Facilities and Logistics

[bill schwab]

I had another meeting with several places up in the north this week and all is lining up fine. I have the Crooked Tree Center booked for the evening of the 27th. I also have an audio visual guy booked to handle sound, digital projector (Shelby told me his is a PowerPoint type presentation) and the tech side of the presentation. We will have the outer gallery as well with a couple tables with linens for Shelby's meet and greet and book signing. I also have a great friend, singer/songwriter Dave Boutette that is going to play in the auditorium for the warm up while people are arriving. All he wants is a table to sell his CD's. The facility fee is $275.00 for the night and the AV guy is another $50.

I also checked out the meeting rooms and grounds of the Birchwood and they are all about trying to make this as nice and easy as possible for us. The fireplace room is probably the best bet for portfolio reviews and discussions. If weather is good, the courtyard will work as well.

I have decided to run the workshops on the property at my house. I picked up a complete and awesome darkroom the other day off Craig's list and will have the needed equipment set-up at the house for these. It is pretty amazing what I got for 200 bucks! Stainless sinks, Beseler 45 enlarger, all lenses, safelights, timers, trays, etc. Almost never used.

I have also been offered a strorefront for a gallery in Petoskey right near the Art Center on Mitchell Street, but that is more of a long range plan. If all goes well, it looks like I will have a full time, 2500 sq ft gallery, retail and workshop space for next year and beyond which means a show for the featured artist/presenter as well as those of us at Photostock. If my wife and I decide to go with it, I'll take it over in October and use the Winter to prepare for an open in the Spring of 2010. Maybe this economy will be back on track by then.

More about that in the future. Let's get done with this year first.

Thanks guys!

 

[Andrew Moxom]

Very cool Bill. Seems like it's all coming together well, and a complete steal with the darkroom! Are you still in need of any lith demos?

 

[bill schwab]

We'll see about that still Andrew. I'm not sure I'll be setting up an enlarger as of now. The alt workshops are most important for now. If I can get a ful darkroom set-up by then. YES!

 

[bill schwab]

Today I ordered 200 wristbands that say "Photostock 2009" on them. Also tickets for the Shelby Lee gig have been ordered with a $20 dollar price tag for those not attending the event in general. Each registration envelope people get when they check in will have their wristband, Shelby Ticket, name tag and discounts to local eateries along with a detailed county map and final schedule. I am also soliciting niche vendors for includes, brochures and special product offers.

Also ordred some 36 inch wide, inkjet printable Tyvek banner material for a Photostock banner that will go up over the hotel doorway. All is still coming together well.