Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival Reviews..

Medium: Photography
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $2,001-$5,000
Price Range of your Work: $20.00 - $1,250.00
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
1st time
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: 2-3 years
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 4
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 4
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 501-10,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The promoter advertised the show heavily and despite it being moved from its usual location because of construction we had a good crowd.

The area is affluent and most folks who came to our booth were interested in the art and not out just for a walk.

After the show we received an e-mail showing sales by medium. This was much appreciated as it showed this promoter was truly interested in our success.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Load in was a little chaotic probably due to the site changes but everyone adapted. Load out was smooth as silk for us.

Although we had a good crowd size wise, according to the local artists we spoke with it was not the same clientele that patronizes the show at its usual location. For that reason our view of the show may be skewed. Nevertheless we had a good show.

We have unusual work that generally does not appeal to older folks. Despite the older demographic we did OK.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
There are no artists amenities which we do not mind but do not expect water brought by your booth etc.

Bring your own name tag and signage if you want them. We will definitely be applying to more Paragon shows based on our experience at this one.

See my blog on ArtFairInsiders.com for additional commentary on this Show:
Yes, please note that on my review

Posted by: Craig Roderick | 01/25/2017 at 11:48 PM

Medium: Photography
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $500
Price Range of your Work: $25-575
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
1st time
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: 2-3 years
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 4
Facilities: 3
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 1
Overall: 3
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Poor
Estimated Attendance: Not really sure

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Pleasant location, steady crowds on Saturday. High caliber of art and a wide variety, including some things I hadn't seen before. Load out was a breeze.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
No artist amenities. No booth labels, name tags, etc. Disorganized and chaotic set up. Almost no sales for me.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
This show was fairly expensive and I had high hopes for it. I did not have a good show, only covered half of my expenses. Other artists seemed to be doing well, though. It's a shame because it was an otherwise pleasant show.

Additional Commentary on this Show:
This show is usually held in a different location, near the beach, and was moved to downtown this year due to road construction. I don't know if that had an adverse effect or not.

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

What prompted you to submit a review today?
Helping others make informed decisions

Posted by: Karen Kurta | 01/22/2017 at 11:05 PM

Medium: Jewelry
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show:
2015
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $10,000+
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
2-3 times
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 501-10,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
This is the new show to beat!!! The location is amazing. Right on the water front, visible to traffic and the prime apartments overlooking the show - so you can't miss it.

I have done this show 3 years; since its inception. The first year was a pleasant surprise to all in the neighborhood.

Well-heeled patrons came out and walked off with art for their luxury apartments. In my case, they were well educated about gemstone jewelry and ate it up.

The second year, not so good. Over crowded with a less savvy clientele. Though some artists really cleaned up.

This year was over the top. The best of my three 2015 shows. Everything was just right - the weather, the crowds, the energy.

Size-wise Paragon's boutique shows are manageable - clients can stay focused and not feel hassled so it is easier to make a decision.

My customers said they really appreciated the consistent, high quality of the artists.

Most of the artists I spoke with had a great show. The artist next to me selling gyotaku almost sold out. Glass artist sold many large pieces. Painters across from me were quite pleased. Another painter I spoke with sold a $6000 piece. A three-d artist said best show ever.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Break-down was a bit chaotic. The space is too small to accommodate the big rigs and trailers that blocked passage. Many drove in before they had completely broken down.

Additional Commentary on this Show:
Inspite of all the positives about the show, there were a few artists that didn't do well. These days, it is so hard to predict. It is pure hell to sit at a show and watch those around you doing so well while you stagnate. It happens to everyone but we all have such grit (or we wouldn't be dong this) that we somehow get thru it and look forward to the next show.

Posted by: Deborah Armstrong | 01/22/2015 at 11:00 PM

Show Name: Sarasota Fine Art Festival
City and State: Sarasota, FL
Your Medium: Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2014
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $2001-$5000
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: 4
Sales: 4
Overall: 5 (great)
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Okay
Estimated Attendance: 501-10,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Higher end crowd who were there to shop for art. The promoter is a good one and works hard for his events. Setup should be easy as it is broken down into shifts and artists can pull up to unload and load. Did not bring a dolly.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Bare bones show, not even booth signs. But advertising more important anyway, to attract buyers, and that happened so for us it far outweighs lack of amenities. And we bring our own. Besides the promoter puts on a big party with food and drink.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Apply early as it will probably be popular next year now that the word is out that it is a good backup show, filler show, and even main show. With avg sales of $3800ish artists who are able to keep their costs down, e.g., not drive too too far, will of course profit the most.

Additional Commentary on this Show:
My husband, a painter with original acrylic paintings priced from $90 to $1200, did this show and I did not. That is why I did not blog about the show but merely filled out the review. He will hope to do it again next year, and further we will try to add more Paragon shows into our schedule as needed.

Posted by: Suzanne Ens | 01/22/2014 at 02:44 PM

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.