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I appreciate some of the discussion on this blog about alternate revenue sources, like licensing and art studio tours. I’ve been experimenting with an alternate revenue source this summer with mixed results.

I opened the LebenArt Studio & Gallery in Saugatuck in May. Being an aging art fair artist (I’m turning 68 in October), I thought it was time to start looking for a way to bring in some revenue without having to be out on the street every weekend. All that set-up and take-down and the anxiety of uncertain weather can take its toll.

With a summer’s worth of experience in the art gallery business, there are things I like about it, and there are things I don’t. I like having a studio space where I can do my work (I’m a digital artist). And, with the studio, I can occupy my time effectively while I’m waiting for customers to come in. I like having gallery space where I can exhibit a wide range of my work. I like being able to tell my art fair customers that I have a gallery in Saugatuck. I’ve found, over the years, that a high percentage of art fair goers have asked me if I have a gallery of my own in Saugatuck. I like that so many of the visitors to my fledgling gallery have either seen or purchased my work in the past. A lot of them come to buy, attracted by the email marketing I do to my email list. I like that my friends and neighbors, here in Saugatuck, have a place where they can come to see all my work in one place. I like the fact that the gallery has generated over $18,000 in sales since opening in May, most of which I wouldn’t have without the gallery. And, finally, I like that I don’t have to pay 40-50% commissions on the work that I sell in my own gallery.

Lots of positives, but there are also negatives. I don’t like being a slave to regular gallery hours. I don’t have enough sales to warrant hiring another person to man the gallery when I’m away. I don’t like missing summer activities in Saugatuck, some of the best reasons for living here in the first place. I don’t like having to strip the walls of my best artwork and load it all into the trailer when I do an art fair. I don’t like having to close up the gallery for art fairs on those precious summer weekends in Saugatuck. 

I have mixed feelings about the location of my studio/gallery. Its on Blue Star Highway north of town only a short walk from where I live. While galleries in downtown Saugatuck get a great deal of walk-in traffic, my gallery is more of a destination. People have to stop their cars to visit my gallery. Although a high percentage of those who do stop their cars, actually wind up buying something, I still feel that I can use more visitors. Of course, the downside to more visitors is that I will get less work done in the “studio” part of this enterprise.

I’m currently looking around for a better location for the gallery here in Saugatuck. I feel that sales have been good enough to warrant an “extension” of my gallery experiment. But to make it work and to minimize some of the negatives, I’m on the look-out for another compatible artist to share the space with and to help man the gallery. Since I’m a 2-D artist, a sculptor or potter would be most appropriate... or maybe a jeweler.

Will the gallery eventually take the place of art fairs as I totter into old age? Maybe not. Even in today’s economy, art fairs have been pretty profitable for me this year. But the gallery will provide extra income and, perhaps, grow into a better money-maker in the future.

Oh what a difference a day makes. Saturday was cool but comfortable and Sunday was a whole 'nother story! Fortunately sales were good on Saturday. Sunday was pretty slow as most people browsed the show and the weather threatened all day long. Most of us were checking the weather web sites all day long and could pretty well predict when it would hit.

The email the night before from the director gave those that wished to take the opportunity to book early and at least 3 or 4 artists did take the early out. The rest of us stuck it out but still had that look of, "Should i leave or should i stay?" on our faces. At 2:00 the staff called the show and told us to pack it up but it was 2 minutes too late! Rain started slow and built into a downpour of hail, with lightening and thunder as well, for about an hour! We managed to stay dry in the tent and finished packing till it stopped. Amazingly everything got packed and we kept the work dry, maybe not so much for the tent but I'm okay with that.

And the rain keeps a com'n in Colorado!

"In the Doghouse - Lucky Dog" by Ritch Branstrom

It is now year 4 in Grand Rapids' art extravaganza, ArtPrize, "a radically open, independently organized international art competition with an unprecedented $200,000 top prize decided entirely by public vote."

Every year, ArtPrize distributes $560,000 in total cash prizes—$360,000 awarded by public vote and $200,000 awarded by jury—making the competition the world’s largest ArtPrize. 

I attended this year and had a wonderful time.

It opened with a grand party for all participants (1200+) on September 18 and will end on October 4. There are events every day and thousands of people wander throughout Grand Rapids and talk about "art." It is lots of fun and eye opening, with a lot of so-so art and some knock out pieces also.

Even the telephone poles were covered with art, aka "yarn bombing."

As I walked through and around the museums, streets, cafes and riverbanks I kept looking for the piece of art that I thought would be worth a $200,000 prize. 

There were many artists from our "art fair world": Jerry Berta, Kathleen Kalinowski, Clifton Henri, Albert Young, Fritz Olsen, Jennifer O'Meara, Bruce Niemi, Mark Chatterly, Jeff Condon, Todd and Kiaralinda Ramquist, Sara Youngman -- and many I am sure I missed. 

Everyone can vote for the prizewinners and I did vote but had no clear choice, so I think maybe I missed something. Easy to do with over 200 venues and all this art. You have to be near the art in the city in order for your smartphone to register the votes, not just anyone can go online and make a choice, thereby limiting random craziness.

"Conversation" - 5 Six foot tall dogs by ceramicist Mark Chatterly - who you might meet at an art fair near you.

"Sky Song" by Fritz Olsen, kinetic sculpture. Fritz is a second generation art fair artist

"American Graffiti" by Jennifer O'Meara 

I used to see Jennifer at art fairs, not sure if she is still attending them

If you ever have a chance to visit, it is worth the trip. Downtown Grand Rapids is beautiful, full of wonderful architecture, cool restaurants, great food, more restaurants, classy museums... more bars, etc. Here is the link to learn more: ArtPrize.org

See the Top 100 in the voting so far: http://www.artprize.org/entries/?promoted=live-100&page=1-3&sort=random_56

The event was started by Rick DeVos, whose grandfather started Amway and is still supported by DeVos Family Foundation.

I'd love to be there this evening for a seminar on the topic of "Can Art Save Cities?" I LOVE this event! 

Has anyone else attended or entered their work?

I am going to the Red River Revel in Shreveport, La. (my home town) and will see several people that already own 5-10 of my paintings. I followed my dream and moved to Fairhope, Al. about a year ago. Many friends and clients coming to see me at the festival.

Do you give a discount to these great clients, and if so, how much? Even if they are only buying one painting at this festival? I feel like I would like to give them some sort of discount as a thank-you/reward for continuing to purchase my work...not sure how much...

thanks,

Frances

I was thinking about the fees that my merchant service charges me every month when it dawned on me, they are charging me interest on the total dollar amount that I process every month, which includes sales tax. So I called my company to ask them about it. After I posed my question to the customer service rep I was put on hold for about five minutes while he researched the question. When he came back he told me it would require further investigation and he would have to call me back. He called back in 30 minutes with an answer that was totally unsatisfying. According to my contract the company is allowed to charge interest on the total amount purchased which includes sales tax. Not happy about it but at least I get to write off all my cc charges on my taxes.

But that got me thinking about my credit card purchases which incure the same interest charged on sales tax, that I don't get to write off. I called two of my companies and the answer I was given was that they had no way of knowing what part of the total was sales tax. Ok I understand that, but I posed the question, if I sent in documentation every month of the sales tax would they then reduce the amount from my total. I think you can guess the answer.

Whenever I posed the question of the legality of what they were doing, it was side stepped and evaded. I can't believe this is legal. This is a HUGE revenue stream for credit card processors that I don't think they can legally charge.

I'm trying to contact a consumer advocate about this, but if any of our members have any knowledge on this subject, please post.

This was a first-time show for us at one of the nicest venues we’ve ever visited.  Annmarie is a 30 acre public park that includes the first class sculpture garden and classes and workshops for adults and kids in ceramics, fiber, painting, drawing, and jewelry, among other media.

The park is surrounded by tall, mature pine trees and has winding paths through the woods and open spaces in the center.

The show is set up in three basic locations:  inside the arts center, in the “tent circle” around the open space, and in the wooded paths.  The artist specifies on the application his/her preference and it seems like most first choices were honored. 

Space fees vary by location.  Inside is $150 (including electric), the tent circle is $50 and the wooded path is $25.  All artists also owe 14% of gross sales with a minimum of $100.  I wish more shows were like this – a reasonable basic fee plus a reasonable commission.

We chose the tent circle as it seemed “central” and everyone would have to pass by.

Setup was easy on Friday.  We got there early enough to park next to our space and unload and setup.  With few “neighbors” there, we didn’t need to move the van at all.

Spaces in the tent circle were 10x10 with plenty of storage behind. The wooded path spots were open on all four sides with lots of space in between.

Artist parking is at the very farthest point in the large open field that was also the patron lot.  When we arrived early Saturday, there were about 100 high school ROTC kids forming a lined corridor to wave us to our parking spot. 

It was really comical. It would only take about 4-5 people to accomplish the same thing but it cracked us up.  The kids had a blast too.  Nice way to involve the community in the show. The same thing happened on Sunday but with a different group.

A local Boy Scout troop camped in the park overnight and provided security.  (The grounds were also gated closed overnight)

The show has a $6 gate fee and a “no pet” policy.  At 10AM on Saturday, the gates opened and people came streaming in.  The weather was perfect all weekend and the traffic was steady all weekend – even with the Ravens and Redskins both having 1:00 games on Sunday.

Artist amenities were pretty basic – a free cup of coffee each morning, booth sitters, load-in/set-up assistance if desired and postcards.  There was also very heavy advertising including large signs all over the neighboring counties.

The show has been going on for 20 years and the locals love it as do the Washington, DC crowd (about an hour away).

Sales for us were pretty slow on Saturday but did pick up on Sunday.  Because our out-of-pocket for this one was trivial, we couldn’t help but make some money. 

What was selling?  It seemed like the fine crafts did better than the fine art.  Most of the 2D we saw going out was matted prints or smaller framed pieces.  I only saw a few very large paintings walking out.  Some jewelers did great; the one next to us had a very slow show.  I didn’t see any buy/sell.  At the same time, I saw painted toilet seats!

During the show, artists had the opportunity to do demonstrations (and could compete for a $500 “best demonstration” award.)  The winner was a raku artist.  It was another great way to involve the patrons in the show.

There was a big downside to the raku demo though.  It was very breezy on Saturday and the smoke from burning newspaper or whatever was on fire in the trashcan was blowing all over the place.  We were about 10 booths away and the acrid smoke was a problem for the patrons in the area but also for the artists whose work could be affected (like fiber!) 

Fortunately the breeze was mostly blowing away from the tents but it was pretty bad judgment, in my opinion, to set up this demo so close to the other tents.

There were other cash awards that included – longest participating artist, People’s Choice, and best new artist.

Food options were plentiful but the size of the crowd meant long lines.  There were “real” bathrooms” (also long lines) but portapotties (without lines) for the braver souls.

There was music on stages that were remote from most of the booths and the performances were almost inaudible from where we were.  Stilt-walkers were there but didn’t do much other than walk around in costumes.  They were “dignified” (if that’s possible) and reminded me of the masked extravaganzas in plazas of Venice.

Tear-down was super easy.  Because we were local for this one, we waited until Monday morning.  All but 3-4 tents were long gone. We parked the van right in front of the tent and were done in an hour.  There was a plan in place for Sunday tear down but we were in a bar while all that was going on so I can't comment.

Overall, it was a pleasure doing this show.  Our sales were not as high as we’d hoped but were still good enough that we would do the show again if it was local for us. 

The local hotels had special artist rates but I would not recommend trying the show unless you had other shows in the area to piggy-back on.  Some did very well here, some did okay, and some not so well.  (Sounds like every other show, right)

There were at least 2 other AFIers at the show and I love for them to chime in with a report on their experiences.

Here is the layout (we were in tent circle spot #20):

Venue is behind the tree line...

Near the food...

Art-A-Licious was the last Art Fair that I participated in this summer as I "tested the waters" to see if this is something that I would like to do.  And I have to say if I had any doubts, participating in the Art-A-Licious fair clinched it with a huge "YES"!

I enjoyed all of the fairs I participated in, but there was something about this fair that left me feeling like I could jump in the car next weekend and do it all over again!

Being new to this type of business I always have "nervous anticipation" as I drive to a new location.  I was kind of nervous about the fact that I did not get anything in advance that showed me my location. I was to stop at a check-in point and pick up my packet on location.  As I arrived I was greeted (from my car) by a very helpful volunteer that not only gave me my packet but took the time to explain bathroom locations and food locations, then made sure I knew how to get to my location.  "Nervous anticipation" gone!

I was able to pull up to my location with my car to unload (which is always great). Although I did not need the help, as soon as I pulled up to my spot a volunteer was there immediately to see if I needed help setting up and let me know that there were student volunteers available to assist with my setup (great for those that need to set up alone). The downtown location is full of free parking so I was able to easily find a parking spot within less than a block once I was set up.

During the day the First Presbyterian Church and Library were open for bathroom breaks and the church also had water and light snacks for the artists. Volunteers stopped by quite regularly to see if I needed a break or water.  (Friendly, cheerful volunteers I might add). It did rain on Friday but the crowds showed up with umbrellas in tow. The event lasted until 8:00 pm, which is dark this time of year but each location had access to electricity (no extra charge) to plug in lights.

Saturday was cool and sunny and crowds were quite steady.  The Adrian marching band even kicked off the event by marching through the streets at 10:00.  Nice touch. Band stages were set up in two locations and international food tasting was set up in another location.  Again, volunteers stopped by regularly to make sure I was all set. Food delivery was offered by a couple of restaurants for lunch and I had a delicious cheeseburger, fries and coke delivered from Mandy's (I will be returning to eat there again).

"Nervous anticipations" started to creep up again as it came time to tear down.  I kept wondering how they will be able to get all of the cars in to all of the locations for tear down and out again within a reasonable amount of time.  At first my plan was to walk my things to the car (not too far away again) but I was reminded by my daughter that "we" would have to carry 45 lb sand bags to the car.  So driving the car in was my only option. And again it was smooth sailing! As I drove in volunteers were there to greet the vehicles at the entrance, explain where to park and how to exit when I was done.  Students were also available to transport heavy items to vehicles for those that did not want to pull in. When it was time to leave, volunteers where on the streets directing traffic.  I was on the road home in 45 minutes from the time I started tearing down.

I did have my best sales at this fair, but I only participated in three events this year, am new to this and understand each show can be quite different as far as sales go.  I am learning what prints sell, more about displays and how to recognize the type of buyers each event will draw.

I would have to say this event was very well organized, ran very smoothly, festive and I look forward to participating again next year. 

I am looking forward to using the Winter months to plan for next year where I am hoping to participate in a larger number of fairs next year.

Listen to the conversations around you…… colleagues at the office, customers in the coffeehouse line, those who serve you, those you serve, the people you meet each day. "Give me a tall latte." "Hand me that hammer." "Have a good one."

Notice anything missing? The traditional magic words "please" and "thank you" that many people learn as children appear to be disappearing.

I blame the casualty on the casual.

The slow erosion of the 'magic words' in our everyday vernacular has to do with the predilection toward all things casual in our society today. Casual conversation, casual dress and casual behavior have hijacked practically all areas of life, and I do not think it is doing anyone a service.

Other polite phrases also seem to be falling by the wayside. "You're welcome," for instance. Say "thank you" to someone these days, and instead of hearing "you're welcome," you're more liable to hear: "Sure." "No problem." "You bet." "Enjoy." Or a long list of replies that replace the traditional "you're welcome."

Instead of saying "thank you," people say "got it." Or "have a good one." Or, more often, nothing at all. And in lieu of saying "no, thank you," reactions such as "I'm good" are increasingly common.

The responses 'have a good one,' 'I'm good' or 'you bet,' do not carry the same sentiment or convey the same conviction as when we are sincerely expressing our gratitude or thanks. They feel less invested, almost as if they are painful to utter under our breath.

Please excuse us for asking the questions:

Are we just finding new ways to say old, polite phrases?

Are good manners merely morphing?

Or are they fading away altogether?

Becoming More Rude…….

Simple things that we took for granted as children no longer seem to count.

Saying please and thank you, asking permission, offering unsolicited help, and following up on solutions to problems are no longer as important.

Go through any drive-through at a fast-food restaurant in America.

Go through any checkout line in a grocery store.

Stand in line at a convenience store. If you are very lucky, the person waiting on you will make eye contact. Maybe they will speak. More likely, they will hand you your drink and bag while looking back over their shoulder, never even acknowledging your person-hood much less your status as a customer.

The checkout person "will check you out," all the while being 'checked out' emotionally from the situation. Worst of all, as I experienced in an airport in the last couple of years, a kiosk worker will blandly bag your item, swipe your debit card, hand you your receipt, all while having a conversation on her cellphone. Amazing. Outrageous.

People are becoming more rude and less civil……

It is important to show respect for other people by greeting them when you first see them… in the hallway, at a meeting, on the street and especially at our shows!!!!

The form of greeting, though, has morphed over time.

"How do you do?" became "Hello, how are you?" which eventually changed into "Hello, how are things?" Or "How's it going?"

As a result of the metamorphosis, today it would sound a little stilted and perhaps even disrespectful if a sarcastic tone is used to say 'How do you do?' "

And what about other popular substitutions, such as "no problem" for "you're welcome"?

The phrase "you're welcome" has long been the commonly accepted courteous response. But  the norms, and the manners and the mores…may change.

What won't change, is the importance of acknowledging appreciation expressed….

Food for thought...get a plate!!

Lynn

Throughout my first year of doing shows I have learned a lot from the artists around me; what lights work, how to display and promote my art, travel advice/tips, booth advice, pricing advice, and most of all what shows and where I should travel.  The only problem with this last bit of advice is that I have found that everyone has a different opinion about every single show.  How do we take advice from others when every show is such a gamble?  Then I start to think, when I do good at a show one year, how can I ensure that I will be in it next year? And even if I do get into the shows I have done well in, who is to say that I will do well in them time and time again?  This business is such a gamble, and although the advice is great, it also is a bit saddening.  I have spoken to many artists who have been doing the same shows years and years in a row, and doing well at them, which is great... but then where could I fit into that show ever and see if I can do well in it as well if all of these artists have been doing them over and over?  When is it time to switch things up and freshen the shows with new artists?  I know this must be hard for different venues because it is wonderful to have artists come back for more, and some get discouraged when they have been doing a show for 7 years or so and then one year they can't get in anymore.  To me this is such an interesting topic, and I'm not sure what the right answer is.  I live in the St. Louis area, and obviously we have the large St. Louis Art fair every year, and I had a chance to speak with a lot of the artists in length because I work at a local establishment and every single one of them knew each other, and had been doing the show for years and years.  I applied this year and did not get in, which I was not surprised about because I had heard that it is like finding a needle in a haystack to get into this fair if #1, you're from St. Louis, and #2, it's your first year applying.  Both of these realities are pretty heartbreaking and discouraging, and honestly I'm not sure what the point of throwing away $45-$50 each year is if the odds of me getting in are so slim.  I'm wondering what people's take on these issues are.  I feel it at both ends, hearing from friends who I look up to and have given me support about the art show experience who are having hard times getting into shows they have been doing for years, and those who are just starting out and getting into the same shows.  I know that both are part of the trade, but which is worse???

Dag nabit, I told myself I would never do it again...and despite the self admonishments and promises to self, I did!

Our last show of 2013 was last weekend in Ferndale. The Funky Ferndale show seems to always be playing with start times on Friday. This year it started at: I don't know because really you set your booth up and people come all day. We zipped up at 8, we have a corner & our booth had electricity. This year, as the last 3 years we pull our travel trailer & stay at the show. I don't know about the parking for this show, because a few years ago I saw that it was going to be tough to park my trailer as the show does not offer overnight parking for your travel trailer or RV. No easy campgrounds so I would like to suggest to everyone who pulls a trailer & stays in it or a RV or van, to use your Google maps and zone in on businesses that close for the weekend. This technique for staying in cities near my show that does not offer parking has worked nearly every time. In Ann Arbor, parking is very tough, so I researched spots & found a church to park our trailer in. I called, asked, and I offered to donate a piece of art (they did not ask for it) and they let us stay 2 miles from the show from Tuesday till Sunday Morning. Churches are great places to ask. Look & think about businesses close and who have a large parking lot... it depends on the parking lot. Back to Ferndale. I use this technique there and we have a great place to sleep & stay all weekend. 

Sales for us on Friday were brisk. Last year we had a $700 piece stolen - and the more "finer" the art, the more we took it home. So this year we brought smaller & just a vast assortment of our art, many new pieces - with nothing over $350. We use this show as a good place to wheel & deel with older art... kinda fun! The show runs with the DIY across Woodward - and that brings in a urban crowd. Young, hip, vegan, coffee loving, inspiring LGBT men & women - just a COOL group of people! If you have funky art, which we do, we so very much enjoy this show. Our spot is really great & others did not have that experience. My friend was in no mans land and she had a terrible show with her bags, unfortunately not many ventured to her booth. The row she set up in was confusing. I heard it was that way because the fire marshall. The shops downtown ferndale are EDGY and awe-tastic! I heavily contemplated a tattoo while eating a rosemary shortbread cookie & drinking that coffee... Set up & take down are easy because we have learned the proper times to arrive & take down from doing the show before. The Rust Belt art market is a hub of talent - to many restaurants to eat at, but the Thai, I dream about that Shrimp Pad Thai. 

Saturday & Sunday were busy and fast. I like Detroit. We have such fun doing these shows all summer around the area - suburbs and downtown. Its a place of inspiration - as well as many places around Michigan. We are lucky to live here. Nothing stolen this year. In fact, I had such a vibrant crowd - Young old, all ethnic backgrounds  - so many religions - Art is a soup. I take more away from being in the creative soup that us humans all mix together  - I go back to my studio and make new things. These crowds inspire me to be authentic - and that gives me permission to be authentic in my work.

September 25, 5 pm ET

Our guests are potters Jan Richardson and Robert Briscoe,  well known in the artist community not only for their fine work but their generosity in developing opportunities for other artists. 

Living in rural Maryland Jan developed the Valley Craft Network in 1982, a tour that continues to bring buyers from nearby Baltimore and Washington, DC, into the region to visit studios.

After a move to Washington State about six years ago she found few opportunities for selling her work and since then has worked in her community with the Peninsula Arts Association to create the Peninsula Artists Studio Tour and the Peninsula Clay Artists annual Clay Show, also bringing in guest artists and hosting workshops to promote the arts.

Robert Briscoe has been exhibiting his functional beautiful pottery at art festivals since 1970. In 1992 together with 7 of his friends they started the St. Croix Valley Pottery Studio Tour, which has become a national pottery phenomenon.

It started as a simple idea: bring together a group of potters to create an event that would be larger in scope than any individual's studio sale. In its' 22nd year it has grown to include 50 potters (43 of them invited from elsewhere).

The studios are within an hours' drive of Minneapolis. Collectors and pottery lovers come from all over North. America to enjoy the celebration and collect this fine handmade work.

Can you do this in your community? Can you bring others together to benefit not only yourselves but to promote tourism? Listen to these veterans as they teach you how.

The members have chosen Jim's Parker's post "A Trifecta of National Shows -- Des Moines, Cherry Creek & Ann Arbor (the original)" as August's Post of the Month! Jim's partner, Karyn, always a support to him seems to be almost as good a gymnast as he is! 

December 28 & 29 (New Year's Eve Weekend)
Saint Augustine, Florida
Old Town Art & Craft Show-Winter  
Francis Field
10am-5pm
Holiday Art Shows
125 Exhibitors
Deadline: October 4

Please join us for the Old Town Art & Craft Show-Winter, New Year's Eve weekend.  this is a carefully juried fine art and fine craft celebration of the arts.

New Year's Eve weekend is an extremely busy weekend with both tourists and locals alike converging in historic downtown to enjoy the Nation's Oldest City. 

We are excited to offer you this premier event during the festive Christmas season in Saint Augustine.

Show Highlights:

• Free admission
• Reasonable booth fees
• Overnight security
• Easy drive up load and unload
• Free artist parking nearby
• Extensive marketing campaign
• Artist friendly, knowledgeable staff
• Free postcards for your customers
• Friday set-up
• By artists for artists

Holiday Art Shows offers three options for submitting your application; please choose whichever is most convenient and comfortable for you.

1. Holiday Art Shows online application: www.holidayartshows.com/online-application.html 
2. www.Zapplication.org/index.php 
3. Print and mail application: http://www.holidayartshows.com/support-files/old-town-application-13.pdf

Media campaign includes: Arbus, regional newspapers, Folio   Weekly (Jacksonville), radio, posters, flyers, banners, signage, social networking, and postcards.

Sponsored by Arbus-The Arts and Business Magazine of Northeast Florida, and Folio Weekly.  We look forward to receiving your application!

Holiday Art Shows

PO Box 861026

Saint Augustine, FL  32086

www.OldTownArtShow.com  

Lynn Wettach, Show Director

lynn@holidayartshows.com

Picasso was known to sign checks with flourish so that people he paid would be more likely to frame the check and hang it on the wall than to cash it. I know times are tougher now in the art show industry, but when you make a sale to a famous person and they pay by check, do you ever consider saving the check. Or maybe you scan the check for possible promotional use and then deposit it.

I recently licensed a picture for the back cover and a few interior photos of Julius Erving's (Dr J) autobiography published by Harper Collins and scheduled for November release. Julius Erving is arguably one of the best basketball players ever. The publisher paid for the cover photos and Julius Erving himself paid for the interior photos. My first thought after opening the envelope and removing the check from Julius Erving was that it would make a great souvenir and addition to my sports web site, www.BermanSports.com. So I scanned the check for promotional use and deposited it. At some point you'll probably be able to see a small portion of the check along a picture of the book's back cover when I add a page about the book to my web site.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
http://BermanSports.com
412-401-8100

Patrons enjoying a rare mild (rainless) night at Autumn & Art @ Bradley Fair in Wichita

The picture doesn't do it justice but the weather was spectacular all weekend...except when it poured at load out time!

Okay, I wont repeat most of what I said about last years show, see the link to review there:

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/which-ways-wichita

I will add a few items though.

Show Hours and Dates: Autumn & Art @ Bradley Fair - Wichita, KS.

Sept. 13 - 15 Friday Patron Preview 6-9 PM, Sat 10-7 and Sun 10-5

Logistics:

Still easy to get in, unload and set-up, very well organized for the load-out but....and that's a big BUT. The weather was threatening the last half hour and the volunteer team was sticking to their guns about being packed up before rolling in. I had all my stock in boxes lined up in the street (not the gutter) and my neighbor had already pulled out so there was plenty of room for me to pull in as we were at the end of the row. Nope, have to have it all packed up. Well, it started to rain...and it poured, then the volunteer guy relented and let me drive in but by then the damage was done. It was raining so hard I gave up and left the tent poles up while I retreated to the van. The gutters filled up with water way past my boxes, you get the picture. I was so soaked I gave up and ran out to grab the boxes before they floated down the street with all the garbage the other neighbor left in the street. Happy to say no damage to the art but the boxes? Well I have some rebuilding to do!

Amenities:

Still great stuff. Great Friday night artists dinner with beef or chicken, smashed potatoes and salad. Lunch was provided both Sat. and Sun, whose heard of that in a long time! Plenty of water and snacks the rest of the weekend AND a first class trailer potty, air conditioned, running water...The only criticism, and its a small one, booth sitters tended to come around mostly in the afternoon and not too frequently, that's the worst I can say.

Storage, Booth Space, Load-In/Out:

Plenty for all.

Demographics/Buying Trends:

Unlike last years show that was so ho-hum this year was much better. They beefed up the Patron's program to encourage them to come back all weekend, and they did, with a special patron's area, drinks, food, etc. Right off the bat I made a couple of sales Friday night! Saturday, not-so-much. There was a little action in the morning and I could've taken a nap the rest of the day. Sunday was the big selling day and I sold pretty much all day with Be-Backs!

Pretty much bought the whole range of prices, low, middle and high. All age groups were buying also. As I was trying to pack to get out at 5 I made two big sales! Sales VS Getting out of the rain? Hmmmm

Quality/Range of Art:

Still great quality of art with among myself, other returning artists from last year and some new ones as well

Food:

There wasn't the usual "Fair Food" Jason's Deli was there but then artists didn't have to go to them for food, see above. The patron's were treated to dinner from Newport Grill, RedRock Canyon Grill and YaYa's Eurobistro.

Reflections:

I'm glad I returned to this show. Although I sent out postcards to last years patrons (one did say hello) I'd say there was a whole other crowd that showed up this year and in greater numbers than last. So it seems that their marketing is working and bringing in the potential buyers in greater numbers than last year. I added about 1/3 more in sales from last year so with sales numbers up it was well worth the drive! I'd say that this is a first class show in terms of management, artist treatment, artist numbers (small show under 100) and potential for growth.

One other down side, they were top heavy on Photography! I thought that was only jewelry! There were about 22/80 almost a third of the show! but despite this I felt I had a pretty good show.

What a surprise. I live in a small town where I mostly only see the highway and the other houses, but the morning was magical. I'm going to try to carry that through this day. How did your morning start?

Photo from the Huffington Post.