Mayfest 40th Anniversary - Come get some

[JCnOwasso]

I prefer to have them on the same weekend and I don't see an issue with it.  It is not like one is on 71st and the other is downtown... they are within throwing distance of eachother.  My wife and I did both this weekend and enjoyed both.  However, we do not go to Mayfest for the art... the live music is great and my 2 1/2 year old absolutely enjoyed it.  We walked down the Deco district and there was a large group of people dancing in the middle of the chalkfest.  My kiddo did not want to leave.  We do go to the BDAF for the art and while there may be a few folks who probably shouldn't be there, it is most likely less than 10 of the 250 booths. 

We do prefer more local/homegrown art and while it may not be a big time artist, they have taken time, effort and money to show their work and if anything, it has to feel good to have people enjoying your work.

I do not come to an art festival to see the work of the "serious artists".  Million dollar pieces are nice, but I shouldnt be able to see them at the same place I can pick up fried pickles and a giant turkey leg.       

[rdj]

That is not quite correct. I was president of the Mayfest board when it happened.

A particular artist got upset when she wasn't selected. It wasn't about her art, it was about her refusing to follow any of the rules and starting fights. I own one of her pieces and like her, but her prescence and her behavior back then got in the way. Even Michael Sager eventually ran her off.

I go to both festivals and like the differences. I purchased art at both festivals this year. I just wish Blue Dome would pick a different weekend rather than insisting they are an alternative to Mayfest. If they were different weekends, Tulsa and art lovers would both win.

My particulars may have been a touch off as it's been a while since Mayfest staff shared the story with me.  But, I knew it wasn't because Sager wanted a piece of the pie (shocker I know, and I can't believe I'd defend him in such a public forum) nor because the Mayfest art was "Smile" and not deserving of display as was suggested.

I too enjoy both and also wish they were on different weekends.

[Townsend]

I too enjoy both and also wish they were on different weekends.

Or they could stretch a bit toward each other and make one giant festival.

Maybe add an adults themed festival in the Brady area once all major construction has been completed with beer tents and dancing girls.

[TheArtist]

   I too really like having both at the same time.  I think they compliment each other.  I had started finding Mayfest, well, just not interesting enough, or enough of a draw with enough things for me to look at and bother going to.  But then when Blue Dome started up it started becoming a much more interesting visit, very much worth my time.  Course I don't go for the music, I go to spend time looking at the art and people watch.  But that does say something positive about Mayfest in that they do have something for both types of people, music lovers and art lovers (especially now with Blue Dome adding to it), to enjoy.   Then again I find it hard to complain in any way about what the Mayfest or Blue Dome folks are doing, comment on, sure, complain, no.  Ultimately if I were them I would think what I think when someone says something about "how small the Art Deco Museum is",,, I say. "I agree whole heartedly" "the donation jar is right over there, knock yourself out".  Or if they complain about the hours/days we are open,,, I say,  "I agree 100%, I too wish it were open more, the Volunteer sign up sheet is right here, have at it."

[enits]

I enjoyed going to Mayfest and Blue Dome Festival this year.  We purchased a painting from one of the artists in Mayfest several years ago.  Was hoping she would be there this year, but she wasn't.  It's always nice to be able to walk around and people watch.  Checked out the Art Deco Musem as well!  The displays around the Philcade building was pretty interesting, too!  It was a treat for my 5 year-old, too, esp. after he stuffed himself with gelato from Mods and saw the futuristic looking small cars!  

[RecycleMichael]

I think different weekends would help both festivals. It would give the festival groupies like me (if there is a corn dog nearby, I am there), a chance to be at both places more. It would also help with the parking issues. I think BlueDome could get more sponsors if they had it on a different weekend as well.

I want the whole month of May to be about celebrating the arts in downtown. The PAC/Brady/Cains/BokCenter could all book artsy acts, the library and all downtown building lobbies could have special artist shows, even the clubs and restaurants could be artsy.

[Conan71]

That is not quite correct. I was president of the Mayfest board when it happened.

A particular artist got upset when she wasn't selected. It wasn't about her art, it was about her refusing to follow any of the rules and starting fights. I own one of her pieces and like her, but her prescence and her behavior back then got in the way. Even Michael Sager eventually ran her off.

I go to both festivals and like the differences. I purchased art at both festivals this year. I just wish Blue Dome would pick a different weekend rather than insisting they are an alternative to Mayfest. If they were different weekends, Tulsa and art lovers would both win.

Just wait until a splinter group gets pissed at the BDAF and we have a third festival in the Brady

[RecycleMichael]

Just wait until a splinter group gets pissed at the BDAF and we have a third festival in the Brady

That actually happened two years ago.

[DTowner]

For a variety of reasons I did not make it out of my office to walk around Mayfest this year.  However, the past few years I noticed a pretty significant drop in the amount and quality of art in the booths.  That may be explained in part by the recession and reduced sales over the past few years.  I bought paintings in years past at Mayfest, but did not see anything of interest the past couple of years (and the artists I've bought from no longer come to Mayfest).

As for the timing of the Blue Dome and Mayfest, I suspect you would lose about as much as you gain if the events were held on separate weeks.