Ann Arbor South University Art Fair Reviews -

Welcome to the Art Show reviews for Ann Arbor South University Art Fair

Art Fair:  Ann Arbor South University Art Fair - no longer taking place

Location:  Ann Arbor, Michigan

Held in the South University Shopping District

Dates:  Held the middle of July

Presented By:  South University Area Association

Founded:  1960

Show Type:  Outdoor

Expected Attendance:  500,000 people

Exhibiting Artists:   200

Artist Application Deadline:   Usually the end of February

Jury Fee:   $50

Booth Fee:  $700 - $885

Web site:    www.a2southu.com

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Comments

[Kathleen Kalinowski]

Medium: Drawing
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2016
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5001-$10,000
Price Range of your Work: $25-$2500
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
10+ times!
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 3
Location: 4
Facilities: 3
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 4
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The majority of the attendees make it an annual event. Most are from Michigan though many travel from other states to attend.

Most of my sales are from repeat buyers (collectors). The show has a long history of quality artists and easier than most set up and tear down. The show layout improves every year.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Four days are one too many. Mid summer brings about very hot weather and at least one rain storm every year.

In very hot weather, the artists are just entertainment and sales are slow. The hours are also way too long. Could easily end at 7:00 instead of 9:00.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Be prepared for long hours. It can be grueling. Work your mailing list to bring in your buyers.

Also, the buying energy of the Ann Arbor shows seems to be slowing down, or maybe it is that way everywhere!

[Mary Johnston]

Show Name: Ann Arbor South University Art Fair
City and State: Ann Arbor, MI
Your Medium: Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2011
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: Rather not say
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 1st time
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5 (great)
Location: 4
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 5 (great)
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair: The attendance was really, really good. I tell people over and over that I don't need the surging masses to sell my work. I need the people who come to shop and BUY and they were there. The fair layout was easy to see everything. The nice air-conditioned basement artists room was a welcome break spot in the high heat. Staff was great! I was invited back for 2012 and that was fantastic! Looking forward to doing the show again.

Bad Things about this Art Fair: HOT...but that could change next year! Record high temps in 2011 kept the crowd down I'm sure but there were still plenty of people. The hours are brutal long. I was by myself, but had great neighbors to give me a quick break. And, because of the high temps, we had people coming about an hour before the official fair opening times! So, days turned into a 8 am - 9pm situation. Just be prepared!

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show: If you cannot stand long, long hours this show is not for you. I did really well in 2012 but I was a newbie at this show and almost everyone that bought from me commented on 'oh, we've never seen you here before!'.... coming here with a helper/friend could be a big help if the hours seem to be too much. Also, give yourself a chance to walk the whole AA show. It was amazing.

[Mary Johnston]

This was my first time at the show. I applied specifically to South University as I knew the attendance for this area was somewhat less then the other fairs. I don't need the 'shuffling masses' but the serious buyers and they did show up! I ended up having a very good show but be prepared for any kind of summer weather & long, long days in your tent. The hours are crazy long. The quality of the other artists here in the SU section was very good. Parking cost me 100.00 for the four days. I was invited back for 2012 and looking forward to it!

[Oscar Matos Linares]

The show is run very well. You need to set up Tuesday which allow you to take your time setting up the display. The hours are long and you may think that you need a helper but they have people giving you breaks all four days you just to requested at the time you send your payment. Parking is not friendly for anything that needs a 8 or higher clearence. Pick your hotel reservation as soon you commit to the show.

The sales in the last two years had been low for me but the people are still showing up and this a show that you need to do few times to develop your clients. The one thing that unique to this show from the rest of the Ann Arbor shows is that feels like is separate from the rest.