Blog

First off, just to be honest.  

I was not in the show.  I cancelled Key West and helped my wife, Ellen Marshall, to set up her booth.  She just had recent surgery.

That said, I had plenty of time to observe, interview and fulminate (wow! when is the last time any of us did that?).

In the past, this has always been one of the top shows you would want to do in Florida springtime/winter.

The Sourcebook, at one time ,listed this as the highest grossing art show in the nation--the average exhibitor sale was $7200.  That is a lot of granola.  Of course, one person having a $40K show would skew that whole averaging system.

The important fact to take from all that, was most artists did very well, that was the norm.  Of course a minority, did not do well.  But it was a very small percentage.

So, everybody went happily down the road after this show, whistling "Dixie" and thankful to have buckeroos to put in the old bank account.  Probably got to eat a great grouper sandwich that night combined with some tropical, tequila infused, beverage.  In other words--a good time was had by all.

Contrast that with now.

A completely, whole new story--kinda sad, kinda not good for the bank account, and kinda makes you wonder whether you want to do this shin-dig again.

I know.  By now you are saying, "Nels, are you going to ever tell us about anything going on in Naples?"

Foreplay, honey.  You gotta have some foreplay to get the whole act right.

I just gave ya some.

OK, HERE IS THE REPORT.

This is run by the Naples Art Association.

It is a very well run and organized show under the very watchful eye of Maryanne Megela.

She has got it down to a pure science.

You line up in an adjacent field, they bring you in and boom, you set up.  

People in the park set up in the day hours.

People in the street set up in the night hours.

It all goes smoothly.

Here is some basic "meat" about the show.

In the street, you need weights.

In the park, you can stake.

Everybody has room behind for storage.

If you are cool with your neighbor, you can usually have one sidewall to hang on.

There are corners and double booths available.  Good luck!

They are mostly well-off oldsters.  Many from the midwest.

They are very traditional and conservative.  They like to match the colors in the room that the art is going.

By today's trends at art shows, you get one shot at them.  Not as many "be-backs" as we used to see.

They lost their innocence somewhere between Ohio and Naples.  They will try to get you down on the price.  They will try to avoid paying sales tax.

There are very few deals for staying in hotels there.  Same goes for food.  Same goes for gas prices.

That said, an exhibitor with a single booth will have a minimum of $1100 in expenses for the show.  (Booth fee is $450 and then the jury).

Food alert.  Fuygihama, the formerly great sushi deal in Naples has turned sour.  New managers, new bottom line attitudes, no more great deals on sushi.  Guess what?  Their former fully booked sushi bar is now a quiet chapel.  No great deals, sushi eaters, be aware.  Ask Vic if you don't really believe me.  He will tell you the same.

  OK,OK Tell us more about the show.

Thought you would never ask.

First off.  People made money here, it is just not the overall good show it used to be.

One MAIN GOOD REASON.  Too many shows in Naples, Bonita and Estero.  No incentive, or need to buy now.

That is the chief reason why this show is a shadow of its former self.

Being an artist helper rather than an art-seller, I had plenty of time to hang out in various places of the show.  Behind booths, sit at tables in the park, or just overhear conversations of show-goers.  Oh, and hear conversations at the surrounding restaurants.

For the most part, they all had benign indifference to the goings-on in the park and the street.

Conversations seemed to center more around, "What kind of breed, dog is that?"

They talked much more about different dogs, and talked almost,none about the art or the artists.

This is not Maranne's fault per se.

It is in a way.  Got a little rhyme going here.

The Naples Art Association has over-saturated the area with their $450 booth fee art shows.

People are jaded.

They view most of us as "those people in those white tents, who must sleep in their vans at night."

If we don't catch them this weekend, we will catch them the next, maybe at the Mercado, maybe at Fleischmann Park, or on 5th avenue, and, oh yeah, they are in the park too.  Oh, and the Naples Art Association has people selling in the park too, once a month, seasonally.

Then there is the three Bonita shows, couple of Patty shows, then lesser promoters shows, and rumored one Sarasota promoter who wants to go into the newly remodeled Promenade in Bonita.

Can you say,"Too many shows, too few buyers and too many artists", all in one breath.

That is why it is hard to make a living selling art at outdoor shows in this area.

I am going to get off now and wait for Geoff Coe and Barry Bernstein, both were  exhibitors, to weigh in with a blog or two.

Maybe then we will get down to brass tacks about how sales went.

I observed, I fulminated and I damn well know how sales went.

SO-so.

The lucky ones made moola, but a lot barely made anything.

A far cry from where this show has always been rated.

To me, this is just another show to do on a given weekend with an over-priced booth fee and so-so sales.

I won't be turning any somersaults, soon.  Nels.

The Monument Square Art Festival is a combined effort of several Racine artists and the Racine Arts Council whose mission is to encourage, support and advocate on behalf of emerging and established artists, artistic groups in our community and young people interested in the arts.

Conveniently located between Chicago and Milwaukee, Monument Square is located in the heart of beautiful historic Downtown Racine.  It is adjacent to shops, condominiums, a marina, restaurants, historic home districts, a superb harbor and is just minutes away from breathtaking examples of the work of master architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Advertising is placed throughout southeaster Wisconsin and northern Illinois with support from the Real Racine Tourism Grant and the Racine Arts Council.

Along with 1000's of others I attended the Garage Sale Art Fair at the Kalamazoo Fairgrounds on February 22. In case you hadn't heard the polar vortex has been pretty phenomenal imprisoning us in our homes for nearly two months and making driving akin to zip lining. BUT - Saturday dawned sunny and bright and the last snowfall was several days earlier and all the signs were "go" to go shopping.

The event, organized nearly 15 years ago by artists and now headed by jeweler Bonnie Blandford and potter Michael Kifer was jammed. We (my art fair loving friends Jacki and Barb and I) arrived at door opening time 9:30. Bonnie told me that the line was so long that they had opened the doors at 9 am. 

The place was jammed. I hadn't been to an art fair for 13 weeks so it was time to shop.

Only 2 hours into the show and potter John Bauman looks about to sell out.

On Facebook last week potter Paul Jeselskis challenged the rest of the potters to a "sell off", here he is with the one I bought from him.

Multi media artist Dylan Strzynski whose Kickstarter project, a film chronicling the loves and lives of art fair artists was successfully funded last week

Member Alison Fox whose booth was almost empty before noon

A few of my old friends:  Rhonda Cearlock

Phil Thompson selling so fast my camera couldn't keep up

What's an art fair without printmaker David Bigelow?

My newest niece, photographer Kim Ritsema-Mettler, who married my nephew this fall.

Finished shopping: Connie, Jacki Bilsborrow and Barb Burkhardt

My treasures: Pastel drawing by Lynn Krause

Pottery from Paul Jeselskis with "8 Mile & Woodward", a favorite photo from Cynthia Davis

Leaded glass panel from Alison Fox

And of course, the required pair of new earrings from Salvaged.by.Mary.

Does anyone have a report? Did anyone make any money or at least turned some old supplies into cash?

My Florida Journey:

I had not done a show in Florida since 2011 (when I did just 2) so this year when I managed to string two shows together so I could spend a 'working 10 days' in the sunshine I jumped at the chance.  After the kind of winter we've had up north here I was ready to drive straight south out of the snow!  Both these shows were a proverbial 'crap-shoot' for me with no FL mailing list really and unknown market but I am always up for a challenge.

First up was the Boca Raton Museum show February 8 & 9.  Without having a clue who else was going to be there (except for one good friend), I was pleasantly surprised to find a good number of fellow artists I knew participating in the show so I got to catch up with people I normally only see in the summer. One of my first observations: why did the show not publish a list of exhibitors? 

Parking was close but a 40.00 fee for my SUV.  I heard if you were pulling a trailer it was double.  I scoped my booth spot out with my friend on Friday evening after getting my parking ticket.  I had paid the considerable extra fee for a 'corner booth' location.  I realized I had ended up in one of those 'alone' spots across the road from the line of other tents.  Ok, I thought, kind of weird but the patrons could see the side of my booth a block away.  For those who don't know me, I am a painter with very color saturated works and some are very large so I had an 8' wide piece on the outside wall.

Set up for me started at 5:30 am but I understand you can start as early as 3 am.  Not being a good morning person at all this was intimidating at best and not having set up my tent since last September I found myself retraining my brain in the dark that morning. 

My show started off with a small bang as I had a sale to a client from Chicago who came specifically to see me.  I thought "well, this is going to be a good day".  Well, from there it was tough at best, and the weather was hotter then normal.  First let me say that there was a 'no giclee' rule for the show that was blatantly ignored. I chose to follow the rules but there was display after display of print racks out.  Now, I don't know what if any difference to my show that would have made but there was certainly no policing of it.  I think I met every amateur painter in SE Florida asking me about my techniques etc. which happens at lots of shows. 

I will say that I have never had that many people blatantly taking photos of my work at a show either.  One man took a close-up of the large work on the outside of my booth when I said "excuse me, what are you doing"? replied: "I'm going to print it out....lots cheaper then buying the original" oh and laughing.  I did however enjoy all those nice Canadian tourists I encountered (my dad was a Canadian so we had 'commonality').  I think about every other person at the show was from Toronto but those people were not necessarily looking for large 2D. 

Attendance was much lower on Saturday then it was on Sunday and the weather was nicer Sunday.  I did also have that issue of the patrons sticking to the other side of the road but again, if someone wants to see the art, I was wide open.  There were very few people walking around with purchases but of course I was reminded by a neighbor that this is a 'delivery' kind of show.  I also learned a few lessons about 'show awards' and artists who specifically go after them...interesting. 

Well, lets just say we enjoyed some of the restaurants in the area Friday & Sat., got in a great evening walk on the beach after the show Saturday, and just enjoyed being warm for a change of pace in my life.  I was hoping Sunday would be a better day for me but it was not to happen.  I do custom work too and hoping something will come out of it eventually but as of now, nothing yet.

The only other observation to make is that there were random cars of restaurant patrons that managed to get through the barricades on our end during take down.  Most eventually were moved after some negotiating but that was awkward and honestly, not safe.  Overall, I would add that this was a show that looked good.  Lots of wonderful artists there who I hoped did well.  A few of my neighbors did for sure.  Yes, as always there were a few booths of the buy/sell offenders.  It just didn't work out for much 'instant gratification' for me unfortunately.

I hauled across 'Alligator Alley' after take down that night to meet my sister in law who the week before decided to join me in Naples for a few days.  Nothing like a few days in Naples of dining, visiting old friends in town and a bit of gallery-peeking.  Then I was off to Bonita Beach for another few days to stay with friends and sit in a lounge chair :).  Well, a moving weather front sent us scurrying for the outlet mall at Miromar on Thursday instead of the beach so now I have a pile of new summer clothes eagerly awaiting the snow to melt.  Enjoyed the beautiful sunsets etc., took photos to use in future works.  My week was great.  Ate grouper in every form, loved all the birds outside the condo and the tropical foliage but mostly enjoyed hanging out with friends and for a few days, turning off work for a change. 

We decided to go over to Sanibel for dinner at my friends favorite restaurant there the night before set up and see where I was going to be at the show.  Our 22 mile/45 minute drive from Bonita Beach to Sanibel turned into a 1 3/4 hour excursion through the horrid traffic on Ft. Myers beach.  Now, I was supposed to stay with another friend on Sanibel but when they missed their flight on Friday I kept staying in Bonita until Sunday evening.  While the drive was not quite that long again, it was not fun making that drive across Ft. Myers beach so many times. 

Now, to the show.  Set up was easy.  My heart sunk though when I realized what my booth location was going to be.  There are these little 'cul-de-sacs' for a better word and I realized I was in the corner back of one of them.  Now, as a first time artist to the show I thought that I had been stuffed back there just because of being a 'newbie' so thought I would make the best of it.  I had written them when I paid asking them please, please for a corner location or spot with an outside wall to show off my larger pieces but this wasn't to be.  Keeping an opening in the back of my booth gave me a breeze, a place to sit out of the sun and I was able to prop one large work against the side of the building. 

Off to my right kiddy-corner was the Kettle Corn booth (ugh, all my work still stinks like popcorn), to my left was a nice but chain smoking jeweler.  Now, having asthma, I try to avoid food booths and smokers but that was not to be this weekend.  And, as an added bonus, there is a fine layer of dust coating everyone/thing from the sandy soil! 

Again, there was a nice mix of work and some really fine quality artists there.  Now I had those prints out but sold just a handful of them.  I did give one of the prints to their silent auction.  Not sure what to make of that auction either as I know it makes some money for the Rotary but doesn't it take away from booth sales?  Had lots and lots of interest in some of the pieces and managed to book one commission job so the show wasn't a loser although it certainly wasn't what I was hoping for.  I actually saw people (on vacation) there from my youth in MN so it was fun to catch up. Again, hoping for some follow-up business.

The biggest surprise of the show came in the form of something I never expected on Sunday:  I was hit by flying hotter-then hell popcorn kernels from the kettle.  Yes, you are reading that right.  See, having that chair out back of my booth with that kettle corn off to my right, I was eating lunch in my chair when suddenly I thought I got stung.  A 'yeoww' turned into another and one more before I realized I was under attack from the popcorn!!  I did mention it to the vendor laughing (one burned a small hole in my new pants) trying to make light of it.  Of course she said "well we can't manage where those things go".  Of course not.....they shouldn't have been put right next to artists booths in the first place!

Take down was not too bad but a really tight cluster of vehicles and I had a group of visiting friends there to help who were eager to go out for cocktails so I had to get it done fast. 

I did get to stay the night on the island, enjoying the evening at the beach.  After a late breakfast and a long beach walk, I had to get into that SUV and drive away north to begrudgingly come home.  I have dreams of maybe one day spending a few months down there doing shows because I believe a little more visibility there could make a difference in sales (not to mention a few months less of a cold winter).  However, spending that much time down there won't come until I get a bit older and my family in a different space, so for now, I will continue to contemplate how I can better make that Florida show thing work for just a few weeks.

Now, I'm off to work on those taxes I've been avoiding!

February 22, 2014, I headed to Kalamazoo to attend the Garage Sale Art Fair to do some shopping, and to see old friends, many of whom were recently returned from the Florida shows.

A little of what I learned:

Coconut Grove - 3 reports

"To do the round trip from Michigan to participate in this show I need to do sales of $3000 to cover the expenses. I came up $400 short of my goal. After many, many years of doing this show 2014 will be the last time." printmaker

"I had many more sales at the Sanibel Art Festival with much lower expenses." jeweler

"Although all around me people were not happy, I had a great show, selling a good number of higher end pieces." glassblower

Boca Raton Museum of Art Show

Remember the uproar about the Boca Museum show asking people who had been accepted to the February show, offering to refund their fees? Essentially "disinviting" them? Here's the story I was told: my "informant" actually was on the wait list for the show, but he went to the show and asked for a space and they found one for him. As he had done the show a fair number of times before he knew "people" and asked what had happened. The answer he got:

The museum hired someone new to run the show for them this year. There was a section of the show where the merchants didn't want artists (although they had been there in year's past.) The new show organizer gave them what they wanted, thereby eliminating many spaces for which artists had already been accepted. The museum had accepted the same number of artists as in year's past, leaving the museum with too many artists.

I've run shows, I know there are many things that happen behind the scenes that affect the shows that artists never see. I remember the time at Coconut Grove where a new business didn't like the booths set up in front of his store. During the night he moved the booths so there was a large opening to his business. The show director was irate (so were we, as our booth was one of the ones that was moved.) The balance between shows and the business communities where they are held can be difficult and maybe even renegotiated yearly. Sort of a love/hate relationship.

By the way, my friend had a really good show at Boca (same glassblower who reported on The Grove).

Exhibit at the 2014 show and reach 60,000+ affluent

consumers who LOVE to shop handmade

The 14th annual One of a Kind Show Chicago is an extraordinary holiday shopping
event featuring fine art and craft from a juried selection of North America's most
talented artists. The 4-day show is scheduled during one of the busiest shopping
weekends of the year and provides an outstanding opportunity for exhibiting artists
to sell to tens of thousands of qualified and enthusiastic shoppers in an ideal location
and premium environment.

- More than 60,000 qualified shoppers
- One of thebusiest shopping weekends of the year
- Ideal location in the heart of downtown Chicago
- Premium indoor environment with all inclusive hard wall booth package
- Attentive staff and ease of show operations
- Unparalleled show marketing encompassing substantial print and online
advertising, direct mail, e-blasts, street banners and media coverage
- Exceptional artists promotional opportunities for pre-show, show
and post-show exposure

The One of a Kind Show invites artists with high quality, handmade, original work
to apply to be a part of the One of a Kind experience in Chicago! Eligible work ranges
from giftable craft to premium fine art. Artists will be juried and chosen based on
uniqueness, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Please apply by March 3.

Any info on this show would be appreciated.  Attendance, is it worth it?  $$$ ???  

Thanks in advance.

June 27-29 
Quincy, Illinois
Washington Park, 5th & Maine St.
in the Historic Quincy Business District
Fri. 5-9; Sat. 10-5; Sun. 11-4
50-55 exhibitors
Deadline: February 28

Celebrating 11 years of the biggest arts weekend in the tri-state area, the Midsummer Arts Faire (MAF) continues to grow and thrive in a community and region where patrons show their appreciation for art and artists. Because of strong financial support within the community that MAF is able to market the event to a tri-state region that includes over 600,000 people within 75 miles.

MAF is located in a beautiful shady park in the heart of our vibrant downtown. Easy access and flow to and within the park directs patrons into the 50 plus artists booths comfortably situated within generous 10'x10' spaces. Complementing the sale of fine art is free hands-on art activities, a local food court, and top-notch entertainment,    including a very popular Blues in the District concert event on Friday night that brings in the crowds. Business and organization partners throughout the community help us celebrate MAF weekend with many art-related events and activities to attract and keep visitors all weekend long.

Many of our artists have so enjoyed the atmosphere, community, volunteers and sales that they continue to apply each year and MAF is blessed to have a healthy mix of new and returning artists. Artist exit surveys each year praise our volunteers for the excellent service and hospitality provided to our artists - we go above and beyond! WE LOVE ARTISTS!

FOR THE ARTISTS:

• Over $5,000 in awards including $1,000 Best of Show Purchase Award
• $10 Application Fee, $100 Booth Fee
• Convenient, drive-up set up/tear down
• Above & Beyond Hospitality including water service, booth sitting& more!
• FREE Artist Awards Dinner Saturday night
• Full-color event program including artist representative image, contact information & booth number
• FREE parking, WIFI & electricity
• Extensive multimedia marketing & public relations efforts including website, print, tv, radio & more!

Learn more &apply: www.Zapplication.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Find even more opportunities for 2014 shows: www.CallsforArtists.com

2011 we did 12 shows with varying degrees of success and 2012 we did 8 shows that were mostly ho-hum shows and last year we did 4 shows .... Naperville, Ill, Lincoln, Neb., Lee's Summitt, Mo. and Topeka, Ks (Mulvane Mt Art Center) I had a late call for Brookside, but the weather was crap and I didn't accept. The most amazing thing happened ... my home gallery sales increased considerable. Makes sense to me, so this year I am staying close to home, doing some summer recreational travel and waiting to see what happens. I must mention that my sales gallery (run by me) and workshop are in the same building and we are open 5-6 days a week.

I will probably have to do some equally distainful things like trying to sell through a 'etsy' store and hype up my web page, but those things don't require travel time, crummy motels and road food plus time away from my studio. So, I will report back in at the end of the season, which here in the Missouri ozarks is after xmas. Luckily for me I don't owe any money, am in a stable relationship  of 46 years, am  on Social Security which equals at least  on art fair per month and I really like to exercise and go trout fishing.

Good luck to all you out there.

Well, I saw Connie's gentle goading while I was goading Barry Bernstein.

I will man up with a full report.

I find it amazing that between over 700 artists who did the Grove, St. Stephen's and Artigras--there has been blicko.

I was patiently waiting.  You know if I have done the show I am going to report.  I was just waiting to hopefully see other input.

So here goes.

GETTING THERE.

It is now a rite of passage for me to travel to Artigras.  I have done the show most years since 1991.

For me, it is a straight shot east out of Ybor on Route 60 to Yeehaw Junction.  About one hour and a half.  Then, another hour and a half down to Jupiter just north of the show site in Abacoa.

Along the way on Route 60 you get to travel thru old Florida towns like Valrico, Mulberry, Bartow, Bealsville and Lake Wales.

This is Phosphate country so you see what accounts for tall hills for us Crackers, big mounds of Phosphate.  Near Lake Wales you are overtaken by the sickeningly sweet smell of citrus in the air.  That's all the oranges getting pulped up into juice at the factories.

Back in Valrico, you are near Plant City, that means strawberries.

You will see the stands selling shakes, flats and jams.  You will witness hundreds of pickers in the fields gathering the ripening berry.

Guess what? A lot of them have learned from us.  You will see white KD canopies everywhere offering a little shade.

The epitome of my trip is when I go by Ruby's fruit and veggie stand in Bealsville.

Ruby has her hand-painted, almost Grandma Moses signs everywhere, advertising her stock.  Ruby now exhibits at Gasparilla and the Disney show--how do you like that.  She is almost as famous as Clyde Butcher who is our Florida version of Ansel Adams, he does it in the Everglades mainly.

Sometimes if I have time I hit the Crazy Fish restaurant in Lake Wales.  Yummy, good, down-home vittles--at down-home prices--try them sometime.

At Yeehaw, you go by the old restaurant-bar with the great hand-painted sign that says "Jackass Crossing."  The signs have been saying new biz coming--for about two years now.

Then I am on the turnpike, love my Sunpass, no stopping no grabbing a ticket, just whiz on by.

When I go over the high bridge that says "Thomas B. Manuel"  I know I am now officially in southeast Florida.  I always try to speed up to see if I can get the van airborne on it.  Never happens--too much art--too much hopeful expectations of coming sales.

Down aways, I see the Jupiter exit and wind east.

I always think of Burt and Lonnie when I come to Jupiter.  Burt being--Mr. Reynolds, Lonnie being, Mrs. Anderson.

In the old days of Artigras they would always make an appearance on opening day-arm in arm like visiting royalty.  Burt always threw out frivolous one-liners, Lonnie just exuded being Lonnie.  We loved it.

In the old days, Jimmy Dean used to show up and buy art for his yacht.

I know this, because once this guy shows up in my booth, laden in gold , with a sweet honey.  He bought a bunch from me.  I did not know him at the time.  So he signed.  It said, "Jimmy Dean."  I exclaimed, " That is a famous name."  He said, "Yep, had it all my life."  True story.

OK, I GOT THERE, WHAT HAPPENED?

Thought you would never ask.

Artigras setup is very mellow.  You set up on Friday.  Show runs Sat. thru Mon.

You can usually park right in front of your booth.  If you are smart, you choose the side that has a lot of room behind your booth for storage.

You may ask,"Which side is that?"

Well, it depends where you are in the show.

Maybe when Barry Bernstein blogs about the Grove, or Geoff talks about Sarasota, then maybe I will give you more info.  All I am saying, there is room for storage behind almost every booth.

If you set up close to your property line on one side and get a cooperative neighbor, you can have an aisle on the other side and hang 2-D work that people can actually see.

I got a sub at Publix in Lake Wales and had a mellow lunch midway thru my setup.  I was done by 4 pm and called Vaughn.

"Vaughn" being my room-mate for the weekend--Steve Vaughn-- a very successful, notorious and giving photographer.  For such a great artist that he is, he is  very humble, open and more importantly, great to be with.

Vaughn does mostly HA shows these days and kills them where-ever he goes.

I spotted him as a up-and-comer at the Cedar Key show in the early 1990's.  He was a unique image-maker from the get-go.

Anyways, Steve and I are old friends, rivals, golf-buddies and confidants.

We have roomed together at many shows over the years.  We are a pair.

We stay at the La Quinta in Jupiter.  Right on the warer.  You can walk to three great restaurants.

Anyways, back to the show.

Vaughn is an image-driven photographer, and I mean that as a compliment.

So after setup on Friday and meeting at the hotel, he says, "Let's go out shooting."  I know he didn't mean "Wild Turkey."  He is not much of a drinker.

So  we meandered down to Jupiter inlet, at the bridge, did some shots--just before sunset.

Then we meandered to the "Square Grouper Restaurant" and did more shooting across at the lighthouse.

Then, it was on to the Juno Beach pier.  Steve does a lot of HA shows here and has a ready audience for his images--me, I was along for the ride.

We lucked out.

Neither of us knew that Friday was the night of the full moon.

There it was, rising out of a cloudy horizon like a fiery phoenix.

We both got great shots.  How great ,to be determined at future dates.

Well, being Valentine's day meant getting into any restaurant that nite was going to be a big chore.  Hours of waiting.  Love was in the air--everywhere.

We finally snuck into a cool Italian bistro and secured two seats.  We ate good pizza and went home to watch the Winter Olympics.

OK.OK.  FINALLY, TELL US ABOUT THE DAMN SHOW!

Thought you would never ask.

Saturday started off very slow, and got slower and slower as the day went on.

It was my poorest Saturday, ever, at Artigras.

Some people made good money--but they were in a distinct minority.  Two, well-known photographers (who don't want to be known in this blog) did not even top $100 on Saturday.

They were not alone.  It sucked all around.

OK, the Sterns killed them--great--they needed it, and God intervened--and they got it.  Enough said.

Ironically, this was the greatest weather we have ever had for this show.  Not one hint of humidity in three days, jeez, we had vests on in the morns, and back on by 4 pm.

Maybe too nice.  Maybe people were golfing, boating and fishing.  They definitely were not buying much art.

As always, there are great exceptions, but they were few.

By show show close, I had done about 50 percent of what I usually do--I was an unhappy camper--but a happy camper, too, because me and Vaughn were going to the Reef for dinner.  Whole Bahamian Yellowtail Snapper coming my way soon.

The Reef, also known as "Charlies" is legendary in this neck of the woods.

Fresh  seafood, done just right, and at the right price, and lots of choices.  Grouper, snapper, cobia, wahoo, you name it--they got it.

Always a long wait.  Put your name on the list and wait--maybe a half hour--then yum!  "We be eating good!"

Back to the hotel--more Olympics, we licked our wounds and hoped for a better day tomorrow.

TOMORROW--ALSO KNOWN AS SUNDAY

Sunday came and gone, and we were not better off then Saturday.  I never made a first sale til 12:30 pm, I got to read the entire NY Times and do the crossword before my first sale, that really sucks.

Again, crowds were milling along, but not really looking.

Also, I got very few, if any, be-backs.  You had one brief shot at them, and then Aloha, they were off to other climes.

Oh, I did not win best in show--I guess I will hold off on that new van purchase.

One cool thing about the show was my neighbor--Tom LeGault.  A famed painter from Michigan.

I have seen him for centuries at Ann Arbor.

He is a painting derverish.  He can finish a 24"x24' ORIGINAL in 30 minutes.  They were buying them as fast as he could finish them.

He had a killer show.  I wish I had half as a good show as him.  Perish the thought.

The crowds bought art, mostly at low-end prices.  I saw my share of photo-canvasses go by.  Saw lots of lowend Giclees.  But, they were few and far in between.  It was not what I called a good show with an audience looking for exciting art.  If anything, they were looking for cheap Kettle Corn and $7 beer.

Vaughn went out with buddies and I went back to the Reef--more snapper, please.

THE FINALE--MONDAY

Mondays at both the Grove and Artigras are very anti-climatic.  I don't know why we have to put up with them.

The best thing you can say about the Monday is--"Well, this ain't a Tuesday show, so you better kill them today."

Usually, if I make more than $300 on Monday, I am doing somersaults.

They should let us tear down at 4 pm so we can be home before dark.  But no, they are cruel bastards.  5pm then wait til the crowd thins, and maybe in by 5:30 and out by 7pm.  

Now, you either suck it up for another nite in a hotel, or drive home in the dark, exhausted and not really fully alert to all the dangers on the road.

Luckily, I have a good ex-show photo-buddy who got out of the biz before the great crash in 2008.  He lives near Jensen Beach, about 45 minutes from the show.  I was there by 7:30 and eating supper with him at Conchy Joes, a legendary eatery right on the water.

I limped home Tuesday morn, kissed my beautiful bride and quickly tried to make up lost time for missing her on Valentine's day plus her birthday two days later.

The Blonde deserves good presents.  She got them.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The way I write my blogs is a dream.  I realize that.

 I wish everybody else could describe their on-the-road experiences like I do.  But that is not going to happen.

I glory in my life, been doing it 39 years, and, I am glad to share it with others.

Hope you enjoyed the ride, Nels.

August 1-3

Park City, Utah
Historic Main Street
Presented by the Kimball Art Center
Deadline: March 1
220 artists

11 years ago I took a job at The Great Frame Up. The goal was to avoid going back to Florida during the winter months and spend more time with my ex-wife. In theory I could keep skipping Florida but I was wondering about shows in Florida. I been told is was not worth the trips or time.

I apply to five shows and I was accepted to 4 out of 5. I decide decline the invitation for the South Miami show. I was rejected from Winter Park. The three shows that I end doing was Beaux, Boca Raton with Patty and Coconut Grove.

The best show was Beaux and it also help to create sales at the Grove. All three shows are run very good. The show that was the biggest let down was the Coconut Grove. Coconut Grove is suppose to be as top 5 show in the nation and to me it was a joke. It seems that they had become a festival not a art show. What I saw was cattle walking around.

The best part of the trip was meeting people at Dolton GA where my broke down for second time and got stock in there for three days because the first winter storm in Atlanta. Second best part driving through the second winter storm in Atlanta. After these trips I love my car. I discover Hostel. Motel 6 was a big surprise but is better to get a weekly rate or rent a house for the season. I paid 435 to 465 per week at Motel 6.

What I conclude for 2015 season is that I know what shows I want to apply and be part of them are:Beaux, Boca with Patty (filler), Fort Meyers, Boca Raton Museum, Coconut Grove, Naples, Gasparrilla and Winter Park. Everything else if not worth the time or the trip.

If you want to know more ask.

Well, Barry Bernstein, you were there, are you not going to do a report on the Grove?

Just wondering.

So the results are starting to roll in for the better mid-atlantic juried events. I know that accepted artists at events do not ask for their scores. Accepted is accepted and you're happy.

But what about those shows where your work is on par with what you see at the event, but you applied early; thought your images were good and your booth image was strong... but still didn't make the cut?

The jury process is not transparent. Most show directors I have requested scores from will not, as a matter of policy discuss jury scoring. Their events are black boxes... You pay a fee to submit your images and get back only a yes, no, or maybe for the event.

If an event has a scoring system for their jurors, why is it a problem to provide something besides an accept/reject/wait list response to artist applications?

If there's a scoring system, please provide the artists scores as a meager form of feedback. We may not like them, may disagree with them, but at least it is something. If you are scoring the booth images, provide your standards and give this as a separate score.

Is there anything wrong with an expectation of feedback given that you are paying a fee to an event to judge your work

I just received two rejections from a prominent Philadelphia event. I wrote the show director (not for the first time) and asked for my scores. The reply back was the same - we do not provide scores, and in time past they have cited other events of their caliber not providing scores either as part of why they do not provide scores.

Word was that ZAPP was going to add a scoring module to their software.... Anybody know the current state of this initiative?

Is anyone getting numeric or otherwise scores from their jury entries?

I applied for my states artist fellowship program this past year. I didn't get the fellowship and they did not provide scores. However, they did provide written comments from the juror.

So, I have to ask my juried brethren: if I can get written feedback from that level of juried competition and do not have to pay a fee, why should I expect any less from a for-profit/non-profit event jury, who is charging me for the privilege of asking to participate in their event?

Yes, scoring disclosure requires explaining what things are being scored in a given event. They may require showing (in example of a booth image) what top-level, middle of the road, and booth-fail booth images look like...

I am uncertain how one would establish criteria for scoring paintings.. Would Jackson Pollack jury into your better quality events these days? (I don't think so) How about Rothko? (well his stuff would match the couch and wall color schemes... Both of them made couch sized pieces... Warhol would probably get into some events, unless they thought his art factory approach meant that the all original aspects by the artist were being betrayed...well actually this might work in his favor - he'd never run out of products to sell...

But, if you are going to be a subjective jury, say so, say what the criteria are; and then disclose how the artists stacked up to those criteria.... If I am paying a fee for the privilege of applying for admission to pay more $ to maybe sell some products, I think it's the least a juried event should provide to those who didn't make the cut... I may not agree with the decision, but I at least know what the jury is looking for and will be able to perhaps craft an entry which will make me more likely to be competitive the next time I apply...or know that I need to improve my display.

Despite not being accepted for the Philadelphia shows (judged by "highly qualified 2D and 3D fine artists" and stated criteria, "Decisions of the jury are based on the quality, uniqueness, consistency and professionalism of the artwork")., I have been accepted for at least one Howard Alan event and waitlisted for the Rockville A-RTS event in 2014. So, I must be doing something right..

What are others experiencing this year on jury score disclosures. I know several artists on this board made a point of asking for scores. Are we making a difference? I note with interest that jury fees seem to be a little bit less aggressive this year....

Final Deadline is March 10

Ours is a truly unique gallery - a massive Civil War-era warehouse on the Red Hook waterfront in Brooklyn, NY. Its enormous space affords us the opportunity to exhibit really huge work, and we welcome it. 

Learn more & apply:  www.wideopenartshow.com       Questions: info@wideopenartshow.com

FEBRUARY 21 - 5 PM ET

Don't miss this one if you are "closing your books" or struggling with what to do about your bookkeeping! 

Did you ever see such a business for high overhead as the art fair business? Travel expenses, booth fees, employees, tents, studio space, art supplies, credit card fees, etc. 

We talk to two artists with bookkeeping experience and we'll learn how they adapted this information for art fair bookkeeping. Our experts are:

• Alison Thomas worked with her husband in his HVAC business and did the bookkeeping with Quickbooks. The business was a corporation with employees so she knows payroll  and payroll taxes and the forms. We'll talk about Quickbooks and how she uses them for her art fair business.
• Leo Charette has been a data manager using computers since the 1980's, so when he started participating in art fairs he developed a system that could manage the interrelated relationships between creating art, selling art and staying in touch with the art fair patrons.

We'll start with the nuts and bolts of how you begin keeping the books and doing your first tax return and then answer your questions. 

Your options:

--Listen live here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2014/02/21/taxes-artists-keep-their-books

--Download it for later at that same link

--Call in with questions: (805) 243-1338

--If you can't call in post your question in the comments below and we'll talk about it. 

Has anyone out there actually done the Annapolis show once or more who can provide the skinny on it?  Thanks bunches!

This past weekend there were many shows to choose from, the Grove, Artigras, St. Stephens, and according to several posts that I read from many artists the most profitable by far was Howard Alan's downtown Sarasota art show. I've exhibited at this show for several years and even with the recent encroachment of another promoter oversaturating this area with more shows this remains in my opinion the best of all shows in downtown Sarasota.

The weather this weekend could not have been more perfect both days and it really brought out massive crowds of affluent residents and tourists alike looking to buy art. I saw multiple purchases of large scale 2d art that found new homes as well as 3d and wearables. Many comments I heard were "best Sarasota show ever" "just like the good old days" "best show so far this year". Every artist that I spoke with was very happy with their sales.

There is a section of this show set in the park that has a Friday setup, but the majority of the show is on Main St. and has a Saturday morning setup. Because this can be a tricky setup they have instituted a new procedure that works very well. From 4 to 6:15 your allowed to unload then move your vehicle off show site, at 6:15 all cars must be removed and you're allowed to setup. This is the second year they've done this setup and it works very well. I received two emails outlining the procedures. Breakdown goes smoothly as well as you're not allowed to come in until completely torn down, and there was plenty of staff on hand to be sure everyone followed directions. A continental breakfast was provided both days and there was artist parking arranged for both rvs and other vehicles close to show site.

Debbie, Howard and their staff were on hand and very visible all weekend making sure things ran smoothly.

The members have chosen Carol Knox's blog post, Mock Jury - St. Louis 2014, as the best January contribution to this site. Congratulations and thanks to Carol, a true Olympian, for sharing this information.