SOFA exhibition chicago

[Jamo]

has anyone ever heard of this before? I will be going to this in November just wondering what some other people thought of this
http://www.sofaexpo.com/

[iowasculptor]

Yes, its a wonderful show, galleries from all over the world. I am taking a bunch of students from South Dakota to it this year(must be good for a 13 hour bus trip).
Matt

[fritchie]

I'd be a little careful with those Navy Pier art expos, if you are considering booth space and sales. On the other hand, just making acquaintances probably could be great.

I've heard about several poor experiences of New Orleans art people at the Navy Pier, probably from about 15 or more years ago, and a fair number of people on this site reported difficulties with what probably was the same organizing group just about 3 - 4 years ago. I don't think the show you reference was part of those earlier discussions, though.

My impression in both cases is that the organizers promised great exposure and commonly lots of sales, but participating artists found mostly high costs and disappointing sales. This is a typical situation with nearly all shows of this sort, according to recurring comments here.

has anyone ever heard of this before? I will be going to this in November just wondering what some other people thought of this
http://www.sofaexpo.com/

[Jamo]

I'm not going to show there but just as part of a trade mission. I'm hoping I might be able to hook up with a good gallery that could sell my work. I am in Newfoundalnd Canada and where I live does not have the population base to support a sculptor selling high end priced pieces. Just hoping it willbe a good networking opportunity. The plane ticket and accomodations is what is going to cost me coming from so far away

[iowasculptor]

I hope you can make some connections, but if you don't the show is full of mental visual food for future consideration and you have to visit the Art institute, you could spend a couple of days there and still not see it all. I usually feel completly visually overloaded after these two stops, takes me about a week to recover, by the end I really don't care if I see any art for a while.

[JAZ]

Jamo,
Good luck with your visit. Chicago is a great place to visit. In addition to the good advice you've already been given, if you have a chance take a walk around the city. You'll see the Millennium "bean" by Anish Kapoor, Sculptures by Picasso, Calder, John Henry, etc.
As Fritchie pointed out, the Navy Pier Walk outdoor large scale sculpture show has had some problems, but the SOFA show is run by a different set of people. It should be a terrific way to get contact info on galleries. I went to one in New York and came home with a bag full of stuff. It appears from the SOFA exhibit website images that there's lots of small scale works in various media and not much traditional style work. Lots of glass. But they did have an Albert Paley table and some bronzes.
Best of luck and post about your experiences after you get back (unless you are too busy following up on contacts you make there).
JAZ

[Jamo]

will do thanks for the advice. My work is more traditional bronze style stuff i am hoping that there will be a market that I can steadily sell these pieces. It should also be an inspirational experiene as well.I would like to take pictures of some of the work while I am there but I think it may be inappropriate especially if the artists themselves are actually watching me. Maybe I could tell them I will be posting their images on a sculpture forum :)

[meg1]

Greetings,
This is my first time on the site, but it looks pretty intresting. SOFA is absolutely fantastic and I would highly recogmend going. I have been there 5 times myself, and every time it is different, and amazing! If you make more traditional work then you would most likely really appreciate the work there. You have to be pretty accomplished to get a table/showing there thought. Most of the pieces go in the double digets of the thousands range. As far as the post about pics. I would see if there are other people taking pics, when I was there, different years were different, and some people are sensitive about those things, and others arn't. If you can, see if you can get the artists permission, and more often than not, they will say it is okay.
I will be there too, it should be a really great time.

[KeithBentley]

Although I have yet to get to the SOFA Chicago I have been to the one in NYC and it was amazing. The artwork, the poeple - it's a collection of the absolute best craft/art galleries and truely the best of the best of people in the field. You'll have a ball!

[JUrruty]

Hi there

I have participated (been represented) in several SOFA shows both NY and Chicago. First of all let me clarify that the artists do not have booths there. It is the galleries that have the booths. galleries have to go through a jurying process to be accepted into this high quality prestigious show.

It is also very expensive for the galleries to do. Booths space is pricey, shipping all the work there is expensive and you have to factor in Hotel and food costs.

The galleries select a few artists to represent and bring their work to the show. it is a well attended show and the work is usually very well presented and of the highest quality.

I would not use this show as an opportunity to solicit galleries. You can go around looking at the work presented by the galleries and get information like a business card or postcard, and then wait a week or two to contact the galleries you think might best fit your work. You must realize that these galleries have travelled a long distance and have spent thousands and thousands of dollars to be their. They are there to make sales and connect with collectors. This is not the time to show a portfolio or sell yourself. IF it seems like they ( the gallery) are not talking to anyone and their booth is empty you may introduce yourself and briefly inquire about representation.

I will be there in Chicago for the show. Although the artists are not required to be present I find that it is sometimes beneficial for the artist to meet and greet as well as give a little more incite about the work.

Joël Urruty

[JUrruty]

Hi me again
Jamo I checked out yourwebsite (nice ). SOFA does not really have much traditional bronze work. You might be better off looking into Artexpo NY. The last time I went there (8 years ago) there were plenty of bronzes.

Joël

[mountshang]

Here's one person's trip through 2006 S.O.F.A. :

http://mountshang.blogspot.com/2006/11/sculptural-objects-functional-art-2006.html