My friend, painter Greg Strachov, is recovering from brain surgery (that is another story) and he asked me to share the following information with all of you.

From Greg:

Below is an issue that I discovered regarding sending art by way of the post office.  They do everything possible not to pay for damage.   The note below I sent to various newspapers around the United States.  I also wanted the artists to read this as this is an important awareness that will have them use the UPS to send art.  FedEx does not insure art at all.

Dear editor,  (I used the editors name in each letter)

The following is a very important observation made regarding the US Post Office.
Something needs to be done and reporting to public awareness is my first step.  
My name is Gregory Strachov and my career is:     strachovstudio.com
It seems that artist’s cannot be covered for damage to their shipments by the USPS because they are the receipt to its cost value.

I am an artist who sent a gift to an avid collector of my work.  The gift was a limited edition print which was worth $450.00.   Seeing that the recipient did not pay for it, it was insured for production value which was $50.00 by the post office.   The print arrived to the collector of my work destroyed.   I immediately reported the claim and had the recipient show the damage to their post office.   When I contacted the post office, they always had something else for me to do which was only to pass time and move past the deadline.   They later claimed that I do not have a receipt for the claim and I told them that I am the receipt.  I know the value of the ink and the value of the fine art paper that was used and had this in writing.  I am not insuring the  retail value but insuring the production cost because it was not purchased.

In this process, I learned that the post office uses every method to stop damage payment and provides cause for claimers to give up.   They set up a system where it is impossible to collect for damage on a claim.  I learned that my post office has numerous people who tried to process a damage claim and were forced to give up.  I am not giving up.  I want the United  States to become aware of the way the US Post office earns money and keeps from paying legitimate loss claims by their customers.
Below is a copy of the letter that I sent to the post office.

Best regards,
Gregory Strachov
www.strachovstudio.com

We all depend on the Post Office to handle our shipping, can you share the info above?

What have been your experiences?

• Limited to 65 artists
• Significant paid advertising and news coverage
• Easy drive up unloading
• Experienced artists friendly organization
• Free parking and RV parking

SPRING 2019  |  APRIL 26–28

Apply for the One of a Kind Spring Show before it's too late! Deadline: February 5 The deadline for the One of a Kind Show, held from April 26-28, is fast approaching. Apply by February 5 for the chance to sell to tens of thousands of affluent consumers who value handmade work and love to shop! The award winning show boasts an ideal downtown Chicago location, a premium indoor exhibiting environment, and unparalleled marketing and promotional opportunities. Apply via Zapplication. For details, please visit oneofakindshowchicago.com or contact: Kathleen Hogan khogan@themart.com 312.527.7642 Amber Melson amelson@themart.com 312.527.7757 THE MART — CHICAGO Visit Website

FOR SALE!
$29,500
2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500
126,400 miles
2nd owner, privately owened
New $7,400 basecoat/clearcoat paint job
Tinted taillights, bedliner coated rear step, mud flaps and grill
New $4,200 OEM Mercedes exhaust system with nox sensors
New Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires including a spare
New OEM Mercedes battery
Recent Virginia inspection - November 2018
LED 5k LED headlights
Weathertech rainguards
black painted wheels
tinted fog lights
30amp service hookup on the outside
110 outlet installed on the rear of the passenger seat
INTERIOR
Still smells new! Never smoked in.
Small bed that flips down behind the driver seat
Killer stereo professionally installed by Xtreme Audio in Richmond. Alpine CD receiver with Bluetooth, very powerful JBL 6x9's in the rear and up front in the doors. JL Audio 10" sub in a custom box powered by a Memphis Audio Amp.
I hate to get rid of this truck but I am switching jobs so I no longer need it. I have put a lot of money into this truck so I have to be very firm on the price. This truck is a complete one of a kind and you must see it in person to be able to appreciate it. This truck will not last long! It is in like mint condition.
The only thing wrong with the truck is that it does have a minor power steering leak.
Contact me for more info - Serious buyers only please!

May 25 & 26
Memorial Weekend

150 Artists

Application Fee: $35   Booth Fee: $495. Corners, doubles  and electricity available

We invite all artists to apply. Now in its 21st year, the Denver Arts Festival
continues to support both Colorado and National visual artists. The Denver Arts
Festival will hold its annual premier fine arts and fine crafts event at the
Conservatory Green in the Northfield area of Stapleton. 

 

The Stapleton Community covers 12 square miles that used to be the Denver airport property. It is now home to many upscale neighborhoods, 50 parks, bike trails, shopping and more. Currently over 30,000 residents live there but new houses are going up constantly so that number increases every year. The Denver Arts Festival is the largest event in Stapleton. Stapleton is also in the top 1% of median income and education levels in the nation and is the only development in the country that has a forever funded office whose primary job is to create and support events in Stapleton. 

 

We are proud to be working with the MCA (Master Community Association) to hold the festival at Stapleton. There is plenty of free parking and all artists will be on paved streets. All art patrons from the Denver Metro area will find it easy to come to DAF since the location of the festival is just off two major highways.  

The fine art exhibition features over 150 visual artists with over 50,000 people expected to attend. Artist amenities include booth sitting, overnight security, great onsite staff to handle any issues promptly. 

Marketing: 

Promotion of the event to the art-buying public in newspapers, radio, television,

press releases, magazines, social media and other venues valued at over $150,000.

APPLY: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=7056

More Information: http://www.denverartsfestival.com 

Contact: Jim DeLutes, Director,  Jim@DenverArtsFestival.com, (303) 330-8237

Well, it can't all be the fault of the weather - Saturday was really nice!

The Suncoast Arts Festival north of Tampa in Wesley Chapel on Jan 19-20 turned out to be a real dud for me. 

First the Positives:  The Sponsor is a non-profit and all proceeds go to support arts education.  Lots of nice young volunteers.  Drive up setup (see the negative column too).  The show is in a fairly new 'Leisure Center' with a nice selection of stores - I was setup in front of J Jill and Williams and Sonoma.  Lots of parking for customers, and pretty good turnout, especially on Saturday when the weather is nice. Free Electricity.   Lots of friendly people who seemed to like my flameworked jewelry.  Nice Pancake breakfast on Sunday.  Really generous awards.  Sounds great, doesn't it?  

Now the negatives: virtually no sales. this was by far the worst show I have ever had for sales.  though there were many of my typical customer demographic that came thru on Saturday, everyone was extremely price sensitive, and had no intention of buying anything no matter how much they admired it.  All the nice stores were having sales.  I was not the only one having this problem either. 

Setup was easy EXCEPT for the fact it did not start until 10:30 pm.  Some cars were still on the street, but the organizers were adept at moving people around so they could setup.  Saturday weather was nice, but it rained overnight and Sunday was COLD and extremely WINDY.  Almost no one came.   I was worried for my tent and my glass work.  A guy down at the other end lost his entire inventory of ceramics.  As soon as the awards were awarded (I did not get one, unfortunately!) For the first time ever, I decided to pack it in early and save my glass from destruction.  by that time the temperature had dropped to 50 and the wind was still at 15-25 mph.  Yikes.  I was not the only one.  we were not able to drive in till 6:30, so we took down and dragged our stuff out to the parking lot.  

Conclusions: 

1.  the Wiregrass Center was off 75 halfway between the Villages and Tampa, a lot of commercial space in an area without a lot of residential nearby (yet). 

2. There was no beach nearby and not a lot of tourists. 

3.  Northern Florida can be damn cold in January

4.  Christmas credit card bills had probably just arrived in mailboxes, and people who had any extra money weren't going to spend it on more stuff that wasnt on sale.  

Note to self:  No more January shows!