Cheryl Crownover on mon 24 aug 98
From thread "Ann Arbor" after thoughts...
In a message dated 98-08-16 18:06:12 EDT, you write:
<< When I go to shows these days, it usually doesn't take long to see
>everything, because of this tendency to want to push the artists into a
>single focus, I find that half the time I don't even walk into booths,
since a single glance gives you the whole picture. >>
I am a member of two cooperative studios in Denver, and have the opportunity
to participate in 6 shows a year. The topic of drawing people in to "see" a
show, rather than "glance" at a show is frequently discussed by both groups.
When Colorado Potters Guild (CPG) sets up a show, all pots are delivered and
dispersed randomly throughout the display area. Pedestals are set around to
highlight exceptional work, and a Potters Choice area is set up to display a
small grouping of each artist's work. Artists are treated equally.
Utilitarian work sits next to sculptural work and finely crafted work is mixed
with some (excuse me CPG) clunky work. When CPG shows open, it's like a blue
light special. Doors open, and the crowd frantically works its way around the
room, grabbing armloads of pots. These shoppers are serious, long-time fans
of the Guild. Some come in hoping to purchase an individual's work.
Frustrated shoppers frequently ask, "Where are your pots?" People are less
aware of who made a pot, and more interested in whether a pot suits their
fancy. It's like a wine-tasting; you try a variety and perhaps expand your
taste. I am intrigued and frustrated by this approach. Does my artsy-fartsy
stuff fit in with straightforward utilitarian stuff of varying quality? I
don't worry about it much...it sells to people who like it. Unfortunately, a
lot of cheap (broad definition here) stuff sells like hot cakes.
Castle Clay Artists (including Denver Potters) takes the "craft fair" approach
to setting up a show and emphasizes individual artist's work. Each artist
sets up his/her own display. People walk through, glancing at tables/booths
of work. If a booth is attractive...the right colors, the right sizes, the
right objects, shapes, and prices, they might take a closer look. It's easy
for people to pass by an entire booth if, say, the pots are green, and they're
looking for blue. (I'll have to admit, I'm the first to go zipping by a booth
that doesn't grab me.) For shoppers who collect an individual's work, this is
a quick and easy way to do it. Individual booths emphasize each artist's
unique style and ability...not a bad concept...but you're apt to be
overlooked. In the burbs, my artsy-fartsy stuff gets passed by. I think
people are looking for more predictable work...matched sets to match
wallpaper. I've been told that if you persist in participating in the burb
sales, people will get used to you and sales will pick up. I don't want to be
gotten "used to", but I do like the idea that my work might influence or
broaden people's taste.
I have not been able to determine which of these two display approaches sells
best? Quality and variety of work between the two groups is about the same.
CPG consistently has great attendance and BIG sales. (They are an older, more
established group.) Mixing everybody's work together levels the "playing
field". As a general group, everybody sells well...it's fair and cooperative.
But, why level the playing field??? Castle Clay Artists struggle to get the
attention that CPG gets. Sales for individual artists vary widely. In the
burbs, production pottery sells...more creative stuff sits. In the city, the
market is more diverse and everything sells. I think that when shoppers see
groupings of individual work, they glance at the work and decide quickly
whether or not they want to linger. It better appeal to the local market,
because the market will leave you in the dust.
Well, hey, you never know when a lurker is going to jump in. Now, I've done
it...with both feet. It's good to be in the pool.
Cheryl Crownover
cdcrownove@aol.com
Rick Sherman on tue 25 aug 98
Cheryl:
Thank you for the graphic description of the two coop shows. The
contrast is interesting. The second is follows the more traditional
show format. The first seems to be a fun and imaginative way to get
folks to see a contrast of work, pieces juxtaposed to display
differences. Perhaps one piece will enhance another. It is a good
marketing technique. There is a guild at a local community college
which uses this sales approach with good effect in its annual
fundraise. It would be interesting for guilds and coops to try both
approaches at some time during the year.
Rick Sherman
San Jose, CA USofA
sherman@ricochet.net
------------------- original messaged with some cuts--------
I am a member of two cooperative studios in Denver, and have the
opportunity to participate in 6 shows a year. The topic of drawing
people in to "see" a show, rather than "glance" at a show is frequently
discussed by both groups. When Colorado Potters Guild (CPG) sets up a
show, all pots are delivered and dispersed randomly throughout the
display area. Pedestals are set around to highlight exceptional work,
and a Potters Choice area is set up to display asmall grouping of each
artist's work. Artists are treated equally. Utilitarian work sits
next to sculptural work and finely crafted work is mixed with some
(excuse me CPG) clunky work. When CPG shows open, it's like a blue
light special. Doors open, and the crowd frantically works its way
around the room, grabbing armloads of pots. These shoppers are
serious, long-time fans of the Guild....
....Castle Clay Artists (including Denver Potters) takes the "craft
fair" approach to setting up a show and emphasizes individual artist's
work. Each artist sets up his/her own display. People walk through,
glancing at tables/booths of work. If a booth is attractive...the
right colors, the right sizes, the right objects, shapes, and prices,
they might take a closer look. It's easy for people to pass by an
entire booth if, say, the pots are green, and they're looking for
blue...
Cheryl Crownover
cdcrownove@aol.com
Cynthia Spencer on thu 27 aug 98
>Castle Clay Artists struggle to get the
>attention that CPG gets. Sales for individual artists vary widely. In the
>burbs, production pottery sells...more creative stuff sits. In the city,
the
>market is more diverse and everything sells. I think that when shoppers see
>groupings of individual work, they glance at the work and decide quickly
>whether or not they want to linger.
It seems like the two shows you mention are good examples of differing
philosophies in showing artwork. Your examples seem to go against all the
info marketing "experts" tell us about how to sell work. One emphasizes
the artists' intentions, with the desire that the public will really take
a long look at individual pieces--and this show sells work like crazy.
The other is set up to make it easy for the public to seek out the the
artists from which they like to purchase work--and people pass stuff by.
I would have to guess that the advertising methods of the two shows must
be quite different. Or?? Does the good selling show have some "big
names" in the area? I've change my booth set up from artsy fartsy
pedestals and nice arrangements, to shelves and more of everthing on them
the past couple of years, and my sales increased quite a bit. (I've also
gone more production, than one-of-a-kind.)
Cynthia Spencer
in sunny Oregon
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