2003 Downtown Festival and Art Show

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="05bfd5a3.jpg"> <div> <B>Downtown Festival and Art Show</B></div> <div> <B>347-LOVE-ART  (347-568-3278)   Toll Free 1-877-512-3333</B><B>    Email: </B><A HREF="mailto:mike@mikealbin.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mike@mikealbin.com"><U><B>mike@mikealbin.com</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="05cd2043.jpg"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mike Albin.Com "><U>Mike Albin.Com </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="wd.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Web design"><U>Web design</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="ma.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marketing Articles"><U>Marketing Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="sr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Show Reviews"><U>Show Reviews</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="mt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marketing Tools"><U>Marketing Tools</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="l.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#777777" TEXT="#080000"> <div> 2003 Downtown Festival and Art Show</div> <div> November 15-16,  23rd Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show.  Contact:  The City of Gainesville Department of Cultural Affairs, P.O. Box 490, Gainesville, Fl. 32602.  352-334-5064.  www.gvlcurturalaffairs.org </div> <div> There is no Friday set-up for this show so your day begins at 6:00 am for check-in and set-up.  The first thing you notice at check-in is, there are about 8-10 volunteers waiting around to help you, no waiting in line here.  Very friendly people making sure you have everything you need and you know where your booth is.  There's hot coffee and donuts to get you going.   Set-up was very smooth, you have a 12 foot wide space here with lots of room for storage on a very wide sidewalk behind.   </div> <div> The main area of the show runs along First Street in Downtown Gainesville.  There are two side streets with booths and when I saw our booth was on one of them, my expectations for the show automatically went down.  This was our first time doing this show and also our first time in this area of the state.  Although I had heard good things about the show from other artists so I remained hopeful.  </div> <div> Saturday was one of those perfect art show days with lots of sun and temperatures in the mid 70's.  The crowds came out with lots of enthusiasm but most artists I spoke with said sales were down from last year.  There were two different couples in my booth that had brought their own measuring tape and were sizing up several pieces.  Hey, that has to be a good sign!  Sales for me personally were slow with only two small pieces going on Saturday.  A potter near me never sat down, he was constantly wrapping pieces.  Another photographer I spoke with said Saturday was pretty good for him.  A jeweler said her day was slower than last year.  One photographer, a 4-year veteran of the show, said "Sunday is the day people come to buy the big pieces."   </div> <div> Sunday was another great day weather wise, just a little warmer.  We sold two large pieces to the same couple and got blanked the rest of the day.  For us, it was a slightly below average show sales wise.  I do not think being on the side street hurt us at all, traffic in our booth was heavy throughout the show.  I plan to ask for the same place next year. There was plenty of interest in our work and enough people walking around that could afford it.  </div> <div> The potter I spoke with said sales for him were about the same as last year.  The jeweler said hers were about half of last years.  I spoke with three photographers, two were down and one was way up.  Saying this was close to being his best show ever. </div> <div> The staff at the show went above and beyond being helpful and friendly.  The Director of the show, Linda Piper, came into our booth on Saturday, introduced herself and told us she was glad we were there.  Booth sitters came by 3-4 times a day and asked how we were doing and if there was anything we needed.  The artist next to me mentioned she would like an ice coffee from a near by Starbucks and the booth sitter went to get it for her!  The show provided lunch for the artists both days and delivered it to each booth along with bottles of water. </div> <div> There are 250 artists at the show and $12,000.00 in award money.  Ribbons were handed out individually on Sunday morning by the staff of the show.  </div> <div> This is also a music festival with jazz and blues.  The stage was in the middle of the show but far enough away from the booths.  I didn't hear one complaint about music being too loud.  </div> <div> Breakdown was also smooth, the streets are wide and the booths are far enough apart to accommodate the largest vehicles and trailers.  I saw only two artists using a dolly.  All in all it was an enjoyable weekend and we look forward to going back next year.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>