Inman Art Festival -- Art Booth (Atlanta, Roswell: how much, home, neighborhood)

[ABM]

I'm interested in the possibility of selling a NW artist's paintings, pencil portrait sketches (on canvas), and illustrations at next April's Inman Art Festival.

Does anyone here have any experience with that festival in this regard? I'd love to discuss.

Thanks,

ABM

[atlantagreg30127]

A woman who knows my sister does pastel portraits (like my sister also does) and did the Inman Festival two years ago. I met up with her then and she loved it. She has done a few festivals out of her home state (WV) and said the Inman Festival is the only one in the Atlanta area she'll fool with. We discussed this when she did it here, as at one time I was considering doing a booth myself (photography), but while I'd like to think I'm good at what I do, nothing I do really stands out from the dozen or more other photographers who set up stuff at these things.

For the most part, she appreciated the wide range of people who go to the Inman Festival compared to some of the others in the area. People will come intown from various suburbs in all corners, as well as intown residents, so you get a real varied mix of people, tastes, incomes, etc. Some of the other festivals are more "area-specific", if that makes sense, and you get a less diverse group of people who attend them. I saw her the last day of it and she was very pleased. So long as you have a good people personality and you're able to handle the traffic (as in, that area is hard to move around in during the festival, and, you need to have a helper with you), then you should do fine.

I'll try to contact her, but she is more of the sandal wearing old hippie type. I'm not even sure she owns a phone - I think she uses pigeons or something. LOL. But my opinion based on the artsy types I know, and her opinion, is that it's well worth a try at that one. I didn't make it to the '08 fest due to weather and other stuff I had to do, but I will say that so long as you're not selling jewelry or photography (WAY overdone at most fests), then you stand a chance of doing well. You don't see a ton of pencil/pastel folks at these things, so there isn't as much competition as other forms.

Here's a shot I took of the '07 festival in the band and "dance" tent. See? Even Granny's getting into it (she danced better than most in there). LOL

[George Chong]

Information for artists and vendors will be made available sometime in October according to the neighborhood website. I would go back and check on it to see when the information is posted. Here is the website: Inman Park Festival Information (http://www.inmanparkfestival.org/info.php - broken link)

I am glad to hear that other artists have been successful at the festival. I know that the committee works hard in displaying a large selection of artists, mediums and price points. Even though the weather was horrible last year - the artists that I spoke with still had a good weekend.

I live in the neighborhood and am amazed that the festival grows larger each and every year! The area in which the artists have their booths is closed down to vehicular traffic so having an assistant is a must even if it's just to have a bathroom break.

[NEastBound]

Off main topic - How much do the portraits typically run?

[ABM]

Originally Posted by NEastBound

Off main topic - How much do the portraits typically run?

Working on that. Securing quotes with the printers right now.

Greg/George, Thanks SO much for your input! Greatly appreciated. I'm getting pumped already!

BTW, we're looking to have the artist do some regionally themed (portrait) pieces. What, in your opinions might sell well, here, in da South? The standard Civil War heroes? Other ideas?

Thanks!

[George Chong]

Originally Posted by ABM

Working on that. Securing quotes with the printers right now.

Greg/George, Thanks SO much for your input! Greatly appreciated. I'm getting pumped already!

BTW, we're looking to have the artist do some regionally themed (portrait) pieces. What, in your opinions might sell well, here, in da South? The standard Civil War heroes? Other ideas?

Thanks!

Tell me you are joking about the "standard Civil War heroes" I have not recalled walking into some one's home and saw a painting of Robert E. Lee on the wall. I would rethink the Civil War themed paintings.

Why not stick to landscapes or flowers.

Here were the rules for 2008: http://www.inmanparkfestival.org/docs/Application_Rules_2008.pdf (broken link)

[ebs964]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

A woman who knows my sister does pastel portraits (like my sister also does) and did the Inman Festival two years ago. I met up with her then and she loved it. She has done a few festivals out of her home state (WV) and said the Inman Festival is the only one in the Atlanta area she'll fool with. We discussed this when she did it here, as at one time I was considering doing a booth myself (photography), but while I'd like to think I'm good at what I do, nothing I do really stands out from the dozen or more other photographers who set up stuff at these things.

For the most part, she appreciated the wide range of people who go to the Inman Festival compared to some of the others in the area. People will come intown from various suburbs in all corners, as well as intown residents, so you get a real varied mix of people, tastes, incomes, etc. Some of the other festivals are more "area-specific", if that makes sense, and you get a less diverse group of people who attend them. I saw her the last day of it and she was very pleased. So long as you have a good people personality and you're able to handle the traffic (as in, that area is hard to move around in during the festival, and, you need to have a helper with you), then you should do fine.

I'll try to contact her, but she is more of the sandal wearing old hippie type. I'm not even sure she owns a phone - I think she uses pigeons or something. LOL. But my opinion based on the artsy types I know, and her opinion, is that it's well worth a try at that one. I didn't make it to the '08 fest due to weather and other stuff I had to do, but I will say that so long as you're not selling jewelry or photography (WAY overdone at most fests), then you stand a chance of doing well. You don't see a ton of pencil/pastel folks at these things, so there isn't as much competition as other forms.

Here's a shot I took of the '07 festival in the band and "dance" tent. See? Even Granny's getting into it (she danced better than most in there). LOL

When I grow up - I want to be like this granny!!

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by George Chong

I have not recalled walking into some one's home and saw a painting of Robert E. Lee on the wall.

Well, I have walked into a home and seen a Velvet framed picture of Elvis touching Jesus before, though.

Actually, a good drawing of the front of Stone Mountain MIGHT do well. But other than that, art is really a matter of each person's taste. It would be hard for me to tell you what would sell.

[ABM]

Originally Posted by George Chong

Tell me you are joking about the "standard Civil War heroes" I have not recalled walking into some one's home and saw a painting of Robert E. Lee on the wall. I would rethink the Civil War themed paintings.

OK, forgive me for I know not what I do or say.

The artist specializes in portrait type of art. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

ABM

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by ABM

Working on that. Securing quotes with the printers right now.

Greg/George, Thanks SO much for your input! Greatly appreciated. I'm getting pumped already!

BTW, we're looking to have the artist do some regionally themed (portrait) pieces. What, in your opinions might sell well, here, in da South? The standard Civil War heroes? Other ideas?

Thanks!

Dogwoods, magnolias, Fox Theater, Coca Cola sign, Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain, peaches, train depots, historic buildings associated with Georgia towns--ie Norcross, Roswell etc