Thank you one and all of another fantastic #Cafdgg 2022

Every year in the lead up to #Cafdgg I worry about how I can make it the best for our wonderful exhibitors and visitors, and this year was no exception.

The visitors came in their droves, the artworks left the building with happy buyers and I felt I chatted all weekend with brand new visitors from afar, welcoming back locals, our glorious stalwarts plus inquisitive new visitors wanting to see what it was all about from our social media posts and local radio interviews.

There was a gentle hum throughout the weekend as visitors met exhibitors talking about how their work was developing, taking commissions in time for Christmas, how they made their art work and sliding pieces of work away after a knowing present buying secretive nod.

I was pleased to read in the exhibitor reviews about the number of visitors who took up places at workshops being held in 2023 as presents for themselves or others.

The Golden Cup Cafe and the exhibition of Temple Goodies was busy all weekend, with some visitors not quite believing in the golden tea sets and teapots until they walked into the Ballroom ante-room upstairs and were hit by the glimmering display. I cannot begin to tell you how many visitors comment that the tea and coffee tastes better out of china cups and I felt more photos were taken of the cafe than last year!

In the exhibitor reviews after #Cafdgg it came up about the warm and friendly atmosphere of the event and how enjoyable was to meet other exhibitors, both new and returning artists. For me this was the most important report as I feel it is my job to make the experience of exhibitors as stress free as possible, so they can concentrate on sharing their work, networking and hopefully making new artistic friends.

The Private View was a hoot, and I especially enjoyed seeing the exhibitors chatting together before we opened the event to our invited guests. We were so busy the bar ran out of glasses so had to do a major washing halfway through the evening. I felt it set us all up for a relaxed weekend.

I cannot put on this event without the unfailing help of my family, friends and helpers – thank you once again and are you ready for next year?