I know artists who exhibited last weekend at art fairs around the country were hoping that with the decisive election results patrons would be really ready to think about something else. Here are two reports from last weekend's art festivals.
One of the most popular Florida art festivals, Great GulfCoast Art Festival in Pensacola, had the crowd, but did they have the buyers? Here is an article from the Pensacola News Journal that doesn't have me wanting to jump in the van and head South. What do you think?
I do see that Michigan artist Bruce Holwerda is mentioned again as he was in a recent article about the Bayou City Festival in Houston. The Pensacola paper says Bruce lives in Alabama. Surely hope this is an error. We need you in Michigan, Bruce. (The image at left by Bruce is referenced in the newspaper article).
If you are an artist you'll like this article in the Burbank (CA) Leader. about the Downtown Burbank Fine Arts Festival. Amidst much moaning and groaning about the state of the economy and the state of sales at art fairs, Chris Madrid, who has been participating in art fairs for over 30 years says artists will just hunker down and survive. "“Only the strong survive in this business,” she says.
Read the rest of this article: Artists at festival struggle for sales
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A very cool component of the site is the Trip Calculator. Input your trip parameters and it calculates how much it will cost you to get there and back. The Trip Calculator also takes into account the model of your vehicle, the engine size and year. Now let's see, how much to drive from Chicago to Philadelphia for next weekend's Philadelphia Craft Show?
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I have permission to reprint the following letter. Her organization produces two fine wholesale craft markets every year and has been responsible for the success of many artists by bringing them a professional wholesale market place. Wendy addresses us as a community, recognizing how the individual affects the whole. It is in the same spirit that I have started this new art fair community. I know that in this wonderful country that if we all work together, respect one another and our individual gifts that we can create a place that enhances the talents of all. I invite your comments at the end of the letter. Wendy Rosen's letter: For many of us, today we feel that our nation has exhaled a breath, one we’ve been holding for years. Today, it is time to move forward. Regardless of whom you supported, yesterday’s election was a testament to all of us and the world of the importance of the collective impact of individual actions. Going forward, we feel assured that Main Street’s needs will be at the top of the list of “special interests” for our next president. Now is the time to share and promote our stake in the revitalization of our nation, our economy and the world at large. We encourage you to join us by taking action toward sustaining and supporting the economic importance of craft industry. Many of you – artists and retailers – have struggled over the past weeks, months and in some cases, years. Each of us owes it to each other to work together toward making our community a strong partner in creating a new small business-dominated economy. But before the turnaround occurs we need to be sure that we keep our own promises to each other, sharing resources, keeping informed and increasing both business and artistic skills so that when the time comes we are prepared to take our place as the small flame that ignites the resurgence of a stronger economy. You can begin by sharing with friends and neighbors the incredible difference that can be made to our economy with each dollar they spend locally on products made by hand in the U.S. and Canada. If the thousands of members of the craft family took one simple action a day – even one a week – imagine what we could accomplish in raising our community’s profile, and our individual prosperity. In the coming weeks, we will be offering easy, step-by-step small tasks that will help to create social action, craft and good cause consumerism. Visit us on Facebook, our blog, and on Twitter to hear our thoughts on spreading the word about our community. And we hope that in exchange, you’ll share your suggestions with us and others as well. We can no longer retreat into the isolation of our studios and galleries or stores. Building relationships inside and outside our community benefits us all. If you have not already committed to attending next February’s Buyers Market of American Craft, we encourage you to do so today. Our community’s strength is built upon the personal contact made during those four days each February and three in August. If you are retailer, please visit www.americancraft.com today to register. Artists may download an application at that same website. Today is a new day – we hope you will join us on the journey. Warm Regards, Wendy Rosen & the Staff of the Buyers Market of American Craft
