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Amdur Shows, reaching saturation, and bending the rules

Posted by geri a. wegner on March 3, 2010 at 4:04pm in Jurying for Art Fairs & Craft Shows

I was wandering around Amy Amdur's website, figuring out my summer schedule. I found this........

The 2010 late deadline to apply online was January 11th. For artists still interested in applying please click HERE to download an application to be mailed to our office.
We currently have openings in the following festivals:
Cantigny Art Festival
North Shore Festival of Art Old Orchard
Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival
Highwood Last Call Art Fair

Well all of those festivals had a Jan 11th deadline too, so unless she didn't get the number of apps she budgeted for, how does she have openings for these festivals? And if all the judging is done, wouldn't she be looking for particular types of media if one area was short (and it certainly wouldn't be jewelry ;-) ) and not all media?

 

Her shows are good but I still think there are too many of them. I was planning on skipping the North Shore festival and I am just a patron, I need a free weekend myself!

 

 

 

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Replies

  • Connie Mettler May 2, 2011 at 2:51pm
    BTW, did you guys discussing Chicago shows know there is a "group" on this site that talks about the Chicago shows? Here's the link: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/group/ChicagolandAFI
  • Jim Parker May 1, 2011 at 9:13pm
    Cantigny has never had good sales for most artists, and is on the low end of Amy's schedule. High wood is the artists "seconds" show and if you do any of her shows, you can usually do that one at the end of the season. And, yes, she's probably looking for specific media to balance the shows, but if she can't do that, wait listed artists will be called. Those that show up on setup day may also get a spot if they need a filler show.
    I'd agree, there are a few too many shows. Howard Alan floods his markets, too. But they do know how to put a show together. Very organized and efficient.
  • Linda Anderson March 3, 2010 at 10:16pm
    I did only one of Amy's shows last year - Cantigny - and that is one of two only shows I will do in IL.
    I had no problem with her. I found Cantigny delightful to participate in, well organized, extra room all around the booth, easy load in/load out, plenty of artist one on one attention and perks. Can only reference that one experience with Amy from my perspective. My 2009 show report can be viewed via this link
  • geri a. wegner March 3, 2010 at 8:27pm
    I'm not trying to start a "bash Amy" discussion. I go to most of her shows and she has consistently high quality every year. I have heard stories about her also and know many artists that won't do her shows. But, she does a lot of advertising, I have seen her at every festival and she is accessible to patrons atleast, and you know what you are going to get when you go to one of her shows. Despite the quantity of her shows, the quality has not suffered.

    paul rung said:
    I've heard a lot of complaints about her and how she runs her shows. Gold Coast was a joke last year. A lot of artists won't do any of her shows.
  • geri a. wegner March 3, 2010 at 8:20pm
    Best shows are extremely subjective. I spent the most money at an art festival in Racine last year and didn't buy any jewelry. Most would consider that a middling show in terms of quality but the things I found were right for me. I bought nothing at Lakefront in Milwaukee and that show has excellent quality. I think a good festival is one that has fun pieces that are created well.

    D Geisness said:
    What are the best shows you have attended in the Midwest. I'm planning on doing a number of shows and need advice. There's two shows on the same weekend Labor day, the Oakbrook Art Show and the one in Lake Forest. Any suggestions on which is better and why?
  • paul rung March 3, 2010 at 8:11pm
    I've done Wells St Art Fair, Fountain Square in Evanston, Art In The Barn in Barrington and Bucktown Arts Fest. I like all of those. I may do 57st. Art Fair this year. I got accepted to Hinsdale but I'm not sure about that one. Do you know anything about it?

    D Geisness said:
    What are the best shows you have attended in the Midwest. I'm planning on doing a number of shows and need advice. There's two shows on the same weekend Labor day, the Oakbrook Art Show and the one in Lake Forest. Any suggestions on which is better and why?
    • Carla Bank > paul rung May 1, 2011 at 8:36pm

      Hi Paul,

      How was Art in the Barn on Barrington for you? What medium do you do? What else can you tell me?

       

      • paul rung > Carla Bank May 1, 2011 at 8:43pm
        I'm mixed media. Art In The Barn has always been pretty good. I didn't do it last year but i may do it this year again. The fees are very reasonable, You pay 20% of sales to the organizers but it goes to a good cause. It's  an easy show to do....
        • Carla Bank > paul rung May 1, 2011 at 10:05pm
          Good! I might be there :) I sent my application a while ago. Waiting to hear from them, Thank you!
  • Duane Geisness March 3, 2010 at 7:56pm
    What are the best shows you have attended in the Midwest. I'm planning on doing a number of shows and need advice. There's two shows on the same weekend Labor day, the Oakbrook Art Show and the one in Lake Forest. Any suggestions on which is better and why?
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