Show Review - the ASCCT SC Jazz Festival Fine Arts and Crafts Show

The Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton Trail held their second annual Fine Arts and Crafts Show in conjunction with the SC Jazz Festival in Cheraw again this year. I was once again the show organizer.

We had seven people sign up again this year: a glass jewelry artist, three painters, a folk artist and myself. Plus one of our members who spins and weaves was going to be demonstrating both of these skills.

Last year we had a super turn out, and were very well received. This year, unfortunately, was not as good. Part was the weather – it was quite cold and damp, with rain later on in the day, and since the day activities are mostly outside this really reduced traffic. I went by the outdoor stage which last year overflowed with people into the roads, and if there were 30 people there this year I would be amazed. They were all huddled up into blankets, determined to hear the jazz, but freezing! Plus both of our major state universities, Clemson and the University of South Carolina, had home games. College football is huge around here, so probably half the area was at one game or the other instead of at the jazz festival. Add the economy to the weather and football, and the smaller turnout was not totally unexpected.

None of the painters did very well in terms of sales, but my sales were almost where they were last year in terms of dollars. The number of people buying was considerably less, but I sold more higher end items this year. I had done a casting of Dizzy Gillespie with his horn on one side, and some notes from one of his original pieces of music on the other, and had earrings, necklaces and charms for sale to benefit the jazz festival. These are still available on my Etsy shop, www.bethwicker.etsy.com

I am going to meet with Vicky McLain, one of our members who was involved with visual arts in the festival before the ASCCT was formed to discuss how we want to adjust things for next year.

The SC Jazz Festival is always the third weekend in October, in Cheraw, SC – Dizzy Gillespie’s birthplace. Hope to see you at next year’s festival! There is great music, great food and great art – can’t beat it!