Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff (St Joseph) Reviews..

Medium: 2D mixed media
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2018
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: < $500
Price Range of your Work: $20 - $1,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
1st time
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: 5-10 years
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 2
Location: 4
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 3
Sales: 1
Overall: 2
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Poor
Estimated Attendance: Not really sure

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Area was lovely. Artists appeared to have quality work for the most part, and it sounds like the show is good about enforcing standards and kicking people out if they see someone misrepresenting (secondhand information- didn't witness it myself).

During the days of the show, there were volunteers everywhere and the booth sitter text system worked great in my experience. Volunteers, staff, organizers were fantastically helpful and friendly.

Water, coffee, snacks were available, and I was able to use the indoor restrooms since I was right by the art center.

Patrons had good child- and umbrella-etiquette ("We look with our eyes, not our hands", and not snapping wet umbrellas open and closed by artwork).

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
-Housing/hotel is very pricey

-Setup was a bit tangled- the packet said 2 hour time limit for onsite and my setup takes 3-5 hours not counting dollying time, so I do a combo curb-dump and dolly everything to space, then park my car offsite before coming back to set up.

The 'artist parking lots' from the packet maps were all blocked off with do-not-park signs everywhere and I saw no volunteers to direct folks in those areas or move the barricades. I ended up going back to the onsite check-in to ask for help from the staff and volunteers there. They were great and helped me out, but it felt like the packet instructions either need to be tweaked or they need to have signage or volunteers at the parking lots to move barricades, etc.

-Teardown was the wild west. All the volunteers disappeared when the show closed, and I only saw 1 police officer controlling the barricade into the show site. Nobody directing traffic or organizing in our area, so it was a huge mess- people coming onsite before they even started to take down their setup, parking where they shouldn't, trying to save spaces, blocking sidewalk cuts, etc.

May work OK for those who work in pairs, but I am solo so I finally after nearly 3 hours had to just go and get my car and hope that a spot would open up by the time I got back.

-I was supposed to have electric, but the box was probably 60-plus feet away. I had only a 40ish foot extension cord. Because of the amount of time it took to dolly, park, and set up I wasn't sure if I was going to have time to pick up another longer one so I opted to skip setting up electric.

This may just be my inexperience at doing grass/park shows, but that sort of distance seems worth mentioning in the show documentation as well.

-Categories are oddly limited. Prospectus told mixed media to jury in under Drawing- fine for jury but then I had to obviously display my sign saying 'Drawing' on the booth all weekend.

My medium isn't really common and people frequently don't know what they are looking at even with my signage, so I spend a lot of time talking to folks about the medium and how I do what I do. I feel the sign confused people and some lost interest because of that.

-And the biggie- sales for me were practically nonexistent. I sold a handful of miniatures, a couple small matted pieces, and only 1 piece over 100. My income (before expenses) for the weekend was under $500. I sell originals only- it is possible that people who sell mostly reproductions would have a better shot.

The URL of your profile on ArtFairInsiders.com. http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profile/BeckyCrane

Posted by: Becky Crane | 08/14/2018 at 08:01 PM

Your Medium: Pottery
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2013
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $501-$2000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 1st time
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 3
Ease of Participating: 3
Sales: 2
Overall: 2
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Poor
Estimated Attendance: 10,001-50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The location of my booth, considering I brought my 8-year-old. We couldn't have had a booth at that show and be closer to the beach than we were. That was pure luck.
Weather was nice.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Poor sales, and that pretty much seals it for me, considering how far away it was. Also, lodging was either very far away or very expensive if you wanted to stay in a hotel. They do have host families.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Try to use a host family! Bring bug repellant. Lots of gnats.

Posted by: Elisabeth Maurland | 03/02/2014 at 12:44 PM

Show Name: Krasl
City and State: St. Joseph, MI
Your Medium: Glass
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2013
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5001-$10,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 2-3 times
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 3
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 5 (great)
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 3
Overall: 3
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: Not really sure.

Good Things about this Art Fair: See below

Bad Things about this Art Fair: See below

Additional Commentary on this Show (or about this form): Just let me write a review - don't make this such a structured format. However, this may be proven from your perspective it is a good way to prompt valuable info.

Why do I like Krasl? It is in a summer resort area and I love being there as a destination. Families are together and you can feel how much the people there enjoy this small community. Sales are godd enough for a summer show. You are not going to find a better run show. I tried Madison two years in a row after one year at Krasl. One Madison year was better and one (2012) was not. Krasl has been consistently ok and a 10 out of 10 for fun. Both shows I have left there thinking I had a little vacation. The caveats are I do not mind van camping. Hotels in the next town ( Benton Harbor) are expensive.

Posted by: Paul Willsea | 07/28/2013 at 07:35 PM

Show Name: Krasl Fine Art Fair
City and State: St Joseph
Your Medium: 2D mixed media
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2013
Your Estimated Sales at this Show:$501-$2000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 1st time
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5 (great)
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 5 (great)
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 3
Overall: 3
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Okay
Estimated Attendance: 10,001-50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair: Lovely lovely location on bluff overlooking the lake and fabulous volunteer crew. Someone stopped by several times both days to offer to booth sit even though I did not have my "flag" out. Big crowds despite the heat.

Bad Things about this Art Fair: I decided to try Krasl this year. I heard many nice things. Sales were decent ($1,800) despite having to leave my reprints at home. No pieces sold over $250.
I totally understand the quality concern re: reprints. However, in tough economic times it would be nice if, as in many other shows, we could devote 20% of our space to reprints.

Since Krasl has such a great and involved staff it would be nice if they would allow artists to submit their proposed "extras" to see if they pass muster. I made 50% of what I typically make at Madison - where reprints are allowed and the art quality is still outstanding. (It's the same weekend as Krasl.) I would consider returning IF I get enough commissions or if the reprint rule is amended. Not that it is Krasl's fault, but traffic back to Illinois can be a nightmare. 130 miles took 3.5 hours.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show: Try to get a booth in the semi-shade. Bring fly paper for gnats. Silver Beach Pizza is a must. Call and order ahead so it's ready Sat at 6:00, close your booth and enjoy the view!

Posted by: Sherry Scharschmidt | 07/28/2013 at 07:10 PM

Show Name: Krasl Art Fair On The Bluff
City and State: St. Joseph, MI
Your Medium: Mixed
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2013
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: < $500
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 1st time
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 5 (great)
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 1 (poor)
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Poor
Estimated Attendance: 501-10,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair: Well organized show, great location, plenty of very nice, caring and helpful volunteers.

Bad Things about this Art Fair: The people didn't seem to want to spend any money or buy much of anything. I had a hard time selling $40 items.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show: Don't do it, it is way over hyped.

Posted by: Elle Heiligenstein | 07/15/2013 at 10:40 PM

Show Name: KRASL
City and State: St.Joseph, MI.
Your Medium:Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2011
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $500 - $10,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 3-5 times
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 5 (great)
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 4
Overall: 5 (great)
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 10,001-50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair: Easy set up and close parking during show. VERY WELL ORGANIZED. I love the show setting right on the bluff overlooking the lake. Sales are great the weather was awesome this year.

Bad Things about this Art Fair: none

Posted by: Daniel Lager | 01/29/2012 at 12:28 PM

Show Name: Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff
City and State: St Joe, Michigan
Your Medium: Photography
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2011
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $501-$2000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 1st time
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5 (great)
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 5 (great)
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 5 (great)
Overall: 5 (great)
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 10,001-50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Excellent staff, volunteers, organization. Truly care about the artists and want to make it a great show for not only the Krasl Art Center, but for the artists.

Great setting, in a city park, on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

Lots of very high quality art in this art show. Museum quality, metro art gallery type art.

Extremely well juried. Quality control is top notch.

Huge crowds, enthusiastic about art, many art buyers and art collectors.

Artist amenities are top notch.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
None.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Need to be PREPARED for bad weather coming off the lake, considering location on top of bluff. Had no problems, sunny weather for 2011 show, but be ready for any kind of storm or wind with plenty of weights for booth.

It is great to see an art show that has rules and then ENFORCES them. This makes for a very high quality show.

Posted by: Bo Mackison | 07/20/2011 at 04:32 PM

Show Name: Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff
City and State: St. Joseph, MI
Your Medium: Digital Art
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2010
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $2001-$5000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 2-3 times
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5 (great)
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 5 (great)
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 4
Overall: 5 (great)
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 25,001-50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
This show is run by Sarah Shambarger, who works for Krasl Art Center. I like shows that are run by art centers rather than professional organizers. Sarah's committee has got the show down cold. Its very well organized and there are lots of helping hands to get you in and set up.

Load in is easy, driving right up to the booth location. The show is organized in a straight line all along the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. There don't seem to be any dead spots for booths, although I asked to be moved more toward the middle of the pack for next year.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Only bad thing is that big winds sometime howl off of Lake Michigan, so the booths are pretty exposed.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Do it if you can. Although the wind was not an issue at the 2010 show, my neighbor gave me some good advice. He has a big tarp that he uses in high wind off of Lake Michigan. He stakes it to the ground to windward and puts the other end of the tarp up over his tent like a lean-to.

When the wind howls, it keeps the inside of his booth wind-free. I'm bringing a tarp for next year, in case the wind picks up.

Posted by: John Leben | 02/20/2011 at 09:17 PM

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