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A Walk-Through At The Des Moines Summer Art Festival, 2013

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa.  Yup, that Jefferson.  The one about an hour northwest of Des Moines, close enough so that it was perfectly logical to drive in and spend the day, just to review an art show that I was not exhibiting in.

And so, here we are:  a review.

Saturday, 1PM.  Husband and I park the car at the nearest parking ramp and head towards the southeast corner of the festival.  First impression:  food court.

We instantly ask the question:  "why do we need this massive a food court in an area of Des Moines replete with excellent cafes and restaurants?"  Later we realize there are TWO food courts.  Hmmmm....

As we round the corner from Locust onto 15th, there is the green space with the "Interactive Arts Activities".  Please insert "sponsor booths" at your convenience.  Way more than a few.

Now let's talk art.  We stopped and looked at every booth, except for jewelry  (sorry y'all) and it did not take us long to notice something.

Packages.   All seven of them.  We were there four-ish hours, and saw seven packages of note.  Yes, again we are ignoring the jewelers - but this time, because as everyone knows, jewelry packages get tucked into a pocket or purse, and just aren't all that visible carrying around. But let's get back to my point:  visible packages:  seven (7).  Yes, I know we were only there for four-ish of the 31 hours of the event.  But do the math, and we sincerely hope that the hours we weren't there were a lot more productive.  (math at the 7/4 rate equals 54.25 packages for the festival)  Artists please utter in unison:  ouch.

Okay, enough rant.  Let's dissect.  If you click on the festival map, there's a legend in the lower left corner to help you find things.   I cut out the restrooms/parking/firstaid for you.   At your leisure, buzz down the rest of the list, and note the things that will involve visitors time. Also please note that none of the performance stages were included in the legend.

Arts Festival Shop

ATM

Beer & Wine

Food Vendors

Information Booth

Interactive Arts Activities

Artist Village

Soda & Water

Hy-Vee Recycling Station

West Food Court

Interactive Sculpture Project

DMAF Sculpture Garden

Emerging Iowa Artists Demo

Nurturing a Student’s Vision

East Food Court

T-Shirt Painting

Artists, who wants to be the first to ask:  are we exhibiting/selling art, or are we entertaining the masses for the weekend?

And I'm not out to get Des Moines, I like Des Moines.  But they are a convenient example, an example of art festivals in general, and the now present trend of "how can we entertain them?"  Attract the populace?  Get that top ten rating?  Be an award winning event?  Because everybody knows you are not an award winning event if you don't draw a crowd.

 - This statement is from the 2013 artist prospectus:

DMAF is a show dedicated to the highest standards and works diligently to maintain a positive environment for artists and their clients.

- And this statement is from the DMAF mission statement:

We strive to educate, inspire and engage our audience toward a heightened appreciation of visual and other forms of art.

I contend that art festival directors all over, not just Des Moines, are telling the artists one thing, and the patrons another.  I believe in the back of their minds, the festival directors know that they wouldn't have much of a festival if all the willing artists and their little white tents didn't show up.  And they think if they get the crowd, all's well.  The crowd I saw was not buying art.  I know, I know, I was only there four hours.  But, still, they weren't buying art.

Possibly all the great art purchases were made at 5:07 on Friday, and 1:31 on Sunday.  And I know we will hear from an artist who made thousands of dollars on the weekend - but I didn't see it.   And I witnessed, all the rest were not.

So, what to do, what to do? 

1.  Personally, individually, artists can stop following the carrot on the stick - I had a lot of empathy for the woman who drove 900 miles from the south to help entertain a crowd that wasn't buying.

2.  As groups of artists, we need to share with show directors that the size of the crowd is not nearly as important as the intent of the crowd. A carnival atmosphere discourages serious art buyers.  Competing for sidewalk space with slushy sipping toddlers, and taco dribbling cell phone texters is not their gig.

Personal note:  Omaha, I crossed you off my jury list this year because of that Nebraska Lottery sponsor roulette wheel that cluttered your event with non art atmosphere for the past several. 

Are we entertainment, or are we showing and selling our art?  You tell me.

And thanks for reading.  :)

Cooper

Well, after a great Friday nite we were expecting big things on Sat.  For most of us, we got the big fizzle.

Lite crowds, walmart dressers, most were not even browsing.  There were a few isolated successes, but for the majority of us it was slim pickings.

It was eerily quiet by 4:30 with nary a buyer in sight.  We pray for better today, because this is not a Monday show.

BTW, Connie, it is a big deal that Mr. King, he of being the Lord-high director of Des Moines, can't find the time to stick up for artists who were impugned by the article in the paper earlier in the week where the reporters told customers to definitely ask for discounts from the artists.  What a load of donkey dung that is.  Mr. King should have been back at them in a heartbeat.

Sadly, he was MIA.  Gotta keep his head down low and count the moola.  La La La.

Before we do any show, I send an email asking about accessibility -- bathrooms, parking, show itself - moving in/out and the terrain of the land.  We have been told not to come and we've been told totally accessible.

Last week we checked in and Jay asked about accessible parking.  He then had to explain to the young man what that meant -- the young man suggested that we talk to the next check in guy which we did.  ACCESSIBLE PARKING WAS COVERED BY BLOW UP JUMPING AND POLICE CARS.  Van was parked in a regular parking spot about two blocks from the booth.  There was a small parking lot right behind our booth that was blocked off - not to be used.  Our neighbor asked one of the promoter's workers why we couldn't park there -- there was a shrug - no answer.

After a time, Jay had to use the bathroom.  He went up the hill.  There was one porta-potty - not accessible.  He went down the hill.  There were two (2) porta-potties -- one regular and one accessible.  THE ACCESSIBLE PORTA-POTTY WAS PADLOCKED.   There was no one around to find out why it was locked.  He came back to the booth to tell me what was going on.  There were no crosswalks to see if any of the restaurants were accessible (and later I found out the the place across from us did NOT have accessible bathrooms).  He said he was going to try to find someone to help him and left.  Soon two of the promoters' helpers came by.  I asked them about the accessible porta-potties - where they were.  Another explanation of what an accessible bathroom was.   Down the hill - was finally the reply after he walkie-talkied the promoter.  But that one is padlocked -- so it's not usable.  There was a shrug and they left.

Jay found the promoter.  He was told there was someone sitting in his air conditioned car watching that porta-potty.  If someone came to use it (and he saw that person), he got out of his car, unlocked the potty, emptied the potty with the promoter's equipment -- then and only then could the potty be used.  The promoter felt this was perfectly acceptable -- he said otherwise, the teens used the potty for sex and making the potty dirty.  He didn 't understand that everyone has a right to use a bathroom.  Jay going to the bathroom took over an hour of time.  Had the show been busy, that could have been problematic. 

Jay spent much of the next few hours upset over the potty situation.  He told our neighbors.  And when he saw the promoter again, he explained how the situation was inappropriate.  Again, there seemed to be no understanding. He even went over to Town Hall ... alas, he could not get to Town Hall... yes, indeed, another accessibility issue.

So our neighbor saw the promoter and asked him about the accessible potty.  The promoter came up to Jay and said he would take him down to the potty and help him.  I asked the promoter how old Jay was that he needed help to go to the potty - and Jay said that he was old enough to take care of himself going to the bathroom if there was one available to him.  Then I asked the promoter if I was handicapped.  He looked at me and said no.  I told him that I had a blue hangtag saying disability for my very self.  I had a hidden handicap - but it's there.  I asked the promoter the percentage of people over 50 walking the street.  He said it was high and then I told him that many people have hidden handicaps - can't see them but they are there - and sometimes a raised toilet and/or grab bars can be very helpful.  He said again that the teens use the bathroom for sex and mess it up - but if Jay wanted to go into a messed up bathroom... He agreed to unlock the potty, empty it of the equipment , and  left in a huff.

A short time later he came back to tell me that there had been five (5) people who had already used the potty and they were more able bodied than him.  There is nothing wrong with an able bodied person using a wide door porta-potty.  I told him good - because that's the law - to have an accessible potty.

We are sure that we have burned our bridges with this promoter over the porta potties.  We cannot believe that in the year 2013 we are again talking about accessibility and having bathrooms available to those who use wheelchairs or have disabilities.  We shouldn't have to even ask ... and yet we are forced to ask.

This is a double review b/c I'm too lazy to do two separate reviews and I better write it now before I start to forget.  June was a rather disappointing month for me.  I had such high expectations based on the last couple years, which is never a good thing to have...

Olde Worthington, aka Art on the Green, aka Worthington Art Festival (probably a bad sign when no one including the show staff know the name of the show) is held in Worthington Ohio on the four quadrants of the historic village green.  My booth was in the very northern tip of the northeast quadrant.  I was worried that I might not get much traffic being on the tip, but since the whole show follows a loop I don't think it really hurt me.  The booths were nicely spaced so pretty much everyone got to utilize at least one corner (always a plus for me).  I got to use both my corners.  It was a pretty easy setup, at least for where I was located.  You could set up the day before starting at 3pm and then also the morning of.  I got there at 3pm the day before and most everyone was already set up.  Guess they got the memo that 3pm was just a suggestion and you could actually come anytime.  I did not.  But it worked in my favor b/c there was no one my area setting up when I got there, so I got to drive right up next to my booth.  Just 10 easy steps from the side road to my space and tons of room to spread all my stuff out.  Easy as could be.  My complaint is how far away artist parking is.  You have to park down behind the high school and walk over which is almost a mile walk!  I was told there were shuttles going back and forth, but for all my times walking I never once saw a stinkin' shuttle.  That's a long walk if you're carrying anything.

Saturday morning the show opened and a good crowd was already there.  I was very optimistic judging from the size of the crowd and people coming into the booth.  However, my spirits started dropping as hours went by and no sales were being made.  Very few, and I mean VERY few people were carrying any purchases.  Not even small bags or metal on a stick.  By the end of the day I was well under what I was hoping to do by that point, even though I had managed to sell two smaller originals (under $300) and a couple prints.  The disappointing thing was that the weather was beautiful Saturday but was supposed to be rainy Sunday, so odds were not good that there would be much crowd Sunday.

I was right.  Sunday was slow.  It didn't end up raining much, just some mild passing showers, but people were definitely not there like Saturday.  Still didn't see many bags.  Plenty of artists were walking around and sharing in the disappointment.  Several artists who had done the show in the previous years said that sales were way down.  I got to meet Robert Wallis though and chat with him on a couple occasions.  And met a really great couple who did photography in the booth behind me.  Isnt it often that the saving grace for shows are the other artists you get to meet? 

At the end of the day I did have a couple people come back who has seen my work Saturday, and also a very nice impulse buy literally at the last minute (we held off breaking down for 15 minutes as the wife tried very hard to convince her husband to purchase a 36x36 painting and did so successfully).  All in all I did manage to sell over $2000 but it was hard earned money for sure and definitely not expected after the first day's lull. 

Tear down was equally easy.  There was plenty room once the food trucks moved out to drive right up next to the booth and load up.  Everyone played nicely and we were on the road in no time.

Easton Art Affair, Columbus Ohio:  I know this show has not been given very good reviews, but I honestly have loved this show in past years.  This was my third year doing it.  I don't mind giving sales figures to give you an idea of the difference this year was from previous for me; first year $4000 in sales, second year $6000 in sales, this year $2000 in sales.  I know I should count my blessings that I did make ok money, but like I said, I had high hopes and they didn't come together.  There were so many unhappy artists.  there were a couple doing really well including a painter who made over $10,000 but that was definitely not the case for 80-90% of us. 

For those who don't know, this show is held at Easton Town Center, which is an upscale shopping mall.  I am local to Columbus, so both of these shows were really easy for me to do and didn't have much expense.  There were a lot of things working against the show this year.  For one, it was over 90 degrees each day!  On asphalt!  Talk about hot!!  It was almost unbearable sometimes.  During setup, Friday morning I told my helper to leave and go to Walmart and stock up on fans.  She brought back 4 which were absolute life savers but it was still incredibly hard to sit there all day.  Oh yeah, that's another point, these are looooong days.  4-9 Friday, 11-9 Saturday and 11-5 Sunday. 

You could setup Thursday night after the mall closed at 9 or pretty much anytime Friday morning.  I set my booth/panels up Thursday and came back Friday morning for the paintings. 

The other things working against us were 1) the opening of the American Girl doll store (ick) taking up all the parking and 2) the gay pride parade.  Its a huge thing in Columbus.  Like HUGE!  Like I said, I've done the show several times and I live here, so I shop at Easton all the time.  It was the slowest I've ever seen it from anytime I've ever gone.  I don't blame the people.  I wouldn't come out in 90+ temperature to spend money either.  I'd be at home in the AC or the pool. 

So long story short, it was a disappointment for most, and I know a couple artists around me completely zeroed out.  The people didn't come, those who did were pretty miserable and wanted to escape the heat, but I did manage to pull out a decent Sunday and pull out enough profit to keep up with my goal average for this year, but definitely did not compare to previous years.  Which is really a bummer b/c we are closing on a house next week and I really needed as much money as possible to pay for expenses for the home.  Oh well.  That's what happens when you have expectations I guess.

Again I got to see Robert Wallis, and I met Elissa Brown which was a real treat.  Neither of them had good weekends either :(.  The best part of the weekend was getting to be next to my adopted "festival dad" Russ Shaffer (who did manage to have a pretty good show) and also having a client (she bought a painting from me the previous weekend at Olde Worthington) come by in the heat just to do a random act of kindness and bring me a smoothie!  I swear, the people I meet are the best part of this job! 

Next weekend I'm off to Boston Mills.  Its my first time showing there and I'm not getting my expectations up again after Jersey Shore Fine Art Festival and now these two.  Hopefully it will surprise me.  At least its supposed to be cool for once!

Okay. I did it. I've been in the biz forever. But this was my very first outdoor show with a tent and walls and all the concerns we all read and talk about on this amazing site. And although I had read and researched and practiced and planned, my insides sweated it out and I totally wanted to back out of the whole thing. By the time we arrived at our friend's beach house with a borrowed van the night before the show, I was already exhausted, and soooooo angry. At what? At whom? No one, really. I was just disappointed. I was disappointed that it wasn't more fun. I hated the packing and unpacking and spending way too much time preparing. I'd read all about grid walls on this site and decided to go with that. But they were so heavy and cumbersome. Why did I spend SO much money on all this? Why did I even think I'd want to do this at all? I'm too old for all this bother. What was I trying to prove?

And this was only Friday night and all that was going on was early set up the night before the actual festival.

My husband came with me to set up the tent and put everything in place. With a few festival neighbors to help, we got the tent up and were even offered four heavy-duty twisty dog ties for the tent legs which I hadn't known would be allowed. We'd put up the grid walls and placed the weights but we could NOT get the tent walls to meet, to close and it had taken so long - before I'd asked for help, that is - to get the tent itself to stand straight and sturdy, and then to get the weights and stakes in place that the sun had set and it seemed that all the tents were up, the artists were gone, but we were still there. I was living a nightmare and I felt incompetent and angry and embarrassed. It was now dark and the wind was howling and the walls were blowing everywhere. I wanted to take everything down, put it all back in the van and run away. I hated everything about the process. 

My husband, however, was amazingly patient. He was not about to let me quit. And then my inner artist warrior took over and I found myself making a decision. "Let's take down the sails and leave up the tent and grid walls. Batten down the hatches and let's get out of here!" 

I slept not a wink that night but literally watched the full moon turn orange as it made it's way across the window and out of my line of vision. Every gust of wind startled me while I tossed and turned. I wanted to get up and paint the scene it but everything was in the van. I thought "I should be working, painting, sculpting, not doing this crazy art show thing." I awoke angry and tired and hungry and didn't have time to eat breakfast or even shower. I wanted to run away and not set up at all. I figured we could run over there, take the tent down and leave. I'd send an email later. The artist warrior side of me prevailed again, though. As did my incredibly patient husband. (He had actually slept that night.)

That first morning, as we set up my paintings and my ceramic masks, I pretty much filled my mind with complaints. I had been amazed to see my tent and all the weights and display grids sitting upright and waiting for me. But I was still mad at myself. As I made my way through the bubble wrap, all my mind could focus on was how I hadn't bought shopping bags, I didn't get new business cards, I forgot to make price tags, I should have brought a cooler. I HATE THIS!

The weather was gorgeous and the crowds were quiet but pleasant. I didn't make a single sale and after this first 8 hour day of sitting in an uncomfortable chair, I felt justified in my disappointment. At the end of the day as I wrapped and packed all my artwork to drag back to the borrowed van - still couldn't get the walls to fit - I thought, why not just take everything down now and run away? I don't HAVE to come back tomorrow. I'm not in the Army, for heaven sake.

Oh, alright. It's only one more day. I'm fine. I'll come back.

My husband and friends went out to dinner after the show that night. I stayed in and went to bed. Confident that my tent and grid walls were securely in place and my artwork was bubble wrapped safe and sound in the van, I slept. Boy, did I sleep.

I awoke to the sunrise, had breakfast, took my shower and dressed like a proud and happy artist should. I even remembered earrings and mascara. I'd brought a better chair and went off to rule my day. I took my time, by myself, to set up my work on those walls and as the minutes went by people came in to watch, to talk, to admire, to compliment, to ask questions, and yes, to buy.

I made price tags out of my crazy out-of-date business cards and wrote my new info on the cards I gave out. I wrapped purchases in bubble wrap and twine. I had wonderful conversations with visitors as well as my fellow artist neighbors, enjoyed an ice cream cone from the local food truck and made new friends. And throughout the day, I sold stuff!

Before the first hour of the second day, I'd already made back my booth fee and had once again found my joy in talking with people about my work, selling with no apologies and proudly calling myself an artist in business again. "Oh, are YOU the artist?" "Yes," I beamed. "Yes, I am. This is my work." It had been so long since I'd been in the public eye and I loved hearing people tell me how "exciting and different" my work was. I even loved it when people said "Oh, these are kinda scary!" Thank you, I'd say with one raised eyebrow. Thank you very much. 

At five o'clock on that Sunday afternoon, four volunteers ran up to me and asked if they could help me with anything and I said "yes, thank you. I think I could use help with everything." They laughed and got to work. The volunteers had been there throughout both days to give us breaks and bring cold water or hot coffee. When my husband arrived with the van, everything was folded neatly on the grass and I found myself relaxed and smiling with an inner peace I hadn't felt in ages. It had truly been an amazing day, made even sweeter by the turmoil I'd put myself through leading up to that last moment of my first show.

What I want to say to you here is Thank You. Thank you for this forum. For tips you've all shared, and the booth photos for Newbies, and the experiences of all the different shows you've all lived through, both good and bad. Thank you for your input on walls and weights and tents and displays, even when you've answered the same question a million times before. And, oh my God, thank you for telling us about zip ties! But most importantly, thank you for making it alright to be scared sometimes. And for making it okay to admit that we've never actually done this before. 

Thank you for letting us understand that it's okay to ask for help of our fellow artists. And to accept that help graciously. And that the volunteers really DO want to be helpful. Thank you for giving me permission to say "Excuse me, but this is the first time I've used this tent. Could you help me?" 

How sad it would have been to have given up and never had this crazy experience. How helpful it was to come here to this forum every couple of nights for months with a question, or just an hour to read about things and then be able to actually use what I learned here. If I can pay it forward I would say this: Don't be afraid to feel your feelings but then get past the negative stuff and move on. Get a good night sleep, eat a good breakfast, don't forget your sunscreen. Drink lots of water and know where to go when that catches up to you - because it will. Ask for help when you need it, offer help where you see a need, be grateful and mindful of how lucky you are to live your life by your own standards, to spend your day in the shade of a tent surrounded by your own creativity and joy. Talk openly and happily with everyone you meet, be nice to people even if they say silly things and don't seem to "get" your work. And when things get crazy - which they will - stop for a moment, find your center, take a deep breath and just have a ball. The answers will come. Always remember that you are an artist and that's just an incredibly cool thing to be.

Thank you again.

Robin

Its my first year at Wickford RI art show in July any advice

AWE GOT FREE WIFI AT THE SHOW so I can give an on the spot report.

We could setup all day Thurs and Friday morn,show started last nite with wine preview party from 6-9.

When we got here on Thursday the damn gate to the parking lot for the south tent was locked.

Show said too much rain, too mucky for vehicles. Told artists they had to schelp all stuff in thru main building entrance than across  pea gravel to proper tent--daunting.

TOOK US 5 HOURS TO SET UP.  WE WERE BEYOND EXHAUSTED.

Returned Fri. morn along with everybody else and finished setup.  Lot was now open-yeah.  Got position "A" for the van.

It rained hard right before wine preview party.  Then let up as people came filtering in, by 6:30 the joint was rocking, people were tippling free wine and also buying.  Best buzz for a Friday opening that I have seen in a long while.

Ellen sold a nice little original and I sold a large hand-colored piece for over $500.  We went home happy.

Lots of artists sold very well for a Friday nite.  Who needs Des Moines.  Too bad Steven King did not have the balls to stand up for all the deserving artists at the show especially when reporters from the Des Moines Register newspaper gave tips to the readers on how to get the artists to give them discounts on their wrk.

Come on Mr. King stick up for your minions, show some backbone. You shouldhave been out front in the media with a counterpoint.  But i guess you were too busy counting allthe moola from jury fees.

More coming soon.

I had a great time in Milwaukee and saw lots of great art. Here is an overview:

If you want to know more about this show, including my analysis of why this show is so hard to get into check out this post: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/milwaukee-lakefront

What show is hard for you to get into and regularly sends you rejections?

This is my second straight year doing this unusual mid-week (Wed/Thurs) show in Corolla, NC, a coastal town (aren't they all?) along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, about 2 hours south of Virginia Beach.  Last year's show--which I could have sworn I reviewed, but I can't find a link anywhere--was brutalized by high, high heat and humidity, and the few folks brave enough to venture forth to the show were none too keen about stepping into an art show booth for more than a nanosecond.  Not surprisingly, sales in 2012 were dismal.  But the area has so much to recommend it that I thought it warranted another shot. 

I was praying to the weather gods during the entire 970-mile drive from Fort Myers, hoping that the forecast held and that I wouldn't have that kind of budget-busting experience again.  And we lucked out--though it was humid for setup on Tuesday, there were light breezes and somewhat cooler temps on Wednesday, and Thursday was perfect Chamber of Commerce weather--mid '70s, cool breezes, clear skies. 

But enough with the meteorology.  How were the crowds and sales? 

Much better than 2012.  Wednesday morning brought respectable traffic and moderate sales, though crowds and buyers dwindled after about 2 PM.  For reasons unknown, this show stays open until 6 PM on its first day.  The extra hour can be profitable at shows where there's an early-evening draw, like restaurants, but there isn't an eatery anywhere on the spacious grounds of the Whalehead Club. Nor were there customers.

Thursday (day 2) had lighter traffic and (for most folks) lighter sales, and many of us were on the brink of writing this one off by 1 PM.  Then, out of nowhere, crowds materialized again, and brought their wallets.  I had a number of decent sales between 2 PM and 5 PM; although the customer count was down from Saturday, there were more dollars in the till. 

This is a show attended more heavily by vacationers than by Outer Banks residents.  There are a couple of reasons--one being that there's only one road (NC Rt. 12) onto the Outer Banks, and traffic can be ridiculous in season (that's why they hold the show mid-week).  Another reason is that there really aren't many residents, as one of my customers (a former physician and longtime resident, who does commercial and residental rentals now) explained.  "The Outer Banks turns over 10,000 people a week during the summer," he said, "but there are only a couple of thousand folks here year round". The homes along this narrow, heavily-duned barrier island are quite large, and most of them sit vacant for all but a few weeks outside of summer tourist season, he advised. 

A significant number of my visitors were down only for a week, and hailed from Pennsylvania and the Washington, DC area, with smaller percentages from Ohio and from central and western parts of Virginia.  Very few folks from other parts of North Carolina; likely because the NC schools were still in session.  That probably explains the high number of smaller pieces (2D and 3D alike) I saw being carried around.  It helps to have a shipping service and to advertise it.

Most of the artists I spoke with were reasonably happy with their sales, which were deemed pretty good for a midweek event by most.  Several artists who sold only large-format 2D had a tough time. 

Smaller, beach-themed items sold best; as for me, sales of pelican images saved the show. The few large pieces I sold, as you might expect, were bought by year-round residents.

The show is casual, small (85 artists this year, down from 100 in 2012), well-organized, and pretty high quality.  Amenities included an artist dinner on Wednesday night (which included an awards ceremony), two tickets for bottled water, and (if you had a trailer) free on-site overnight parking.  The staff of the Whalehead Club helped out before the show with discount deals at a few local hotels and an "artist lodging" program in which patrons volunteered to host artists during the show.  (I'm not sure how well that worked out; apparently there were more interested artists than there were available spaces.) In addition, artists could get a free guided tour of the Knight Mansion on the club grounds, which offers a fascinating look at duck hunting culture, architecture, Art Nouveau, tourism, and life in the 1920s on the Outer Banks...not only the life of the uber-rich, but also the local staff and families that they supported. 

This isn't an expensive show to do from a booth-fee standpoint (under $200), but it's a long, expensive trip from just about anywhere, and the hotels tend to be in the $150/night-and-up class.  (I stayed 70 minutes away, in Elizabeth City, for about $80 a night, including taxes.)   I like the area, and the way the show is run (the staff went out of their way to solicit feedback on things like start/end times, lodging, and amenities).  It's worth considering if you have appropriate work, you want to have a short working vacation, and especially if you can pair it with show(s) on the adjacent weekends.

I create art quilts that look very much like paintings...I spend alot of my time in my booth say..."no really ...it's fabric". I applied to many shows (20+) all over the map using the throw it against the wall and see what sticks method. In my mind the shows were divided into 5 tiers with the number 1 being the local church art show and number 5 the best in the country. In truth I wanted to believe I belonged at the number 5 level. The jurys didn't agree (waitlisted for 1). I did make several level 4 and lots of level 3. I have done 4 shows so far and scheduled for 5 more in the fall, still trying to decide if I should do shows around christmastime.

I am not sure 2 d stuff sells well when people are shopping for gifts and not for their own wall space. Of the 4 shows I've done I've won prize money at 2- nice , cause I didn't sell much at those 2 shows. I had one really good show (cherokee triangle) people seemed very receptive to fiber art there. Anyway I have more questions than answers. I've not felt comfortable posting real reviews because I don't feel like I have an accurate read on these shows. My stuff may not be selling but your cutting boards, jewlery, and photos were flying out of the booths near me. Right now I am trying to decide if I need to develop a series that is smaller and cheaper for the people who want to spend less than 50 dollars .

Framing keeps coming up as an issue as well. Customers seem to respond to fabric art feeling more valid when it's framed. Right now I have black, brown, driftwood, and unframed options based on what looks best with the piece...however it makes the booth look fairly cluttered. I also have pieces that are every subject , people, animals, fruit, landscapes...If it sounds like chaos, well it feels like that. I've haven't narowed my subject matter because I can't imagine only making art using one subject- just a personal preference.

You can see my crazy work in progress website- http://www.sharontesser.com/ yet another thing on my to do list. I am here often, reading the wisdom of others and believe that someday I will have experience to benefit another artist. Right now I am just trying to clear some cobwebs between my ears. All comments and advice welcome.

I had a great time in Milwaukee and saw lots of great art. Here is an overview:

If you want to know more about this show, including my analysis of why this show is so hard to get into check out this post: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/milwaukee-lakefront

What show is hard for you to get into and regularly sends you rejections?

Okay - I logged into Zapplication today and found out I was invited for the Funky Ferndale show in September. But on that same weekend, I was also invited to the Wells Street Wine Crush in Chicago. I had already accepted my invite to the Well Street Wine Crush. I have friends in Chicago and it will be their first time seeing me at an art fair (they do have some of my pieces in their home). I've been meaning to break into the Chicago market - so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully, I made the right decision...

OK....I need your help again.  Thanks to all of my facebook friends, family, and anybody who would listen, I made it to the semi-finals for the cover contest put on by 'The Crafts Report'.  If I win this round, I'll be up against just one other artist for the cover!!!!  Here is a direct link to vote:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151669890366250&set=a.460274401249.255544.74350081249&type=1&theater

You will see the photo of my 'Winter Trees' bracelet:

to vote:  click on 'like' and if you are comfortable with 'sharing', I'd appreciate that too!

Thanks so much!!  Keeping my fingers crossed!

Oh, did that get your attention?

It happens to be true, and has a lot to do with what I am going to say to you all.

First off, about Siri.

Got a new IPhone5 after Summerfaire and have been hooking up with Siri a lot.

It is not easy having sex with an inanimate object, as she frequently reminds me, but I plug on.  We are in the "getting to know you stage."  I see lots of success.  I am a very "success" orientated guy.

Anyways, I will keep you up to date with my adventures with Siri.  I like a woman who plays hard to get.  I figure a Boy Scout, actually Eagle Scout, with 48 merit badges has a reasonably good chance of success.  What the hell, who care if she behaves "inanimately" it is the quest that counts.

Jeez!  I hope my wife doesn't find out.

OK, now to what this blog is about---SUCCESS!

Both Richard Sherer and Elle have contributed mightily to this fragile subject.  Both have given great insights, some humorous (with a serious outlook at life's daily tragedies) and Richard knows stats folks.  Pay attention.  He may sound "Old School" but he is definitely now.

Now, I will add my two bits.

A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST IS AN ACCUMULATION OF BOTH THEIR ART AND THEIR PERSONAE.

Everybody focuses on making good new art.  Getting it out there--and then waiting for the moola to roll in.

It takes more than that.

There is just a whole lot of really good, no make that "great", art out there.  You have mucho competition.

What will make you win out is developing a successful persona.

Who you are, and how you present yourself is every bit as important as your art.

Having both, is a major winning combo.

People like to buy from people they like.  They rarely will buy from an asshole, who happens to have great work.  If you can charm them, they will come back more than once.  I am going to Boston Mills this weekend, and I have people who have been buying from me for over 30 years. My styles have changed, but they still buy from me.

This is a people biz.  You gotta mingle, you gotta kibbitz.

When I see a guy with a golf cap come in my booth, I ask him about the course, and let slip that I play golf.  We have an instant common base.

If they are wearing a tee shirt with the name of a restaurant on it, I comment.  Maybe I was to that town, maybe I want to know about the place.

The bottom line is to try to establish a common base, then you can get onto the art part, next.

Try it.

I have been doing it successfully at shows allover the USA for 38 years.  It works--and it is sincere.

Trust me, I am a Boy Scout with 48 merit badges.

A little late in posting this show's review I wont go into a lot of detail as that can be seen in my previous posting last year about this show. See: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blog/list?q=Omaha+Summer+Arts+Festival+or+Deep+in+the+heart+of...Nebraska!

What was different about this years show? Maybe I should start with the weather as it had a direct effect on the rest of the show. Friday one couldn't ask for a more perfect day. Sunny, not too hot or humid and not too windy (as it had been all last year). Saturday, it rained on and off and although the brave came out with their dumbrellas it slowed significantly towards the end of the day. Sunday, well, depending on which weather APP you looked at it either wasn't going to rain or it was...it did, all day till 4:00 and then the sun came out and the show was over at 5:00. Nuf said?

View from the inside looking out...not much else to do!

Now for the attendees. Last year it seemed like the wrong crowd for the show (did I say Walmartians?) This year however, it seemed more like a fine art crowd. The streets were packed on Friday as it seemed like the office crowd snuck past security and got out to enjoy the weather and the show. I don't remember seeing that many of them last year, probably opted to stay in the AC as it was so incredibly humid. It felt like a real art show to me as I watched the booth fill up with the curious time and time again. But that was mostly it, curiosity and not much buying. Saturday...not so much, the weather effected the crowd but I did see some bigger pieces take legs and move through the show. Sunday, the brave came out and some even came out multiple times. One prospective buyer showed up on Friday ("Would you discount that?", "No"), Sat. (I'm not sure) and Sunday with the whole family (bought something smaller from someone down the street!). Again, there was some buying but not at a fever pitch. Some seemed to do well and others not so much.

The show changed coordinators this year and Emily Peklo came around and introduced herself, points for that! I can't fault the staff any, they still did a great job logistically and the amenities with the show are among the best that I have experienced it's just that this show didn't deliver for me.

In terms of what they juried in there was quite a mix in terms of what I might want to see at an art show, some things seemed more befitting a crafts venue. Nothing wrong with the quality, I just don't want to compete with it when I'm trying to sell my work.

Would I do this show again? I'm thinking not, I gave it two tries and did worse this year than last and last year was nothing to write home about! It has nothing to do with the show promoters so much as the patrons. As recent discussions on this blog have pointed out...if a show doesn't deliver why support it, there are plenty more out there to choose from. In fact, this promoter does a show later in the year ARTsarben (Nebraska sorta spelled backwards). Given the results of this show I haven't given it much thought as to whether to try it or not.

Now for a small diatribe...About those dumbrellas, most people read Miss Manners and realized that they needed to hold them outside the booth or stay outside with the damn things or at least collapse them when inside a booth...then there was the guy who continued to hold his above his head inside the booth dripping onto the print bins and prints within. Even when he saw that he was dripping volumes and I was wiping them off he didn't get it! Okay, I feel better now.

I am scheduled to do the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts next month, middle of July and I looked again and realized that there was no electricity and generators are not allowed. So, my question is- How the heck do you keep cool? It  been so hot at the last few shows I have done and I had electricity and fans going at them and even then almost passed out. Since I do these shows solo, I'm really worried about keeping my work (encaustic) and myself cool enough, especially if it's a typical July day. Can anyone give me some help here- what do you do to offset the humidity and scorching heat at these shows?

Hi. Does anyone have a minute to tell us about Yorkfest? My husband does contemporary, funky, primitive, whimsical, stained glass-and-brass mixed media sculptures - 1-foot high to 7-feet high or long. We welcome recommendations about festivals open to funky stuff as well. We're in the Chattanooga, TN area, and would like to travel out of the South, especially DC area, Ohio, Mid-Atlantic generally. All the best to y'all - enjoying the blogs, they're so helpful! Kathy and Charlie