Hot and Tired and Grumpy

It's August 25, 2014 and I'm looking back...

Saturday I showed some work @ the Texas All Star Showcase in Tyler, TX, where musicians and artists combined for an evening event from 6 pm to 1 am. (I started calling it "Art in the Dark".) It was an extremely disappointing event for my first time to participate, and no, I did not sell anything at all. (My booth fee was $50.00 plus tax.) The place (Liberty Hall) where the musicians (and volunteers to help?) were supposed to be was closed. They had to play on the street. The rest room facilities for the 30 artists - were at Liberty Hall, which was CLOSED!!! There were no volunteers to watch your booth - to give you a break. There were 2 porta-potties at the end of the street. The event planner from Outhouse Tickets REALLY dropped the ball. There had been no advertising to speak of, so people were not even aware there was an event going on. (I "googled" it before I left home, and could not find it listed anywhere.) A couple (going somewhere else) were stopping and asking me what was this event? How long had it been planned? Why hadn't they heard about it? It was extremely unprofessional and I was not the only artist upset.

At 2 pm I had left home to get there by 3 pm under the hot August sun (95+ degrees)-we got to set up our booths so that they would be ready by 5:30 p.m. The heat was devastating. I got nauseous. Everyone nearby was popping Ibuprofen all afternoon and evening. Once the sun went down, it was better, and there was a breeze. Those without the promised electricity were showing their art by flashlight. We all agreed to the rules (which were not enforced) of staying until 1 am, and bringing our own tent, or table, etc. for art exhibition. Some artists came unprepared and were propping up their art against the street curb, while other artists had hired extra help, because they had been told that last year it was packed at this same event. (So, the cost for one artist was 2 booths, new art work, and hired help. She did not make any sales, so she was out of some serious $.)

Never again. I mean IT, NEVER again will I do an outside summer art show. I know other artists that were able to sell some of their art, and I'm always ecstatic for them. I met some really nice folks, and handed out my business card. The musicians were great and the other artists were great. My warning to anyone is to find out who is in charge of the event and if it is these people-DON'T DO IT!