REVIEWS OF LOCAL ART VENUES
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Stephenville Arts & Crafts Gift Show
by Jack D. Davidson
Stephenville Recreation Department’s Recreation Hall; Stephenville, Texas - (November)
This show had both outdoor and indoor venues in the City of Stephenville Parks and Recreation Department facilities. We chose the indoor venue and after visiting the outdoor venue we were convinced that we had made the correct choice. The show was under joint sponsorship of the City of Stephenville Parks and Recreation Department and The Stephenville Zonta Club. The show was for three days and the show hours were: Friday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM. Security was provided, so we only had to set up once. We could set up at any time between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM on Friday. The congestion during both set-up and tear-down was reasonable. We would definitely try this show again next year.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Showcase
by Jack D. Davidson
Tarleton State University Student Center; Stephenville, Texas - (December)
This show was an indoor venue in the beautiful student center on the campus of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. All facilities were pleasant and the staffing was friendly. The show is sponsored by the TSU Staff Council. We set up at 7:00 AM and the show hours were on a Friday only between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There was quite a bit of congestion in the area during both set-up and tear-down, but some students were available with carts to facilitate moving in and moving out. There were two significant challenges for the showcase. First, it was apparently advertised only to faculty and students of Tarleton State University. While there was quite a bit of traffic, it was frequently composed of friendly students who were broke, but sometimes inclined to recite very long poems. (Actually, I enjoyed the latter!) We would definitely not try this show again next year. We did about as well as most of our competitors, but there were MANY, MANY competitors in the same category as ours and the lack of general advertising further limited the customer base.
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
by Shirley Hand
3901 S. Hulen
iIt was an outdoor venue and they advertised it as Fall Festival...somewhat an old style school carnival...it was really fun!...lots of traffic, good general public and majority school affiliation...lots going on...sort of like a three ring circus. It was held on the parking lot, so it was windy and a little warm, but not too uncomfortable, considering the time of year. Hope we are aware of it for next year. Would recommend it to those hardy souls who can handle the 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , with set up supposedly beginning at 8 a.m. (but delayed because of their SNAFU) until after 9 a.m....all were friendly and the children (lots of them, after all, it is a SCHOOL)...would definitely try it again next year.
Fort Worth Prairie Fest
by Tina McIntire
Tandy Hills Nature Area
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147
817-731-2787
Don Young
Yearly in April
An outdoor festival to celebrate our connection to the natural world through Music, Art, Dance, Environmental Stewardship & Wildflower Tours. I did very well between barters and sales; would definitely do this show again. The organizer, Don Young, is already looking for vendors for next year. There were about 3000 in attendance.
Glenview Baptist Church
Hometown Country Christmas
by Shirley Hand
October 6, 2007 Saturday
Contact: Melissa Seals at 817-770-6713
8'x8' and 8'x10', cost is $50 per space
You have to provide your own table and they will provide you with 2 chairs. Set up will begin on Friday evening from 5 pm, last minute touch up set up will begin at 7 am on Saturday morning, and everyone must to be out by 5 pm. They do lots of advertising and will provide vendors with pre-printed invitations for your own customer base. You are required to donate one item for their door prize drawings which happen through the day. They assign your booth as soon as you pay so that means it is first come first serve. I didn't participate last year but did the year before (2005) and did ok, it appears they have begun some different kinds of rules for this year and they seem great. Very nice bunch of people to work with, it is indoors and nicely handled. They do arrange for bartering among vendors and that is just one of the 'new' things I noticed. Try it, it may be just what you need.
Grapevine Market
by Shirley Hand
One Liberty Park Plaza,
Grapevine, TX (located on Historic Main Street, just off Northwest Highway in Grapevine, directly across the street from Grapevine Opera and one block from the town gazebo)
Early April to Late October
Thursday and Saturday - 9 am to 1:30 pm
$10 per day payable day of Market by 8 am.
If you desire information on sales space you may obtain it from the secretary inside the Grapevine Historic Office; although this years spots are already filled. It takes a process of filing an application (which has to be notarized) and pictures. The market is outdoors with lots of easy parking for customers and good loading zones that the vendors may use prior to the opening of the market. There is good traffic and lots of out of town visitors to the area. There are many handmade crafts: ranging from beaded jewelry, to knitted baby blankets, some ready made cute fluff items, desk critters, children's toys, sell from home type chef items, and some handmade sterling jewelry. NO GLASS, except Debbie Ragsdales. There are even some imported items being sold; they are probably looking for more 'handmade' type items for next season. They do NOT have this Market during the weeks of Main Street Days in May or Grapefest in September. They won't let you buddy system it or trade off vendors.
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