Loring Park 08
This was the view from my booth at the Loring Park Art Festival in Minneapolis. This is easily the best thing about this event. A totally lovely and relaxing way to spend the day. The artist booths run all around the small lake (or large pond depending on your point of view.)
Sales were adequate. Once again mostly small items went. At this point I think it is the economic trend for the year. There are 3 art events held on the same weekend in Minneapolis and they have free shuttle buses (art hop buses) the run between all the events.
The Uptown is the big dog show. One of those a person would be lucky to get into. However it is on pavement and in a slightly bad (especially after dark) neighborhood. Powderhorn is the other. I have never been to it so can’t really comment other than an artist friend of mine got into both Powderhorn and Loring Park and they chose Loring.
From the gossip I have heard Loring park was started 9 years ago as a branch off group from the Uptown. They felt the Uptown had gotten far too corporate so they struck out on their own. Artists for artists kind of a thing.
I am unsure that I can say there was any downside to doing the event. (however this area was also somewhere you didn’t really want to hang out in too long after dark as it is very popular with the homeless. Sad commentary on our world I guess) But it also wasn’t the event I was expecting. In the prospectus they have quotes about how wonderful the artists felt they got treated at Loring Park. And while I was certainly not treated poorly, I was also not treated particularly fabulously. Not when compared to most (if not all) of the other events I do.
Loring Park Pluses.
- Nice venue. The artwork for the most part was excellent but they still had some definitely crafty and buy/sell stuff in it.
- Breakfast They provided muffins (sams club type) and bagels for breakfast both days. (Muffins were far more enjoyable when used to feed the baby ducks on the pond.)
- Free T-shirt with $25 donation of artwork to their silent auction. A side note here: Free is probably not quite correct but most events ask for donations and all you get is a thank you.
- Location. Totally lovely setting. Has the benefit of the Art Hop Buses.
- Easy Unloading You could drive into the park for loading and unloading. This is always a HUGE plus for an art event.
Tags: artfairs
Hi Mona, Glad to see you back. Sorry it wasn’t a swankier event. Hope you did well enough to justify going!
Worked on my website today most of the day — at least being somewhat artiscally productive after perparing for and having company. I enjoyed having my company — but was like preparing for a major holiday event! If I did it more often, maybe I woudl be a little more relaxed.
Gotta go to a barrel racing event at a fair tomorrow, accompany my friend annually to that. Then off to mom’s for the weekend — then hopefully a few weeks to do my art will stretch out in front of me. Probabally will but off trying to do Labor Day garage sale — there is always next year. I was close to one job offer, but too long of a commute. Got my tax corrections done, will see if they are right, got the amount down from what they said considerably. I plan to really give art marketing a go — though could use more money sooner, think I will may take out a small loan and economize, budget the art biz!
That’s my story for now. Hope to get the website up next week, will let you know. Hope you are rested and well. Happy Painting, Angela
I think it was a good show, just not exactly what I was expecting. Despite the tragedy of Omaha Summer Arts of this year, the organization sets a pretty high standard.
Company is always good for cleaning the house. Our place never gets a thorough scrub unless fear of immenent company. The gallery has made me even more sloppy at home just because I try to direct everyone to the gallery when they are coming for a breif visit.
Looking forward to seeing your website. Always exciting when taking a big step like this.
Have a great weekend with mom and barrel racing.
What a lovely view! That would be like a day out for me, and any sales would be a bonus!