Nicole Gadouas, Project Leader
This project was made possible by a grant from the Vermont Arts Council
Celebrative Our Creative Community
Swanton’s Got Art Show & Sale
Show Details:
·
Opening Reception: Friday, November 3rd
from 5-9PM
·
Exhibit Hours: Saturday, November 4th
10AM – 2PM
·
Location: Swanton Municipal Complex, 120 First
Street, Swanton, VT 05488
·
35 artists displaying a total of 85 pieces of
2D and 3D art
Overall
community response:
·
We observed a steady stream of people during
the show times. It was much heavier
during daylight hours and during the beginning of the opening reception.
·
Few people signed in, however, we estimate the
total number of people attending as 120.
·
The majority of attendees made comments on the
amazing talent and diversity of the artists living in our community.
·
Many were shocked that their friends and
neighbors had pieces in the show.
What we’ve
discovered:
·
Several people commented on the prices of the
artwork.
·
Very few people came to buy, more to
look.
·
This show was a challenge to some artists who
have previously not participated in a show, or had limited show experience. We feel this was a great first step to
prepare for bigger shows.
·
A local salon is starting a gallery and used
this art show to select 3 artists to follow up with to display work in her
emerging gallery.
·
Several artists used this opportunity to network
and share other aspects of their art.
·
The location of this show, while accessible
(and free to us) was not conducive to creating an intimate setting that would
set an atmosphere for artwork sales. The Pop-Up Galleries that we trialed
during the late summer months allowed us to create a better ambiance where
people came looking to buy. We feel the
venue we used for the Swanton’s Got Art Show is best served for a community
event or display of work, but not for gallery level sales. This space may work for an artisan type craft
show.
·
Foot traffic in November is not heavy in
Swanton due to the limited daylight hours, multiple school events and crazy
weather. We feel this show would have
had a better attendance if held earlier in the year.
Next
Steps:
·
We plan on using this space for our 3rd
Annual Youth Art Show in March. This
location has been successful for this specific event.
·
We will continue to look for spaces that are
more suitable for a gallery style setting for art sales in the Swanton
area. We believe that a show of a longer
duration would increase the sales potential dramatically.
·
We will continue to create opportunities for
local artists to display their work – and continue to evaluate which
opportunities serve them best for their individual type of work.
·
The Swanton Chamber of Commerce has offered us
the use of their small (really small) welcome center for our use and we hope to
have individual artists showcased.
·
One young artist has scheduled her first
individual art show to be held in April 2018 following the response she
received from her artwork.
·
We are committed to keeping the presence of
art in our community and educating the community on its importance in our
economy.
·
Through this event we have created an
opportunity for our local artists to network with each other and created a
positive relationships.
Video
interview of artists and show overview created by Northwest Access TV. This video aired on our local public access
station, was shared on the SAC Facebook page and will be archived on the SAC
website. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwC_GZzdvf5lXG0Rg5Djx-w
St.
Albans Messenger Article following the show (Monday, November 6th)
Artist Survey
Responses
What is your biggest take-away from participating
in this show?
·
“Biggest take-away is getting to
meet new artists and visit with current known artists.”
·
“My work is ok. And artists understand art”
·
“I feel we should
have had a weekend where a lot of arts/craft sales were not going on in the area.
Of course I don't think this was known
when the event was being planned. It
seems like as soon as Halloween is over the focus is on these arts and crafts. Maybe next time we try to have this before
Halloween to get a jump on all the events that follow. Also, Swanton has to get more acclimated with
the price of art, this will take time. I
think some people have sticker shock and don’t realize what goes into each
piece. However, I think everyone enjoys
SAC presence and the things we do.”
·
“The SAC truly
is committed to bringing art to the community.”
·
“It was
awesome”
·
“There’s a
lot of unrecognized talent in the area.
Thanks for putting this together.”
·
“You all
did a wonderful job decorating the hall.”
·
“I learned
what it was like to participate in a “real show” and that is the next step to
establishing myself as an artist - and to find out how I want to proceed on
this crazy journey of sharing my artwork.”
How long have you been associated with the
Swanton Arts Council and what do you think of us?
·
“Associated with SAC since
inception (founding member). SAC is providing opportunities for local artists
to showcase their artwork.”
·
“First time. Very nice group of people with a love of all
things art.”
·
“I have
been with this group since the beginning and they feel like my other
family. It is great to be with
like-minded people. We manage to get
things done and have fun. I feel some
great friendships have been formed through this group.”
·
“Since its
inception”
·
“I’m not
formally associated. I think you are
doing a lot to promote the arts in the community.”
·
“I believe
it was the year after the SAC was organized.
As usual any organization has a core group and the SAC is no different,
however, our core group is extremely dedicated and no effort is spared to promote
art in the community.”
·
“I am one
of the founders (2.75 years) SAC people
are the most amazing group of people I have ever had the pleasure to work, play
and create with. Every new member
changes the color and shape of our overall mix and it makes it even more
stunningly beautiful.”
What do you feel would be the most helpful to
you as an artist?
·
“SUPPORT … by members of the
community and from within the SAC!”
·
“Connections to other local artists.”
·
“I would like to
learn how to appropriately price my work. At the same time, I am working on
developing my art as this spark has been recently reignited, which for various
reasons, I abandoned during my teens.”
·
“To continue receiving inspiration
and a myriad of ways to be involved with my artistic tribe from SAC.”
·
“I don’t think of myself as an
artist and don’t have any marketing aspirations. I just consider it a hobby for myself.”
·
“More information on what to consider
when pricing your artwork, finding more ways to sell, and how to keep your self-confidence
in the process.”
Special thanks to:
·
Nicole
Gadouas – additional hours work for graphic creation, publicity, follow up
·
Nicole
Draper - discount on cost of catering
·
Northwest
Access TV - for coverage of event and archival video
·
Katie
Foster – additional hours of videography as a personal donation (not included
in above)
·
Anita
Michele Parah – volunteered as curator assistant
·
Mike
Barkyoumb – show set up
·
David
Winchester & Adam Paxman– clean up
·
Faith
Dubois– show set up assistance
·
Flowers
By Debbie – reception area centerpiece
·
Hannafords
Supermarket – cider, paper products and balloons
·
The
Village of Swanton & Village Employees – 5 days of rent free use of the
Village Complex Auditorium
·
Judy
Paxman – administrative support
