Pat Lindemann on fri 14 dec 07
So I am considering applying to the Stone Arch show in Minneapolis. I
haven't done shows for a hundred years, the ones I used to do were not high
end juried shows.
My questions ---
Booth- what kind of booth shots do you send?
Could anyone direct me to some good booth shots?
has anyone else ever done this show?
is it a good potter's show?
The Zapp info looks pretty good, but does anyone have personal experience
with Stone Arch?
I would be grateful for any insights you guys have.
Thank you!
Pat Lindemann
Tom at Hutchtel.net on mon 17 dec 07
Hi Pat,
We did StoneArch (www.stonearchfestival.com) last year for the first time.
Not sure we'll go back.
They have expanded this show so it now stretches over 5 long city blocks
along the river with the majority of the customer parking at the west end.
No provision for pickup at the other end or the middle. The quality of the
work on the west end (where the show started, is fairly high with a number
of the big 'names'. But they tend to put newbies out in the boonies.
This is another show that has gone the route of commercialism and
entertainment which puts buyers in the mood of entertainment, not buying
art. The past administrator of the Edina Art show came by and among other
things, wondered why they were having garage bands playing loud rock, when
the main art customer is older, more mellow. We walked the whole show
several times and talked with both old friends and new people (we're always
looking for non-pottery guest artists for our open houses).
We did about $3000 (straight functional, minor decoration
www.claycoyote.com ) mostly small, easily carried things. A few big
platters and bowls ($100-125) on Sunday. We look at a minimum show for us
to be $5000. We also believe that it takes 3 years to build a show to its
potential. Also, we mailed some 4500 postcards for the event.
To their credit it is a very well run show and quite responsive to the
artists. We did have to ask them to have the music turned down repeatedly,
since there was no way to talk to customers for most of Saturday at our
location (right next to the Mpls Star-Tribune stage). There was one good
glass-blower who was midway in the show, having a miserable time....a coffee
shop vender was across the street blasting music on a mini-stage music
system right at him...again no conversation with customers. David should
have done well at this show, he has some very unique work, but didn't make
expenses. Same story over and over. I believe many who have been in the
show for years did OK up on the west end.
So, your call, YMMV (your mileage may vary).
Oh yes, be prepared for a long schlep unless you get on the street in the
middle.
I'm going to send a copy to this to show management to see if they respond.
If they respond directly, I'll post to the list.
Tom Wirt
Hutchinson, MN
twirt@hutchtel.net
www.claycoyote.com
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 1:57 PM
Subject: Stone Arch Arts Festival- Minneapolis
> So I am considering applying to the Stone Arch show in Minneapolis. I
> haven't done shows for a hundred years, the ones I used to do were not
> high
> end juried shows.
> My questions ---
> Booth- what kind of booth shots do you send?
> Could anyone direct me to some good booth shots?
> has anyone else ever done this show?
> is it a good potter's show?
>
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