And now that I have your attention, the end happened for the previous blog look and it has been updated. Much better IMHO.
The important things are what's happening now and soon:
The Barracks Shops are open again this year and I am back in the Garrison Studio shop. Stop in. The shops are all local artisan work and it is Fredericton's best kept secret.
The New Brunswick Crafts Council is having its annual fine craft show and sale in the Rothesay Commons this weekend, July 9 (10-6) & 10 (11-5). It took me awhile to make up my mind about going but some friends talked me into it. Assuming that they will still be friends on Sunday night since we are all bunking in and travelling together for the show.
Fredericton Pride is presenting the Alt + ♥ Art Market at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre on July 30th. Should be a fun event with art, music and craft from 1-4 and portions of the sale proceeds going to Pride.
The NBCC is also going to host a Biennale show at Government House this year from 14 July to 25 August. I'm submitting, so with any luck, I'll also be exhibiting.
And on the visual art front, I've been hitting the ink pretty hard lately and have some cool stuff happening. Prints are for sale at the Garrison shop and will be at the Alt+♥ market too. At the moment I am contemplating what to do for the "Lost and Found" exhibition at the Arts Centre.
Lastly, there is a new craft show in town with the Fredericton Fall Craft Show, October 1&2. Mailed my application yesterday.
One of these days I'll bring you up to date on the past year. It's been a wild ride.
Showing posts with label art craft market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art craft market. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Thursday, July 22, 2010
News - Old and New
Downtown Fredericton has restarted their Thursday afternoon artisans market in the Wilmot Alley that runs between King and Queen Streets. It's a pleasant little market with all hand made craft, visual artworks and music. Worth dropping in to see between 4 and 8, if not to see me, than to see the other artisans or listen to some cool beats. Rain location for days like today is King's Place Mall center court.
The Fredericton Arts Alliance, that has been providing a summer residency program for a number of years, is holding their residencies at the York Sunbury Museum this summer. Located in gorgeous downtown Fredericton's Historic District, and it's not hard to find which of the 2 city blocks it's on.
My residency starts on Saturday July 24th. My residency partner for the week is Leigh Merritt, a talented potter that I had the pleasure of working with last summer at the casemates. I am looking forward to seeing what Leigh has planned for the week, while I am wracking my brain for inspiration regarding the word "Metamorphosis" for the upcoming Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia's annual competition and exhibition.
The Fredericton Arts Alliance, that has been providing a summer residency program for a number of years, is holding their residencies at the York Sunbury Museum this summer. Located in gorgeous downtown Fredericton's Historic District, and it's not hard to find which of the 2 city blocks it's on.
My residency starts on Saturday July 24th. My residency partner for the week is Leigh Merritt, a talented potter that I had the pleasure of working with last summer at the casemates. I am looking forward to seeing what Leigh has planned for the week, while I am wracking my brain for inspiration regarding the word "Metamorphosis" for the upcoming Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia's annual competition and exhibition.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Measuring Success: it's not just in the money
It's a topic that I have been thinking about for awhile and it certainly comes up with every show that I do. Inevitably an organizer, or more frequently, other artists/artisans will ask "Was it successful?"
Very rarely now do I feel that a show has been a failure. It has to be a real bad one in a lot of ways to get that designation.
This weekend's Art Market in Fredericton was no exception. All the attending artists were asked to complete a survey with various questions measuring the success of the venue. Did we hear/see advertising for the event? What went right, what went wrong? What else could have been done? And the clincher of most events that have some amount of municipal, provincial or federal funding: Circle the number that represents your sales for the show.
The problem with evaluating the success of a show/sale totally in terms of actual sales at the event is that it never takes into consideration the other things that make it a personal success.
There is the amount of personal promotional effort that a person puts in. How many business cards and brochures were distributed? How many conversations did you have with people who have never seen your work before? How many people are seeing you again and are now getting interested in what you do? How many people were complimentary or just plain curious? How many names did you get to add to your contact list for the area in which the show was held?
Answering and measuring from that perspective can take a show with low sales numbers and turn it into a success that can built upon at a later event.
The surveys also don't address these possibilities either: If you teach in your medium, did you get new students? Were there any commissions or custom orders placed for your work?
Another avenue for success: Did you make a connection with another exhibitor or a visitor that may lead to another income stream, exhibition possibility or further recognition for your work?
And finally, one of my favorite ways to measure the success of a show: Was it fun and did I get to meet other artists and exchange ideas?
The Art Market in Fredericton was a raging success for me on a lot of fronts. There were sales and a couple of commissions. Lots of compliments and conversation. Plenty of cards and brochures out there now. No new names on my list, I'm really bad at that part yet. Met a lot of the other artists and had some great conversation with them. Got some new ideas for business too and may have snagged a couple of new students. Not bad for a rainy weekend in Freddy Beach.
--
Very rarely now do I feel that a show has been a failure. It has to be a real bad one in a lot of ways to get that designation.
This weekend's Art Market in Fredericton was no exception. All the attending artists were asked to complete a survey with various questions measuring the success of the venue. Did we hear/see advertising for the event? What went right, what went wrong? What else could have been done? And the clincher of most events that have some amount of municipal, provincial or federal funding: Circle the number that represents your sales for the show.
The problem with evaluating the success of a show/sale totally in terms of actual sales at the event is that it never takes into consideration the other things that make it a personal success.
There is the amount of personal promotional effort that a person puts in. How many business cards and brochures were distributed? How many conversations did you have with people who have never seen your work before? How many people are seeing you again and are now getting interested in what you do? How many people were complimentary or just plain curious? How many names did you get to add to your contact list for the area in which the show was held?
Answering and measuring from that perspective can take a show with low sales numbers and turn it into a success that can built upon at a later event.
The surveys also don't address these possibilities either: If you teach in your medium, did you get new students? Were there any commissions or custom orders placed for your work?
Another avenue for success: Did you make a connection with another exhibitor or a visitor that may lead to another income stream, exhibition possibility or further recognition for your work?
And finally, one of my favorite ways to measure the success of a show: Was it fun and did I get to meet other artists and exchange ideas?
The Art Market in Fredericton was a raging success for me on a lot of fronts. There were sales and a couple of commissions. Lots of compliments and conversation. Plenty of cards and brochures out there now. No new names on my list, I'm really bad at that part yet. Met a lot of the other artists and had some great conversation with them. Got some new ideas for business too and may have snagged a couple of new students. Not bad for a rainy weekend in Freddy Beach.
--
Friday, June 26, 2009
And before it's too late...
... a little more self-promotion here:
There is a jewelry fashion at Fusion Coffee on Main, in Woodstock, NB, tomorrow at 2PM. It is in partnership with Viktor's Blue Rose Salon, Spa and Boutique. Not only is it a great opportunity to see my fabulous work, but to learn about all the new services that are being offered at Viktor's and to see some of his and Christian's hair design expertise.
Next weekend, starting on Thursday July 2nd and running through to Sunday afternoon, is the City of Fredericton's Art Market in Officer's Square. This is a first time event and in celebration of the fact that Fredericton has been named a Cultural Capitol of Canada for 2009. There is going to be both visual art and fine craft at the venue, but only one of a kind and original pieces.
Yesterday, to my delight, I found out that the New Brunswick Craft Council has featured a piece of my jewelry on this year's promotional postcard for the Fine Craft Festival in Rothesay which is quickly coming up on July 11 & 12.
Don't forget that the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Summer Market is coming up on July 24-26 on the corner of Spring Garden & Queen in Halifax. We miss the tall ships that weekend, but we do get to see the Pride celebrations which is fun too.
And lastly, my schedule for the Fredericton Arts Alliance casemate at the Garrison District Artisan Shops in Fredericton has been confirmed and in co-operation with the other artist participating that week, I am in residence from August 8-11. I will be spending that 3.5 days working on exhibition entries for the rapidly approaching Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia competition and exhibition on "Sea Life". It's a broad subject, so the possibilities are endless so I need to narrow it down just a bit from there.
--
There is a jewelry fashion at Fusion Coffee on Main, in Woodstock, NB, tomorrow at 2PM. It is in partnership with Viktor's Blue Rose Salon, Spa and Boutique. Not only is it a great opportunity to see my fabulous work, but to learn about all the new services that are being offered at Viktor's and to see some of his and Christian's hair design expertise.
Next weekend, starting on Thursday July 2nd and running through to Sunday afternoon, is the City of Fredericton's Art Market in Officer's Square. This is a first time event and in celebration of the fact that Fredericton has been named a Cultural Capitol of Canada for 2009. There is going to be both visual art and fine craft at the venue, but only one of a kind and original pieces.
Yesterday, to my delight, I found out that the New Brunswick Craft Council has featured a piece of my jewelry on this year's promotional postcard for the Fine Craft Festival in Rothesay which is quickly coming up on July 11 & 12.
Don't forget that the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Summer Market is coming up on July 24-26 on the corner of Spring Garden & Queen in Halifax. We miss the tall ships that weekend, but we do get to see the Pride celebrations which is fun too.
And lastly, my schedule for the Fredericton Arts Alliance casemate at the Garrison District Artisan Shops in Fredericton has been confirmed and in co-operation with the other artist participating that week, I am in residence from August 8-11. I will be spending that 3.5 days working on exhibition entries for the rapidly approaching Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia competition and exhibition on "Sea Life". It's a broad subject, so the possibilities are endless so I need to narrow it down just a bit from there.
--
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Things are happening or shameless self-promotion
This particular post is simply to provide an update of activities that are coming up for me as far as summer shows and other interesting dates and developments:
On June 27th, at 2PM, my jewelry will be featured alongside the spectacular work of Viktor's Blue Rose Salon, Spa & Boutique at Fusions, Main St., Woodstock. Models will be sporting hair and make-up from the salon and wearing my gorgeous jewellery. A great time to enjoy some of Fusions finest coffees, relax and browse.
The City of Fredericton, as an arts capital of Canada, is hosting an Artist's Market from July 2-5 at Officers' Square. This market will be a visual feast, as it is designed specifically for practicing artists and artisans who paint, sculpt, draw and create one of a kind work. This is not a craft show but a real exhibition of one-off art pieces. Not to be missed if you appreciate fine art and handcraft.
The following weekend, I am in Rothesay at the New Brunswick Crafts Council Fine Craft Festival being held July 11 & 12. Crafts Council events are wonderful way to acquire quality handcrafted goods. Council members' work is held to a high standard even for production pieces. Come on out and show your support for artisan work in NB.
A short break and then Halifax.... for the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Summer Market, July 24 - 26. Again, high quality artisan goods, since you can't be in show if you haven't met the standards of the coucil. The market is held at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street in Halifax. That will be a busy area on Saturday afternoon as the Halifax Pride Parade passes the show grounds. A great opportunity to show your support for both artisans and our human diversity. I know that I have some great pix from last year's event and look forward to this year's.
That about sums up July which will be busy, and I'll be making new things for the shows.
This month, there is still some custom work to finish up, like this piece that I just completed the weave on last night:
It is ammolite, that flashes orange to green with a strong blue segment at one side of the fossil. The top stone is a 2.7ct fire opal with a smoldering yellow tone with interesting plays of red and green, and the bottom is an emerald cabochon weighing in at nearly 4ct. The three stones are all ones that I cut. It is 14K gold-fill, which I don't work in often, opting for sterling mostly. The beads that are incorporated into the weave are emerald, citrine and carnelian facetted rondelles. It isn't often that I make a custom piece that I wish I could keep, this is one of those rare occasions where I am totally smitten with my work. Fortunaltely though, I do know the lady (Mom of a good friend) that requested this piece, so it is going to a good home.
For those that are interested, Fredericton's Pride Week is June 20-27. BOOM nightclub on Queen will be hosting events and has been busy with fund raising activities.
The New Brunswick Crafts Council is opening Productive Hands, a NBCC initiative, gallery store at the Casemates on the corner of Queen and Carleton. Sometime this summer I will be doing some demo work at the casemate, I'll tell you when I know more.
I have an application in to the Fredericton Arts Alliance for their Artist's in Residence program, also held at the Casemates. I won't know if I have been successful in securing a week long residency until next week sometime. Keeping my fingers crossed for good results though.
Even if the residency doesn't come through, you can't go wrong when you get an email like this one from a long-distance but frequent client:
"WOW
Hello Cynthia - The necklace is here and it is perfect! I love the shapes and the size - it will be just right for our friend ..... I always really appreciate the time you take to write about the stone and how you worked with it. You even made it in March which the Irish girl will like since
that is when St. Patrick's Day is.
And then . . . I found a little something extra! Thanks so much - I'll wear them today and tomorrow for the party. I really like them a lot.
You're the best, Cynthia. Thanks for the speedy response, checking your stash, and the wonderful pieces.
Take care,
P.... "
Completely unsolicited and just in this morning. WOW, a little praise never hurts an artist's feelings. When the party is over, don't want to spoil a surprise, I'll edit this and post a pic.
Yesterday, while I was out running around Freddie, I had an accidental lunch with a gentleman who is a rep for Crocs... you know, I may just have to change my opinion of them, especially after seeing some of the heels that they are designing now.
Hope your week is going well and coming together too.
Off to run more errands and go to an appointment.
--
On June 27th, at 2PM, my jewelry will be featured alongside the spectacular work of Viktor's Blue Rose Salon, Spa & Boutique at Fusions, Main St., Woodstock. Models will be sporting hair and make-up from the salon and wearing my gorgeous jewellery. A great time to enjoy some of Fusions finest coffees, relax and browse.
The City of Fredericton, as an arts capital of Canada, is hosting an Artist's Market from July 2-5 at Officers' Square. This market will be a visual feast, as it is designed specifically for practicing artists and artisans who paint, sculpt, draw and create one of a kind work. This is not a craft show but a real exhibition of one-off art pieces. Not to be missed if you appreciate fine art and handcraft.
The following weekend, I am in Rothesay at the New Brunswick Crafts Council Fine Craft Festival being held July 11 & 12. Crafts Council events are wonderful way to acquire quality handcrafted goods. Council members' work is held to a high standard even for production pieces. Come on out and show your support for artisan work in NB.
A short break and then Halifax.... for the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Summer Market, July 24 - 26. Again, high quality artisan goods, since you can't be in show if you haven't met the standards of the coucil. The market is held at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street in Halifax. That will be a busy area on Saturday afternoon as the Halifax Pride Parade passes the show grounds. A great opportunity to show your support for both artisans and our human diversity. I know that I have some great pix from last year's event and look forward to this year's.
That about sums up July which will be busy, and I'll be making new things for the shows.
This month, there is still some custom work to finish up, like this piece that I just completed the weave on last night:
It is ammolite, that flashes orange to green with a strong blue segment at one side of the fossil. The top stone is a 2.7ct fire opal with a smoldering yellow tone with interesting plays of red and green, and the bottom is an emerald cabochon weighing in at nearly 4ct. The three stones are all ones that I cut. It is 14K gold-fill, which I don't work in often, opting for sterling mostly. The beads that are incorporated into the weave are emerald, citrine and carnelian facetted rondelles. It isn't often that I make a custom piece that I wish I could keep, this is one of those rare occasions where I am totally smitten with my work. Fortunaltely though, I do know the lady (Mom of a good friend) that requested this piece, so it is going to a good home.For those that are interested, Fredericton's Pride Week is June 20-27. BOOM nightclub on Queen will be hosting events and has been busy with fund raising activities.
The New Brunswick Crafts Council is opening Productive Hands, a NBCC initiative, gallery store at the Casemates on the corner of Queen and Carleton. Sometime this summer I will be doing some demo work at the casemate, I'll tell you when I know more.
I have an application in to the Fredericton Arts Alliance for their Artist's in Residence program, also held at the Casemates. I won't know if I have been successful in securing a week long residency until next week sometime. Keeping my fingers crossed for good results though.
Even if the residency doesn't come through, you can't go wrong when you get an email like this one from a long-distance but frequent client:
"WOW
Hello Cynthia - The necklace is here and it is perfect! I love the shapes and the size - it will be just right for our friend ..... I always really appreciate the time you take to write about the stone and how you worked with it. You even made it in March which the Irish girl will like since
that is when St. Patrick's Day is.
And then . . . I found a little something extra! Thanks so much - I'll wear them today and tomorrow for the party. I really like them a lot.
You're the best, Cynthia. Thanks for the speedy response, checking your stash, and the wonderful pieces.
Take care,
P.... "
Completely unsolicited and just in this morning. WOW, a little praise never hurts an artist's feelings. When the party is over, don't want to spoil a surprise, I'll edit this and post a pic.
Yesterday, while I was out running around Freddie, I had an accidental lunch with a gentleman who is a rep for Crocs... you know, I may just have to change my opinion of them, especially after seeing some of the heels that they are designing now.
Hope your week is going well and coming together too.
Off to run more errands and go to an appointment.
--
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