Coconut Grove Art Festival 2007

<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>Coconut Grove Art Festival</B><B> 2007</B></div> <div> <B>6260 N.W. 19 Street, Sunrise, Fl. 33313 Toll Free 1-877-512-3333    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="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Feb. 17-19 44</B><B>th</B><B> Annual Coconut Grove Art Festival, Coconut Grove, Fl.  Contact: Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association, 3390 Mary Street, Ste. 128, Coconut Grove, Fl. 33133. Ph. 305-447-0401 web: www.coconutgroveartsfest.com.  App fee: $45.00, booth fee: 650.00-1465.00, booth size 10x10-10x20. Apply through Zapp.  335 spaces, 1200 applications, attendance: 150,000 source: gate.  Admission: 5.00 Awards: $26,000.00.</B></div> <div> <B>This is the grand daddy of the art show world.  It's one of our favorite shows of the year to do and one we wait for notification while holding our breath!  We do other shows in the Miami area and everyone asks "are you going to be in Coconut Grove?"  This is the show where people come to buy.  Crowds are thinner since charging admission but most of the high end artists prefer the smaller, more distinguished crowds.  There were just too many people here before the gates and admission charge.  The streets were so packed people had a hard time getting around.  </B></div> <div> <B>Setup is the day before beginning at 4:00 in the afternoon.  Depending on where your booth is, parking is pretty close and setup is pretty easy for a street show in a major city.  It's one of the easier setups we do for an urban area.  </B></div> <div> <B>This year the weather was a little spotty on Sunday morning with cold temperatures, strong wind and a slight storm.  Several booths were blown over and destroyed.  You know the ones, those tents that are really easy to put up.  The weather cleared up about 1:00 pm and was really nice the rest of the show.</B></div> <div> <B>Sales were a little inconsistent this year.  I spoke with two artists that reported their best show ever and also spoke with two others that were shut out completely.  This is usually a well above average show for us and we did sell three pieces.  Monday was one of those days I won't soon forget.  I had what I thought were sure sales and just could not close on any of them.  We ended up with below average sales totals but are looking forward to trying again next year.  I spoke with a painter that said sales were down slightly from previous years but still a well above average show.  Four photographers reporting, two did well above average, the other two were way down from previous years.  A jeweler reported 10,000.00 in sales and rated them a 10.  A mixed media artist reported sales of 5800.00 said sales for her rated a 9.  A sculptor that traveled all the way from California, that's a long drive, said this is usually one of his best shows of the year and this year he did great reporting well above average sales. </B></div> <div> <B>There is an awesome awards banquet beautifully catered on Sunday night.  Its one of the best artist dinner around!  </B></div> <div> <B>Breakdown can be very hectic here with everyone trying to leave at the same time.  Some artists choose to dolly several blocks rather than fight their fellow artists for a parking spot and the madness on the street.  Patty and I choose to go to dinner, there are lots of really great restaurants within walking distance, have a nice meal, relax and go back several hours later to break down.  I found a parking space next to our booth and loaded up easily and not rushed.  The only problem I have after doing this is after such a great meal its hard to work with a full stomach!  I'd much rather lay down and take a nap!  </B></div> <div> <B>We'll definitely apply again and again here.  This is one of the few shows I would recommend traveling across country to do!  Treatment of the artists, sales, security and quality of work here are all top notch. </B></div> </td> </tr></table></body>