Open Studios announcement

Gary from Ruby's forwarded the following letter from the head of ArtSpan for the blog:

Subject: Chairman’s Letter: Early Bird Rate Deadline moved to April 30, 2009

March 30, 2009
>
> Dear Fellow Artist,
>
> Recently, we held the Annual ArtSpan Auction at SoMarts Gallery and
> had one of the largest turnouts ever. All the live auction pieces
> sold and 104 other works were purchased at the silent auction. Our
> take- prices were lower and buyers are seeking discounts; however,
> art works are moving! What does this mean for Open Studios, 2009?
> Like the movie industry which has seen a huge jump in audiences, we
> expect larger crowds to visit artist studios so be prepared.
>
> With the deadline for Open Studios Registration approaching, I
> encourage all of you to approach your participation with a business
> plan:
>
> 1. Consider reducing some price points, adding affordably priced art.
> 2. Take out an ad in the Guide. If you cannot afford a full-page ad,
> consider creating a group ad with some of your fellow artists.
> 3. Publish a website or join Facebook and use it to promote your
> participation.
> 4. If you are relatively new to Open Studios, consider joining a
> group site
> 5. Plan on attending our marketing workshop and really focus your 5
> minute presentation to visitors.
>
> Concerned about sales – consider this? You will have the opportunity
> to spend an entire weekend discussing your work with total
> strangers. THIS IS A PRICELESS EXPERIENCE! Even if your art sales
> don’t measure up, think of this year as an investment. When the
> economy improves, those viewers will be buyers!
>
> So what is ArtSpan doing to help? We agree that the $185 registration
> fee is a particularly significant expense in these perilous times so
> we have extended the early bird rate of $170 to April 30th. We wish
> we could lower our fees still further but unless more artists sign up
> we will struggle to keep it even at this level. We have reduced staff
> and are doing all that we can to keep our expenses in check. We have
> increased the number of pages in the guide available for artists’ ads
> and strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. ,
> I would like to thank all the artists who are so active to
> encouraging other artists to register.
>
> Come October many future buyers will be canvassing the studios,
> looking for their next favorite artist. But first, they need to know
> where to find you. So get your registration fee in ASAP and
> certainly before April 30th. See you all at Open Studios.
>
> Sincerely
>
> John F. Melvin
> Chairman
> ArtSpan