Historic Cossitt Library, Memphis Tennessee.

Archived
    "Archived "

 

Here are some great old photos of this



For a year after its dedication it actually stood empty because there was no more money left to buy books.  The city newspapers began a campaign asking the public to help.  And the shelves began to fill up.   When the library did open it was known as the Cossitt-Goodwyn Institute - and in addition to books, it also housed the city's first museum collection. 

Over the decades the Cossitt underwent a couple of major renovations, the last of which was in 1958 and was not so much a renovation as an ‘abomination’. The last "renovation” was an unfortunate attempt at modernization.  The 1958 structure is thoughtlessly tacked onto the front - a sterile, minimalist box replacing the former classical arches, galleries, and towers of the old Cossitt .I think it is a hideous blue box that doesn't even attempt to match the rear sandstone addition.  This whole corner is a disgrace.  The original Cossitt Library was one of the most beautiful public buildings in Memphis. This is one of the ugliest.

 Front of the 'Renovated' Cossitt Library     

    Rear portion retained the impressive Romanesque architecture

The area that I spent the most time photographing was “The Stacks”, shelves of books that have been abandoned and left to decay. 


Entrance to 'The Stacks'

'The Stacks', from above

The lighting in this section was exquisite, two walls of large windows giving a glow to these books from 2 angles. I could not have dreamed of better lighting.

 
A Magic Place

" A Magic Place "
The Stacks '' The Stacks " 

There were a lot of old magazines and even a newspaper from 1893 !! 


More from this amazing location.....
The Many Worlds Of Man
"The Many Worlds Of Man"

Footnote Of History "Footnote Of History" 

Emptiness "Emptiness"

 
( Entire album > Historic Cossitt Library )

 In October 2016, a group of Memphians applied and received a $5 million grant to participate in "Reimagining the Civic Commons," a three-year demonstration project to help the city and greater community reconnect to the thing Memphis was built on: the Mississippi River. The new Cossitt will get $3M of that grant.
Shamichael Hallman, Cossitt branch manager, is excited about the renovations planned at the Cossitt, he explained: building on the library’s existing initiatives— such as computer classes, science programs, and job assistance workshops— while also creating a framework for exciting new programs to bring this library into the 21st Century.

 It will be a space not only for traditional learning, but also a space where the community can grow together and explore different types of learning, be it through reading, the arts, music, discussion, or personal connection. Flexible furnishings and design will create a scalable space that can be transformed easily to suit many different events and programs, from large open spaces for dance classes, theater, and more, to smaller studio spaces and breakaway rooms for more intimate events.

 
Renovations have been under way since the Fall of 2017. 


The re-imagined Cossitt Library 

( source of these two photos > Renovations )


 

 The Cossitt will expand the reach of the arts, grow local talent, and provide ready access to public services. This stalwart will be a genuine draw for Memphians from all walks of life. 

A huge bushel-full of thanks to Shamichael Hallman for his guided tour and passion for this library. I also would like to thank 
June West, Keenon McCloy, Margot Payne, and the Memphis Heritage! 
----------------------
Sources in addition to those listed above:
http://historic-memphis.com/memphis-historic/cossitt/cossitt.html
http://ilovememphisblog.com/2018/02/memphian-to-meet-shamichael-hallman-and-the-library-of-tomorrow/
http://www.memphisheritage.org/
https://thefourthbluff.com/cossitt-library/

Deadwood

"Ghost Town In The Sky" sits atop Buck Mountain, with a top elevation of 4,650 ft (1,420 m), in Maggie Valley, NC. Ghost Town is promoted as "North Carolina's mile-high theme park." 


  Before I get into the history and my photos I need to warn y'all if y'all may be thinking about visiting it yourself and trespassing. Though I do not condone trespassing, this location was just too good to resist. I did a risk-benefit analysis of this adventure and decided it was worth the risk to me. I was lucky. I have heard from my fellow 'Bando Photographers' that the polices WILL be called and they will issue citations and prosecute. 

Warning SignThis is one of the many signs greeting people on the road to the top of the mountain.

I tried on three different occasions to get in this park but each time I got scared off. The roads are watched by local residents and one caretaker who also lives nearby. Also they have a few mannequins holding replica guns hidden in the trees to scare people off. They did make my heart jump a few times when I stumbled upon them. I successfully visited in the fall of 2020, while the pandemic was still happening but nothing else was happening. I was in a serious funk and I needed a does in energy, inspiration and creativity. I really just needed to get out there and shoot. Luckily I did not get seen nor caught during my photo-shoot on the day I made it to the top. 
 
Red Dog Saloon

Ghost Town In The Sky

West World

  Open Bar

The Song Remains The Same

was also constructed to bring its passengers to the top of Buck Mountain, located more than 3,300 feet up the mountainside. The incline was created with a 25-ton bulldozer attached to a winch secured to another bulldozer, which pulled the bulldozer up the mountain. This impressive feat created an exciting ride to the top of Buck Mountain. The incline carries 48 passengers up and down with varying grades of 30 to 77 percent. [2]

Ghost Trolly                                                                                                     A funicular! HA! What a word! 
 

At one point, 620,000 people visited Ghost Town each year.[4] It averaged about 500,000 per year, with the chairlift moving 1,200 people per hour.[5] The park became a major economic driver for the town. 

                       

                                            

                                                   Hourly staged gun fights on the main street were a big draw

                                    By Tupelo the typo fixer - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113146715

Bank Robberies!
Gunfights! 








Different 'towns'
within Ghost Town

These 6 amazing
photos are courtesy of 
Alicia Randazzo. 
(Thank you!)











The park is divided into several "towns" located at different elevations of the mountain, each with a different theme. Among these are the "Indian Village", "Mountain Town" and "Mining Town.". The heart of the park is the recreated Old West town, complete with two saloons, a schoolhouse, bank, jail and church and various other businesses. Each hour, a gunfight was staged in the street, with visitors lining up to watch on the board sidewalks. The "Silver Dollar Saloon" featured hourly shows of Old West can-can dancers, while the "Red Dog Saloon" featured live country and bluegrass music performances throughout the day, Reba McEntire even performed there once! "Indian Village" featured shows about Indian life in Old West days, including a deer hunt and a raid on a frontier settlement. "Mining Town" had areas where people could pan for gold and silver. It also had shows about life in mining settlements. "Mountain Town" featured shows about life in the Smoky Mountains. 

 

At the terminus of the chairlift and incline railway is the "Heritage Town Square," a 2007 addition to the park. This area featured a museum chronicling the history of "Ghost Town", a restaurant, the Freefall, the casino and the Cliffhanger.

                            That area can be seen in the beginning of this short video I shot that day!
                                     Sorry for the loud beep in here, I was trying to hide my location

 Originally opened in 1988, Red Devil was renamed Cliffhanger in 2007 and given a new paint job.[38] The coaster is unique in that rather than boarding the train and being towed up the lift hill, its boarding station is at the top of the hill. Cliffhanger's reopening was pushed back through the 2007 and 2008 seasons because of necessary major repairs. 

The Red Devil/Cliffhanger was the one of the first attractions I saw when I finally reached the top of the mountain, and it took my breath away. This was not just because I was out of breath from the climb but also because the coaster was BUILT AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN! This coaster was unique in that you boarded the coaster by a platform that was higher than the first hill. Most coasters need some sort of 'lift' to get the cars to the top of the first hill. Once riders boarded, the train rolled out of the station, around a 90-degree curve and then over the main drop and into its one inverted loop. The rest of the track extends over the edge of the mountain with great views of the surrounding mountains.

Here are just a few photos of this super-cool coaster....



 

Ghost Coaster





 



It opened on June 30, 2009, but was closed less than two days later after a ride operator detected something wrong with one of the train's seats. State inspectors on site discovered a hairline crack in the seat's frame next to a bolt that attached the seat to the rest of the car. Rotational Motion, who built the custom cars for Ghost Town, was tasked with finding a solution. The coaster began operating again during the last few weeks of the 2009 season with no reported problems.

During a test run the day before Ghost Town's 2010 season began, there was a problem with one of the train's wheel chassis. Contrary to reports, the train did not derail, but came to an abrupt halt. Owners said that Cliffhanger would be closed until a new train was purchased.

That never happened.

Ghost Riders

                                                                                      Ghost Riders

The other roller coaster operating at Ghost Town is a children's small coaster, Tumbleweed. It was originally named Lil Devil, but received a name change along with Red Devil/Cliffhanger.[39]

Above Ghost Town, a section of the park hosts a variety of standard amusement rides and the "Mountain Top Music Hall" and "Indian Dance Hall." All of the rides are situated at the edge of the mountain, with one ("The Gun Slinger") that swings out over the mountainside.

A new feature in 2009 was "The House of Terror," a haunted house open during the Halloween season.

House Of Terror
House Of Terror was added in 2009

 Enough words for now, here are some more of my photos.........

 

Ghost Town & Southern




The Silver Dollar Saloon


Silver Dollar Saloon



Curtain Call


                                                     
                                                    A performance from inside the Silver Dollar Saloon



                                                   





Moonshine Manor II
Moonshine Manor                                                         Moonshine Manor, a themed 'shootin' gallery'. 





There was even a great old church on site that once held actual church services. 


Frontier ChurchFrontier church of this abandoned theme park.

Let This Heart Be Still




Inspirational Service

In Another Time


The Quite Place, B&W The Quiet Place








                                                                     
 

Birthday Party

Game Over
                                                                 




Ghost Writer


It Doesn't Add Up


Vintage Firetruck

Talk To The Judge
 

In its later years under Coburn's ownership, the park suffered from mismanagement and a lack of maintenance. The Red Devil, Goldrusher, Sea Dragon, Monster, Mountain Town Swings, Undertaker, Dream Catcher, Casino, Round Up, Lil Devil and Silver Bullet rides were regularly breaking down and rarely opened, causing many visitors to tell others not to go. The chairlift and incline railway also required constant maintenance and repair. Coburn spent thousands of dollars maintaining them.[9] The attendance number declined to 340,000 by 2008.[10]

On July 16, 2002, the chairlift stopped, stranding passengers for over two hours. With fewer people visiting Ghost Town because of the bad condition of the park, Coburn closed Ghost Town a few days after the chairlift failure and put the park up for sale. The park remained closed and unmaintained for the next four years, leading many to believe that nobody would buy the park because of the bad condition of the rides


*************************

Attempted re-openings

2010

On February 5, 2010, a massive mudslide occurred when retaining walls on the Ghost Town property gave way. Although there were no injuries, more than 40 homes had to be evacuated and three homes were damaged around the mountain. The park itself sustained damage, but to what extent is not publicly known. This led to speculation that the park would not open at all for the 2010 season.[16][17] Shiver announced on a local news program that the park was still slated to open on Memorial Day weekend, but this did not happen. Federal funding was granted to the park in the amount of $1.3 million for the clean-up of its main access road, Rich Cove, which was buried in the slide.

In early March, 2010, a judge ruled in favor of the park's largest creditors, SunTrust and BB&T, to proceed with foreclosure on Ghost Town and sell the property to begin paying off the park's $9 million debt to SunTrust and $5 million debt to BB&T. Ghost Town partners negotiated a separate deal with SunTrust and BB&T which gave them until May 31 to come up with an alternate plan to allow the park to continue operating if funding was obtained. On May 4, a judge approved a takeover bid by American Heritage Family Parks, who pledged to pay SunTrust $7 million of its debt, BB&T its entire $5 million of debt and pay $100,000 in back taxes to Haywood County. The park was said to be allowed to open for the season while details of the sale were worked out.[18] Instead, the park remained closed.

2011

In April 2011, the bankruptcy administrator recommended dismissing the case, citing the failure of Ghost Town partners to submit a sufficient reorganization plan to pay its debts. This allowed foreclosure proceedings to continue as the park was no longer protected under Chapter 11.[19]

2012

In February 2012, the park was purchased at public auction by Alaska Presley for $2.5 million.[20] Presley, a Maggie Valley businesswoman involved with the park since its beginning, hoped to have at least a portion of the park open for the end of the 2012 season.[21]

On June 29, 2012, the park's A-frame entrance opened to the public for the first time in four years for gifts to be sold. The chairlift was also open and tours of the town could be taken.

2013

A limited opening of the park was planned for 2013. During the four years the park was idle and without security, the property was subject to vandalism and theft. In addition, damage from the 2010 retaining wall failure had to be repaired.

New laws required millions of dollars to be spent on labor and time lost due to state inspections. Wells for private water were condemned because they were too close to potentially unacceptable objects. Four new wells were drilled and all were failures except one of limited output. The option of city water was decided and virtually every piece and part of an old system had to be replaced.

During the Winter, Presley began plans for Resurrection Mountain, a replica of the Holy Land

2014

In February, Presley attempted to develop a winter attraction for the area but funding was an issue.

In July, the park opened later than planned after having issues with ride inspections.

In November 2014, Ghost Town was listed for sale with an asking price of $3 million by Action Creak Realty. The sale of the lower half of the property, which housed the Western theme park, was placed up for sale to attract investors for Presley's redevelopment of the upper portion of the property as a "Holy Land replica theme park." On January 24, 2015 the property was taken off the market, prompted by major progress in the redevelopment of other parts of the property.[22]

2015

Despite a planned opening, many issues including water pressure problems as well as issues with the chair lift prevented the park from opening. [23]

On October 22, 2015, the park announced the rebranding of the park to Ghost Town Village with a planned opening on June 1, 2016. The rebranded park was to feature gunfights, the chairlift, Appalachian themed gift shops, ziplines, a museum, a paintball course, arcade and horseback riding.[24] According to park management, the rebranding was due to the park's inability to reopen any of its former roller coasters and rides as the repair costs were too high.[25] On June 2, 2016, park management announced that the park would not open in 2016 and was again being offered for sale.[26]

2016

The planned reopening failed to materialize as issues were reported with vendors and staff. [27]

2018

As of July 2018, the park was being called Ghost Town Adventures and planned to reopen in fall 2018, after renovation and work on the skylift. Lamar Berry and his partners were working on a purchase agreement for the park property from Alaska Presley.[28] Investors however bailed on the project. [29]

An unaffiliated group attempted to purchase the park, Ghost Town Maggie Valley LLC. (Some of the members had also worked with Berry) but they failed to get funding as well. [30]

2019

Later, a reopening was planned for spring 2019, with a planned expansion and a renaming to Appalachian Village,[5] but as of July 2019, it was being sold again, with an asking price of $5.9 million. Vandalism was one of the reasons the park had not reopened.[31]

As of October 2019, new investors had a contract and were completing due diligence with an eye to reopen the park.[32]

2020

As of July 2020, work at the site and purchase of the property is still proceeding.[33]

2021

With the purchase of the park complete, the new owners plan a $200 million investment to revitalize the park, in addition other upgrades for Maggie Valley are planned to help accommodate the expected increase in tourism. These plans include niche retail, a hotel and a Biltmore Village style housing area.[34] The goal of the new owners is to preserve the original experience.[35] The plan includes a Broadway at the Beach style attraction at the base and an RV resort. The plan includes local businesses to enhance the entire area. It was hoped that at least a portion opens late 2021, although the COVID pandemic and local concerns about the impact of increased tourism combined to Delay the opening.[36][37]

2022

On April 4, 2022, Ghost Town owner Alaska Presley died at the age of 98. Following her passing, the future of Ghost Town as far as ownership of the property is concerned, is uncertain as Presley was still the titled owner of the park property at the time of her death.







 

================
Sources

1.  "Ghost Town: A love story".
2. ^ Jump up to:^a b "History of Ghost Town in the Sky".
3. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
4. ^ Jump up to:^a b Bill Studenc, "Maggie Valley Considers Loan for Ghost Town," Asheville Citizen-Times, May 14, 2009.
5. ^ Jump up to:^a b "This 'Ghost Town in the Sky' is up for Sale". 20 January 2019.
6. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
7. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
8. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
9. ^ Jump up to:^a b Themountaineer.com, Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
10. ^ Jump up to:^a b Andre Rodriguez, "Ghost Town Back in Business," Asheville Citizen-Times, May 28, 2009.
11. ^ Jason Sandford, "Ghost Town in the Sky, one of WNC's most unique tourist attractions comes back to life", Asheville Citizen-Times, July 7, 2012.
12. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
13. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
14. ^ Andre Rodriguez, "Struggling Ghost Town Files for Bankruptcy," Asheville Citizen-Times, March 12, 2009.
15. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
16. ^ Morrison, Clarke; Ball, Julie; Ostendorff, Jon; Fraser, Thomas (2010-02-06). "Maggie Valley residents recall horror of landslide". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved 2010-02-27.^{[dead link]}
17. ^ Ostendorff, Jon (2010-02-14). "Maggie Valley landslide leaves more questions than answers". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
18. ^ "Company makes bid to buy Ghost Town," Asheville Citizen-Times, 2010-05-04.
19. ^ Johnson, Becky (2011-04-20). "Ghost Town bankruptcy hits dead end". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
20. ^ "Resurrecting a ghost town: Alaska Presley hopes to revive Maggie Valley by reopening the once-popular Ghost Town amusement park". Smokymountainnews.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
21. ^ Morrison, Clarke (2012-02-10). Asheville Citizen-Times http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20120211/NEWS/302110025/Ghost-Town-Sky-sold-auction. Retrieved 2012-02-12. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
22. ^ "UPDATE: Ghost Town may be Reopening".
23. ^ themountaineer.com/news/many-have-tried-and-failed-to-revive-ghost-town/article_1d8b7238-91b0-11eb-8707-773972806da4.html
24. ^ "ghosttownvillage.com". www.ghosttownvillage.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-23. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
25. ^ "Log In or Sign Up to View". www.facebook.com.
26. ^ "Ghost Town announces decision to sell". The Mountaineer. 2016-06-03.^{[permanent dead link]}
27. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
28. ^ Barnes, Sandra (2018-07-11). "Preview opening of revived Ghost Town anticipated this fall". The Mountaineer. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
29. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
30. ^ "Many have tried — and failed — to revive Ghost Town".
31. ^ "'Cursed' North Carolina theme park, Ghost Town in the Sky, up for sale for $5.9M". WTVD. 2019-07-08. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
32. ^ "Ghost Town under contract again".
33. ^ "Economic development boom in Maggie Valley".
34. ^ "Ghost Town developers reach major milestone".
35. ^ https://www.themountaineer.com/news/new-plans-emerge-for-ghost-town/article_3e6c779a-bbe5-11eb-9c72-7f1df9b036cc.html
36. ^ "Ghost Town developer outlines vision".
37. ^ "Ghost Town plans coming into focus for Maggie Valley, but still some hurdles to clear". 13 December 2021.
38. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
39. ^ Jump up to:^a b "Tumbleweed - Ghost Town Village (Maggie Valley, North Carolina, USA)". www.rcdb.com.

  2021 was a phenomenal and record-breaking year for Left Behind Photography! After the Dumpster Fire that was 2020 I did not know what to expect, but 2021 blew away any Great Expectations I may have had.

  Since I had forty three (43!) shows cancel in 2020 (I only did 14) I applied to a lot more shows in 2021, just in case some of those shows canceled. While there were still 18 cancelations in 2021, I was able to fill those holes in my schedule with other shows easily. Thus I was able to do 36 shows in 2021, the most shows I have ever done. Not only that, but the average sales per show was way above my average!

  Rainbows after the storm at my fist show of 2021          Great crowds at all of my Florida shows

  Show attendance was incredible at nearly every show I did! Even some indoor shows had people packed in from opening until closing. There were a few shows that blew me away; Sunfest, Frankfort Fall Festival, VA Beach Boardwalk Show, Neptune Festival, and the Craftsmen Christmas Classic in Richmond.
Sunfest was my best selling show of 2021, while this is always a top show for me, 2021 was record-setting. People at Sunfest were there to buy. At Frankfort Fall Festival I saw the most people I have ever seen at any art show\festival. There were probably +300,000 there over the 3-day show. Both of the shows on the Virginia Beach boardwalk were incredible, as my art was flying off the walls. Literally and figuratively! There were some high winds at both shows and 3 pieces did fly off and get damaged, but I was even able to sell a large damaged metal there. The customer said the bent corner ‘added character’ to the piece. And then at Craftsmen Christmas Classic in Richmond I witnessed the most people I have ever seen at an indoor show! They were shoulder to should all three days and they were buying!

   Father and Son at Sunfest 2021

         
 
SUNFEST 2021

Another memorable show this year was Milford Memories in Milford, MI.
It was the best Milford Memories yet — over the last four years — with the weather perfect and the crowds large. The management really cares about us artists and will do whatever it takes to ensure a successful show. Load in and load out was a breeze and well or­ganized. Parking was a long, half-mile walk, but it was a free and large parking lot. Milford Memories has a fan in me for life and this is why: my car (with trailer) broke down 6.5 miles from the show on the evening of setup. After calling a tow truck, I called Joe Rork from the show to tell him that I was going to be there, but that I was going to be late. I explained my situation, and he asked where I broke down, how big my trailer was, and the size of the hitch. His assistant, Mitch, with a big SUV was sent to help me. The trailer was hooked up to the SUV, and I climbed into the passenger seat. When I got into line for setup, Mitch let me drive his vehicle so he could help direct traffic into the show. I was able to do the show and earn enough to pay for the car re­pair. Joe even drove me to the garage to pick up my car when it was ready! 


  Car broke down on way to Milford Memories!            Rescued by the show management!

  These were some of the shows that stick out in my mind. Almost every show was fantastic in 2021, but more importantly I made so many positive connections through my art and art shows. I met so many great people and talented artists that I smile when I think about it. I made so many new friends in 2021, this year was a blast! Thank you everyone who walking in my booth, chatted with me, bought my art, or just picked up a business card! I deeply appreciate you all. 

Me photo-bombing another artist's booth shot


I was fortunate to be near a ton of talent this year! 

Also I was fortunate enough to win the Commissioner’s Choice Award at the NC State Fair this year and also to be featured in a couple of articles....




And then here are just some random photos from my 2021 shows:


Old Island Days in Key West, FL

4:00AM (!) set up in downtown Naples, FL

Small traffic jam at Artigras in Jupiter, FL

A gale during Springfest blew over the Port-A-Johns! 

Strong crowds at both the the VA beach boardwalk shows

Colorfest is such a lovely setting


ART SHOWS WERE BACK IN 2021! And I look forward to keeping that momentum going in 2022.


                                              Cheers! Here is to 2022 !!

I CAUGHT A UNICORN! 

I have often heard tales of this mythical creature that can sometimes appear at art shows. The Unicorn will enter an artist’s booth point to multiple items while 

I had thought that this was just Tall Tales or Urban Legends that helps artists sleep at night, hoping that tomorrow they might spot and catch an Art Show Unicorn. But I am telling you now that THEY DO EXIST and I caught my FIRST ONE (in 8 years of doing ~35 shows a year) this February at Old Island Days in Key West Florida!

Needless to say, my Unicorn made my show very profitable and made this O.I.D show my BEST SHOW OF 2021 (so far). Saturday’s show was just average sales, but Sunday was when I caught him. Without my Unicorn I probably would have had a below average-to-average weekend of sales. But I DID capture his interest and I did close the Big Sale. Yes, you may think that I “hit the lottery” or “got lucky” but to hit the lottery you have to *play the game*. If the show didn’t happen I would not have had a great show. If I didn’t apply, get accepted, pay the fee, show up, and display my best pieces I would not have caught my unicorn.
 

**WE NEVER KNOW WHEN A UNICORN WILL APPEAR. WE NEED TO DO THESE SHOWS TO CAPTURE THEM BECAUSE THEY DO EXIST!!!**

(This is only a slight exaggeration of my sales at this Key West show)
 

*Setup and Tear-Down: Was fairly easy. It was Friday from 1PM-6PM but you could stay longer if needed. Security was from the Sheriff’s Department and there was an officer there from Friday evening until late Sunday night. This show moved from downtown in previous years to a narrow but long strip of concrete on the water this year. So the space got tight at the one end that I was located as one artist refused to move their truck while he was setting up his booth. A show personal offered help and also asking this artist to move his truck, but no luck. Other artist’s worked together to get in, unloaded, and parked in a timely manner.

Tear-Down was easy for me as I was the very last person to tear-down and get my trailer loaded. But there was a show volunteer and an officer there the whole time, until I pulled my trailer out. Other artists were asked to not pull their vehicle in until they had torn down their entire booth.

*Organization; Grace Epperly, Show Director, was fantastic! She was very communicative and gave updates before the show and during the show. She was there if we had questions of issues. There was coffee, water, bagels, snacks, juices, and fruit for the artists and that was appreciated. She also made everyone feel safe with the usual CDC guidelines in place with the added precaution of doing temperature check on all guests. The police officer was stationed near the entrance to make sure people followed the rules as well as providing security.

(People lined up to get temp checks and to enter show)


(Great weather and great turnout!)

(I was set up in the shadow of a US Coast Guard Ship!)
 

*Weather: UGH! THOSE WINDS! The Wind Gods demanded many sacrifices this weekend and I provided them, unwillingly, a small sacrifice in the form of a small metal that flew from my walls and got bent. I saw a large umbrella take flight and land in the water, never to be seen again. And I know I heard a sacrifice given from another booth a few rows down from mine. The winds were technically 15-25 MPH on Saturday and 10-20 MPH on Sunday. But I swear they seemed TWICE that much down at the end of this park on the water! I used every weight, strap, bungie, and cord I had to tie down and keep my booth and art in place and not end up in the ocean! It was a struggle the entire weekend. Other than that the weather was perfect. HA! It was mostly sunny with high only of 80-82* both days.

* Lodging/Food: Lodging in or near Key West in February is expensive! The best I could do was a lower-end motel on a different ‘key’ 45 minutes from the show site. UGH. It was $159+fees/night. I am not much of a foodie but I did eat a KiKi’s Bar and Grill every night as it was open late, near my hotel, and was VERY good.

*Judging:N/A

*Return in 2022?: HELL YES! I will have an improved ‘Unicorn Trap’ for 2022 (new art, better art!) You never know. This was the first year I have done this show. In previous years it is much larger than the 100 artists this year and it is also on one of the main downtown streets of Key West, from what I understand. So I am hopeful/confident that 2022 will return to the downtown streets and the show will back to its normal size and attract a whole ton of people and even a few more Unicorns.

TRANS-ALLEGHENY LUNATIC ASYLUM  

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, constructed between 1858 and 1881, is the largest hand-cut stone building in the western hemisphere. This haunting Gothic structure was the end of the line for West Virginia's insane for 150 years. There are nine acres of wards crowned by a looming 200 foot clock tower. The asylum's massive walls hold terrifying tales of civil war raids, arson, abuse, murder and suicide. (1)

“It was designed by the renowned architect Richard Andrews following the Kirkbride plan, which called for long rambling wings arranged in a staggered formation, assuring that each of the connecting structures received an abundance of therapeutic sunlight and fresh air”. You can read more about the Kirkbride Buildings here. To me this building seemed like a castle or palace from the outside and a prison from the inside.


Enter The AsylumThe Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, constructed between 1858 and 1881, is the largest hand-cut stone building in the western hemisphere. This haunting Gothic structure was the end of the line for West Virginia's insane for 150 years. There are nine acres of wards crowned by a looming 200 foot clock tower. The asylum's massive walls hold terrifying tales of civil war raids, arson, abuse, murder and suicide.
"Enter The Asylum"


The original hospital, designed to house 250 souls, was open to patients in 1864 and reached its peak in the 1950's with over 2,400 patients in overcrowded and generally poor conditions. Changes in the treatment of mental illness and the physical deterioration of the facility forced its closure in 1994 inflicting a devastating effect on the local economy, from which it has yet to recover. (2)
 
Goodbye For Now Looking EastLooking east from the Hospital Ward toward the back of the Main Building.

Because of overcrowding many additions and outbuildings were added over the years. By the end of the Second World War, the patient population had soared to over 1600 with no end in sight. as WWII mental cases started arriving. To answer this need. a rehabilitation facility was built in 1948, a forensics department later that year. Then a new wing holding Arts and Crafts was added, extending behind and perpendicular to the Second wing, north of the main structure. As a result, the north and south ends were no longer identical, a departure from symmetry that would surly have offended architect Richard Snowden.

In 1953 another building was added exclusively for geriatrics and the former laundry/segregated ward/orphanage building was torn down and replaced by a maintenance facility. Despite these improvements conditions at the asylum remained grim.

Reasons for admission into a 19th Century Asylum could be quite bizarre. The length of the list and the reasons are part of what makes this place famous. A great number of the original reasons for admission were due to sex related issues; of particular concern was sex with one’s self. In the nineteenth century masturbation, in all its forms, was thought to be a major cause of insanity. That list can be seen here.

I have a dilemma here; I want to tell y’all ALL about this amazing building and the history of it and its patients. But I am a photographer not a historian or a tour guide. I strongly encourage y’all to travel to Weston. WV and take one of the many tours offered of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. 

TALA - Google Earth

                                       I started my tour in the Women’s Ward. 

This building is in the roughest shape and was one of the more interesting areas. All the furniture and fixtures were gone and much of it was in various stages of collapsing; only Photography and Haunted Tours are allowed in this building. It really challenged my photographic skills to compose and create images that ‘told a story’, especially because of the lack of artificial light.

The Lost RoomA room at the end of the hallway, 3rd floor Women's Ward.
"The Lost Room"

Women's Ward, Fourth Floor
"Women's Ward, Fourth Floor"

DisorientatedThese are disorientating times for us all....   "Disorientated"  Living Walls
"Living Walls"

I happen to love the feel of this room, of this photo....
Room 47
"Room 47"


                     After this fascinating building I was led to the Forensics Building,
though it became known as the Criminally Insane Ward. This building was built in 1949 and housed the hospitals most violent and dangerous criminals and legend has it that there is/was a tunnel from the Weston City Jailhouse that leads to the basement of the jail. Those convicted of the violent crimes would be transported underground directly to this ward.  

This Is CriminalThis building was built at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in 1949 as a Forensics Building. It was soon converted to the 'criminally insane' building because of severe overcrowding. The hospital's most dangerous patients were housed in this building. Right away I knew this building was not like the others I had seen on these grounds; security and confinement seems to be the top priority here.
This is how visitors would communicate with 'inmates' of this ward;
QuarantinedThe Word Of 2020, one of them, is 'quarantined'. The above device is how visitors would 'talk' to inmates of the Criminally Insane Building of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. Not that they ever got many visitors.
Below is where the guards/attendants would be stationed to keep eyes on the inmates as well as to remain safe:
CagedThese bars were fro the protection of the 'guards' (staff) from the inmates of the Criminally Insane ward.  

These windows, stained with rust and age, were what these truly Lost Souls look through for years and years. This building housed the most "lost" and forgotten of this asylum, the criminally insane. 

Cathedral Of Lost SoulsThese windows, stained with rust and age, were what these truly Lost Souls look through for years and years.
This building housed the most "lost" and forgotten of this asylum, the criminally insane.
"Cathedral Of Lost Souls"


Only A Few RemainOnly a few beds remain, but one can imagine.....
~
Around 1949 the patient population reached over 1800, it was designed to hold 710, overcrowding had reached a crisis level. Patients were sleeping in halls and common areas. Rooms intended for productive activities were forced to become dorms with dozens of beds a few feet apart (as seen above). As a rule, the more disturbed the patient, the further away from the center section he or she would be. The center section was open to the public and only model patients were allowed in this area. The staff kept the worse cases as far away as possible thus shielding visitors from unpleasant sights, sounds, and smells. . Only a few beds remain, but one can imagine.....

Around 1949 the patient population reached over 1800, it was designed to hold 710, overcrowding had reached a crisis level. Patients were sleeping in halls and common areas. Rooms intended for productive activities were forced to become dorms with dozens of beds a few feet apart (as seen above). As a rule, the more disturbed the patient, the further away from the center section he or she would be. The center section was open to the public and only model patients were allowed in this area. The staff kept the worse cases as far away as possible thus shielding visitors from unpleasant sights, sounds, and smells. (2)

Ball RoomThis room in the Criminally Insane Ward was meant to be a space for recreation, activities, and rehabilitation efforts. But because of severe overcrowding it became packed with patient's bunks just a few feet apart.

"Ball Room"
This room in the Criminally Insane Ward was meant to be a space for recreation, activities, and rehabilitation efforts. But because of severe overcrowding it became packed with patient's bunks just a few feet apart.



                                                 Next was the Geriatric Ward.

The first interesting this I saw was this little “beauty salon”.
No Appointment NecessaryA salon chair and dryer sit unused in the geriatric wing of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.
It is nice to think that the elderly patients could have gotten their hair "done" from time-to-time
"No Appointment Necessary"
A salon chair and dryer sit unused in the geriatric wing of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. It is nice to think that the elderly patients could have gotten their hair "done" from time-to-time. 

Wash Your HandsOne of the phrases-of-2020, unfortunately, seems to be "wash your hands".
"Wash Your Hands"


Shockingly right across from the little salon was a morgue. Yes a morgue. And from what I was told, the morgue was hidden from the patients in this ward. Bodies would be brought in through a “secret passage” that was blocked off so patients could not see them being brought in. This room was one of the creepiest in the whole facility

The MorgueYes there was a morgue in the Geriatric Ward.

Most of the ward was void of scenes like the above, it was mostly empty hallways and many, many doors.....

Silence Glimmers"Silence glimmers in the empty hallways,
On the radios no one listens to anymore."
~ Roberto Bolano

The lighting and my time constraints made shooting this day a challenge. I could not just shoot everything and then decide on ‘the keepers’ later, there was not time to photograph every inserting scene or subject. I had to decide quickly if ‘there was a story here’ and then quickly compose my shots and then move on. The lighting and texture throughout this grand facility perfectly led themselves to my style of photography: HDR. I could not imagine getting usable photos here without the use of High Dynamic Range photography and its ability to capture all of the available light to create and more lifelike and realistic image. Since I could not take y’all with me this day I find that HDR is the next best thing to “being there”! 


                                   From there it was a quick walk to the Medical Ward. 


This large sunny room was once bright and cheerful. It was designed as a space where family and friends could visit the mentally in-firmed at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum; with 4 separate little spaces one could imagine this as a lively and quaint area.
However the patients here did not get many visitors, if any, after they were committed. Mostly the only visitors were gawkers and curiosity seekers who wanted to see the "lunatics of West Virginia"
Visitation RoomThis large sunny room was once bright and cheerful. It was designed as a space where family and friends could visit the mentally in-firmed at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum; with 4 separate little spaces one could imagine this as a lively and quaint area.
However the patients here did not get many visitors, if any, after they were committed. Mostly the only visitors were gawkers and curiosity seekers who wanted to see the "lunatics of West Virginia"
"Visitation Room"

DetailsDetails of the Visitation Room

Some medical coats still hanging on the wall....
Two CoatsTwo medical coats
are left hanging in the medical ward of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.
A small 'Commissary' was a cool find....
The CommissaryCommissary area inside the hospital ward of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.




                                        ONWARD TO THE MAIN BUILDING!

“Despite being designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1990, the hospital has deteriorated to the point where its very survival is threatened. The entire facility and 300 acres were privately purchased in August of 2007 and renamed Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (TALA) from The Weston State Hospital. We are committed to restoring TALA to its former grandeur, thus reviving the local economy and preserving an important piece of American history.”
~Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (1)

 A few areas in the center of the building have been restored to resemble late 19^th Century décor and how it would have looked during its operation. Some of the nurse’s quarters, Doctor’s quarters, and other rooms have been restored to period era furniture and decor. I think the caretakers of this property have done an outstanding job of restoration to the 1870's. Though the vast majority of this large complex has been left in an abandoned state, just the way I like it.


 

Patient ward of the Main Building This would be one of the hallways that visitors would see and also where many of the DR's and administrators would have offices and living quarters. I can almost envision staff telling family members “Your loved one is in good hands now; we will take good care of him/her. Just look around and see how lovely this hospital is maintained.”

During the 1940s and 1950s the prefrontal lobotomy was performed on more than 40,000 patients in the United States. This gruesome procedure became known as ‘ice pick surgery’. If you like to read more about this procedure, you can here. Warning: It is not for the squeamish. 

The Doctor Will See You NowDuring the 1940s and 1950s the prefrontal lobotomy was performed on more than 40,000 patients in the United States. A Portuguese neurosurgeon, Dr. Egas Moniz, invented a radical procedure called a leucotomy. This involved what is basically an ice pick to penetrate the skull directly through an eye socket in order to cut the neural connectors in the frontal lobe of the brain. Dr. Moniz theorized that by eliminating these connections, the brain would not experience the aggressive and dangerous emotional reactions to stimuli that had rendered the subject insane. This gruesome procedure became known as ‘ice pick surgery’.

Dr Walter Freeman became the first doctor in the United States to perform a leucotomy. For the operating theaters in the Asylum, Freeman used the new medical building and the 3rd floor of the TB Ward. From 1948 onward Dr. Freeman operated like a ‘machine’, and by 1952 he had performed 787 lobotomies (including an astonishing 225 in a 12 day period). He could reduce an adult brain to a childlike state in less than 10 minutes. An alarming majority of these were performed on women.

The ‘ice pick’ era ended in the late 1950’s thanks to the development of psychotropic drugs which had the same effect as a lobotomy. Dr. Walter Freeman had a high-profile failure which was discredited and lost his license. He died of colon cancer in 1972 at the age of 76. Today Freeman is condemned by many as a monster.
"The Doctor Will See You Now"

Dr Walter Freeman became the first doctor in the United States to perform a leucotomy. For the operating theaters in the Asylum, Freeman used the new medical building and the 3rd floor of the TB Ward. From 1948 onward Dr. Freeman operated like a ‘machine’, and by 1952 he had performed 787 lobotomies (including an astonishing 225 in a 12 day period). He could reduce an adult brain to a childlike state in less than 10 minutes. An alarming majority of these were performed on women.(2) Dr. Freeman is the subject of this biography "The Lobotomist". 

The ‘ice pick’ era ended in the late 1950’s thanks to the development of psychotropic drugs which had the same effect as a lobotomy. Dr. Walter Freeman had a high-profile failure which was discredited and lost his license. He died of colon cancer in 1972 at the age of 76. Today Freeman is condemned by many as a monster. 

Was this 'chair' used to treat patients or to simply restrain them? 
Absolution CallingCan I absolve you of your sins?

Was this exam table/chair used just to examine patients? Or was it mainly used to restrain them? I can imagine a disturbed patient restrained to this chair and then left in the hallway to howl at his demons in absolute loneliness.

There were a few wheelchairs in these wings of the asylum. This is my favorite....
Lost In The Echo "Lost In The Echo" 
"And these promises broken deep below
Each word gets lost in the echo
So one last lie I can see through
This time I finally let you go
Go, go, go"
~ Linkin Park

 

Throughout this whole asylum was a vast feeling of loneliness. It was actually more than that....
                                .....it was where desolation goes to be alone. 

I Disappear"Do you bury me when I'm gone?
Do you teach me while I'm here?
Just as soon as I belong
Then it's time I disappear....."
~ Metallica

I am unsure what the original purpose of this room on the 3rd floor of the main building was, but because of over crowding 4 patients were eventually living here.
  Cradle To The GraveA tragic and unforeseen problem arose a shortly after the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum opened: orphans. There were many births at the asylum, and those babies, along with the ones who were dumped, created a new and unanticipated problem. If a baby was born here the condition of the mother determined whether or not she was allowed to keep her child. If the administration determined that the mother was too unstable the baby was taken away. These babies, and children, were put in a smaller ward and looked after by older “feeble minded” women who were not considered dangerous. .
.
There was an orphanage, of sorts, in the basement of the building that was used to segregate the black patients; it was an old laundry room. When these children turned twelve they were placed in the general population, in male or female wards. It wasn’t until 1971 that a separate ward for minors was established in the old TB ward, at that time there were 40 of them. The youngest was 11; the average mental age was 5. How many of them were born in the asylum will never be known.

The 1950’s were the Beginning of The End of the Asylum Era as many new antipsychotic drugs were being developed. The big breakthrough came in 1954 when Chlorpromazine was introduced into the United States under the name Thorazine. It quickly became the most widely used drug in mental institutions as this pill affected the subject’s brain function by reducing delusions and hallucinations. Most notably, it drastically decreased threatening behavior. By the mid-1960s these drugs were routinely prescribed and taken on a daily basis. It was also in the sixties that great advances were made in psychiatric treatment. Carl Jung’s Analytical Psychology gained wide acceptance, along with the long overdue studies of cognitive and behavioral psychoanalysis published by the brilliant Dr. Sigmund Freud. (2)  

As the new psychiatric methods and developments in pharmaceuticals took hold, the populations of the institutionalized insane began to decline nationwide. This asylum's head count, which stood at over 2500 in the early 1960’s, fell to under 2,000 by the end of the decade. By 1980 there were less than 1,000 inmates. By 1990 only a few hundred were there, mostly for rehabilitation from chronic alcohol and drug abuse. The Asylum Era was over.

In 1987 The Weston Hospital (as it was now called) was officially closed. Plans went forward for the construction of the William R. Sharpe Hospital on the rear acreage of the old farmland. Completed in 1994, it was designed for 150 patients, about what was left of the old Asylum.  

Among the very last group to be transferred out was the murderer David M. whose weapon of choice was the bedpost. He spent the rest of his life at Sharpe’s, dying there in 2011.
The Asylum closed its doors forever.

Towards the end of my time there I found this art work by patients, of patients, of the Asylum. I present to you
"The Faces Of Madness"  
 
 

                                              ====================

My tour and photography of the asylum has stuck with me, long after I walked the grounds and long after I have edited this last photo. If I have done my job correctly, my photos should have a similar affect on you.


This is my favorite photo from the whole asylum and it was one of the last one I took this day....

Safety Of Disbelief
" Safety Of Disbelief "
---------------------------------
If you found my photos and these words interesting, I encourage you to visit my entire album of photos from this location and maybe own one for yourself > Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. And if you can’t get enough of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and would like to see it first-hand, please visit the website and book yourself a tour. 

========
Sources
(1) Trans-Allegheny Official Website
(2) “Lunatic” - book by Edwars S. Gleason

 

**********************************************************************************



THE BIG CANCEL!
-------------------------

March 20-22
Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival - CANCELED - COVID-19 
Fairhope, AL

 April 3-5
 Summerville Flowertown Festival - CANCELED - COVID-19
Summerville, South Carolina
 
April 17-19 
 Sugarloaf Crafts - CANCELED- COVID-19
Gaithersburg, MD

April 24-26
 Dogwood Arts Festival  - CANCELED - COVID-19
Knoxville, TN

May 2-3
 Arts In The Park - CANCELED - COVID-19
Richmond, MD

May 7-10
 Springfest - CANCELED - COVID-19
Ocean City, MD

May 16-17 > now Oct. 10-11
 Artsplosure - RESCHEDULED THEN CANCELED - COVID-19
Raleigh, NC

May 30-31 > Now August 15-16
 Sidewalk Art Show - RESCHEDULED THEN CANCELED- COVID-19
Roanoke, VA

May 30-31 
 Arts In The Middle - CANCELED - COVID-19
Urbana, VA 

June 13 -14
Allentown Arts Festival – CANCELED – COVID-19
Buffalo, NY

June 12-14
Sugarloaf Crafts - CANCELED - COVID-19
Gaithersburg, MD

June 19-21 > Oct. 23 - 25
 Boardwalk Art Show  - RESCHEDULED THEN CANCELED - COVID-19
Virginia Beach, VA

June 27-28
 Grand Haven Arts Festival - CANCELED - COVID-19
Grand Haven, MI

July 3-4 
 Festival For The Eno - CANCELED - COVID-19
Durham, NC

July 5-6 - CANCELED - COVID-19
 Downtown Asheville 4th of July Weekend Festival of the Arts
Asheville, NC

July 11-12
 Krasl Art Fair On The Bluff - CANCELED - COVID-19
St. Joseph, MI

July 17-19
Artscape - CANCELED - COVID-19
Baltimore, MD

July 24-26
Sugarloaf Crafts BANKRUPCY: COVID-19
Timonium, MD

July 29 -August 1
Virginia Highlands Festival - CANCELED - COVID-19
Abington, VA

August 1-2 
Chastain Park - CANCELED - COVID-19
Atlanta, GA

August 7-9
Milford Memories CANCELED - COVID-19
Milford, MI

August 15-16
Mount Gretna Art Show – CANCELED – COVID-19
Mount Gretna, PA

August 16-17
Sidewalk Art Show - CANCELED - COVID-19
Roanoke, VA

August 22-23
Cary Lazy Daze- CANCELED - COVID-19
Cary, NC

August 29-30
Art in Speed Park Fine Art Fair CANCELED - COVID-19
Sellersburg, IN

September 5-7 
Frankfort Fall Festival - CANCELED - COVID-19
Frankfort, IL

September 5-6
Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival CANCELED - COVID-19
Arlington, VA

September 12-13
Big Four Arts Festival CANCELED - COVID-19
Louisville, KY

September 12-13
St. Charles Fine Art Show - CANCELED - COVID-19
St. Charles, IL

September 25-27 
Neptune Festival CANCELED - COVID-19
Virginia Beach, VA

October 1-4
Sunfest CANCELED - COVID-19
Ocean City, MD

October 2-4 
St. James Court CANCELED - COVID-19
Louisville, KY

October 10-11
Colorfest - CANCELED - COVID-19
Thurmont, MD

October 10-11
Artsplosure - CANCELED - COVID-19
Raleigh, NC
 
October 16-18
Sugarloaf Crafts - BANKRUPCY: COVID-19
Chantilly, VA

October 16-18 
Poquoson Seafood Festival - CANCELED - COVID-19
Poquoson, VA

October 23-25 
Boardwalk Art Show - CANCELED - COVID-19
Virginia Beach, VA

October 23-25
River ArtsFest - CANCELED - COVID-19
Memphis, TN

November 14-15
Virginia Highlands Festival - CANCELED - COVID-19
Atlanta, GA

December 4-6
Columbus Winterfair - CANCELED - COVID-19
Columbus, OH

December 4-6
Sugarloaf Chantilly - BANKRUPTCY - COVID-19
Chantilly, VA

  Recently, at a show in Florida, I had an unbelievable encounter that is still bugging me. It was a BAD Saturday and Sunday was shaping up to be even worse. At about 3PM I had a promising couple come in and tell me how much they ‘loved my work’! So much so that they were talking about which wall to put it on and whether they needed ‘a bigger size because that wall has huge ceilings’! They even “discussed” getting two pieces, one huge and one large for their home. Toward the end of the conversation the husband asked if he could ‘possibly get a deal’ for two pieces. They left to ‘think about which piece would go where’ in their house and told me to ‘think about what kind of deal’ I could give them...

  By 4:30, a half hour before the show ends, I start thinking they are typical Be-Backers who never return or even a couple who like to ‘talk a good game’ but never follow through with a purchase. Suddenly, at 4:50 PM, they swoop back in and he asks what kind of deal he can get. I said if he gets two large pieces that I would pay the tax and also take care of the shipping. This would be a savings of about $150 on an $1100 purchase. He seemed shocked by that so he settled on one large piece of mine priced at $450. He was doing all of the talking at this point and says “I don’t really love the piece but she does” and points to his wife, and so on and so on. I said the best I could do is $400 (including tax) on that piece. That was a savings of $80! He countered with just $300 (!). I could not believe it. He was asking me to take a THIRD off of my price! I said there is NO way I could to that, $300 was close to my costs for that size. He would not budge and neither would I.

  They left the show empty handed and I left with (nearly) empty pockets. A few minutes after they left I kept thinking about better responses. Isn’t that usually how it goes? I should have showed them a medium piece priced at $325 and said “here is something more in your budget” or “maybe you should go to Hobby Lobby because you are looking for DECORATIONS for your home and NOT ART”, or the classic, “Sir, would you try this at a Target or grocery store?” It made me even madder later on. This couple tried to play me for a sucker! They thought I was a “starving artist”, that they could get my hopes up, swoop in at the close of the show, and drop the hammer, thinking I would be so desperate that I would just take it. I know they are PROS at this, that they practice this haggling ‘schtick’ at a lot of places. The more I thought about it, I knew it was too perfect, something wasn’t right; their spiel was way too rehearsed to be legitimately interested in my work. THERE HAS TO BE A NAME FOR THESE PEOPLE!

  It took a LOT of pride and strength for me to not give in! I needed the money so much that week. I didn’t have a place to stay the next few days and not much food to eat because of a series of bad shows in FL that month. (I was far from the only artist to suffer this weird streak; let’s hope that’s all it was, weird.) So I chose to sleep in my car and eat peanut butter sandwiches for 2 days rather than accept his insulting offer. As an artist that sells via a sometimes unpredictable show circuit, I certainly have struggled but I don’t abandon my self-respect, honor, and worth when I’m at a low point.

            I’m still unsure what lesson I was supposed to learn from this. Either way, I still think I was right for not accepting his woefully insufficient offer. Yeah, it would have been nice to have a bed and decent food for those few days but I am happy I stood my ground. I choose to not focus on being upset that I was in that kind of situation, where I could have really used the money. But how’s this for reaffirming my decision?! Only one week after this encounter I sold that EXACT SAME PIECE in Naples to a nice couple who did not ask for 1 penny off my price! Ha!

               
           THERE HAS TO BE A NAME FOR THESE PEOPLE: These people who, usually a team of two, who try to prey on desperate artists are the end of art shows.

 2018 is in the rearview mirror and it was a phenomenal year! In fact it was the BEST YEAR EVER for Left Behind photography. I had two (2!) Best Ever shows, both within three weeks of each other, reaching milestones I had dreamed of. I met more amazing art-loving people than ever before and I added a family of serious collectors whom I had the privilege of personally visiting. I did another commissioned work for a client who trusted me with an important family 'heirloom'. I made so many great connections through my art and, to me. that is what it is ALL about. I am excited about making even more connections in 2019.

  Of course 2018 was not without it's challenges. I blew the transmission on my old Santa Fe, after ~300,000 miles. That forced me to rent a Uhaul truck for a few weeks and then buy a used Ford Explorer, which promptly BLEW UP after 100 miles on a trip to a show in Ohio. I had to then cancel on that show, first time ever I did that. Finally, after renting more trucks, I was finally able to buy my current, more reliable, car: a VW Touareg. I also traveled about a thousand miles on Labor Day weekend to do a show that I sold ONLY ONE small print. I had to appeal to many of y'all for help during these difficult periods and y'all came through, again. Thank you! 



   In 2018 I found myself in some fascinating locations that I was able to photograph. Tops among them was the Historic Cossitt Library , an abandoned library in Memphis TN. I finally found an old Jeep that I had been searching for over 2 years! Also there was a boat graveyard, old church, vintage gas station, and many old cars and trucks. In 2019 I have plans to take more time to shoot, time to make NEW ART! I will take time to travel to places for the purpose of photographing, not just because it is on the way to an art show of mine. I was fortunate to save enough money to buy a new camera, for the first time in five (5!) years. I plan to make the most of this opportunity. 


                            [Me at Sugarloaf Crafts show]

   I am truly humbled each and every week; humbled by thousands of people who "get me" and get my art and my vision. Humbled by people willing to spend their hard-earned money on my art. Humbled by art show organizers and managers who help these art shows appear virtually overnight as if my magic, and by the managers who "work with" this sometimes struggling artist (me!). 

Sugarloaf ArtscapeArtscape 2013

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 
 

LOOK OUT 2019, HERE I COME!  

  As an added bonus I was able to spend the week with my dad, who lives nearby, and he was able to help me a ton. In fact I could not have done it without him.
Sunfest 2018
  This is a grueling show: 4 consecutive days, three 12-hour days and one 8-hour day. And it can be unpredictable weather (hot days and cold, windy evenings) at the beach. The booths are small 10 X 11 with *NO* back stock area.  But the people who come to Sunfest appreciate (and purchase) the Arts and Crafts unlike any other people I’ve met! The crowds were huge Thursday, Friday and Saturday and they came to *BUY* (crowd estimates are ~ 215,000)! I was a newbie this year and many people commented that they had not seen me before nor had they seen my type of photography, nor had they seen aluminum prints before. I was thrilled to explain my process and medium to a lot of new people. The Sunfest Festival-Goers were from all over the Mid-Atlantic and beyond; MD, D.C., VA, PA, NC, DE, and even FL and they bought *BIG* pieces of mine.

    In fact *ONE FAMILY* from PA bought 4 large pieces and 3 small pieces and accounted for 30% of my entire show’s sales. *THIS SHOW ENDED UP BEING MY BEST! SHOW! EVER!* (#1 out of 105 , and still ongoing). I am still recovering from Sunfest and still smiling. I almost can’t believe it actually happened. 

{My next big show is Colorfest in Thurmont, MD: October 13th - 14th}

Historic Cossitt Library, Memphis Tennessee.

Archived
    "Archived "

 

Here are some great old photos of this



For a year after its dedication it actually stood empty because there was no more money left to buy books.  The city newspapers began a campaign asking the public to help.  And the shelves began to fill up.   When the library did open it was known as the Cossitt-Goodwyn Institute - and in addition to books, it also housed the city's first museum collection. 

Over the decades the Cossitt underwent a couple of major renovations, the last of which was in 1958 and was not so much a renovation as an ‘abomination’. The last "renovation” was an unfortunate attempt at modernization.  The 1958 structure is thoughtlessly tacked onto the front - a sterile, minimalist box replacing the former classical arches, galleries, and towers of the old Cossitt .I think it is a hideous blue box that doesn't even attempt to match the rear sandstone addition.  This whole corner is a disgrace.  The original Cossitt Library was one of the most beautiful public buildings in Memphis. This is one of the ugliest.

 Front of the 'Renovated' Cossitt Library     

    Rear portion retained the impressive Romanesque architecture

The area that I spent the most time photographing was “The Stacks”, shelves of books that have been abandoned and left to decay. 


Entrance to 'The Stacks'

'The Stacks', from above

The lighting in this section was exquisite, two walls of large windows giving a glow to these books from 2 angles. I could not have dreamed of better lighting.

 
A Magic Place

" A Magic Place "
The Stacks '' The Stacks " 

There were a lot of old magazines and even a newspaper from 1893 !! 


More from this amazing location.....
The Many Worlds Of Man
"The Many Worlds Of Man"

Footnote Of History "Footnote Of History" 

Emptiness "Emptiness"

 
( Entire album > Historic Cossitt Library )

 In October 2016, a group of Memphians applied and received a $5 million grant to participate in "Reimagining the Civic Commons," a three-year demonstration project to help the city and greater community reconnect to the thing Memphis was built on: the Mississippi River. The new Cossitt will get $3M of that grant.
Shamichael Hallman, Cossitt branch manager, is excited about the renovations planned at the Cossitt, he explained: building on the library’s existing initiatives— such as computer classes, science programs, and job assistance workshops— while also creating a framework for exciting new programs to bring this library into the 21st Century.

 It will be a space not only for traditional learning, but also a space where the community can grow together and explore different types of learning, be it through reading, the arts, music, discussion, or personal connection. Flexible furnishings and design will create a scalable space that can be transformed easily to suit many different events and programs, from large open spaces for dance classes, theater, and more, to smaller studio spaces and breakaway rooms for more intimate events.

 
Renovations have been under way since the Fall of 2017. 


The re-imagined Cossitt Library 

( source of these two photos > Renovations )


 

 The Cossitt will expand the reach of the arts, grow local talent, and provide ready access to public services. This stalwart will be a genuine draw for Memphians from all walks of life. 

A huge bushel-full of thanks to Shamichael Hallman for his guided tour and passion for this library. I also would like to thank 
June West, Keenon McCloy, Margot Payne, and the Memphis Heritage! 
----------------------
Sources in addition to those listed above:
http://historic-memphis.com/memphis-historic/cossitt/cossitt.html
http://ilovememphisblog.com/2018/02/memphian-to-meet-shamichael-hallman-and-the-library-of-tomorrow/
http://www.memphisheritage.org/
https://thefourthbluff.com/cossitt-library/

VA Beach



   And let me tell you something about this show: I LOVE IT! I tried for 4 years to get into this show and I was finally able to get the invitation this June. This was a long 4-day show and it was so worth it; it was almost my BEST show of 2018, almost. I was just one small sale away from being Best Show of 2018: Downtown Naples Art Show (March). They LOVED me in VA Beach and I hope I get invited back in 2019.



 I was able to use some of the proceeds of that great show to buy this 2004 Ford Explorer, seen here. In fact it took ALL of the money I had at the time, but I was able to fill up the tank and start heading to my next show in Columbus Ohio. 

  I got about 90 miles from home when steam started pouring out from under the hood, it had overheated. The radiator is shot! I tried to limp home, 10 miles at a time, then refilling with water but I could only make it back to Cary. That is where some nearby landscapers helped me out (below) by towing me to a parking lot. It sits there now while I try to figure out what to do next. Because of this failure I had to cancel on a show for the first time ever! The first ever in my 5-year art show career, and I hated to do it. 

I don't know what I am going to do next. I have until July 1st to get this truck fixed and I have no money for repairs. 

...but.....

HOPE BEGETS HOPE! 

I am hopeful I can create a new stream of income, get the truck repaired and be on my way to my next show. 

UPDATE: I have started a GO FUND ME page to try to raise funds for my care repairs
Go Fund Me> Fix Kyle's Car
   

   On the way there I found a cute little abandoned farmhouse. It was nothing special except that it was close enough to the road that I didn’t have to hop the fence to get good photos. “Okay, that was cool, Glad I am taking the side roads”, I said to myself. But about an hour later I could not avoid getting on I75 south in order to get to my destination. I generally HATE interstates because they are so boring and offer little photo opportunities. But about an hour on I75 I spot a billboard for a ‘Historic General Store’. I had about 1 mile to make up my mind to take that exit or keep trucking down the interstate.
“Go for it”, I told myself. “It’s not like you are on a schedule and you may never get the opportunity to stop by here again”. So I took the exit and headed to Richloam, FL

Old farmhouse
    About 8 miles off the interstate I found this historic general store. I walked inside and it was like stepping back on time. Right away the lovely lady behind the counter told me the history of this great old building, while I was petting her cute beagle. Richloam General Store was built and founded by Sidney Brinson June 28, 1922. The building served as the Express office, the Post Office and the general store for the community of Richloam until January 31, 1936. In 2016 the building underwent a major renovation and reopened in Fall of 2017. I introduced myself and asked if I could take a few photos, she said “Help yourself”. I was so excited that I hope my settings were correct and that I got some good shots. The ones included here are from my cell phone, apologies.
  Trust Your Instincts

   After that fantastic experience I continued down I75 S with no particular place in mind, just the city of Ft. Myers. As I get closer my brain alerts me to something, my instincts maybe? I remember last year I went to the fishing docks there to try to get some photos but the lighting was crap that day. Luckily I saved it in My Maps so I found it easily and headed for these grungy docks in Ft. Myers. I turn down Shrimp Boat RD (no kidding!) and I know I am in the right place. It is 4:00pm and I have maybe 90 minutes of good light left. I then look and see it clouding up and my window is not 40 minutes to get all the photos I can. The place is bustling with activity as there are repairs being done and supplied being loaded for the next morning’s trip. I have no real plan in my head I just keep chasing the light and going where it is leading me, trusting my gut as to what will look KILLER and when is just ‘okay’. Nobody working there pays any attention to me, IF they even see me.

   I am so invisible that a lady driving a pickup truck almost hits me as she pulls into the docks! She rolls down her window and apologizes. I say the last person she expected to see as w photographer here. Ha!
We get to talking and she asks “Are you originally from Maryland?”. I reply yes and ask how did she know. “It’s your accent.” I swear Marlanders do NOT have an accent. “Yes they do hun.” She replies. We talk some more and then she asks if I will take a picture of her, her bother and their dog on the bow of their boat. She has never gotten one and has wanted one for years and will buy some from me! I told her it would be an honor. So I set up my tripod as close as I can and snap about 15 shots. I am confident I got some good ones and I wave bye and thank her.  As I pivot, I spy a boat that is named ‘Baby Girl’! I name that is significant to me and my girlfriend Veronica (it’s a pet name I have for her)!  WOW! “This was meant to be!” I almost say out loud. So I get some more boat shots before the light is gone behind the clouds.

   Now I get on my phone and look for some cheap motels. Some reviews mention ‘bed bugs’ and ‘drug activity’ so I cross them off my list. Now my list is like empty. I might now be sleeping in my car or be paying $195 if one night at a 2-star hotel.  But once again my ‘gut’ tells me to pull over and do one more search. I look for Air BnB’s again to see if one opened up or if a new one just got listed……and….. I FIND ONE! It looks lovely and I can book immediately. I book it for 2 nights because that was all they had open. I figure I can spend to nights there while I look for a place for the rest of the week. So I start my hour drive there, to LeHigh Acres, when I get closer I spy something in the fading sunset……an ABANDONED PLANE on an ABANDONED AIRFIELD!!! I swear! I quickly mark the spot so I can return and shoot when there is good light (which was this morning).
Looking To The Sky

TL;DR> (Too Long, Didn’t Read section): If I had not trusted my instincts, if I have been closed off to what the ‘Verse was laying out for me, If I had been on a schedule I would NOT have found these places and met these people. I would not have driven to the General Store and gotten some killers shots. I would NOT know some history of the area. I would NOT have met the nice woman and her brother (and dog). I would NOT have been able to take photographs she has been wanting for years. I would NOT have seen that boat name. I would NOT have found the abandoned airplane.

  Please open your mind and trust that voice in your head. Life is too short for ‘could haves, would haves’. I love what I do. I love making connections through photography and my art. Listen to what the Universe it telling you.

 I have written before about how unique the Sugarloaf shows are in the past (here)
and this time in Gaithersburg it was such a positive experience. This year I offered up all 10 of my free tickets to the show and ALL of them were snagged from me within a few days! I knew then that this Holiday show would be something special.

 I was concerned at first because my booth got moved from an inside building #2 at the top of the hill to building #19, inside a barn. This past weekend in November was COLD and on Sunday there were winds gusting to 40+ MPH! Would my customers be able to find me? Would people brave the cold to go shopping? BUT THEY DID COME! All of the people I gave the free tickets to made a point to stop by, say howdy and chat for a bit. I also had quite a few people who say me at Colorfest in Thurmont in October come by Gaithersburg! How cool is that? VERY!

 My worry was for naught because these Sugarloaf Craft fans will come out regardless of the weather. If they don’t make it Friday, they will make it out Saturday or Sunday.  Saturday was by far my best day this weekend, as I expected. I sold a large metal of ‘End Of The Road’ within the first hour of the show. That is always a great sign. Sales continued virtually all day with me taking many special orders, despite the on-and-off light rain showers.

 Then on Sunday, when I thought most people would be at home staying warm, some hardy shoppers came out. In fact a lot more came out than I expected. I was able to sell about half the amount I did on Saturday.

 Many of the people I spoke with said that they are looking forward to seeing in at the Sugarloaf Crafts show in Chantilly VA in December. A couple of them said they are ‘saving up’ to make their purchase then and that they were narrowing down their choices at the Gaithersburg show.

This weekend Sugarloaf Crafts show in Gaithersburg ended up being MY BEST SUGARLOAF SHOW EVER! And it is currently #7 in my ALL TIME Best Show List.

 Colorfest crowds are usually large and usually early-birds. Saturday’s show officially opens at 9am, but I like to be ready by 8-8:30. Since I had a double booth it took me a bit longer to get 100% ready, but customers did not seem to mind as they were browsing while I was prepping. The people kept coming and coming, they seemed to love my art. At one point I counted twenty three (23!) people inside my 10x20’ booth (plus a half dozen looking just outside my booth). I had so many fantastic conversations, met so many sweet people and made so many connections through my art that it is hard to remember them all. I do know that I did not sit down nor stop talking for the entire 9 hours!

  Did I mention that the crowds were HUGE and the buying energy was electric? IT WAS! I have had a particular milestone that I set so that I can know when I’ve ‘Made It’ to The Bigtime. I have come close 2 times to reaching that milestone (Frankfort Fall Festival and Artscape) but those shows were 3-day shows. Well not only did I reach that milestone, but I surpassed it by a COUNTRY MILE! Colorfest usually draws about 100,000 people, whereas those other 2 shows draw 250,000-300,000 each. I have to think this year’s attendance broke some sort of record.

  But more than the attendance was people’s willingness to listen to me explain my process, my journey, my art and their willingness to spend their hard-earned money on my art. I am humbled that my photographs will be hanging in the homes of a lot of the fine people who attended Colorfest this weekend.

Metal Prints are always a conversation piece and not to be confused with prints on metallic paper. Metal prints are on aluminum, more accurately IN the aluminum. The process uses high-heat technology to fuse your image into the eco-friendly, 100% post-consumer recycled ChromaLuxe aluminum surface for incredible visual depth and luminosity. This process is called DYE-SUBLIMATION (more on that later). This technique will turn my images into vibrant works of art with ultra-high definition colors, intense blacks, and a unique, luminescent finish and ensures sharp, crisp contours, and seamless gradations.

 Telling you about a metal print is a lot like trying to advertise a new 4K UltraHD oled t.v. using an old standard definition T.V. You simply have to see it to believe it. Most of the people who see my aluminum prints say “I have never seen anything like this before”. This is truer than they know because the technology is still fairly new and there are not that many photographers printing on aluminum yet. The details and the clarity are unmatched and are perfectly suited to my HDR style of photography. My photos already have a lot of color, clarity, and definition because they are all High Dynamic Range photos; putting them on metal adds another layer.

I include a float-mount hanger on the back of all my metal prints, making them super-simple to hang. You will just need 1-3 nails or screws in the wall and then hang the metal from there. It will sit off the wall about ½ an inch, adding a drop shadow to the wall for added depth. These pieces of art come ready to hang, no need to pay or wait for a frame shop to prepare your art for display.

People who visit me at my shows often ask how this is done. I sometimes reply: “Magic” because that is often easier to say than dye-sublimation (which is like magic to me).

How it is REALLY done:

 Dye-sublimation printing is a digital printing technology using full color artwork that works with polyester and polymer-coated substrates. The process uses the science of sublimation, in which heat and pressure are applied to a solid, turning it into a gas through an endothermic reaction without passing through the liquid phase. In order to transfer the image from the paper to the substrate, it requires a heat-press process that is a combination of time, temperature and pressure. The heat press applies this special combination, which can change depending on the substrate, to “transfer” the sublimation dyes at the molecular level into the substrate. The most common dyes used for sublimation activate at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a range of 380 to 420 degrees Fahrenheit is normally recommended for optimal color.

 The end result of the sublimation process is a nearly permanent, high resolution, full color print. Because the dyes are infused into the substrate at the molecular level, rather than applied at a topical level (such as with screen printing and direct to garment printing), the prints will not crack, fade or peel from the substrate under normal conditions.
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These metal prints truly need to be seen in person. Check out my show schedule (on this website) to see when I will be coming to your area. 

 It's been a while since my last blog post, my apologies. It has been a hectic beginning to my summer, more DOWNs than UPs. I can handle one bad or mediocre show, but I can not handle two in a row. That is what I had at the end of May and the first weekend of June. 

  To try to make ends meet and to put meat on the table I started driving for Uber. It was a great solution during late spring when the weather was mild because my car has NO AC. Now that it is July I can not subject my passengers to the North Carolina heat, this is cruel. Plus my ratings may get hammered by hot and sweaty passengers. If they drop below a certain point (4.7 I believe) I could get suspended by Uber. 

  In addition when I do Uber I can not CREATE! I can't; take new photos, edit existing photos, make art,  nor sell art. I just drive and sweat. And worry. It is sapping my creative juices. So I have parked my car for the foreseeable future to focus on Left Behind Photography. I know that if I sell just ONE photo a day, it will exceed what I could make driving 9 hours for Uber. 

  I am sorry this is not a post about "Kicking Ass and Living The Dream"! But I have always been honest with y'all. Being an artist is a struggle. Living Your Dream is harder than anything you will ever do. You will lose sleep, lose weight, lose some friends, lose money. I hate focusing on my cash flow more than my photography. It is not for everybody. But I know that it will be worth it in the long run. I just need to get to that point where I can look back at the Summer of 2017 and say " this is where things turned around and I truly began Living The Dream". 

  If you didn't know this already I do have a Patreon Page that offers ton of cool stuff to patrons of my art. 
https://www.patreon.com/kylewilson
Also my website is always being refreshed with NEW content. If you have not been in a while it is still here>
http://leftbehind.zenfolio.com/


Slowed but Determined,
 Kyle

Near My Breaking Point

Gone Cold Catching Lightning In A Bottle!

There is a lot of history on this place if you care to Google for a few minutes, so enough history and on to……
  This is How It Ends
The Red Shoes
She Is SIlk

My Adventure

  When I say that this day like “catching lightning in a bottle” I am speaking about the combination of elements that led me to be at THIS place on THIS day with THIS lighting. I had wanted to shoot here for the previous 2 years, since first seeing photos from other talented photographers; it was love at first sight. This location is like the ‘Holy Grail’ for photographers of this “Abandoned Genre”. The timing had never worked out, until last November of 2017 when I was in Gaithersburg MD for an art show. On a whim I called Herb (the caretaker) and arranged a visit for that Monday afternoon.

Break Time's Over



   It had snowed the morning and was still super-cold. In fact it was about 35*F when I arrived at about 1PM. There was still snow on the grass and on the window sills here. Normally shooting between 1-4PM is not ideal with the sun being so bright and ‘washing out’ most photos; however this day was something special. See the glass in the mill was the old heavy, leaded glass that was typically used in the 40’s and 50’s. What this does is provide a special “filter” or “effect” of sorts that you cannot reproduce with software or a lens. When I got to the top floor it was ~3PM and the high sun was blasting and it should have made the photos look like a nuclear winter, but instead the lighting was positively ethereal and led to a slight glow around everything I saw on that level. That was like catching lightening in a bottle!  I feel that everything in my life, all my decisions, all I have learned about photography led me to be here this day, to make these photographs. I don’t know if it will ever get better than this for me.

[ The mill is under the watchful eye of its lone caretaker, Herb Crawford. Herb not only oversees the property but has installed cameras and other security measures to protect the property from vandals and scrappers. Herb offers tours of the mill in 4 hour blocks for a measly $100. ALL of that money goes right back into the mills roof fund to help stop the impending winters. In fact while I was there I saw a large stockpile of roofing supplies and Herb said that the roof work was to begin that NEXT DAY!
2020 UPDATE: I have heard the Herb Crawford has passed away. The fate of  the silk mill is unknown]
All I Ever Wanted“If this country is ever demoralized, it will come from trying to live without work.”
~ Abraham Lincoln Tags on A Wall

 It did not start out that way at the Downtown Naples Festival of The Arts , however, as Saturday was extremely disappointing for sales. The weather was perfect and the crowds were huge. However, I sold only 4 items during the entire 8 hours. When I got back to the Air BnB where I was staying I had trouble falling asleep, despite waking up at 3 AM that morning to set up; I was so stressed out about this last day in Florida! Going to bed this night I was thinking that my poor sales had to do with the enormous competition in my field at this show, there were 30 photographers at this Naples show, almost the same number of jewelers! I had to do something to separate myself from the competition.

 So I got to my booth early and totally changed my setup. At this show, everyone, essentially, gets a corner booth. I did not realize that until it was too late to change on Saturday.  So on Sunday I moved a couple of walls and put 4 big pieces facing outward to take advantage of all the eyes that would be passing and looking.

 My efforts paid off! I sold, sold, and sold some more! THEY LOVED ME! It was like my normal formula was turned on its head. Saturday has always been my best day and Sundays have been a ‘chill day’ where I add a few more sales for ‘gravy’.  I have found that in Florida Saturdays are for looking and SUNDAYS ARE FOR BUYING!  

-----------------------------------------------------------
The details of the Downtown Naples Festival of The Arts 2017:
Organization was superior.
Layout and Setting were perfect.
Advertising and Attendance were phenomenal.
Prestige was above average.
Artist treatment was super-nice.

****
Mixture of Art was below average (a lot of photography and 2D art).
Parking was a nightmare (artist parking was 2.5 miles away and required a shuttle bus).
----------------------------------------------------------

Now I am getting my car repaired and getting ready to head back to NC.

 

   Setup was a breeze in that I got to drive on the grass right up to my booth to unload the day before the show and then park within walking distance for free. I also got a nice corner booth under a historic banyan tree that provided great shade all weekend long.
    Saturday’s sales started slow and continued slow all day. I did get a few prospects and a few sales, the buyers were not there. I did get tons of compliments and I had great conversations, however I left Saturday’s show extremely worried in that the sales were half what they would be for a typical Saturday of a show this big.

  However Sunday quickly put my fears to rest as I sold, sold, and sold some more. In one 45 minute period I sold my 2 biggest metals and another medium metal. In addition I took a few special orders and sold a variety of prints, metals and frames. It seems this show brings the buyers out on Sunday. In fact it ended up being MY BEST SUNDAY EVER in terms of sales.

It was THE BEST OF TIMES!
-----------
It was the WORST OF TIMES!

That would be the March Bonita Springs Show (“Show #3”).  I had my worst show EVER!
This includes shows that had costs of only $100! This show cost me over $1,000 to go to and do and produced sales that were 90% less than February.

I made 4 sales all weekend. Four sales and an ‘Award of Distinction’ is all I have to show for all this work.  

Why the huge difference in only 1 months’ time? I can only attribute it to 3 reasons:  LOCATION, LOCATION, and LOCATION. After February I asked the show’s organizers if I could please be moved to a street booth along one of the main thoroughfares. If I could not get there, I wanted to get back into space #174 where I was before. That is a simple enough request, 2  preferences, I thought.

However this past weekend I was placed in the totally different location from what I wanted or what I was expecting. It was in the middle of a round grassy area near the ‘Food Court’, a civic organization, and a Costco booth. There were also about a dozen other unlucky artists stuck in this no-mans-land. The only visitors we had were ones that were at the food court and happened to wander past our booth. I requested to move after Saturday’s ONE sale to a space that was empty on the main street. My booth takes 4 hours to set up and tear down myself. That was how serious I was to get over there and improve my sales. My request was denied. Sunday was horrible as well.

This weekend was a serious kick to my groin as I am stumbling to recover still.

I have two more shows this month while down here in Florida. I checked out both of the shows layouts and they are more logical with artists placed along a main avenue of ingress and egress.  My hopes and dreams are not resting on these next two weekends.
No pressure. HA!

Onward and Upwards!!

 

was an astounding success!

This show was organized and held by the Rotary Club of Cape Coral and it was one of the most organized shows I have ever done. Check-in was a breeze on Friday night. I got there early, as usual and was greeted by many smiling faces and helpful people. I had about 2 hours to wait until it was time to drive up to my spot, unload and set up. All went smoothly. 

 Saturday brought HUGE crowds and beautiful weather. The show has a great location.... a wide street in downtown that is closed to traffic. The people came early and kept on coming. There were a LOT of artists, 300(!), for the visitors to look at and they did look at them ALL. This crowd walked slowly and actually looked at the art. On many occasions you could not fit another person in my booth! They were curious and asked many thoughtful questions about my photos. I could tell they appreciated art here and were prepared to buy, not just walk around and eat kettle-corn.
One guest in my booth even commented "I have been coming to this show for 20+ years and this year's artists were the highest quality I have seen yet". That was humbling to be included in such good company.  My nautical and truck photos did well this whole weekend. 

 Sunday was EVEN BETTER THAN SATURDAY! I had one of my BEST Sundays ever! It was amazing. Astounding. Fantastic. Mind-blowing! THEY LOVE ME DOWN HERE! Then it got even better when I WON SECOND PLACE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY! I KID YOU NOT! There were twenty six (26!) other photographers here and I won 2nd place. The smile is still on my face! Sunday exceeded all expectations. 

If I have one complaint is it that tear down was stressful. We are given 4 hours to set up and only 2 to tear down and pack up. My display is intricate and time consuming. It does not set up or tears down quickly. When i was not done by 7 PM the volunteers moved everything to a parking lot across the street where I finished packing up and loading the trailer. 

Overall a great show and I will do this again in 2018 if invited!!! 

Florida is starting to warm up to me and Left Behind photography. 

 I just completed week 8 of 10 weeks in a row with a show. I am freaking exhausted. This is much harder than I expected, I barely sleep or eat. I wonder if I bit off more than I can chew. My suppliers cannot keep up with me as I try to resupply between shows. I have not gone out shooting in a while. The shots that I do get are ones from my travels between shows. I can’t recall the last time I edited some of my photos. Also the weather has been a real bastard. I have lost 8 frames in 2 weeks because of heavy rains.

   I just finished Colorfest in Thurmont MD and up next is the Poquoson Seafood Festival in VA. These two shows were 2 of my best last year. Colorfest was just ok because of Saturday rains, but Poquoson VA weather looks perfect. I can’t control the weather, but I can control the other things. Those things I try to make as perfect as possible.

 I sometimes think about giving up, but then I remember there are a lot of mother***kers out there I need to prove wrong!

  I get a jolt of LIFE and ENERGY from all of y’all that come to my shows and support what I am doing. I could not do it without y’all.

THANK YOU! 

MOAR METAL !!1  \m/ O_O \m/

 A couple more pluses were the gourmet lunches that were delivered to our booth were fantastic and the load-in and load-out was a breeze. I do not often do I say that? 

>K

  Apologies for being MIA here, I have been so busy with my show schedule. 
I am in week 4 of my marathon of *10 shows in 10 weeks*! I have got to keep the momentum rolling. 

This may be a bit of a ramble here, bear with me....

  July was up and down with one of my best shows followed by one of my worse. August I think I turned the corner with one solid show and one fantastic show. September started off with a explosion of sales in interest in my work (set new record for my best show at #Frankfort Fall Festival). Since then I have been barely able to keep supplied. I am selling faster than I can produce. Seriously. 

  I think that is a good problem to have. So much better than the alternative. As such so much of my time has been focused on the business of +Left Behind, photography by Kyle Wilson that I *have not shot much in 2016*. That is the part that pains me so much. I have taken a few photos of some choice locations, but I'll be damned if I can find the time to edit and upload them. 

I am running on about *4-5 hours of sleep a night*. I am afraid of crashing soon and oversleeping for a show. That would be professional death. I am fueled by coffee and adrenaline. *I have lost 8 pounds since August!* 

I am so damn excited for this fall and even for 2017! 

  GUYS I THINK I HAVE FINALLY TURNED THE CORNER! I no longer fear my electric being turned off or not being able to pay for a hotel or my next booth fee. The Frankfort show put some much needed ca$h into my business that I am doing some much needed upgrades. In fact I am trying a *double booth* for the FIRST time at #Centerfest *in Durham, NC* this weekend! A double booth is a huge milestone for me!! 

Whew....I knew I would ramble if I got going 

Thanks for listening.
K

 Attendance was amazing, especially on Sunday. Quite frankly, the crowds were HUGE! Weather was perfect. Organization was professional, honestly, one of the BEST I have ever seen, especially for such a large show.  They treat the artists like honored guests supplying us with free water, booth sitters, fans and they will even deliver ice and food upon request. I swear it could not be better. My block caption (Kris) quickly became my friend.

 Load-in was challenging because my street could not set up until Saturday morning, so I got in line at 4:30 am to be open by 10. Load-out was much easier with nobody pushing you to hurry up. There were no awards for this show, which I was aware of. Layout was perfect for this quaint, historic town. It is so dang cute here. Also the mix of artists seemed perfect with not a flood of one particular media. My only small complaint was that artist parking was about .75 mile away (for me).

 Most important factor was the sales. This show quickly became my NEW #1 GROSSING SHOW OF ALL TIME! It beat out my previous #1 grossing show ( Artscape, Baltimore, by $50 )They came ready to buy and they came early. I have never seen Early Birds like these. Artists need to be ready to sell by 9 AM even though the show does not open until 10 AM, and they bought from 9 am until close each day. I am running out of positive adjectives. It was so worth the 850 mile drive! 

THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE!

Holly was standing in the middle of the canopy, holding on to it for dear life so it wouldn't blow away. Meanwhile a nice couple was trying ask questions and make a purchase as I talked over the howling wind and rain. The transaction was completed without anything breaking. Thank you to the kind couple for your patience and support. 

Saturday sales and attendance were flat after 3 pm. Holly speculated that many of the visitors would return Sunday, or come out Sunday, when the weather was forecast to be cooler. She was right! Even though the show lasted only 4.5 hours on Sunday I HAD MY BIGGEST SUNDAY EVER! WOW!
It was amazing. I sold so many Metal Prints! My HDR work on aluminum is proving to be a big hit! The more I put on metal, the more I WANT to put on metal. I even did 2 Special Orders for my metal prints. 

Once again Cary NC proved to be an Art-Loving community. THANK YOU ALL for your support.

Other great things about this show is that I had 2 fantastic neighbors to chat and share notes with, the organization was super, the volunteers were plentiful, load-in and load-out were a breeze, food  and drink options were plentiful, bathrooms were inside, artist lounge was available (did not use). 
In short..... Everything ran smoothly. 
 

Another challenge was that the Show Manager nor staff was not around. I had no contact with them all weekend. This absence made the load-in and load-out kind of a ‘Wild West’ where you had to fend for yourself.  Luckily I met some other artist friends who gave me some great advice about this show, that helped immensely.  The show hours were also challenging. Most shows I got to are 9AM – 5PM, 10A-6pm, or 9am-6pm. This weekend was 11AM-9PM. There were still TONS of people out after 9 so most days I did not close until 9:30 or 9:45. Those 11 hour days wiped me out. I went to bed exhausted, without dinner, both Friday and Saturday night.

Having said all that, IT WAS STILL A GREAT SHOW!
Friday was discouraging, out 3 sales for 11 hours.
Saturday blew away ALL EXPECTATIONS> all the people who said they ‘would come back Saturday’ actually DID come back. They bought, bought, and bought some more. We also talked a lot. I just now regained my voice. I met and talked to so many great people. Even 1 hour of rain in the evening could not dampen my spirits! So much fun!
Sunday afternoon picked up where Saturday left off. I SOLD EVERY METAL PRINT I OWN!  It was amazing. 

The show seemed well advertised and well attended. They claim to attract 350,000. That may have been, but hard to say as it was the biggest show to date for me and I have no basis for comparison. Load-out was a breeze with nobody nagging me to hurry up. My display is time consuming and it takes 4 m/h to setup and tear-down. 

So it would seem like a natural that I would do this show next year, right? I do have some hesitation brought on by the expenses. This was an expensive show to do, with one of the highest booth fees I have ever incurred ($750) for a 10x10. That plus the parking and hotel costs give me pause. If I could get that hotel bill down that I would go again in 2017 in a heartbeat!

Maybe I should start looking online for a hotel now for next year?

 

  That year was a tremendous success for Left Behind photography! I TRIPLED my sales from 2014 plus got my name and photos out to thousands of more faces. I was super-excited to be returning to the 2016 show.

 Shortly after that show is when they decided to change it for 2016. There was a new production company brought it with a successful track-record of great area events. The name was changed to ‘Mondo Roots Cultural Arts and Music Festival’. Most significant change is the decision to de-emphasize the visual arts and focus more on the performing arts.  Their motto is “celebrating diversity and empowering the community”.  Many more bands were added from an eclectic mix of genres, and it was soon clear to me that this was to be the focus of Mondo Roots.
----------------
  The festival hours were 1 – 8 pm, which is the latest start for a summer festival I have ever been involved in, putting it in the hottest part of the day.  The temps hovered around 93* with 100% humidity all day. Those temps kept the some of the crowds away.  A morning start would have helped bring more people outside I believe. The people who did show up were NOT the art-buying crowd. They were mainly there to drink beer and listen to the music. I think many of them were surprised that there were even art vendors there. From what I saw, the only successful vendors there were the beer and ice cream booths.

  There were artists placed too close to the stage (me included) to conduct business. The speakers were extremely loud making it difficult for me to talk to, or hear, the few people who came into my booth. Many visual artists did not even show up, leaving open areas of the street. To me this looks like missing teeth in a smile. The visual artist should have been condensed into one location farther away from the stage.

 Overall attendance was low. I don’t know the numbers but I was certainly less than the 2015 Millstock. I would guess that there may have been 1,500 total people throughout the day. I can’t say if that is due to advertising, the name change, the change in emphasis, the hot weather, or a combination of all the factors.

  I am still extremely frustrated right now. I made 3 sales the entire DAY! I don’t mind sweating my balls off if I am selling art and meeting a ton of people. But I didn’t. I could have better used my time elsewhere this past Saturday.

I hope I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings with this post. It is nothing personal. It is only ONE artist’s opinion.

Exhausted,
  Kyle 

The GOOD: TONS of people! The last time I saw that many people was at a Rock Festival in Charlotte! It was an insane number of people. My guess is 90,000 on Saturday. When you put your are in front of a fraction of that number, you WILL do well. Friday I did ALL of my sales in ONE HOUR: between 7:15 and 8:15 PM when people had seen the balloon glow and were stopping by the Merchant Village on their way home. On Saturday sales were strong until about 7:00 PM, when they cancelled the balloon activities due to weather. This show currently ranks at #8 on my Top Sales list!  Another GOOD aspect was the flexibility of the show organizer (Erin Ramsey). She let me use an open booth to store my back-stock. Also she let vendors move to spaces that were in higher traffic areas. That was a win-win for everyone. 

The BAD: Were things largely out of anyone's control. The visitors had to be bused in with shuttles/trams/UBER/ bicycle... any means necessary. They had to pay for parking and sometime for the trams. This may have cut down on the number of visitors. Also the long lines for the buses had a lot of complaints. Also many of the balloon activities had to be cancelled because of winds and/or rain. Many people felt 'ripped-off'. I think this may affect attendance at next year's event. Another BAD was that I don't think may visitors knew the Merchant Village was where it was. A large sign/banner would have been helpful. Something to distinguish us from the other tents in the area. From a distance we just looked like a mass of white tents. 

The UGLY: LOAD-IN was extremely stressful! It was the same day as the start of the event. Vendors had ~ 3 hours to dive in, set up and then move their vehicles to a vendor lot 1.5 miles away. From there we waited for a bus to bring us back to the event. We should have been allowed to set up the day/night before. This would have led to a smooth load-in and first day of sales. I sweated through 2 shirts the Friday, it was hot and I was so stressed out. I much prefer a day-before setup. Another UGLY is the fact that out vehicles were far away. That meant we had to bring ALL back-stock with us on day 1 or restock in the morning when we first arrived each day. All vendors would have liked to have our parking lot closer to our booth. 

In conclusion, I WOULD do this event again. I would only change the load-in/setup be the Thursday before the event and let the vendors park within walking distance. 
 

as "#2 in Northern Virginia and #4 in the State. Consistently Named a "Top 20 Show" In The Nation - "100 Best" Show - Sunshine Artist Magazine 2014. 
This show has a total of 13 Awards from Sunshine Artist Magazine.Previously Named A "Top 20" Event - Southeast Tourism Society". 
It did not live up to that nor did it live up to my expectations. I have done well there in December and again in January, but that was with Sugarloaf Shows.
I wonder if the customer realize the differences? I wonder if I should continue to do Craftsmen's Shows? 

  In addition to horrible sales and low attendance, I BROKE MY TOE, had a frame damaged and barely covered my costs. I was hoping to use this weekend's sales to put some money away for my own trailer. It is so inconvenient to keep renting a Uhaul trailer, along with not being cost-effective. Now I will be lucky to get a couple of new tires for my truck, much less a trailer.

  A couple of good things to come out of this weekend were that 3 people came back to me after seeing me in the fall and winter in Chantilly. One couple bought another frame from me (thank you!) and another praised my photos from her previous purchase. Also there was a LOT of other photographers here at this show. I did have a couple people tell me that "everything looks the same, except for your's" and "I have never seen anything like this before". I was extremely encouraged by this! 

  This has been a tough Spring. I have one more indoor show this month (Gaithersburg, MD) before my first outdoor show. I am looking forward to this Spring Daze in Cary NC as it is my first FREE outdoor show of the year. I have done well the past two years and I got my same spot back.

  Not much time to dwell on this past weekend as I need to focus on my Sugarloaf show in 10 days and get stocked back up. 

ONWARD AND UPWARD!

The producer shot about 2 hours worth of footage and talked to me for about 45 minutes. I could have talked for hours!
Unfortunately it had to get edited down to 2 minutes. 

You can also view it here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcKFQFCmwX0&feature=youtu.be
or here
http://www.twcnews.com/nc/triangle-sandhills/news/2015/03/11/photographer-captures-scenes-of-north-carolina-with-new-technique.html

It was an amazing moment and I was humbled to be there and be a small part of it.

  The second was towards the end of the day.  A young man ‘marched in’, found a photo he liked, and said “I’d like to buy that Sir”. It was a framed photo of ‘Faded Glory’ (a tattered American flag blowing in the wind). He relayed a story about this photo reminding him of a photo his sister took after a F5 tornado tore through Alabama in 2011. He then stated that he was a veteran and that the American Flag has special meaning to him. We completely understand that sentiment.

  He proceeded to tell us about his tours of duty, that took him to Korea, Germany and (after re-enlisting) finally Iraq. He described being shot in Iraq and showed us the scars of that wound. He had healed remarkably well. Later he relayed a story of his Bradly vehicle being hit by a RPG and getting hit with shrapnel and severely injured. He felt lucky to still have his limbs intact and be able to walk after some rehabilitation. To hear his story was an emotional experience.

I felt honored just to be in his presence.

TL;DR > Both of these conversations –nearly- brought tears to my eyes. THIS is why I LOVE what I do, why I LOVE photography and getting it out there to the public.

#gratitude #joyofphotography  #LeftBehind

   They were both juried shows and I thought I submitted my best work. Some of the same samples have served to get me into other shows, and even won awards at contests. Every show I get into the customers are voting with their wallets. I know they would do the same at these two shows. I just don’t get it.

   Now I am scrambling to fill these two weekends: May 13-15 and May 20-22.

I plan on expanding Left Behind photography’s territory into parts of the Midwest and Northeast, as well as continue my dominance of the Southeast. I have plans for new shows in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Illinois and even Michigan. 

I currently have 25-27 shows on the books now! In 2015 I only did 9 shows, I seems like I did more than that last year. Hmmmmm….
 

However, most of these shows are “ PENDING “ because they are primarily juried shows, where my work is judged to be worthy (or not) of being displayed and sold. I am used to this process as the shows I have applied for are some of the most prestigious (and largest) in the US. 

I have added a ‘Schedule’ page to my website if y’all care to keep up to date:
 

 While the crowds were big and the weather was beautiful, the sales could have been stronger.
Usually those two ingredients are all you need for a great show.