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Just when I was basking in the glow of a fine end of the year show at Bayou City and dreaming of the relaxing Winter ahead, that ominus email came from Main St. Ft. Worth.
You stare at the message header for a full 24 hours before you read the thing. It takes that long to steel yourself for the enevitable " thanks, but no thanks".But wait, there is always that chance it's good news you're in, or maybe even the purgatory of the wait list. Hell, you re did the booth shots after reading how much this counts in the jury selection, submitted what you felt was a creative representation of your work. You did the show two years straight, did killer numbers. Even schmoozed the director a bit for good measure.
Eyes closed, finger hovering over the mouse, gravity takes over and the finger plops down. Peeking thru parted fingers you slowly absorb the facts. They don't like me anymore. Damn.
It's tough to not take the rejection to heart. this is a show that will literally make the year, it's the Cherry Creek of the Spring (yeah, and waiting for that rejection too), the one show that people will make hotel reservations a full year in advance, and rent mules to haul their purchases off. Its two lanes of shoulder to shoulder,heel to toe happy Texans for four days and 8 city blocks just buying and buying and buying. But they ain't gonna be buying mine.
Maybe its karma, maybe I reamed a few show directors and there is this underground cult they all belong to that black lists people that call them out.Maybe the two years I was in was an abberation. Maybe my work really does suck.
Yeah. I know it happens to all of us.Photographers probably more than most others, simply because there are so damn many of us. Maybe I should become more run of the mill, stop trying to convey my own little take on the world thru my imagery.Become more mainstream.And maybe I just suck.
I have the whole cold and lonely Winter to think on it.
I am sorry to hear about Holly's death. We were participants at "her" show and agree with the post about her impeccable efforts. All the staff were well versed in how to work with the artists and that attribute can only come from the top down! I went back to Atlanta for the Chastain Park Show and heard something about her death but the person was not sure of all the details. We can not attend her service as we are from Orlando but we will keep her and her family and friends in our thoughts and prayers!
Don E. and Barbara Grannan
Photographs in Motion ...
But the main reason for my post is to clarify and add to some questions that were posted concerning the director. I have worked with Holly Mull in years past and her qualifications for directing this show are unique. She served as special events director for the City of Atlanta leading up to and during the Olympics in 1996 and had run her own special events company ever since then. Unfortunately, just two weeks after the Midtown festival, Holly suffered a massive stroke and passed away the next day. A memorial service is planned for this Thursday, Nov. 18th at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on West Peachtree St. in Atlanta at 12 noon.
Those of us in the Atlanta community who knew Holly and her tremendous capabilities are devastated by her loss to say the least. I know Holly kept complete records of every detail of the work she did and I just hope and pray that her surviving co-workers can continue to keep the Midtown Festival set on the road to great success that Holly's hard work brought about this year.
I was awarded first place in my category. It was the most awesome experience ever and I will treasure the memory for a long time. I was floating on air until about noon when I realized I wasn’t selling much of anything. The last time I did this show it was most definitely a Sunday show and I made 90% of my money on Sunday. So I wasn’t worried on Friday and Saturday. But Sunday turned out to be my worst sales day. My best day turned out to be Friday and that was primarily because I had put in my newsletter that I am moving out of the area and probably wouldn’t be doing to 2011 fall shows. A couple people came out to get pieces they had been thinking of for awhile. Those were my only framed sales.
My location seemed like a good one. The weather was perfect. The great Disney artist support and treatment was there. But the crowd wasn’t there and even the people that were there didn’t seem to be “there”. I didn’t see many packages and very few large ones.
Sales wise I did better than Maitland but worse than Winter Springs and that is sad for an event of such prestige. Of course this show is more about the prestige than the sales but the sales for me are usually in the okay range. I'll still do it again. Disney treats artists like they are very important and my artist soul needs that from time to time.
The show seemed poorly organized. It was much more of an Arts & Crafts show, which wasn't how it was sold to me. To put salt in the wound there were some craft vendors who seemed to be selling 3rd party pieces made in the orient. One of these booths even won a prize, which was later retracted when it was pointed out to them that it wasn't selling original art. I heard from some vendors that the quality of the art at this event has been trending down in the past few years. Some complained that the cheap 3rd party stuff was taking sales from the other vendors. I don't know wether that is true but I saw few people buying much aside from food and inexpensive crafts.
To make matters worse the Show closed at 5:00 PM on Sunday. Sunset was at 5:30 PM and there were few lights in the park. We had one right by our booth, but it never came on. In the middle of breaking down our booth, we found ourselves working in the dark.
There were many unhappy faces among the vendors. It seems few artists made any money. I could be the fault of the economy but I'm inclined to skip this show next time anyway. The demographics were wrong for me and I wasn't impressed by the management.
What I have found is that it's almost redundant to go back, year after year, to the same location. Sure, you'll have repeat customers who'll keep buying your art, but not to the extent of a new show.
Demographics for me, at least in the Midwest (I'm from Iowa) means that after a few years I do new shows in LARGE cities. If your art is really unique, new venues mean new customers and a new base. True, the Midwest is hurting, but, there are still new customers out there; you just have to work a little to find them. We've also downsized our product along with prices to reflect a downturn in the economy.
Also, bigger shows, higher end shows, means you can do fewer shows and possible make more.
You also have to be innovative and come up with new products and/or techniques. It can still be done. Just work a little harder. Good luck with your art!
I spoke with several artists in many different mediums and with the exception of one all said they would do the show again rating it on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being best, a solid 8. I'm a jeweler and my sales exceeded ten times booth fee (insert happy dance here).
these are hysterical...really !
Joe
I watch pretty closely for new shows and/or shows turning the corner and am so saddened when a good show goes wrong. Will you step up and share some thoughts on shows that you think are particularly well run and are "rising"? You know they are out there.
This can be in any category:
--the biggies
--the mid size shows
-- the volunteer run events
-- the museum shows
-- local fine art & craft shows
Through the year all kinds of shows get reviewed on this site that I've never heard of. Can you share your favorites, the places where is is more or less safe for an artist to put down their money?
Tell us...
Greetings to everyone and Happy (belated) Halloween! When I was thinking about Halloween one of the most frequent asked questions I hear is “what are you dressing up for on Halloween”, right? Well, it made me want to revisit a topic I talk about often (just not lately) and thought about it until just this week. I am referring to the topic of dressing for success – at an art fair, not so much for Halloween. :-) I do believe the way you carry and present yourself certainly reflects how people perceive your artwork. Today I am going to talk about what I think is and is not appropriate to wear for an art fair and why. (Note: The photo is one I took of my pekingese dog named Hayley while I had some down time at my part time job).
Question # How should I dress for success at an art fair?
First and foremost, dress comfortably. That doesn't mean you should dress “frumpy” in your old college sweatshirt with holes or stained t-shirt you just can't part with. This means wear comfy shoes (for starters) to prevent injury and aches and pains. Depending on the weather forecast, dress for the weather – if it is going to be rainy, bring an umbrella or better yet a durable raincoat. In hot weather dress in loose fitting airy materials like rayons, silks, or cotton blends that allow for “personal air-condition”. During colder months, dress in layers this way you can peel off one layer at a time if it gets warm (like some indoor shows I have participated in where it is freezing in the morning yet like a sauna come close down time). I can't tell you how many times people think it is far more important to dress in their “Sunday's Best” yet quickly find they are making customers feel intimidated or uncomfortable. I often see art sellers irritated because they are uncomfortable in their suit or dress, and their feet hurt and often do not see this affects the attitude of buyers. I guess some just have to learn the hard way – you don't have to!
I also find coordinating your clothing with your artwork could help benefit you in the long run. For instance if you sell tropical photographs or paintings wearing a tasteful Aloha shirt this could add to the ambiance and show you have a very laid back easy person to talk to. If you sell metalsmith jewelry, think about dressing in black with silver/gray accents or browns if you work in copper. If you demonstrate wear a smock/apron, this can show you aren't afraid to get down and dirty yet at the same time can take it off and start selling being clean and presentable. If you sell dog art/craft, perhaps a t-shirt or sweatshirt of your favorite breed would be ideal to not just advertise yourself but could be an ice breaker too. Another idea is to wear what you make like scarves, jewelry, hats, belts, etc. If you are proud of what you make, wear it proudly.
For an added professional look think about getting some professional shirts made with your business name and /or logo on it. I have done this in the past and not only does it work as a badge at shows as well as walking advertisement, it makes you look sharp and professional. This could be a simple personalized apron, polo shirt, button down blue jean shirt, or even a jacket. There are tons of companies, especially local businesses, that specialize in this sort of thing and often a lot more cheaper than shopping for regular clothing that you may find you will want to wear it all the time – outside of doing art fairs.
Lastly, whatever you choose to wear for a show at the very least make it clean. Some people do work up a sweat setting up – especially on those hotter than Hades days, so bring an extra shirt or pair of shorts/pants. Also, this goes for those who just can't avoid dripping ketchup or mustard on your clothing during a quick lunch break. There is nothing more distasteful than seeing a person with arm pit stains or holes in their shirt or pants, yet selling nice artwork. It leaves a bad taste in peoples mouths and if their first impression is you, before they see your booth, you will forever loose them as a customer. Wouldn't you think twice if you saw this at a show? Share with me and others how you dress for success and if it has helped in making sales by using the comment button. The next question will tackle good and bad spending habits artists are faced with when wanting to take your busienss to the next level. Until next time, hope you had a great Halloween! - Michelle Sholund, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
