Sparker Studio launches VIP artist lounges for the Columbus Arts Festival
In June 2015, the Columbus Arts Festival (CAF) hosted more than 300 artists from across the nation. Columbus Arts Festival Arist Market Chairperson Patty Matthews approached Sparker Studio with her vision of creating a new hospitality space to welcome visiting artists. Her primary objectives were to reflect the friendly spirit of the Columbus community and to increase CAF’s retention rate of top-notch artists. The Festival Director charged Ms. Matthews to trial new artists’ lounges—special VIP hospitality tents where artists could gather to enjoy coffee and bagels in the morning, or grab some snacks and cold water in the afternoons.
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“Sparker Studio understood the Festival's vision for the type of environment we were trying to create for our artists and completely ran with it.”
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Patty enlisted the help of Sparker Studio to set up, tear down, stock and oversee operations for the two lounge locations throughout the festival. Sparker Studio was also responsible for providing the lounge volunteers with an overview of their responsibilities as they came on site for their four-hour shifts, and to ensure that any needs were met, issues resolved.
“Sparker Studio understood the Festival's vision for the type of environment we were trying to create for our artists and completely ran with it,” said Ms. Matthews. “During the Festival, my focus needed to be devoted to meeting the needs of the artists and trouble-shooting any unforeseen issues. Sparker Studio took charge of the VIP hospitality tents, which allowed me to trial a new initiative, and focus on my primary responsibilities.” With weather ranging from extremely hot and humid to pop-up thunderstorms, the visiting artists expressed their gratitude to the volunteers for providing these special accommodations. Over the course of CAF, the artist lounges served over 500 artists and their assistants. With the success of the 2015 trial, the Artist Lounges will be brought back for the 2016 festival. |