  The encouraged option was to load in the night before.  If you were in a parking space, you could go ahead and set up.  If you were in the street, you had to stage and leave it for the morning.  The second option was to load in the morning of the show.  They had scheduled hours per zone starting at 4:30 am.  If you did not arrive during your allotted time, then you had to walk your stuff in.  

We loaded in the night before.  We had no issues getting into the park, finding our slot, and off loading.  There were volunteers there that helped unload, helped us put up our tent, and wanted to do more!  We only set up the display stands and tent and planned on bringing paintings the next day.  We arrived 10 minutes after our allotted load in time the next morning, and while we were prepared to walk everything in, the majority of people had loaded in the night before, so they were lenient and let us drive to our booth.  We didn't ask to, but got directed straight to our tent and considered it a score!

The show is held in Bond park, which is very large, gated, with paved streets, gazebos, restroom facilities, playgrounds, and good signage.  The marketing was well done.  We saw large banners on every corner as soon as we entered Cary.  There were locals ads up on tv, print, and radio.  They have a large volunteer staff for directing traffic, giving help to vendors and artists, and just general help.  There were also shuttles available to bring people from parking.  

The show opened at 9 am, but we had people showing up at 8:30.   This park is used by a lot of early morning joggers and they just hung around.  We had hourly check ins with volunteers to make sure we didn't need anything.  They do a quick scan of each booth to make sure it complies with what was submitted and juried, so there is quality control.  

We were on target to have the best show yet, but then the rain started and never stopped.  After the rain started the attendance slowed to a trickle.  The organizers decided to call it at 2 pm, which was disappointing since it is a 1 day event.  (The next day turned out just as nasty, so it wouldn't have helped anyways.)  There were volunteers there to help us take everything down, to direct traffic to release everyone by zone, they helped us load, and were just friendly.

All in all, we would do this show again.  The people (staff, volunteers, and fair attendees) were nice, welcoming, and very helpful.  Like I said, we were on chart to have a great show and even with getting cut short, we made booth fees, cost of merchandise, misc fees, meals, travel all covered and made some money to boot!

This is not a “break the bank” type of show and I only do it for two reasons: 1. To support my church which produces it, 2. Get myself out into the local community which my other art shows do not do. I don’t go into this with high financial expectations; however sales of $700 and $500 the first two years were nice. The art show is held indoors and outdoors at UCC Parker Hilltop Church and at the historic Hilltop School across the road. A tractor and hay wagon provides a commute between the two. The school houses an exhibit of art by students from surrounding schools. It is a one-day show on Saturday in late April or early May. This was the third year after a hiatus of several years. Each year the quality of exhibited work and attendance has improved. Performances by student choirs, dance ensembles, and adults bring out the attendance. I especially enjoyed a teenage boy who looked more like he should be showing a 4-H steer playing the cello.

Set up was easy Friday evening even thought it had to be set back several hours because of a memorial service. Take down Saturday was equally easy. Jean and I were eager to set up our new elevated tables with the new grey skirts that were created for my “museum booth” photo shoot last fall (there is another blog about that). Sales were nothing to write home about because I have pretty much saturated the church congregation with belts, suspenders, gun leathers and personal leather goods at prior shows and throughout the years. I sold two belts and bartered for 5 yoga lessons so our gross was $150 with $90 net. Oh well, its beer and wine money LOL. On the upside, I talked with six locals about holsters, two about custom belts for heirloom buckle sets, and I met a Facebook horsewoman friend. About half of these contacts will pan out in the next year. I don’t think anyone broke the bank on sales but everyone seemed to have had some sales and were happy. I know Jean was spending money LOL. This included wearable art, country crafts, quilter, glass, metal, photography, 2D and jewelry. It was neat to see some little girls selling their art with their moms – the next generation.

     The other interesting note is a conversation Jean and I had on the ten-minute drive to the show. We were participating in a very old, medieval tradition of an art fair at a “cathedral”.  In some of my readings, the leather people were glovers, saddlers, harness makers and cordwainers.

I'm going to raise the Pinterest question again, just because I'm still not sure about what I'm supposed to be doing with it.  I admit that when I have some free time, I like to look at my "boards" and those of others for inspiration but I'm really curious as to what you, my fellow artists, are doing there...are you promoting your own work?  Does it help?

I understand that it's possible to lure browsers to your own web and Etsy sites, is that correct?  Has this proven beneficial to anyone?  Although I like the concept, I find it's been very difficult to explain it to my husband who doesn't seem to grasp that it's really like a digital scrapbook / bulletin board / idea file.  He's just not there yet...

So, while we're waiting for acceptance and/or rejection, how about some reflection on the pros and cons of Pinterest?  I'd love to hear what you think...

2 minutes 17 seconds

"I believe that living with and using beautiful, finely crafted, unique silver objects—whether we are alone or entertaining—enhances the experience of daily life," Robert Farrell.

Meet Robert and view his booth at the prestigious Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Watch this video - definitely worth two minutes of your time.

Learn more about him and view his art: www.farrellsilver.com

September 18-20 
St. Charles, Missouri
Presented by the MOSAICS Festival Committee
100 Artists
Deadline: May 1

Application fee: $30; Booth fee: $295 Single, $395 Corner, $590 (special request)

Join 100+ juried and invited artists along scenic historic Main Street in St. Charles next to the banks of the beautiful Missouri River, in the downtown St. Charles shopping and dining district of the popular tourist-friendly community of St. Charles. Artists selected by a distinguished panel of jurors will exhibit and sell original art work across a variety of mediums, including painting, clay, sculpture, photography, print making, pastels, drawing, wood, jewelry, metalwork, glass, art to wear and mixed media at all price points. 

Marketing:
We have a comprehensive advertising and marketing campaign throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area: TV, Radio, local and regional print media, electronic billboards, promotional banners and yard signs, social media/networking, online/web presence, a full-scale public relations campaign - plus LIVE radio broadcasts from the Festival during the weekend event. 

MOSAICS is doubling our advertising coverage in 2015 to increase visibility and traffic at the festival.

Artist amenities include:

• $5,000 in cash prizes to participating artists 
• Complimentary Friday & Saturday night Artist Dinner delivered to booth 
• Booth Sitters and helpful Volunteer staff
• Street access for setup and tear down under the direction of festival staff.
• Assistance with load in/load out before & after the Festival
• Nearby parking; overnight security on Friday and Saturday nights

Testimonials:

"LOVE MOSAICS!!" ~ Lisa Crisman [Drawing] 

"I greatly enjoyed being part of Mosaics this year; I look forward to applying again!" ~ Mel Fleck [Print Making] 

"This is my favorite show of the year. The venue is wonderful and the people most friendly." ~ Hal Moran [Photo]

"... I truly enjoyed everything about your fair. Volunteers were great, the weather was perfect and sales were very good for me. I thought it was run nicely and I would love to come back." ~ Ed Martin [Glass]

New this year: Art for Youth Program 

~ MOSAICS will setup a gallery for young patrons. This program is designed to introduce youth to fine art. Youth under the age of 18 will be able to purchase original art for a nominal amount during MOSAICS, Missouri Festival for the Arts 2015. 

~ Artists participating in MOSAICS along with other area artists donate original art for this area, where young patrons, without the guidance of adults, will be able to make their purchases from professional artists at a nominal fee.

Apply: zapplication.org/Mosaics

Website: stcharlesmosaics.org
Show Chair: Jim Ingraham, mosaicsartfest@gmail.com
 
Established in 1992, the MOSAICS Art Festival Association was established to create and foster diversity and vitality of the arts. MOSAICS is operated and managed by a dedicated group of committee members and volunteers who provide continuity, constant improvement and a congenial atmosphere.

June 27 & 28
Atlanta, Georgia 

Historic Fourth Ward Park

130 Artists
Deadline: April 24 

Noteworthy: 

• Beautiful new park located in the historic but progressive Old Fourth Ward neighborhood
• Named Best New Event by Southeast Festivals and Events Association
• Located adjacent to Ponce City Market 
• Fine Art & Craft featuring no more than 10 artists and crafters
• Limited corner upgrades and electricity upgrades available 
• $25 Application fee via Zapplication.org; $225 booth fee
• Ribbon awards
• Emerging Artists Pavilion for first-time festival artists
• 24 hour on site Atlanta Police Department security 
  
  

About the event:   

The Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival is a two-day cele-bration of community and tradition presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, for people of all ages, races, customs and interests.  

The Festival is a major celebration of the arts while honoring the rich history of our community.  At this festival, there is something for everyone: fine arts and crafts, a children's play area, local food and beverage concessions and live acoustic entertainment.  All this within the environment of Atlanta's most lovely park and part of the celebration on the Beltline redevelopment.  Formerly, this area flanked "City Hall East," which is now under redevelopment as Ponce City Market by Jamestown Properties.  This area is targeted as one of the prime examples of urban redevelopment and innovation, benefiting the surrounding communities. 

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS:

Application fee on Zapp $25/ mail in $35

Jury Result Notification: May 1, 2015

Apply online at www.zapplication.org 

To learn more about the event, please visit http://www.oldfourthwardparkartsfestival.com

Email questions to lisa@affps.com or call 404-873-1222

Magical evening hours at the Plaza Art Fair

September 25-27

June 27
Boyne City, Michigan  

Veterans Park

A Boyne City Mainstreet Event

Includes a Plein Air competition with cash prizes

10am-4pm

 

The Arts will be celebrated in Boyne City,  Where Life Meets Lake , at the 6th annual SOBO Arts Festival.

Boyne City at Veterans Park which has ample lawn, plenty of shade and open space on the shore of Lake Charlevoix, voted 2nd best lake in the entire nation.  Artist demonstrations and workshops blend with the juried art fair to create a true celebration of the arts.  Veterans Park also hosts the Farm Market that morning with over 1,000 patrons during the weekend before the 4th of July. Food Trucks featuring farm to table menus will also be onsite.

eart of 

Boyne  City's historic and vibrant downtown, the SOBO Arts Festival provides high quality cultural ex periences for festival patrons and attracts artists from all over the region representing all fine arts.

Two awards are given to participating artists, $500 Best of Show and $250 Best Booth.

• In addition to interesting and creative art and cultural experiences, Boyne City has wonderful restaurants within walking distance of the park and all festival activities are FREE of charge to our patrons.  
• Many patrons will arrive boat at the Marina in the same Park.
• Artists who believe art is a way of life created this show.  
• We advertise online, at a state level and in the Midwest as well as our weekly circulars that are popular with the influx of summer visitors.

www.soboartsfestival.com or call Rebecca Harris at (231)330-2704

Just got back from Texas after driving for two days in a row in raging thunderstorms.

Ellen was accepted to the show.

I was number one on the wait list in my category.  There were other numero unos in their categories.

I stayed in touch with the show coordinator for the wait list.  She said after last weekend that they would  just go by a wait list, irregardless to category.

I told her I was coming.

Ellen was in, I was going to help her setup Tuesday evening.

So Monday I gambled.  I got in my van and prepared to drive 1200 miles to Texas.  I said a prayer to Saint Anthony, patron saint of lost causes.

Monday, we drove nearly 800 miles, 13 hours of driving, and made it to Lafayette,LA.

Next morn, we drove another 420 miles and made it to Ft. Worth.

I helped Ellen setup her booth that evening.  I let the show know I was there.

That night we checked the forecast for the show.  It was the most ominous weather forecast i can ever remember.  This is a four day show.

The forecast was as follows:  First day, rain 40%.  Second day, 20%.  Saturday, 90%.  Sunday, 80%.

Actually, it rained briefly on Thursday for all of 15 minutes, torrentially.  Then we never saw anymore rain the rest of the show.  We ducked a big one.

I think the forecast put a little doubt on artists coming.

All I know is that Wednesday morning, I got a text message at 6:30 AM.  It said, "We have had a cancellation and we have a spot for you."

Now, that is a miracle!

I started setting up at 7:30 and I was ready to make moola the next morning.

And we both did.  Also just about everybody I know made mucho moola.

Here is some good info about this show.

It is tough to get into.  But you should still try for it.

They get over 2000 applications for a little over 200 spots.

I am a photographer.  There were only about eight other photographers.

This was my fourth year in a row at this show.  I have a great following.

They hold the show right down the middle of Main Street in downtown.  Nearly 400,000 people attend.

Many of them are very well off.  They have mucho disposable income.  Can you say Oil and Natural gas money.

There are a lot of show-goers who are only there to walk the show, maybe buy a little something.  But the rewards are plentiful.

To give an example.

One of the Bass brothers  patronized the show.  They are mucho wealthy.

He bought  nine pieces from a good friend of mine who does wildlife.  It was a sweet sale.

Then he hit my neighbor's booth who just happened to win Best in Show--he does phenomenal turned wood. Terry, my neighbor, was having a so-so show at the time, selling mostly lowend and barely making $3K.  Then the brother came in and popped for a $5000 tea kettle.

Terry was now a very happy camper.

My wife, Ellen, ended up having her best show ever in her career.  Her previous all-time best show was here, Ft.  Worth, nearly ten years ago. This time she eclipsed that decade-old number.  Gotta love those pastel cows she does. 

Most of the who's-who of the circuit are there.  There are no slouches.  No questionable buy-sells.  They run a tight shop and check your work you juried with versus what you show up  with.

This a town that is proud of their cowboy heritage.  Legendary cattle drives started from here years ago.  So cowboy art definitely sells here.  Along with wildlife and cattle inspired art.

But abstract painting does as well here too.  Artful collages.  Blown glass artists rake it in here.

Wood guys rule here.  This year four of the top cash awards went to wood.

Most of the booths are setup in big tents that the show provides.  Artist then setup their booths within.  Most put their own roofs on inside the tents.  Also most artists have their side tarps on as well as this front ones.

You need weights here.  You are on concrete.  It can be very windy here.  The tall buildings act as a scary vortex with winds crashing off them into the tents below.  It can be very hairy at times.

Also you are back to back in the tents.  No storage room behind.  So you gotta be creative and make your own storage space.

The show does provide free electricity.  Single booths cost $600.

They do a great artist preview dinner-get-together the night of setup.  They have a great artist breakfast on Friday, and awards are given.

The show runs at least til 8 PM but artists can stay open til 10 PM, some artists take advantage of this.

Setup is pretty mellow.  They give you ample time.  Teardown is pretty hairy.  I was totally torn down in 45 minutes, Sunday nite, but had to wait another hour before they chased people off the streets and let the vans in.  But, that is the way it is at most street shows.

For me, this is one of my top three shows I can do.  Then there is Saint Louis and Kansas City Plaza.  Anytime I get accepted here, I feel like I won the lottery.

Ellen and I drove home in some of the worst weather, ever, that I have experienced in my 41-year career.  It was a torrential thunderous front from Texas to Florida.  The semis were splashing our windshields big time.  I could barely see 50 yards ahead.  I was petrified.  I thought I could be dead man any moment.  It was not fun.

But, we both made it home safe.  I got a little golf in, fed all the cats and can finally make some headway paying off mounting debts which include mucho inflated booth fees for the summer shows.

I hope this has been helpful.

I really think most of you should apply for this show, but you gotta bring your best game to it.  The rewards are immense.

As one artist there put it, "We made more money here in three days then we did in the last five shows in Florida."

That ought to tell you something.

I am going to do a Tequila Report to accompany this trip.  Stay tuned, and let me know what you think of this blog.

We were juried in, and are getting ready for the festival, but wonder who else will be there?  If you have done the show before are there any great tips to share?  Value your feedback!  And if you have done the show, any recommendations for places to lodge for the weekend?  

The Great Lakes Art fair is held April 10-11-12 INSIDE of a big clean convention hall called the Suburban Collection Showplace in this Detroit suburb. I've always felt that the "idea" of this art fair is a good one. It is held in a big open indoors space in the early spring when weather is a BIG factor, and at a time when all those pesky summer booth fees come due. Us Midwest artists can use a little cash after a long cold winter.

The art fair is run by the convention center itself, so to be a viable event, it must turn a profit for the convention center. Application and booth fees help finance the show, as well as a $7 per head admission charge. Since the Convention Center started organizing this show 7 or 8 years ago, it is rumored that the show has not turned a profit. I may be wrong about that, but, if its true, I appreciate the persistence of the convention center to keep pushing this event. There used to be both a Spring and Fall version but last year the Fall version was dropped and all their efforts go into the Spring version. Connie Mettler has been a fan of this show, seeing its potential for us midwest artists. And I think she has acted as a consultant to help get it off the ground.

I hadn't done this show in the past three years. I gave up on it after participating 3 or 4 times, seeing my sales drop every time I did the show. Of course, that was during the big recession when all our sales were dropping. The last time I did the show (3 years ago) I grossed around $900 for the weekend and I just had to strike it from my schedule. This year, with the economy improving and with a new stable of artwork, I decided to try it again. I'm glad I did.

Crowds were never very big, but they seemed to be responsive to my work. I was able to coax many attendees from my Michigan mailing list and made a few sales to past customers. The show ran from 2-8pm on Friday, and, not being a big fan of Friday night shows, I was happy with sales around $1000. Saturday (from 10-6) was only a little better bringing in $1150. I had a modest target of $2500 for the show, so I thought it would be a cinch to make or exceed my goal. But it was not to be. Sunday was bleak for everyone. The buyers just didn't show up and were virtually non-existent after 3pm. I had only two sales totaling $160 for the day. Bummer. But at $2400 for the weekend, I had almost made my goal.

I wouldn't consider this a great art fair by any means, but I so like the timing of it when I really need some extra cash. My thinking is that if I can get my sales up to $3K or more, this show can find a place in my schedule. Like all shows, some artists did well and others didn't. My impression was that everyone was hoping for better sales than they got. 

But, here's the thing... the show can use a lot more fine artists. There is a lot of crafty stuff. It can use some good artists to bring in the fine art buyers. It's an easy show to do. You can drive right into the convention center and take your time setting up. The weather is not a factor. There is no rain, no wind. Its easy. Tear down is just as easy. You drive your van right in and load it up.

I encourage other fine artists from the Midwest to try this one out if they offer it next year. It may not be a huge money-maker, but it can pay a few booth fees for the coming season. And the more good artist who embrace this show, the more art buyers will come. Its already considerably better than it was 3 years ago, the last time I did it. Hopefully it will keep improving and it will become profitable for the convention center to keep holding this event.

I'm going to post 3 or four of these in my booth from now on. I don't know. This might be too subtle. I think they may need to illuminated and flashing on and off. maybe I could add sound ...