Looking Marketing Advice on Art Retreat

[Keith Thirgood]

Hi Folks,

I put on Art Retreats and have three coming up this year. I've put together what I thought was a great series, good prices and a good brochure. However, I'm not getting as many artists signing up as I expected.

I'm writing you for your advice. I've uploaded my brochure so you can look at what I've set up.

If this was in your area, would it attract you? If not, why would you not be attracted? Can you give me any advice on what would make my retreats more attractive to artists like you?

Or is it okay and perhaps I just don't have them in enough places.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Keith

[Donald Maier]

First of all, I don't know where this is. I have looked and read your entire brochure and cannot find any reference to a location. I don't have a clue what state this is in. I also think that the three artists have a similar style to each other. You may want to vary the artist/instructor a bit. I have no opinion about the price.

DM

[Kirk Larsen]

I agree with Don on the similarity of instructors- it looks like one person with 3 samples. I know the mailing address is Ontario but again-"where is the workshop?" I think the price is decent but perhaps the style shown may not attract the painters. I liked the interior shots but wanted so much to see at least a hint of the area that I'd paint, if I attended. I realize this comment is months after you first inquired but hope it can help towards the future.

 

I looked at your website as well (Wilson Street Studios) and was unable to find a phone number or an email address anywhere on the site with the exception of clicking on workshops and then individual workshops, then scrolling down a fair amount to find any contact number. It is a good idea to have contact info easily available. (some of the photos from the individual workshops-locations- were quite inviting) Best of luck-KL

[Keith Thirgood]

Hi Don, Hi Kirk,

Great feedback. Thanks.

The brochure and site were originally aimed at Ontario artists, who would recognize the locations mentioned. When I decided to add the event to this site's workshop list, I simply forgot that most readers wouldn't be at all familiar with the mentioned locations.

As for contact information on our site. I'm really embarrassed. Part of how I make a living is designing, writing and developing websites for companies. To forget such a basic item on my own site is very silly. 

Again, thanks for pointing out these two rather large oversites.

The similarity of styles is purposeful, because I'm the first one to sign up for my own retreats. :-)

I created these retreats simply because no one was doing similar retreats in a style I liked, so I set them up myself. I'm not making money out of them. I'm getting three and a half days with artists and an instructor pursuing a similar, reductionist idea of landscape painting.

If I was out to make money, I would certainly have a broader selection of styles and mediums, however, for now that's not my goal.

BTW Don, one local artist did see the listing in your site and signed on for one of the retreats at the last minute. So your workshop list actually works.

Thanks again.

Keith

[Donna Pierce-Clark]

hmmmmmmmm, how about not a retreat, but a residency for artists, wherein the place to stay is free, and food is cooked for us too?  I'm totally serious.   I'd love for this group to get this going all over the country USA only.  Canada would be great, but it requires a passport.  Or, we could do both.  We just need offers from members who own condos and are willing to share, for the swap of a free painting,.........or some other ideas?

[Anne M. Wrinn]

How about if we establish sort of an underground railroad for artists. Not that we need to hide and then escape to freedom.

The idea is to set up an accommodation exchange for artists. If you come to stay for a weekend and I am your host I will give you a free place to stay and simple fare. You may treat me to a dinner. For putting you up for a weekend I become eligible to stay at another participant's location. to paint, and possible transportation. Sort of an artist exchange for travel where the host can provide guidance on plein air sites and logistical info. Any thoughts on this?