Creative Arts Festivals, United Kingdom - Updates
You remember UK art festival that I’ve been trying to arrange? Well, here are some updates and questions.
I have had several meetings with our sponsors in the past 2 months and we’ve been working out a plan. As it turns out, Victoria Square in Birmingham is extremely difficult to book and they were giving us too much trouble. So… what’s the plan?
Well, if any of you have heard of art streets like Brick Lane, London, you’ll know what I am talking about. We’re working closely with the Custard Factory on their very expensive project to bring art culture to the West Midlands.
So, here’s what we’re proposing. We will be arranging an art fair every Sunday where people can come and hang out, buy art, enjoy great company, food, alcohol, performances, etc etc. We will be working on a contract basis with the artists, and let them book stalls for a little longer than one off. Let’s say, if we work out a package for 8 weeks, it’d work out MUCH CHEAPER to hire a stall than on a one-off term.
The great thing about this is that it will be very well advertised so you’ll be making lots. This plan is starting in a back street of Birmingham city centre, the footfall will gradually increase as we advertise nationally through various media.
I have a list of those people that were initially interested in this on my website
So, are any of you interested in getting a stall for a few weeks? Some of you might even want to think about permanent stalls. The prices will vary depending on the period of your contract.
Prices? We haven’t worked them out yet but they’ll be MUCH cheaper than what I initially worked out. They’ll be very affordable, even for students. A lot of us are ‘starving artists’ so this is a great opportunity to get ourselves out there and recognised, and not to mention the cash coming in.
I will be talking to the RedBubble staff about sponsoring the artists as well, so let’s see how that one goes. I’ll keep you posted.
Julie Langford
Well – it will sersiously depend on prices for me at the moment Faizan – funding is at zero with me at the moment [Court costs Chrsitmas etc]. sounds real cool though
Michael Birchmore
Excellent Faizan. However, I do take issue with one point. I think it a little premature and over optimistic to say we will be making lots. Don’t over promise on this because the art buying public may not be so forthcoming with their cash as we want…...and then there is the weather. If it rains we could be sunk and if it is very sunny people may want to head out of town. I don’t want to dampen spirits just speaking from my experience.
Durotriges
Let me know what the costs are likely to be and I’ll think about it, but in principle it seems like a fine idea.
Faizan Qureshi
Julie, it’ll be affordable, I can say that for sure. Cannot quote exact prices yet.
Michael, you’re right. I guess that I’m an extremely optimistic person. The advertisement plans made so far look grand so I am sure that it’s going to get a lot of public attention. :)
Faizan Qureshi
Thanks David. I’ll keep you posted! :)
Richard Shepherd
I’d be interested in this, though i would need to basically take a couple of disjointed weeks as im in Newcastle so couldnt make it down every weekend.
~Shepy
Faizan Qureshi
Shepy, I’ll have a talk about that with our organisers. I’m sure that can be arranged. Thanks!
Anthony Pierce
Can you just set up a laptop with my redbubble page open. :) I’m a few thousand miles from being able to attend. Sounds like a great idea.
Matt Sillence
I’m interested in this… if we can double up on a stall even better. count me in and let me know what the price is going to be…
Adrian Rachele
Depending on when it will be held i may be interested in a few weeks.
If someone else from London has transport and would maybe like to share costs (travel, stall) i think it would be a good venture.
Craig 'has a n...
Adrian, Im from Reading… (though currently living in Cardiff: studying) if however Im in Reading, Lets split the cost lol
Faizan Qureshi
The cost won’t be that much :-P
brummieboy
When you have specifics .. let me know ….
ollyjones
I might be interested. Keep me posted
David Meacham
I’d be interested but like everyone else it depends on the costs – please let me know when you have some details on prices etc
Cheers
Meach
pentangled
Excellent—Well done for getting on the case with the organising here! I’m definitely interested, time & costs permitting. Thnx for the update :o)
gordontant
Faiz, you know I’m there.. at least once a month. the only problem I would have is logistics and that is on two fronts.
1. getting the artwork produced in time
2. getting there, it would be a long two hour drive for me.
Jan Kölling
Sounds great!, wonderful achievement! – Congrats…..
Please keep me updated I’d like to know all kind of details about transport etc – is there someone who represents the works/ do I have to be there all the time etc
Of course I know it is to early for all that so for now – ..................good luck!
Jan Kölling
Paul Louis Vil...
Sounds great, keep us posted mate! :D
Myluka
keep me posted when you are looking at starting… i can’t committ to a regular thing as i travel a lot, so please keep the one off prices affordable too. :-)
kseriphyn
Wow! You have been busy. I hope it goes well for you. Wish I was in London right now.
Ian James
Sounds cool Faizan I am interested I will have to get my commercial hat on and start shooting landscapes and flowers…..
anaisnais
Lol, been following all this and wish you all well but due to health and fact I am now living in Pembrokeshire, South Wales; pravticality really isn’t there for me. Sound great mind in principle – let me know how all goes. Wishing you all prosperity with this project. Kindest thoughts….
Sharon Perrett
Sounds great I am interested but will depend on cost…... like everyone else please keep me posted…......
grthink
I’m interested in this, but whether Birmingham is the best place for me is another question… I’ll hang on for a few more details to be released, like everyone else, and then let you know. Keep me posted.
willd
should be good – I am around london so would happiy share ride & Stall. Like Ian, best be of to shoot some landscapes…....
Suzanne German
sounds great – not sure of my logistics around that time though..i will stay tuned.
SylviaHardy
Well done Faizan for working so hard on this project! It sounds really good. I do wish you all the best success and hope it will all turn out well! I would love to get involved, maybe one day? But at the moment I am not ready for such activities. But I will keep looking out for the progress with keen interest :-))
mariarty
Count me in if the costs and timing are right.
Mike Finley
Good luck with this … not something I can manage because of transport problems (I don’t drive, which rules out most of these sort of events!)
Anne Staub
I’m interested too, depending on cost and location.
krafty
I’m interested too…cost is a factor but Brick Lane is not too far a distance from essex..def interested though Faizan..good call.!!