NEW: SNAG Trunk Show & Sale during the Conference ! Registration starts Jan 14!

 

Society of North American Goldsmiths
Trunk Show and Sale
Trunk ShowAt The Westin Seattle
Sunday, May 29th from 3 to 5 pm
In conjunction with the SNAG conference

Jump on this unprecedented SNAG event as we launch our inaugural Members' Trunk Show and Sale. For the first time members will have the opportunity to sell their work to the public from a great location during the SNAG conference

Participation is open to all SNAG members on a first-come first-served basis.  Space is limited to 60 participants. This event is non-juried. $35 entry fee.

Reserve your space and get in on this groundbreaking event. You must be a current member of SNAG at the time of the conference.

For more information and to sign up online:
Prospectus
Registration Form (registration starts January 14)

FLUX 2011
More information on the SNAG 2011 conference "FLUX"

 


Time to renew your membership?


Click here

Views: 124

Replies to This Discussion

What does the prospectus mean by no display furniture?  No neck forms, etc.?  How will jewelers be able to display their work effectively?

Yes, no display furniture means no neck forms, ring stands etc. That way the playing field is level for all involved. Remember, this is a first come first serve deal, and it is non-juried, so all levels of artists are encouraged to sign up and get a chance to display and sell. Very democratic.  If they start allowing someone to gussy up their space to the nines and bring mannequin torsos, ring and bracelet racks and so forth then things will start getting out of whack fairly easily.  

 

There will likely be a uniform piece of cloth distributed with the artist package, probably black and/or white in color, which will also be a good backdrop and help to display items more uniformly.  You will just have to work with that for the time being. Maybe next year they'll allow some smallish display furniture, but you'll have to admit it could be a slippery slope once you start down that road.

 

I'm just happy the Trunk Show is happening in the first place :-) 

 

Each participant will share a standard, 8' draped and skirted table, with one other participant. Each participant will be assigned a uniform 36" x 32" space and a 4" x 11" laser printed paper table sign with the participant's name. No display furniture will be allowed. Artists may display as many items as will fit neatly within the 36" x 32" space.

 

 

 

 

I have to admit the no display furniture thing seems a bit odd to me as well.  If it's an event specifically to sell work, that participants have to pay to be a part of, why make them do it with one hand tied behind their back?  It's like saying this is for sales, but we don't want you to sell well. 

 

I think in particular of jewelers who might be doing rings.  They would have to then set the rings down flat on a table where anyone looking down on them sees basically just a ring of metal.  If someone wants to see the actual design of a piece as it was meant to be shown they have to pick up each piece individually to look at it.  While individual handling of each piece is likely good to induce sales, I'm guessing most people won't do this, hence the reason for ring stands.

 

I get that the idea is for this to be an informal event, but enforced informality just seems to be at cross purposes.

 

I do agree though that the trunk show sounds like a good idea.  I'm happy to see it happen and will be curious to see how well it goes.  In particular I wonder how much of the local public gets drawn in to see what SNAG members are making.  That's what could be the exciting part for SNAG and the public.

Vanessa and David, I understand what you are saying, and I think you both have a very valid point!! But, let's take it for what it is right now, a really GOOD START :-) and see how things go.

 

Also, the latest update is that people can bring their own tablecloth... my take is that you can indeed get a bit "creative" with that. Who says you couldn't fold tablecloth in certain ways to make up for a lack of furniture ... ahem. Just sayin'....

 

There are really big efforts underway to make this know in Seattle, media are being contacted and so forth. Also, of course everyone is heartily invited to toot their horns and let their area clients know that they are in town. 

 

I am one of the 6 organizers of this event (:-) and will be doing a radio interview with Corliss Rose next Thursday at 3pm PST at the Jay Whaley radio show to give some background information and to answer questions - so if anyone wants to listen and call in, feel free!!! 

 

Date: Thursday, JANUARY 20, 2011,

3-4pm Pacific Standard Time (PST)


Please feel free to call into the show and ask your questions live on air: 

Phone: 646-716-5718

 

Can’t be there that day but have tons of questions? Email me your questions before the show directly to crafthauseditor@live.com.  I will try to read your questions on air (mentioning your name if you wish) - and then see if Corliss and I can get you a good answer too :-)

 

More information about Jay Whaley on blog TALK radio: Whaleystudios on blogTalkRadio

 

 

 

Brigitte, don't get me wrong, I think it's an excellent opportunity for SNAG members and I'm excited to see this happening.  I just worry that without proper display materials many artists will not be able to display their work effectively.  As a working artist, this is constantly on my mind. :)

Oh, actually, this just came in from SNAG as well:

 

1. Black table cloths will be furnished. 
Participants may use table cloths of their own
choosing and color.

2. Two Participants may request to be assigned to
adjacent spaces at the same table. SNAG cannot
guarantee placement, but will make every effort to
honor such requests.

 

Guys:

This event sold out within 4 hours and 20 minutes! If you missed it, please get on the wait list :-)

I'm not surprised.  What a rare opportunity.  Hopefully I'll be near a computer when registration opens for next year's event.

That's awesome that the event sold out so fast!  I think it clearly shows lots of SNAG members are interested in, and hungry for this type of activity.

 

Since I've already gotten a bit of private flak for my previous post I feel I should clarify a bit more.  I am heartily for this happening and think it's a wonderful idea and direction for SNAG to pursue!!  My comments were meant as a critique, observations of potential problems that might keep this from being the best it could be.

 

Those who have done any amount of sales have likely learned already that presentation can play a huge role in developing the value of a work, at least the perceived value.  Since I expect many of the participants to be those who make jewelry not being able to prop up certain types of jewelry so it's design can be seen seems like a huge issue.  Most necklaces, brooches, and earrings can be easily set out on a cloth.  Rings and some types of bracelets would get utterly lost in such a display.  I'm hoping no one gets accused of breaking the rules if they do get creative with the use of a table cloth to turn that into makeshift "display furniture" so we can actually see their work.

 

The idea of effective presentation can be viewed in other ways too though.  I'm guessing the no display furniture rule is in an effort to help "sculpt" the type of social presentation of the work to everyone.  I gather the idea is not to do this as just another "art fair" with only metalsmiths/jewelers in it.  Rather instead it is to be presented as a very special and rare opportunity for interested people in the region to get a very personal experience with the artists, along with an "insiders" look at the world of SNAG.  It's sort of a metalsmiths party others are invited to where we let our hair down so to speak.  Perhaps a bit like a studio visit, but with the opportunity to see many artists and how we interact with each other.  I think this sort of presentation or framing of the social space could be VERY effective!  I can see it happening too, since I would imagine it won't just be the 60 artists who got in, but likely several hundred of us who are attending the conference who will be in the room.  There will likely be LOTS of energy and excitement in the air, oohing and ahhing, technical questions, jargon, and sharing of techniques.  If that does, in fact, happen then it would be a very rare and absolutely delightful setting for collectors of art jewelry/metalsmithing.  They could be learning a bunch about what we do that way listening to the answers to questions they never knew enough to ask.  Personally when I'm working a booth at SOFA I love it when students and fellow metalsmiths come up to chat and ask about my work.  It build excitement.  It also build validation for collectors observing this, and I see these collectors actively listening in to the conversations, becoming more engaged and knowledgeable.  I hope this can happen with this SNAG event. 

 

I realize the ability to advertise it to the public in the Seattle area will be likely be limited, but I'd suggest considering how the event is presented to them.  If it's billed as an art fair sort of thing there may be expectations for glass cases, lots of lights, and slick displays.  If this is expected then the artists in it will first have to overcome this disappointment.  If billed as more of a hair down, relaxed, almost impromptu gathering of skilled artists allowing a rare opportunity to see tons of art jewelry all in one room collectors should start out thrilled with the social setting they walk into.

 

This event has huge potential in my opinion!

David, thank you for your support and feedback. You definitely hit the nail on the head when you stated," ...it is to be presented as a very special and rare opportunity for interested people in the region to get a very personal experience with the artists, along with an "insiders" look at the world of SNAG.  It's sort of a metalsmiths party others are invited to where we let our hair down..."  This is a very close paraphrase of what was actually stated in the original proposal for the event.

 

The issue of allowing display furniture, or not, was the subject of much debate. All of us on the organizing committee have decades of experience with many shows and exhibitions, and we understand the importance of display.  Our intent was an informal event that was more like how we interact amongst ourselves in our studios when showing and discussing our work.  Once displays are mounted, the event becomes closer to a SOFA-like experience.  We felt this needed to be a different kind of experience.

Ultimately, we are here to serve the needs of SNAG members. If the members want to add display furniture to future events - we're all for it. We're also for creativity and fun.  As you've pointed out, a table cloth can be arranged to prop items up. One table cloth is supplied by SNAG, and artists may bring another  table cloth of their choosing.

 

You are also correct in pointing out that the event must be presented honestly and appropriately to collectors and the public. We fully intend to do exactly that. Its not about slick displays. Its about experiencing and interacting with  artists and their work in a way that isn't available anywhere else.

 

 

Reading your post makes a lot of sense.  When I initially read the line about no display furniture, I had flashbacks to craft fairs where work is just haphazardly thrown on a table.  I worried about how SNAG members would come across to the public.

 

But this sounds like a wonderful, intimate experience where people can engage with artists and their work.  This is a tremendous opportunity for artists to interact with the public without pretense and a chance to get the public thinking about and playing with the ideas brought up in the art.

 

Anyway, I've subjected you to enough of my prattling about this.  Thanks to everyone involved in putting this event together.  I'm looking forward to the conference.

RSS

Latest Activity

Aleksandra Vali posted a status
"2023 Fortezza da Basso, Florence, Italy"
Sep 19, 2023
Aleksandra Vali and Letitia Pintilie are now friends
Sep 19, 2023
Catherine Marche liked Rebecca Skeels's discussion streamlining our pages
Feb 3, 2021
Jonathan Leo Brown posted a status
"An art deco inspired ocean liner container with multiple containers."
Nov 9, 2020

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2024   Created by Brigitte Martin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service