Art Fair Insiders

Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals

Barbara Sistak Baur
Barbara Sistak Baur
  • Female
  • Island Lake, IL
  • United States
  • Acrylic
Share on Facebook
Share Twitter

Barbara Sistak Baur's Friends

  • michele norman
  • David Hipwell
  • Connie Mettler

Barbara Sistak Baur's Groups

Barbara Sistak Baur's Discussions

Member Map

Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Feb 21, 2010. 1 Reply

Another Booth Wall question

Started this discussion. Last reply by Barbara Sistak Baur Apr 10, 2009. 4 Replies

 

Barbara Sistak Baur - Art in Good Taste

Latest Activity

Barbara Sistak Baur replied to Pete Palagonia's discussion 'What percentage of your work is Art for Arts sake?' in the group Painters Alley
Thanks for starting a painters topic. I think we have unique challenges in the art fair world. Such as, how do we create lots of work so that money can be made but still maintain the integrity of original art without plunging into the reproduction…
Oct 23, 2010
Barbara Sistak Baur received a gift from Connie Mettler Aug 25, 2010
Barbara Sistak Baur updated their profile Aug 24, 2010
ThumbnailThumbnail
Barbara Sistak Baur and michele norman are now friends Jul 12, 2010
Kotah Moon commented on Barbara Sistak Baur's blog post '57th Street, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL June 5-6'
Well, I did the show in the next block, the Hyde Park Community group. They didn't have breakfast but they did have paid workers supplied to us to help unload art and set up tents, they were also there to the very end helping everyone load up…
Jun 14, 2010
Mary Beth Shaw commented on Barbara Sistak Baur's blog post '57th Street, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL June 5-6'
I had a pretty good show but it didn't happen till nearly the last 10 minutes. Geez, I was a wreck, then all these people (from the neighborhood) descended at once and bought decently large paintings which was nice. Not to mention quite a high,…
Jun 13, 2010
geri a. wegner commented on Barbara Sistak Baur's blog post '57th Street, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL June 5-6'
My favorite jeweler told me she had a fabulous show and sold things she never thought would sell. She did mention that the quality seemed a little down this year.
Jun 12, 2010
David Hipwell commented on Barbara Sistak Baur's blog post '57th Street, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL June 5-6'
Barbara.....really appreciate your reviews. It really helps.
Jun 12, 2010

Profile Information

Your Medium
Acrylic
Years in the Art Fair Business
3
First show ever
See the "worst show ever" comments below.
What is your website?
http://www.sistakbaur.com
What are the best things about art fairs
As an attendee -- the opportunity to be delighted.
As an exhibitor -- the opportunity for entrepreneur-ship.
Best show ever and why
A local little fundraiser called Art in the Barn. Close to home, many friends there -- basically a party. And a few sales to boot.
Worst show ever and why
Fountain Square, Evanston, IL, 2008. A microburst destoyed about a quarter of the show -- including the entire row I was in.
Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.
Connie did, when I contacted her to purchase her older Armstrong display screens.

Barbara Sistak Baur's Photos

Loading…
  • Add Photos
  • View All

Barbara Sistak Baur's Blog

Barbara Sistak Baur

57th Street, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL June 5-6

Posted on June 11, 2010 at 7:22pm 5 Comments

Run by a local group

Nutshell: A storied art fair, knowledgeable attendees, my 2nd year there, love the people, sales just okay.



Load in is Saturday morning (I hate that), a bit hectic and parking is tight. But it is the city. Once you check in with the organizers, you really don't see them again. But it is efficient. There is a nice breakfast each day and indoor bathrooms for one and all. Rained a bit on Saturday but that really didn't keep the crowd away. This is a walking/public… Continue
Barbara Sistak Baur

Barrington, IL May 29-30

Posted on June 11, 2010 at 7:20pm 1 Comment

Run by Amy Amdur productions

Nutshell: High-end community, 1st year show, good crowd but mostly lookers (at least for my aisle) heat, heat, heat.



Amy always runs a tight ship and this was no different. I appreciate that. This show replaces an older June show that ran every year until about a 12 years ago (I am guessing on the number). Many people remembered that show and were happy to see an art fair return. I thought they were mostly checking it out rather than buying but others… Continue
Barbara Sistak Baur

Riverside, IL May 22-23

Posted on June 11, 2010 at 7:18pm 0 Comments

Run by Erin Melloy (EM Events) with the local chamber and art center

Nutshell: Third year for this show, it is growing, improved tremendously over the last two years, organizers are committed to creating a good art show.



Nice show and getting better every year. A committed group of people are running this event. There was good advertising and a steady crowd came through until the heat wave hit on Sunday afternoon. I was satisfied by my sales (not sure you would be because I am… Continue
Barbara Sistak Baur

Oak Park IL May 15-16

Posted on June 11, 2010 at 7:16pm 0 Comments

Run by West Suburban Art Guild In Mills Park

Nutshell: New location, serious organization issues (not necessarily the Art Guild's fault), difficult dolly in the a.m., very low attendance, cold.



The location was in an fenced in park on the grounds of a mansion, now open to the public. Which was the major problem. Weddings were planned for that day, forcing organizers to change the location and layout within the park the morning of the event. And that entrance was closed to art fair… Continue
Barbara Sistak Baur

15 Unforgettable Life-Lessons Learned in the Art Fair Business

Posted on December 6, 2008 at 8:52pm 2 Comments

I purchased my very first display panels last spring from Connie. She is so gracious and she asked me to “report in” on my first year in the art fair business. So, here it goes – “The Unforgettable Life-Lessons I Learned During My First Art Fair Season”. Ahem –



1. How when I saw the truck fully loaded with panels, chairs, the tent, tubs of equipment and a few paintings thrown in on top of it all, is when I truly grasped the concept of “overhead.”



2. How you… Continue

Comment Wall (6 comments)

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

At 11:16pm on August 24, 2010, Connie Mettler gave Barbara Sistak Baur a giftConnie Mettler
Gift
Thank you Barbara for referring Lori Indovina-Valus to Art Fair Insiders. We appreciate your help in bringing new members to our site.
At 11:04am on June 03, 2010, Connie Mettler gave Barbara Sistak Baur a giftConnie Mettler
Gift
Many thanks so much for your support, Barb!
At 7:14pm on April 9, 2009, Ginny  HerzogGinny Herzog said…
Barbara, I think I would take into account the distance and expenses to do the two shows. Uptown, for many of us 2D, has not been a very consistent show. I pulled it off okay last year because I was local and was able to follow up on some commissions. But sales during the show were poor for me. In this economy, sales are totally unpredictable. I think I remember last year that most of the 2D around me were really struggling. Wish you well with whatever decision you make.
At 10:47pm on January 25, 2009, Maria ArangoMaria Arango said…
Hi Barbara,
Two sources for cheap frames for "impulse buyers".
One is www.pictureframes.com - they sell a box full of very small frames 4x6" I think. You have to buy quantity.
The other is Walmart; they usually have a stand-alone display of 8x10s and sometimes other sizes for around $2.50-$3.50. They have a surplus of whatever they have a surplus, so sometimes they are not so nice and sometimes they are very nice and come with glass and backing.
Good luck and thanks for your nice comments on my book!
Write me any time with questions at author@artfestivalguide.info

Regards,
Maria
At 4:10pm on December 28, 2008, RSRS said…
nice work
At 8:02pm on November 30, 2008, Connie MettlerConnie Mettler said…
Hi Barbara,

Thanks for joining and visiting all the links and adding info to the site. I'm still waiting for your blog post - my first real season as an art fair artist. :)
 
 
 

Free Email Updates!

 

DIXIE MATTING Professional Custom Cut Picture Mats Fast Turnaround Competitive Pricing DIXIEMATTING.COM 1-205-755-7558

1nbCard.com


Vistaprint Business Cards

SPECIAL OFFER:
Ready to Make Money at Art Fairs?
Here are answers from Connie Mettler,  Publisher of ArtFairInsiders.com: Special Report I:
17 Secrets to Success at Art Fairs
and
Special Report II:  Getting Into Art Fairs - 20 Questions Answered

Download these ebooks now in a special package deal: Only $24.95!
For more information...

Make Money at Art Fairs

© 2012   Created by Connie Mettler.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service