Mastering the art of sales:
Can profits at the Festival of the Masters become more than just a Disney fantasy?
By Cameron Meier
SA Editor
Disney’s Festival of the Masters is at a crossroads. While it remains one of the most exquisite and best-run art shows in the country, sales at the most recent show, November 12-14, 2004, were anything but festive. After being ranked among the top 50 fine art shows (SA’s 200 Best) since 1999, the show dropped out of the rankings in 2004, and based upon assessments of many exhibitors, it won’t be returning next year.
The questions the show faces are multi-faceted. For instance, can the Festival end the sales slump, and if it can’t, will quality start to suffer? Also, what do the weak sales at a show of this caliber in the heart of the world’s most popular tourist destination say about the aesthetic sensibility — and the cash flow — of our culture?
For an art-loving show-goer, Festival is a dream — free and easy parking, no attendance fee, an attractive brochure and beautiful art. In addition, the show is situated in the heart of Downtown Disney’s West Side, home to several high-profile restaurants, such as House of Blues, Wolfgang Puck’s and Planet Hollywood. Expect a nice — but not overbearing — assortment of musicians. And if you want more elaborate entertainment, Disney’s theme parks are only a 10-minute drive away.
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