How refreshing to experience a vibrant show in our industry! The West Coast Art & Frame Show in Las Vegas this week gives cause for (cautious) optimism in a time when we’re all deluged by negative news.
The booth was busy – you know it’s a good show when you can’t get a bite to eat until 4:00 o’clock. Not surprisingly in this economy, official attendance was down from last year (credit to the organizers for being open about it), and it is a shame that this show did not coincide with the Las Vegas furniture market this year. But somehow it did not feel like attendance was down. Buyers attending the show were serious, well-informed, and positive. International business was much higher than expected. While over the past few years trade shows have been “show & tell” events, this one brought quite a number of good old fashioned on-the-spot orders (including ones for our new Wild Apple Open Studio product line). And to top it off, we ran out of catalogues.
There are a number of key large retailers who are paying attention to wall décor and keeping their offerings fresh and exciting. One theory I think is true – and I really want to be true – is that in this difficult economy we are in a good position by supplying the affordable end of the art and home décor market. People are not building and buying houses or starting major renovations, but an affordable framed print can fit a stressed budget and have an immediate big impact on a room.
Not that I think we’re out of the woods yet by any means. Our stance is to be aggressive in publishing fresh new art, and remain very careful about expenses. But it is fantastic to come away from a show feeling really good!
Our next show is Quadrum/SACA in Bologna, Italy (February 19-22), where you can find us with distributor Print Portfolio/Devon Editions. Ciao.
