D. Colo on mon 3 mar 03
I just checked the application form for an upcoming
event (juried) and found the requirements rather
interesting.
Are these requirements unusual? Among other things:
1) vendors are *required* to have a *white* canopy
(and white walls, if used)
2) tables and shelves are frowned on, the organizer
wants *pedestals* of varying heights for pottery and
similar items such as sculpture. They note that
*attractive* shelving is acceptable, but it's clearly
discouraged.
3) the display should mimic an art gallery (not just
neat and uncluttered, but open-spaced and things like
carpeting and flower arrangements are encouraged)
4) NO rates whatsoever were posted on the site, you
have to contact them for prices (sounds to this
skeptic like a way to offer differing rates to
different people....).
I realize that this is an upscale event and they want
to attract top-notch exhibitors. I know many of you
love to participate in the trendy, artsy events and
that high-standards attract a specific audiance and
many of you are willing and able to display your work
in accordance with these requirements.
So what's your take on it? Are they being realistic
and reasonable? Would you want to participate based
on this (admittedly limited) info? Or is it something
of a turn-off?
Would you be interested in participating if you had to
purchase a new canopy and pedestals in order to create
the *art gallery* look? Do you think it would be
worth it to you in increased sales in this kind of
venue? To what extent would you *change* your usual
display, equipment, etc. in order to participate in
this kind of event?
How unusual are these kinds of requirements? Do most
upscale arts festivals have similar requirements?
This company is evidently successful as it lists
numerous shows in several states that it produces each
year.
BTW, I'm not arguing it either way here, I'm not in a
position to participate in this particular event even
if I had the right-colored canopy and pedestals. ;)
Just curious.........
Sue
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Jeanette Harris on tue 4 mar 03
>I just checked the application form for an upcoming
>event (juried) and found the requirements rather
>interesting.
>
>Are these requirements unusual? Among other things:
>
>1) vendors are *required* to have a *white* canopy
>......
>
>2) tables and shelves are frowned on, the organizer
>wants *pedestals* ......
>
>3) the display should mimic an art gallery .....
>
>4) NO rates whatsoever were posted on the site, you
>have to contact them for prices ........
>
>I realize that this is an upscale event and they want
>to attract top-notch exhibitors. .....
>
>So what's your take on it?
I have a real heartburn with this kind of attitude from show
organizers and galleries.
Someone (usually a non-artist) percolates an idea and expects the
artists (their event resource) to alter work and in this case, entire
display set-up, to bend to their idea. It is a trend that ignores
the individual in order to 'retail' the work of the artist. Sort of
like hanging sets of clothes of the same color on racks.
Now, I don't have any problem with marketing. That's another story.
What I do have a problem with is the expectation of this kind of
management of artists' work, demanding that the artist create to
conform to an artificial criteria maybe totally unrelated to the work
they may be doing. And you know, we let them do it.
A large part of the delight of shows is the variety of work being
done by individual artists following their own creative process and
expression.
It's okay if you happen to be making cups and there is a cup show
that fits your creative process at the time. Or if you as a group of
creating artists decide that you will collectively make and show
cups. Or if you know that there is another reason for the
presentation of empty bowls or a cup sale as in NCECA.
If the organizers were supplying the tents and display units,
wouldn't that create a completely different kind of attitude--that of
promoter/facilitator who accommodates the art, values it and presents
it?
That's why I think artists should take more control in the show and
exhibition process and organize their own.
There! I've had me say.
Jeanette Harris
Poulsbo WA
WHC228@AOL.COM on tue 4 mar 03
After 25 years of festivals, I have never heard of such requirements.
I have done the best of them.
Where is this show?
Bill Campbell
Kathi LeSueur on tue 4 mar 03
putitinink@YAHOO.COM wrote:
>I just checked the application form for an upcoming
>event (juried) and found the requirements rather
>interesting.
>
>Are these requirements unusual? Among other things:
>
>1) vendors are *required* to have a *white* canopy
>(and white walls, if used)
>
>2) tables and shelves are frowned on, the organizer
>wants *pedestals* of varying heights for pottery and
>similar items such as sculpture. They note that
>*attractive* shelving is acceptable, but it's clearly
>discouraged.
>
>3) the display should mimic an art gallery (not just
>neat and uncluttered, but open-spaced and things like
>carpeting and flower arrangements are encouraged)
>
>4) NO rates whatsoever were posted on the site, you
>have to contact them for prices (sounds to this
>skeptic like a way to offer differing rates to
>different people....).
>
>If you are a functional potter this show is probably the kiss of death for=20=
sales. I've found that a display that only consists of pedestals implies to=20=
the buyer that the work is expensive not necessarily that it is good. If you=
r work is one of a kind the display would probably work for you. However, th=
at said, I still wouldn't do the show. I firmly believe that a sucessful sho=
w needs work at all price ranges and levels of sophistication. This show won=
't have that. A growing show has to attract new buyers all of the time. Ma=
ny of those new buyers will be first timers with not a lot of money and less=
sophistication. If there isn't anything for them to buy they will never com=
e back. But if there is something for them, they will continue to come and w=
ill be expose to all of the other work. In about five years, when their inco=
me and sophistication have probably grown, they'll be ready to buy a more ex=
pensive piece of art. If they don't get that five years, when they do have m=
oney they'll spend it in some retail outlet. I also wouldn't trust a show t=
hat isn't willing to give details but make you work to get the information.
>
Kathi
> =20
>
> =20
>
claybair on tue 4 mar 03
Hi Jeanette,
My gripe is the same as yours except you are complaining in a ladylike
manner and I am just totally bitching about it!
I just spent a few hours trying to make sense of decisions a steering
committee from local show just made. They were open to a committee comprised
of volunteer artists with knowledge in a certain area. Although they
admitted their ignorance in front of at least 25 artist they proceeded to
totally & arbitrarily bypass the artists who had volunteered their
expertise.
Arrggghhh....... we should get together and run our own show...... call me!
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On Behalf Of Jeanette
Harris
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 9:46 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Art festivals -- usual or unusual requirements?
>I just checked the application form for an upcoming
>event (juried) and found the requirements rather
>interesting.
>
>Are these requirements unusual? Among other things:
>
>1) vendors are *required* to have a *white* canopy
>......
>
>2) tables and shelves are frowned on, the organizer
>wants *pedestals* ......
>
>3) the display should mimic an art gallery .....
>
>4) NO rates whatsoever were posted on the site, you
>have to contact them for prices ........
>
>I realize that this is an upscale event and they want
>to attract top-notch exhibitors. .....
>
>So what's your take on it?
I have a real heartburn with this kind of attitude from show
organizers and galleries.
Someone (usually a non-artist) percolates an idea and expects the
artists (their event resource) to alter work and in this case, entire
display set-up, to bend to their idea. It is a trend that ignores
the individual in order to 'retail' the work of the artist. Sort of
like hanging sets of clothes of the same color on racks.
Now, I don't have any problem with marketing. That's another story.
What I do have a problem with is the expectation of this kind of
management of artists' work, demanding that the artist create to
conform to an artificial criteria maybe totally unrelated to the work
they may be doing. And you know, we let them do it.
A large part of the delight of shows is the variety of work being
done by individual artists following their own creative process and
expression.
It's okay if you happen to be making cups and there is a cup show
that fits your creative process at the time. Or if you as a group of
creating artists decide that you will collectively make and show
cups. Or if you know that there is another reason for the
presentation of empty bowls or a cup sale as in NCECA.
If the organizers were supplying the tents and display units,
wouldn't that create a completely different kind of attitude--that of
promoter/facilitator who accommodates the art, values it and presents
it?
That's why I think artists should take more control in the show and
exhibition process and organize their own.
There! I've had me say.
Jeanette Harris
Poulsbo WA
SusanRaku@AOL.COM on tue 4 mar 03
Sue, I have never heard of such requirements. I am active with art fairs in
Kentucky and the surrounding areas and also have worked as a juror for the
Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver. It is common for a picture or slide
of a booth to be required. I would also be very skeptical if prices were not
listed up front...... just my personal take.
Susan
Pat Rogers on wed 5 mar 03
I am having a pottery show/sale at my house next month.
As a potter, I don't think I am ready for art fairs yet, so
I am selling my work to friends and work colleagues...
My question is, if i empty the living room and the guest room
of big furniture, how should i display the bowls and plates and
such? I am serving phoo-phoo snacks and sparkling cider and
wine and champagne too, that was a big hit at my last show/sale.
But what would be a good way to display the work and not
necessarily have to go out and buy or make shelves? I can add lights
no problem.
Thank you for your ideas.
Pat in Irving, TX
>>> SusanRaku@AOL.COM 03/04/03 04:41PM >>>
Sue, I have never heard of such requirements. I am active with art fairs
in
Kentucky and the surrounding areas and also have worked as a juror for
the
Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver. It is common for a picture or
slide
of a booth to be required. I would also be very skeptical if prices
were not
listed up front...... just my personal take.
Susan
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Dannon Rhudy on wed 5 mar 03
Pat asked:
> I am having a pottery show/sale at my house next month.
> >
> My question is, ....how should i display the bowls and plates and
> such? ... and not necessarily have to go out and buy or make
shelves?..........
You can display things on tables. In order to avoid a flat,
one-level, uninteresting look, do this:
Get some inexpensive (and washable) black fabric. Cover
the tables with the fabric, with some "lifters" beneath the
fabric here and there. You can use anything for the lifters-
wood boxes, stacks of bricks, etc. Then, put out the work
on the surface(s) in a way that shows each piece to it's best
advantage. If you have like glazes on a number of pieces,
visually it will look better to put those same-glaze pieces
together (instead of mugs one place, bowls another, etc).
Black will really jump the work up and off (unless the work
is all black). Tip: if you have tall pieces, put THEM on the
lifters - that will really get some variation going. I have noted
that people will often put the short pieces on the lifters, and
the tall pieces on the tables. It obviates the use of the lifters
to do that. If you don't want to put the lifters UNDER the
fabric, cut a piece of fabric or poster board for the tops
of the lifters. It makes a decent display when shelving and/or
pedestals are not an option. Try not to cram too much stuff
into the available space - avoid a cluttered look if you can.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 5 mar 03
On Wed, 5 Mar 2003 08:44:36 -0600, you wrote:
>I am having a pottery show/sale at my house next month.
>As a potter, I don't think I am ready for art fairs yet, so
>I am selling my work to friends and work colleagues...
>
>My question is, if i empty the living room and the guest room
>of big furniture, how should i display the bowls and plates and
>such? I am serving phoo-phoo snacks and sparkling cider and
>wine and champagne too, that was a big hit at my last show/sale.
>
>But what would be a good way to display the work and not
>necessarily have to go out and buy or make shelves? I can add lights
>no problem.
>
2 suggestions about home sales - remove all the pottery, crockery,
object's d'art, etc. from the area in which you will be selling. You
don't want to give the impression that your actual stuff is for sale.
The other thing is to gate off the areas you don't want people
entering (a child gate is inexpensive and good for this - and you can
get them for pennies at most yard sales) to prevent people - strangers
- from wandering around your home.
--------------------------------------------
=46ine Craft Porcelain - New and Updated for 2003!!
http://www.loisaronow.com=20
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