Show Review of the Month La Quinta Art Celebration
March 2-5, 2023; La Quinta Art Celebration, La Quinta, CA. Contact: SCOPE Events, LLC, Kathleen Hughes, P.O. Box 104, La Quinta, CA 92247; Phone: 760-628-7770; Email: info@scopeevents.org; Website: scopeevents.org; Space fees: $350 to $1,200; Space sizes: 12x12 to 24x48; 100% outdoors; Exhibitors: 200; Attendance estimate: 15,000.
Compiled from FastAudit reports
The La Quinta Art Celebration attracts people from California’s affluent Coachella Valley. Of the artists who reviewed 2023’s event, 92% said they would exhibit there again.
A jewelry artist who made $17,000 wants to return.
One mixed media artist reported $20,000 in sales. “The show continues to bring in a buying crowd. It’s a beautiful location,” said this artist who would participate again.
Sales totaled $52,000 for one fine artist, who described the festival as “the best!”
A jewelry artist who made $41,000 said, “I will do this show for as long as they want me! This is by far my best show, and there are many reasons that this show is highly ranked. The venue, management, marketing, customer demographics, artist assortment, and artist amenities are what make this show great!”
An artist whose medium is painting reported $30,000 in sales and said, “One of the best shows I do — well curated and a wonderful group of collectors.”
A fine art artist who made $18,000 said it is a fantastic show and that “they really work hard to bring in educated buyers.”
Another fine art artist also loved the show. “The event is well organized with multiple opportunities for the artists to showcase their artwork and engage with the event’s visitors. The event organizers are very helpful in addressing (very promptly) questions or any inquiries from the artists. Participating in the La Quinta Art Celebration Spring event has been a very positive experience,” said the artist, whose sales totaled $18,000.
A jewelry artist said, “It was a fabulous show with patrons eager to get in, even on a Thursday. Best advertising we have seen at any show. Kat Hughes and her team are the best of the best. They consistently bring in patrons who buy.” This artist had $15,000 in sales.
A sculpture artist who made $60,000 would return.
A different sculpture artist reported $30,000 in sales and would also exhibit there again, saying, “It was my best show ever.”
An artist whose medium is painting made $6,000 and would return because it is a local show. The artist suggested that one more entry gate be added.
Promoter’s Self‑Review
Event Director Kathleen Hughes said vivid, blue skies and mild weather drew people to La Quinta this spring. “We elected to reduce the number of artists to 186 (from 205 in the past) to create better traffic flow for leisurely strolling through the 10-acre park,” she said. “Increased seating areas and cocktail bars appealed to our audience. Everyone had champagne flutes in their hands over the weekend and preferred having a choice of premium brands.”
An estimated 15,000 people attended the spring festival. “Artists were extremely pleased with the quality of the patrons and realize that it is about quality and not quantity,” Hughes said. “Art sales broke records, and Sunday was our highest day of sales. Overall, the event was hugely successful. Over 69% of the artists sold over $10,000 apiece.”
Nineteen jewelry artists participated in the show, and the average sales total per jewelry artist was more than $19,500 apiece, Hughes said.
She said this festival regularly has the highest art sales in the nation. Those who attend the show are “extremely wealthy, have multiple homes, fly private jets to this event, and do not blink an eye at a $15,000 piece of art,” Hughes said. “The $25 gate fee helps to assure qualified buyers.”
She shared something new about the show. They initiated a show preview on the Sunday night prior to the event and invited 350 patrons who have been high spenders in the past. “We showcased five key artists, who exhibited their art in a private gallery,” Hughes said.
It was an upscale event with soft music and open bars appealing to the patrons, she said. “We will continue as this was very popular, and patrons appreciated being recognized. Art sales were strong that night, and some patrons returned to the show and bought even more.”
The best improvement made that others might learn from was having one ticket price of $25 for all four days of the event, she said. “This enticed patrons to return to the event and certainly proved its value over the weekend,” Hughes said. “One may lose ticket revenue but more than make up for it in art sales, which benefit the artists.”
Her message to those considering the show is, “Bring large art, as homes in this area have high ceilings. Glass is also very popular due to the sunlight with our demographic. Also understand the importance of staking your booth at all events. Always come prepared!”