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All the art shows we do are so different, a different flavor, different part of the country, different venues and different reasons for existing. I have been told by another show director that Plaza is done for all the wrong reasons and lately it has been hard to argue in defense of Plaza. But I cancelled last year and wanted to do the right thing, so there I was again in Kansas City.
The Plaza Art Fair has been put on for 86 years by the Plaza Country Club which is a high end historic shopping district. Perhaps the first mall in the world built for automobiles back in the 1920's, it is to anybody that appreciates architecture pretty special. But the shopping clearly is not my bag. It reminds of the bad things and superficial people in the place I was born. The show has gotten a reputation of a big drunk fest and for not giving a shit about the artists. I can't say I was eager to be there. Plaza was once a top 5 show in the country, now it is just a show. A long grueling one at that. That said I have met some great people there, just like at any show, but there seemed to be less of them lately. The Plaza had slipped. It was loud and seemingly out of control in recent years, and so less buyers and serious patrons showed up. Then less of the best artists. You could see how the downward spiral of a show happens at Plaza.
But there I was, grumpy and rolling my eyes at high maintenance women and corporate men in outfits that made me uncomfortable as I drank my Hillsboro beer. And the people came and drank. Got dressed up and meandered around holding fish bowl margarita glasses, and like always it was a big crowd. A diverse crowd. By diverse I just don't mean gays, blacks, liberals; I mean everyone. Sports fans, wealthy professionals, bums, every slice of life. Maybe not as many nerdy art people and that is the problem. I like that art can break down divisions in our country, I like that about Plaza, but I don't like that it has become an event that had nothing to do with the art. Drink, be seen and listen to some live music. Fine, but it makes for a bad art show. And the quite sensitive folks that enjoy artists and artwork don't want to be at a meat market.
Side note- anyone that says people buy art when they drink are completely wrong. I like to drink, but I don't drink to experience beauty or have an emotional connection with something, and that is what I need for someone to do if they are going to buy a painting from me. Drinking makes you more likely to buy another drink, not an expensive piece of art. Having a leisurely beverage and relaxing as you talk and take in the show is different. Drinking is straight up bad for business.
This year was a little different. The Plaza has new owners and they clearly gave a shit about the show. They had quality control brought in from Cheery Creek. They had better hours.They were more visible and the crowd seemed far less rowdy. The music wasn't as loud. Things had bottomed out. I had more conversations. People seemed more into the art. My grumpiness subsided. I had a good show. I even won an award so if I feel like it I will be back next year. We got home today and I didn't feel beaten down by Plaza like in previous years. I feel good. I feel good about Plaza and grateful, like at every show, for all the staff and volunteers who put on the shows. I couldn't do this without you. Thank you!
Next up: Louisville Kentucky
