Dear all...
Oooops!
I forgot to post news of two other up-and-coming Xmas markets which have now been-and-gone... Not much use now I know.. but for the record these were:
Sheridan's Cheese and Food Market (Old Virginia Road, Carnaross, Kells, Co. Meath) - Saturday 12th December
This is on the site of the Old Virginia Road Railway station.
I have a few things to say about this one: Rain was persistant for most of the morning. When we arrived, the marquee had large puddles inside (along one side). The organiser / owner didn't do half enough to accomodate the basic comforts of the stall holders - although he was keen to come round and take our money later... I approached him to ask if I could set up my prints on a small table in the main permanent, indoor section as the cold and damp of the marquee was unsuitable. He refused my request very quickly - too quickly. I don't mind someone refusing a request but I suggest that they consider and listen fully to the needs of stallholders first. This is basic communication and the responsibility of organisers! We are, afterall, making an exchange (in our case: paying) for (what should be) good basic facilities. Fair exchange please. He charged us €40 for the day... Some might say that's a little steep for a basic marquee set up on uneven ground accumulating rain water. In the end, due to a combination of weather and poor management I decided not to display my prints at this event. This meant an opportunity to offer work was lost. No great loss perhaps to some organisers taking fees from many stallholders... But isn't it the responsibility of event organisers to offer alternatives under difficult conditions? I would say that stallholders and organisers have to meet half-way to make the event fair-and-square.
A related comment: everyone talks endlessly about the weather. I find this interesting.. Yes, sometimes my eyes roll skyward. Weather is one of those basic elemental things we all live with / cannot live without. In fact we are living inside it. But, weather is often cited as a reason for why people don't come to events or why events don't work out. Obviously, it's always going to be a factor - if we are all living on the same planet that is.
During an earlier Xmas market a couple of stall-holders commented on the rainy weather not encouraging visitors. But this was an indoor event with plenty of space and a good, comfortable, café area! All people had to do was get from their cars to the visitor centre! When I pointed this out, one gentleman conceded that people tended to be lazy. So it all gets a bit nonsensical after a while... Let's be honest! 'The weather' shouldn't be used as a substitute for lack of considration, response or action on our part.
Now to the second Xmas event:
Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin - Xmas Market - Sunday 13th December
This was a good event. Once more, I was sharing a stall with my good comrade Sue (of Silverbranch Art). We were in the upstairs gallery inside the Visitor's Centre. It was warm, dry. Tables and chairs were provided. The organiser (Niamh) came round and asked if there was anything else we needed. Thankyou!
I'd like to end with a note to (some) organisers:
Please be aware that arts and crafts people are often relying on events for their livelihood. They depend on good, basic consideration, organisation, publicity and facilities. Once more I say: 'Fair Exchange'. 'Fair-and-square' means that we are all working with the same common ground with no unfair advantage to anyone - otherwise the square is distorted. Is anyone interested in this I wonder?
