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Newbie from Texas - Looking for Good Shows

Posted by Noma J Freeman on April 16, 2013 at 2:45pm in Welcome to Art Fair Insiders!

Hello, I'm Noma Freeman and am new to the art show business.  I am an oil painter and am looking for good shows (small and large) in the Cental/Southern part of Texas.  I live close to San Antonio and would appreciate your help.  Texas is such a large state that going as far as Dallas is a little difficult at this time.  Thanks for your help.  I love the blogs and discussions - so helpful!

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  • Jonna Barr May 28, 2013 at 11:09am

    Hi Noma, From your next door neighbor at Kerrville this past weekend...at least we survived the show...was expecting to see Noah and the Arc at any second!

  • Brett G. Hall May 6, 2013 at 8:36am

    Hi Norma. I just got started as well. I'm in Houston. I just did my second show and have a third one in two weeks. All of these have been local shows in the Houstomn area which is a great way to get started... local. I am venturing out to Liberty, MO at rthe end of May for a show to get a taste of road shows and also to visit my siblings who all live in the midwest. I would suggest checking out this site: http://www.artfaircalendar.com and also get signed up with zapplication.org where you will need to apply for many of the shows and they also maintain a calendar. https://www.zapplication.org. You can check my work and read a little bit about my art fair experiences at www.brettghall.com and my facebook page www.facebook.com/brettghallart. (By the way I have nine gridwalls for sales. They are heavier than I wasnt to ship cross country but m,aybe since you're just up the road they migh be of interest to you.)

  • Pat Falk April 22, 2013 at 5:08pm

    Hi Noma, You are getting many suggestions from other members here.  I have been doing shows for 18 years, but have not done any Texas shows, to this date.  Although, I have driven across Texas and yes it is a long way.  Just wanted to welcome you to this sight! :)

    • Noma J Freeman > Pat Falk April 23, 2013 at 2:43pm

      Thank you for the support.  I'm very grateful to everyone who has given suggestions.  I'm very happy to be part of Art Fair Insiders.  Your comments give me faith that I can do this.  :)

  • Vivian Leflore Mora April 21, 2013 at 11:28pm
    Hello Noma! Welcome to AFI and the world of art fairs! I live in the greater Houston area and started doing art fairs in 2010. The summer is a no-fly zone for art shows in Texas unless you happen upon an indoor show somewhere and that's rare. Count on only the spring and fall for shows. Austin is close enough based on your info that you should concentrate on the shows there and there are many. The spring is the most popular time and the calls can start as early as a year out but are usually about 6-9 months in advance. In addition to the calls posted here on AFI, you should check the calendar of events on ZAPP (zapplication.org) and use Texas as your keyword. I've traveled up to DFW for a couple of shows but have found enough shows/venues in and around Houston to keep me busy. I'm traveling up to Kerrville, north of your direction next month for the Official Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair on Memorial Weekend. It will be my final outdoor show of the season until the fall breezes start up again! Best of luck!
    • Noma J Freeman > Vivian Leflore Mora April 23, 2013 at 2:40pm

      Thanks Vivian!  I'll also be at the Official Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair on Memorial Weekend.  I'll be looking for you there.  Thank you very much for the information.  All is appreciated.

  • Connie Mettler April 18, 2013 at 11:22am

    In recent years the Texas shows have become THE destination for artists, but concentrated in two seasons of the year - spring and fall. It seems to me that San Antonio is far from most of them. I have a friend who lives in Marquette, MI (think Lake Superior) and can't imagine living so far off the road from the events, many, many miles before a show is reached. So, seems to me, for you, it is hit the road or really work the local area. Best wishes, Noma!

  • Richard L. Sherer April 17, 2013 at 9:11pm
    I did a show in Georgetown (2011) which is close to you. I don't remember if it was put on by locals or Blue Lotus. It was profitable for us (something over $2K), well organized and with nice reception for artists. Also, I had several post show special orders. It wasn't good enough to justify travel from Colorado. The Blue Lotus shows at the shops at La Cantera were also profitable for us but other artists with nice stuff did zip. Poorly promoted and shoppers did not seem to know there was an art fair there. Likewise, not one I would go back too. Also got hassled by Texas Comptrolors Office for Franchise License in addition to sales tax license because I am a S corporation - for 5 days of business in TX. Not returning to Texas for any show.
    • Noma J Freeman > Richard L. Sherer April 29, 2013 at 9:27am

      Hi Richard,

      Thanks for the information, and I'll definitely be looking into Georgetown.  LaCantera is only about 6 miles from my house and I was considering that show also, but you're the second person to tell me that it wasn't good for them either. I think that I'll pass on it.  I did the Wimberley @ Blue Hole show this past weekend, and it was pretty slow.  It was the first year for that location and is a lovely venue for an art fest, but parking is terrible and Blue Hole is off the beaten path.  No transportation was provided from the main shopping area and attendance wasn't very good.  The jewelry artisans did better than painters, but no one set the world on fire.  I'll try it next year, only because the local art league, who organized the event, were so nice and I know will do their very best to work out the problems.  They were wonderful to the exhibitors.  I'll be off to Kerrville over Memorial Weekend for the official Texas Arts and Crafts Show and we'll see how that one goes.  I'm determined to make this work!  I apologize to you for all of my fellow "Texans" that you were hassled by the Comptrollers Office.  I hope that you'll reconsider and come back to Texas for shows.

      • Richard L. Sherer > Noma J Freeman April 29, 2013 at 10:28am
        I think you will like Georgetown. The people there were very nice. Ironically there was a historic saddle shop site right near my booth. Very nice reception in the courthouse overlooking the plaza. We liked kicking around in Austin too - capital, Alamo and missions south of town. I guess I will have to create a non-sub S business entity to comeback and do business there. Might work for CA too, but I am really busy with all the work I want here in CO. Lots of Texas folks up here every summer.
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