Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
Fever Pitch: Off to Ann Arbor - July 20-23
Just in case you didn't know the art fair business reaches its zenith next week with the presentation of 
the Ann Arbor Art Fairs - July 20-23. This is really four sanctioned "official" shows, but in actuality it also encompasses just about every square inch of downtown Ann Arbor with "vendors", as the merchants cash in on the popularity of this annual rite of summer by selling storefonts, front yards, and spaces behind fences and parking lots. Around 500,000 people don their walking shoes, slather on sunblock and wear UVB protective clothing to view, purchase and have fun on the streets of the city and the University of Michigan campus.
Do we love this show in Michigan? Oh, yes, we do. Busloads of people also come in from Indianapolis, Chicago, Fort Wayne and Cleveland, and who knows where else. It was always our strongest selling show. We'd come back from Des Moines and Cherry Creek with big smiles and we'd do even better at Ann Arbor. I'm not going to pretend it is the powerhouse selling show it was in years past, but worth a glance at the very least.
Here is what I'm seeing in the press:
Preview: Downtown Ann Arbor retailers, restaurants plan price cuts,... --- Ann Arbor restaurateurs and retailers agree that the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair represents a major opportunity to
generate sales — but actually convincing customers to make a purchase requires a defined strategy.... from AnnArbor..com
Townie Street Party offering locals an evening of free music and ar... --- Although thousands of Ann Arbor Art Fair visitors will soon take over the streets downtown, and surrounding U-M’s central campus, locals can stake their own territorial claim on Monday night, when the seventh annual Townie Street Party happens on East Washington Street... from AnnArbor.com -- This little baby is hosted by the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair so the locals won't feel left out when the shoppers come to town.
And here's a very well written story from PureMichigan.org:
Next week, one of the top 10 art fairs in the country begins for 4 days of art, music, food, and fun!During the school year, the streets of Ann Arbor are filled with coeds, football fans and wolverines. But in the summer time, the streets open up to those enjoying a Michigan summer in a special place. A place that reminds some of the East Coast or perhaps an oasis in a state that is so diverse that no one city...
and when they run out of things to talk about they talk about the weather:
Today’s temperature stretched into the mid-80s to beat the 83-degree forecast.
It will only get hotter—just in time for the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
Dennis Kahlbaum, a weather observer for the University of Michigan, said July 16 through the 28 typically marks the hottest time of year for our area....
This post was just for Annette, so she could plan her next vacation for Michigan in July!
Do you "like" this post? Will you show us that you do by "like-ing" it below? Bring those customers to Ann Arbor... let's do some viral marketing. Click!
Views: 52
Tags: Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Art Fair, Michigan art fairs, Street Art Fair, What to do July 20-23
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Comment by Annette Piper on July 16, 2011 at 5:47pm -
Sounds amazing Connie! Can't wait to see the wrap ups from this huge event!!
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Comment by Connie Mettler on July 17, 2011 at 7:48am -
Today's Free Press had an excellent article about Ann Arbor, with three in depth interviews about how art fair artists earn their living, some good nuts and bolts information, plus interviews with ceramicist Patrick Dragon, painter Kathleen Eaton and jeweler Kimberly Arden.
Ever hear this before? "The first rule of making a living as an artist is that there are no rules. All artists have to chart their own path." Read the article by Mark Stryker at the Free Press.
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Comment by Annette Piper on July 17, 2011 at 5:53pm
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That's an interesting article Connie - thanks for posting the link.
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Comment by Bill Sargent on July 17, 2011 at 8:53pm -
The temperature for Thursday is supposed to hit 96. Combined with the humidity this is predicted to deliver a heat index of 107. Thank God they have electricity for fans in our area.
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Comment by Connie Mettler on July 17, 2011 at 9:10pm
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Which section is that, Bill? I want to be sure to spend some time there ;) We always had a ceiling fan and smaller fans in our booth. It was a sure relief.
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Comment by Jim Parker on July 18, 2011 at 12:00am -
You can buy electricity in the State St. show. The Guild show has electricity on Main, and parts of State (via genny). Some artists are able to cadge power from the merchants in South U. Don't know about the Original, though.
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Comment by deana blanchard on July 18, 2011 at 11:06am -
The Original also has electricity. My husband will have three fans, two for the customers, one for him. He's also taking a market umbrella to sit under, and a cooler full of ice, so he can keep a washcloth chilled to put on his neck. Oh--he's also taking his knitting, which might help take his mind off the weather for a few minutes.
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Comment by Jim Parker on July 18, 2011 at 11:59am
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Good to know, Deana. Thanks for the update!
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Comment by Jim Parker on July 18, 2011 at 1:16pm
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That's why the Trimlines have vents at both ends, Patricia! Good luck and happy sales!
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Comment by Michael Stephens on July 18, 2011 at 1:51pm -
We will see everyone at State Street....booth # B547.....we just survived incredible heat at State College, PA....but sales were phenomenal! One 20 something female came into Michael's booth, took a look at his work and exclaimed..."Oh my god! I want to live in your booth"! I think that means she likes his work....We enjoyed her drama and zest for life....and yes, she made a purchase.....4 days at State College, drove home....leave tomorrow for Ann Arbor......love the life we are in!
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