I think it is important for every artist to consider what it takes to make the Downtown Denver Arts Festival a Colorado only show. As we come up on the deadline for applications (February 28), I want to say the quality of the artists is exciting and the number of artists applying is encouraging.
One question that keeps coming up from the artists is am I going to keep the festival ‘Colorado Only’? This is a decision that is not left up to me alone. Early on I said to all of you (in this Blog) that this is your show, not mine, so your support and involvement in all aspects of the show will make it the show we all want. What I find interesting is artists who are concerned about the show staying ‘Colorado Only’ but at the same time are taking a ‘wait and see’ attitude before applying. As a fellow artist I certainly understand taking that stance when a show has a change of management or has some other changes happen (change of dates, venue, etc.). But with a show that depends solely on the support of local artisans, ‘wait and see’ does not work.
Let’s look at the numbers. A national show will draw anywhere from 500 to 1200 applications (larger shows will draw over 2,000). The Downtown Denver Arts Festival can expect, on the high side, 300 applications. More realistically, that number is closer to 200. Now, imagine that 2/3 of the artists who would apply say, ‘I’ll wait a year and see how it goes’. Now the show has only 66 applications for a show that has 135 booth spaces. I know a lot of us aren’t great in math but even I know this would not work. At this point, let me be clear that the number of applications has been good. I am simply asking that all artists who want this show to succeed in the future as Colorado only, step up and apply. This is not up to a few to make the show succeed. And I alone cannot make the decision as to how this show will look in the future. We have a great show that has a great history of success. I am working diligently every day to make the show grow and become the show many of us knew it could be.
To be open to all of you about my involvement as director, I took this job with no guarantee of a paycheck. There will be no salary for me if the show does not succeed financially, so I am not asking you to do anything more that I haven’t asked of myself and that is to support the show. For those quick with a calculator and think that the show is making a lot of money off of booth fees, the facts are the show needs about twice what comes in from booth fees to run at the level we want it to run, so the booth fees are not a lot of money.
I want to thank all of you for reading all of this (I thought I could do this with less words!) and also know that I am very excited about the quantity and quality of the artists that I am seeing apply this year. I just feel strongly that all artists need to support the future of this show and not wait to see what happens. What will happen is the show will end up being open to National artists and many Colorado artists will blame some individual for this decision.
So to answer my opening question, Colorado Only means only Colorado Artists can make this show succeed.
Hello Fellow Artist,
Anyone who is leery about this show should know that the 2 previous years were fabulous for us. The clientele is out there – and they are at the Downtown Denver Art Festival! This is one of our favorite shows because of the time of the year. People are ready to get out they are in good moods and eager for spring.
We hear from patrons that they enjoy supporting local CO artists. Colorado needs a strong show that supports the Colorado artists. One of the top shows is in our backyard CCAF and very few CO artists ever get in, its so hard to market to the Denver clientele. In time the Downtown Denver Art Festival will be a top show too. We especially need to support this show.
Comment by Dwayne & Jill Cranford — February 21, 2007 @ 9:52 am
We swore we would never do the show again because of past mis-management and lack of interest on the part of the promotors in 2005 and 2006. This decision was hard because in 2003 and 2004 we had outstanding shows here with excellent sales and a great customer turnout. But knowing the sincere, honest concern and hard work that Jim has put into getting this show back up to where it can be, we have decided to support it once again. We know Denver has a strong art market. That is why everyone wants to do Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Let’s all work to make this show an outstanding one that can be our “dirty little secret” for Colorado artists only. We have given other shows our support and travel alot further. This one we get to sleep in our own beds! We know Jim can do it with alot of hard work and the support of Colorado artists. Don’t be one of the ones on the fence.
Comment by linda bachman — February 21, 2007 @ 9:34 pm
I have participated in this show several times and have always had great success. Colorado has great artists and great art patrons. I have always thought that the art at this show was better than “that other show” and the patrons really like to support Colorado artists. I am excited that Jim has taken on this challenge and I am confident that that with his guidane and management, this show will be amazing!
Comment by Evette Goldstein — February 22, 2007 @ 8:41 am
I’ve attended the show as a patron & was impressed with the quality of the show. I think it compares very favorably with the “other show” with the prices being a bit more affordable. This year I’m applying for a space & would be honored to be selected.
Jeff
Comment by Jeff Becker — February 22, 2007 @ 10:13 am
I have done this show 7 out of 8 years, and because of poor management the past couple years, sales were down from previous years, but the show was still profitable and worth doing. I can’t think of anyone more qualified than Jim to be director of this art show. He has many years of experience as a professional artist, and the year Jim directed the Boulder show was its best quality year.
Jim understands the artists’ concerns, and he knows how to lay out a beautiful, well juried show. He is not greedy like some promoters, and the show fee is reasonable. Two years ago, I paid twice as much for my booth.
Comment by Katie Brassell — February 22, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Dear Jim,
Congratulations on taking this show on! As one of three original founding members of this show in 1997(first show 1999) our original intent was to provide a show for Colorado artist to present their work to the public of Colorado; not as competition to the Cherry Creek show but in cooperation with it, showcasing the wonderful Artists of this state. I wish you great success and hope this will be a healthy direction for the the Arts community in Colorado. We need this process to help develop the future Artists of our profession!
Thank You,
Sincerely,
Reno Carollo
Comment by Reno Carollo — February 25, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
We wish all our Colorado artist friends Best of Luck at the show. We have known Jim for over 20 years and he is dedicated, hard working and always a pleasure to work with. We did not apply to the show this year because our youngest daughter is graduating high school the following weekend ( as valedictorian!) and we have out-of-state company arriving. Hoping to stop by and visit the show and shop!
Comment by Cathy & Rocky Stiers — March 13, 2007 @ 9:08 am