Show-Stopping Startups
First-year festivals are never tried and true, but some offer pleasant surprises to those who take a chance
By Bill Sievert
It's an attitude that presents something of a conundrum for festival producers. Many - if not most - artists and craftspeople vow that they'll never to do a brand new show. However, if nobody exhibits at a first-year event, how can there ever be a second-year one? If enterprising promoters didn't take the risk of offering new venues, the show circuit would likely become stagnant, and artists would complain about the dearth of fresh venues to sell their work.
Fortunately, some artists - like the folks who organize new shows - are risk takers, and they enjoy getting in on the ground level of an event with potential for drawing new customers. Every year, Sunshine Artist receives reviews on dozens of first-time fairs and - although growing pains are commonly reported - many of the startups go on to become annual traditions.
Rarely do first-year shows receive rave reviews, though occasionally one stands out with our readers, as has been the case with Art on the Square in Belleview, Illinois (see feature article on page __). That show made last year's compilation of the 100 Best fine arts & design shows, after a highly successful launch in 2002.
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