Judy Musicant on fri 23 aug 02
This has been a most interesting thread. My observations have coincided with those who say that the quality of art fairs in general have deteriorated. However, there has been an interesting subtext, mentioned by David Hendley, Hank Murrow, and Jacqui from the UK. Pottery only fairs seem to do well. I'm not sure that one of the requirements is that the fairs be put on by potters. Surely that results in lower costs for participants. But maybe pottery fairs only organized by promoters would do just as well.
The Demarest, NJ pottery show at Old Church is a good example. It's a fund-raiser for the art school there - Karen Karnes invites about 30 potters a year - the likes of Jeff Ostereich, Ellen Shankin, Sylvie Granatelli, Linda Christiansen, Julia Galloway, Malcom Davis and our own Richard Aerni, to name a few. So you get a flavor of the quality. This show is mobbed every year - and it keeps getting more crowded. People line up outside before the building opens on Friday night. By Sunday, there is virtually nothing left. I believe they take in over $100,000.
I was fortunate enough to attend the Earth and Fire pottery show in England a year ago June, organized by the UK professional potters' association, I believe. Over 100 potters of the highest quality. Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Also very crowded. There seemed to be quite a few more pottery only shows in the UK than the US, especially considering the far smaller population. Jacqui alluded to the success of the UK shows, even given the expense to the potter to participate.
Time to start organizing some more pottery only shows? Wendy Rosen, any thoughts?
Judy Musicant
KLeSueur@AOL.COM on fri 23 aug 02
<line up outside before the building opens on Friday night. By Sunday, there is virtually nothing left. I believe they take in over $100,000.>>
Think back 30 or even 15 years ago. Most shows had a majority of pottery in them. Many of the shows were started or organized mainly by potters. People working in other media were always complaining about the percentage of potters in the shows. The painters were crying about their lack of sales while we were all wrapping as fast as we could. And, eventually the organizers and promoters listened. Perhaps the answer is to once again reorganize fairs. The potters can once again start them. Add a few people from other media. But this time put in safeguards so that they can't be taken over. Maybe those shows would prove so popular that the older shows would die out. It would be an interesting thing to try.
Kathi
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