Art fairs: Do we have too much of a good thing?

Does Minnesota have too much of a good thing? My experience at last weekend's Highland Fest included good conversations with my vendor neighbors about the future of Minnesota's art fair scene. These folks have years of experience participating in art shows, so I was very interested in what they had to say. "John" says that, for vendors, the experience is not like it use to be. .... fewer purchases and lower price points. He thinks that Minnesota just can't support the number of art fair opportunities that are available during our all too short summer season. Maybe he's got a point. Add the number of music festivals and beer and wine tasting events, well, the dollar just can't stretch that far.

I do believe that the proliferation of these events has something to do with the available grant dollars from the Heritage Fund supported by the tax increase we approved a few years ago to support arts and cultural efforts. At least two vendors told me they wouldn't be back next year to Minnesota events, and expressed their frustration at the cost of the events (around $200 for mid-sized shows) with minimal return on their investment. Being a newbie to all of this, well, I'm just taking it all in, learning and still applying for participation in more shows..... looking forward to selling more sun brims.

By-the-way, my next gig is Duluth's Art in Bayfront Park.