Can We make a List of what Are the Best Art Fair (not Craft)Shows in Wisconsin?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Colin Murray on March 30, 2011 at 4:31pm

We have applied for the Green Bay Show three times. We have gotten in once. It rained on Saturday, we did ok on Sunday. Overall, it was a decent show. We did not get into the show this year. I heard of a number of artist not getting into the show this year, which makes me wonder. The following is our list of shows that are confirmed. We have 20 more applications out there, that we are waiting for an answer.

 

April 2, 2011	April 3, 2011	Madison, WI - Hilldale Mall
April 8, 2011	April 10, 2011	St. Louis, MO - Queeny Park
May 7, 2011	May 7, 2011	Madison, WI - Audubon Art Fair
June 11, 2011	June 11, 2011	Sun Prairie, WI
June 25, 2011	June 26, 2011	Spring Green, WI
September 10, 2011	September 11, 2011	Milwaukee WI - Trimborn Farms
December 3, 2011	December 3, 2011	Madison, WI - Our Redeemer Luthern Church

Permalink Reply by Carolina Niebres on March 5, 2012 at 2:03pm

Hello, Colin.

What is the show in Hilldale?  What is it like?

Permalink Reply by Diana Ferguson on March 30, 2011 at 7:41pm

Hi Linda. We moved to Lake Geneva from Phoenix in October (I think you might know that already) so I'm a total newbie to the scene here. I did Green Bay (Arti Gras) this spring. It was a very well run show. The traffic was okay but the buying energy was a little spotty (so what else is new lately); the people were friendly and interested tho and that was great. I covered expenses and made a little profit. I am going to try Art Street there in August -- I understand it's a lot busier; I think the jury is already completed though. I did the MMOCA Holiday Show in November and loved that. Not huge sales, but not bad either. The show was well organized, the quality was great and it was profitable for, with some legs even. I'd love to catch up with you at Arlington Heights if there's time! Diana

 

P.S. About the whole jury thing, I juried into Madison Art on the Square last summer but didn't make the cut this time around. Same was true for my husband, who I can unashamedly say is an AMAZING painter (www.kennethfergusonfineart.com). I've been doing shows since 2003 or so, and have developed a real thick skin about the jury process -- I've got stories to tell that involve massive crying and long-term plans turned upside down by the vagaries of certain promoters. I've been in and out of "top 10" shows and learned quickly that I'd never survive if I didn't get a thick skin, keep my head down, work hard and continue to improve my craft. You always get to carry your sense of pride in what you do with you, no matter what happens during a jury.

Permalink Reply by David Hipwell on March 31, 2011 at 9:01am

I have never heard of the Mount Mary showor the Cherry Cherry or the Commumity Affair or the BEHSFF.....where are they....any details....attendance.....my schedule is http://www.yessy.com/yevad98/schedule.html?i=27925 was in artstreet in Green Bay last year....not juried in this year.....have gotten in 4 out of 9 times entered.

Permalink Reply by Sue Lukas on April 6, 2012 at 12:41pm

Mt. Mary is the second weekend in Sept. at Mt. Mary College, Milwaukee

Cheery Cherry, Com Affair are run by Menomonee Falls groups.

Permalink Reply by Nels Johnson on April 5, 2011 at 5:59pm

I just joined, and although I am from Fla and live on Lake Michigan in the summer, I have done many shows in your two states over the period of 35 years.  Next year, don't forget Uptown Minneapolis, also the Loring Park show there too.  Don't forget Wausau in Sept. Dave, I will be at Artstreet again, also Uptown and am waiting for Wausau results.  On waitlist for Oconowoc.

Permalink Reply by Sue Lukas on August 14, 2011 at 1:45pm

Hi, I would avoid Watertown. That show has gone way down hill.

I have my schedule posted on my Web site at www.window2wis.com. I tried Broad Ripple in IN in May. Sales were good, but not enough for the long drive. I liked Stevens Pt in March and Arti Gras in Green Bay. I did Art Street last year and sales were disappointing. Potter on one side and metal sculpture on the other. In June I did Good Old Summertime and Hinsdale, IL. Two very different shows. The Kenosha show is more of a craft show. I did Wells St. the year before and won't do it again. Sales were disappointing and load out in the rain was very difficult. July Art Fair Off the Square was great, and Lake Mills, which I've done several times, was low for me.

 

Thanks for starting this group. I look forward to reading the comments.

Permalink Reply by Amy Palmer on October 24, 2011 at 12:00pm

Stockholm Art Fair, Stockholm, WI

Art On The Kinni, River Falls, wi

Permalink Reply by Linda A Shields on October 24, 2011 at 5:27pm

I am so sorry that I have dropped the ball on this discussion. (Bad Me.)

But I'd really like to reopen this with a bang since we are approaching the time when we all need to be thinking of our schedules for next year.

Here is some general information which i have researched. The following is a list of the state and then the website listing their Art Fairs. The 2012 directories will not be out until the END on January.....not much use for all those January 5th deadlines. Anyway:

Illinois: www.illinoisartfairdirectory.org/    (No hard copy is available; all on-line.)

Indiana: www.in.gov/visitindiana/       (No charge for a directory.)

Iowa: www.traveliowa.com/   (No charge.)

Michigan: www.michigan.orrg/travel/  (All on-line.)

Minnesota: they publish a guide for the "Midwest" for $21.90 /yr.

Their email is info@midwesternartfaits.com OR www.miwesternartfairs.com

phone # is 1-800-871-0813

 

Getting personal, I will be applying for all the Amdur Production Inc. Art Fairs in the Northern Chicago suburbs. I can get back to you with names but you can't leave the blog to go look somethiing up sometimes because all your work may be lost. So I'll get back to you all.

I am trying some new Art Fairs this year: Des Moines, Ann Arbor, LFA (Lakefront Festival oof the Arts), Art on the Square, Holy Hill......

I have the Wisconsin 2011 directory and am going through it now.

How about if I post the top Fairs by attendance? Would that interest you all?

 

Permalink Reply by Sue Lukas on December 31, 2011 at 11:21am

Hi,

I did one Amdur show and won't do anymore. There are a few discussions about how she runs her shows on this forum. Before you put down a lot of money, check those out. Many artists are hurting due to poor sales from this past year. This thread is a good idea and helps other artists.

Permalink Reply by Carolina Niebres on April 20, 2012 at 4:22pm

Has anyone done the Green Lakes Fine Arts Show in August? I'm looking to fill a couple of weekends in August.  Any suggestions?