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Show Review Archives > 2009 > AUGUST
 

May 16-17, Spring Fine Art and Crafts at Verona Park, Verona, NJ

May 16-17, Spring Fine Art and Crafts at Verona Park, Verona. Contact: Howard and Janet Rose, Rose Squared Productions Inc., 21 Galaxy Court, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Phone: 908-874-5247. Fax: 908-874-7098. E-mail: janet@rosesquared.com. Web site: www.rosesquared.com. Application fee: $25. Space fee: $330-$660. Space size: 10x12 to 10x24. 100% outdoors. Exhibitors: 110. Hours: 10-5. Attendance: 13,000 (2008 police estimate).

By Shoshana Matthews
Maryland Reporter
E-mail: shoshana@handwovens.biz
Medium: Fiber

Howard and Janet Rose certainly know how to put on a show. They know all their exhibitors, meet any special needs and are a constant presence throughout the weekend, including during setup. They're among the most caring, hard-working promoters I know. (Granted, I don't know all of them out there.)

Verona Park is a beautiful setting just outside Montclair. Booths are set up on the sidewalk and lawn areas near the park's lake and boathouse. There is a logical flow of traffic and plenty of parking.

The weather was not nearly as accommodating as the Roses at the 23rd annual show. Friday setup weather was pretty nice: a bit warm, but sunny and pleasant. Saturday was pretty good but deteriorated by evening. Sunday, however, was horrible. There were thunderstorms threatening all day. Fortunately, we didn't get much rain, but we did get the cold - a damp, raw, penetrating cold. Most of us were dressed in multiple layers of sweaters and jackets all day. The temperature dropped from the mid-60s to the low 50s by late morning. Wind gusted all day. I saw one E-Z Up tent crushed and resting on the lake bank on Sunday morning. I don't know of any other damage, but there might have been some. And I know that the potter next to me and I spent some time hanging onto our displays. At one point I finally took down my awning, as it was acting as a sail and lifting the tent, weights and all.
Crowds were pretty thin on both days. (I sound like a broken record.) Some were buying, but not many. Most exhibitors with whom I spoke had a better Sunday than Saturday. I did speak with a jeweler who made more on Saturday than all weekend last year. In addition, two fiber artists were happy with sales, as were several jewelers. Many more made a slim profit. Two jewelers, a leather artist, a fiber artist and a potter were all unhappy with sales totals for the weekend, however. The economy is still hitting us hard. Surely this has to get better? Soon? Most exhibitors will be back next year, though.

On the upside, this was a well-juried show with lots of high-quality art and fine craft. The patrons who were there did appreciate it. I had very little sticker shock, and most show-goers knew that the pieces were worth the money. They weren't parting with much of it, though. Several said they just couldn't afford to spend money this time but would be back in the fall. We'll see. I had been told that "be-backs" really did come back at this show, but none of mine did. Maybe they will be back at a later date. Considering the weather and the smaller crowd, I was satisfied (sort of) with $1,200 in sales. That's half of what I was hoping for, but it was better than no profit at all. I'll continue to recommend this and other Rose Squared events, though, as the promoters are a pleasure to work with and run an extremely professional and fun show.

Editor's note: An SA secret auditor ($522 total sales/$30 average item sold) also reviewed this show, giving high marks to everything except weather and sales. "Poor sales were neither the fault of the area nor the producers," the exhibitor said. "Poor sales were a fault of the miserable weather and the general economy. Others to whom we spoke did far worse than we did, some complaining that they had not made expenses and a few not having made [back the space fee]. Many came to our booth and looked at things with lovely comments but left without our goods and without leaving money behind.

"Advertising with this promoter is always extensive. Load-in/-out is always excellent. The philosophy of the promoter is always that the exhibitor is the client, not the people at the fair. They make every effort to make this show a success for everyone involved."