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

John Leben Male Saugatuck, MI United States Digital: Like

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John Leben's Discussions

For Sale: 10 + 2 Graphic Display System Display Panels - $500

Started Aug 9, 2016 0 Replies 0 Likes

I have ten 7-foot tall 37.5 inch wide sectional panels covered with black fabric from Flourish and two 7-foot tall 19.5 inch wide sectional panels, also covered with black fabric from Flourish. I…Continue

Looking for Used ProPanels in Midwest

Started this discussion. Last reply by John Leben Aug 19, 2016. 2 Replies 0 Likes

I'm in the market for light gray seven foot Propanels with all the needed attachments. I need nine of them. I'll probably wind up taking out a second mortgage (HA) and buying them new from Propanels,…Continue

Digital Printmaking

Started this discussion. Last reply by John Leben Apr 17, 2017. 22 Replies 1 Like

Although the "Digital" category is gaining more widespread acceptance in the art world (and the art fair circuit), as a digital artist, I continue to battle misconceptions in the public eye. I…Continue

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Gifts Received (19)

2017 Supporter From Connie Mettler Post of the Week From Connie Mettler Thank You Note From Connie Mettler Post of the Week From Connie Mettler

John Leben's Page

Latest Activity

Judy Jones commented on John Leben's blog post A Movie and a Book Based on My Art

"I love this John. Congratulations on the exposure you have already received. I have shared it to my personal facebook account. Hope others will also. This story needs to be told! I plan on sending it to my grandkids who are the up and coming…"

Apr 26

Kathleen J. Clausen commented on John Leben's blog post A Movie and a Book Based on My Art

"Wow John!! I just watched the movie. What an awesome production. Your family must all be talented! Congratulations."

Apr 26

John Leben posted a blog post

A Movie and a Book Based on My Art

CreateLive Event…See More

Apr 25

2 Comments 0 Likes

Connie Mettler commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"I surely understand Patricia about the women not touching the jewelry ... but there are still many people with jobs, unaffected by the economic downturn, and many with new work because our economy is strong for those at the upper end of the earning…"

Jun 1, 2020

Patricia Zabreski Venaleck commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"Until we have a vaccine I don’t see art fairs working. I have glass and metal jewelry. Women don’t buy unless they try it on. I could dip things in alcohol but no woman is going to try on jewelry with this virus.…"

May 29, 2020

Steven Robertson commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"One nice thing about the US is that it's not monolithic in the approach to the virus. By that I mean, some states will allow fairs and shows before others do. And there will be a first. Those who are more cautious can watch and see what…"

Apr 27, 2020

Sandy Walker commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

" This is a question we are all asking. I have spent the last year and a half developing a body of work in a different category, mixed media collage, in addition to my usual category of jewelry. After squirreling away in my studio for…"

Apr 27, 2020

Barrie Lynn Bryant commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"Hi, John. Long time no see. Hope you are well. We're doing o.k., but not doing very many shows anymore as it is. We're being really selective. We just have to reminisce about the life we have lived for so long. I think the biggest downer…"

Apr 26, 2020

Jan Herman commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"I am adding more lower price point items to sell when, and if, art shows begin again. Before I sign up for an event, I will contact the organizer and ask "in what ways are you addressing pandemic issues and social distancing at this…"

Apr 26, 2020

Connie Mettler commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"It's Friday evening and my mind is whirring. I've just completed 4 podcasts about reacting to the effects of the coronavirus, talking to show directors, artists, CPA's ... Every show cancellation makes me very sad. So much loss and…"

Apr 17, 2020

Richard L. Sherer commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"It pays to have a Plan B. For my medium leather (saddles and personal leather goods), I got a letter from St. Louis tannery that they were shutting down but had inventory on hand. I asked and received a "split order" of smaller quantities…"

Apr 16, 2020

Cat Tesla commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"I’m posting this information to inform you, not to alarm you. Before I left my day job, I was on faculty at Emory University in Atlanta in the Department of Human Genetics. (left due to burn out – saw patients at high risk for genetic…"

Apr 16, 2020

Larry Schneider commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"My viewpoint is that Disney, Amusement parks, cruises, NFL Games, concerts ,theater and art/craft festivals will all come back strong. I did all these things for 40 years and never once had a problem or worried about dying from a disease. I…"

Apr 15, 2020

Steven Robertson commented on John Leben's blog post What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

"One thing we know is that things look different in the rear-view mirror than they do through the windshield. There's a lot we don't know yet about this outbreak - and the virus itself. And, whether you choose to believe it or not, there…"

Apr 10, 2020

John Leben posted a blog post

What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

I've been puzzling over this question, and thinking about how I will handle art fairs going forward. All those people coming into my booth... coughing, sneezing, pawing through my print bins. I don't know... maybe art fairs are just not in my future any more. Or, maybe I just need to rethink how I do these art fairs.I'm a digital artist. I sell prints of my digital paintings. I'm a printmaker. Most of my sales are packaged unframed prints. Packaged in plastic bags... perfect surfaces for a…See More

Apr 10, 2020

11 Comments 4 Likes

Jennifer Racette commented on John Leben's blog post Refund Reply from Naples Downtown

"If ever there was a case for an organization to carry business interruption insurance, this is it."

Apr 1, 2020

Profile Information

Your Medium: Digital

Years in the Art Fair Business: Off and on for 30 years

First show ever: Old Burton Place art fair in the 60s. Now the wells street art fair.

What is your website?: http://Www.lebenart.com

What are the best things about art fairs: To be able to sell my art and make a living on my own terms.

Best show ever and why: Recently, 2009 DES Moines art fair. Why? Perhaps because people attending looked forward to it every year and attended with the intention of purchasing something, unlike cities like Chicago that have an art fair every week-end so none of them are considered a special event.

Worst show ever and why: I remember a show in Muskegon, Michigan a few years ago when I didn't sell anything.

Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.: Connie

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John Leben's Blog

A Movie and a Book Based on My Art

Posted on April 25, 2021 at 1:55pm 2 Comments 0 Likes

Create…

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What Will Art Fairs be Like After the Pandemic?

Posted on April 10, 2020 at 9:25am 11 Comments 4 Likes

I'm a digital artist. I sell prints of my digital paintings. I'm a printmaker. Most of my sales are packaged unframed prints. Packaged in plastic bags... perfect surfaces…

Continue

Refund Reply from Naples Downtown

Posted on March 30, 2020 at 3:16pm 8 Comments 1 Like

I have been lobbying Naples Downtown to get a refund on my booth fee after they cancelled the show. Here is a very arrogant email that I received today. Aimee Schlehr, the chairman wrote this extremely unprofessional letter to the artists who have been requesting a refund. Apparently they will refund my booth fee when funds become available, but they are black-balling me from ever participating in one of their art fairs because of my "breach" of contract. Here is her email:…

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Six Florida Art Fairs for this Michigan Artist

Posted on March 18, 2019 at 11:00am 1 Comment 3 Likes

Every year Marcia and I head south for February and March to do art fairs in Florida. Lets face it, there are not very many opportunities to make money in the frozen north during the winter. Is it worth the trip? For me, it is worth it. In fact, the trip has become essential for us financially. We would have a lot of unpaid bills in the winter without the Florida art fairs. How did it go this winter? Results are mixed, but we were able to pay the bills, and we are coming home with some money…

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Comment Wall (22 comments)

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At 10:35pm on June 28, 2017, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: 2017 Supporter
John, Thank you so much for supporting Art Fair Insiders during our 2017 Pledge Drive.
From the Gift Store

At 10:17pm on April 19, 2017, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: Post of the Week
Congrats on being awarded the Post of the Week - 4/16/2017
From the Gift Store

At 8:50am on May 09, 2017, Connie Mettler gave 0oy3cuptaps9q a gift…: Red Ribbon
♡ Desborda tu corazón de cosas buenas para los que te rodean. La belleza de tu corazón y de tu alma, habla más fuerte que tus palabras. Feliz día.
From the Gift Store

At 8:33pm on April 15, 2016, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: Thank You Note
Thanks for this good discussion topic, John. It's gotten a lot of attention AND thank you for continuing to contribute to this website. Your message have been helpful to many.
From the Gift Store

At 11:35pm on January 19, 2016, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: Post of the Week
John, congrats on being awarded the Post of the Week - 1/12/2016.
From the Gift Store

At 2:34pm on November 06, 2015, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: Thumbs Up
Thank you, John, for referring Susan Elizabeth Fleming to Art Fair Insiders.
From the Gift Store

At 10:04pm on October 05, 2015, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: Post of the Week
Congrats of being awarded the Post of the Week - 10/5/2015.
From the Gift Store

At 9:40pm on August 10, 2015, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: Post of the Week
Congrats on being awarded the Post of the Week Award - 8/10/2015.
From the Gift Store

At 4:26pm on June 29, 2015, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: 2015 Supporter
John, thank you so much for supporting Art Fair Insiders during our 2015 Pledge Drive.
From the Gift Store

At 10:56pm on March 10, 2015, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…: Post of the Week
Congrats on winning the Blog Post of the Week award - 3/9/2015
From the Gift Store