West Shore Art Fair

[Wonder Woman]

Did anyone attend the craft show this past weekend at city park?  The number of vendors was way down.  About 1/2 of the park was empty!  I look forward to the craft show every year, but this year it was a huge disappointment.  I didn't even buy anything! 

[Lisa O'Brien]

I personally don't see the issue here.The promoters of the event said it was a success. They set the bar as to what they would consider successful. If 90% of Ludington hated it - who cares, the way I see it then 90% of Ludington saved their hard earned money, by not spending it on junk they really don't need. If it's the exclusion of local artist because their items were not up to the standard set. Isn't there other avenues for them to sell their wares? Change in life is always inevitable, we may not like it (personally I hate change) but this does not stop it. I can see where they would want to bring in buyers from outside the community for this event - it offers growth. Instead of local money being spent locally, it is bringing in outside money to the local economy.

[AQUAMAN]

Well, I guess you are of the opinion Lisa, that what's most important is to impress the tourists, not the locals that pay for these leagues to put these type events on to begin with. That's simply boorish, and not in line with what works either. I too used to go to this event regularly and enjoy the local flavor of artists and crafters that made such beautiful work at reasonable and affordable prices. Those people were west Michiganders, like us, and had interesting stories and chat that was fun to hear. The last time I went I noticed that most of the vendors were "up-scale", too plastic to talk with, and also very aloof to the people's tastes and wallet capabilities. I'm not going to a local art fair to spend $1,000 on a painting, it just isn't going to happen. I have paid upwards of $200 for like paintings, and been very happy, as was the artist. Like many have also said, they will wait for the Gold Coast show in August, where the local flavor will be more readily available to enjoy.

[Lisa O'Brien]

See that's perfect the local still have a chance to sell their ware's at the Gold Coast show. I didn't say it's more important to impress the tourist's. I said "I can see where they would want to bring in buyers from outside the community for this event - it offers growth." 

Local money - spent in the local economy is stagnant. Bringing in money from tourist's boost the economy for all.

[AQUAMAN]

Lisa, you missed my point dear. The "tourists dollars" are here whether we want them or not, art fairs, Friday nite live, Gus Macker, etc. or not. Yes, they do boost the economy somewhat, for a "short few months", then, when the weather turns back to frightful, it's back to the salt mines for locals and shopkeepers alike. My opinion was that the local art fair, in the old days, delete of famous expensive lofty minded artists, was a fun and entertaining experience for local west Michigan flavor in crafts and such. I don't intend to buy Rembrandt, nor Picasso type paintings. That's a big stretch and pun on what I see now, but it's a parallel. These "implants and offsprings from downstate", aren't measuring up to what we locals see as true art and crafts, that's all I'm saying. Plus, trying to compete with Muskegon and Manistee on the same weekend is poor planning in timing. Oh well, might as well wait another month, then maybe, we can enjoy some appreciation for art that everyone can afford, and of course, have fun with.

[Lisa O'Brien]

Aquaman,

I think we are both missing each others point.

I believe you are seeing this from a local's stand point, and I'm just looking at this from a business stand point. Yes there will always be tourists, but the community organizations needs to be looking actively at bringing in all types of tourists. Gus Macker is great if your into sports. 

The government leaders need to be focusing their time on bringing manufacturing jobs to their area.

I'm not even saying whether the change is good or bad - because only time will tell.

Before my NYC assignment I was at the art fair every year - when I move back, I will avoid it like the plaque - I have a habit of buying things that catch my eye - and then wondering why I wasted my money on it 3 months later - to avoid this I steer clear of all temptation.

[Willy]

What bothers me is that fact the LACA is trying to BS the public. They say that other communities shows drew vendors away for Ludington when in fact it was the LACA's own decision to turn vendors away because they did not meet the "fine art" criteria. The fact that each person has their own taste and opinions of "art" makes the appeal of art a subjective decision by each individual and for the LACA to decide for the community  what constitutes "art" is, in my opinion, a very condescending attitude. Some people think that velvet paintings of poker playing dogs is fine art. 4th of July week is probably the busiest week of the year and the Ludington area is packed with tourists so there is no shortage of "outside" people looking for something to do.

[AQUAMAN]

Darnit Willy, your comment, "poker playing dogs on velvet as art", lmao pal. As far as another comment as to "focusing bringing manufacturing jobs into their area", sorry to tell you Lisa, that sector of our economy is now gone, and in Mason County, for the most part, pretty much disappeared 30 years ago dear, where have you been, in China? I mean, really? As far as the business standpoint, what works elsewhere in the Motor City, doesn't even come close to the rural parts of West Michigan, not rocket science imho. Cultural arts isn't measured in dollars, it's the expression of the human soul, at least to me anyhow. But yes, it is totally subjective to each individual for sure. P.S. I was hoping Wonder Woman would weigh in on her own thread here, just so we get her feelings too, where are ya?

[Willy]

When you think about it those poker dogs are more artistic than some of the modern stuff that poses as art. The first time I saw a Picasso print I thought it was created by a child.

[Wonder Woman]

I think my original post said I was disappointed in this year's show.  I like the craft items more than the art stuff.  I didn't buy anything when I went on Saturday and told my friends and family to avoid going later Saturday or Sunday because it wasn't the same arts & crafts fair that we have enjoyed for many years.  From the people I've talked to, the locals are not happy about the change, but I guess the LACA can do whatever they want because it's their show.  I'm looking forward to the August show so I can buy some crafts!  :-)

[XLFD]

It would be nice if the organizers and the talking heads of these local events would speak more concretely about whether these events are measurably successful or less than what they expected.  There have been local events that fail to live up to expectations (as regards participation, fundraising, etc.), and yet I've never seen anyone associated with them officially claim that any of them have been less than a total success. 

[Lisa O'Brien]

If you set the bar extremely low it will always be a success.

[XLFD]

I think Lisa was responding directly and generally to my comment about what officials say about these events, not about the art fair specifically in this case.