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

Connie Mettler's Blog – June 2009 Archive (25)

Heading to Cherry Creek? Room in Denver this week - $236

A Priceline Room in Denver
Today at 12:53pm

From artist Eugenie Torgerson:

I am cancelling Cherry Creek and have a Priceline room at the Marriott Denver Tech Center for $50 a night --- a total of $236.26. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the show. If ANYONE knows ANYONE who could use this room, please contact me at eugenietorgerson@sbcglobal.net.

Added by Connie Mettler on June 30, 2009 at 3:56pm — No Comments

Call for Entries: U.S. 12 Art Garage Sale

August 8 Coldwater, Michigan Four Corners Park Presented by Arts Alive 10 am to 5 pm 50 artists Deadline: July 8 What is an art fair garage sale? It is your opportunity to sell your leftovers, irregulars, seconds, art supplies and/or work that you would like to see in someone else's home. Your booth is your castle, so anything goes-show your best work at regular prices and sell the rest in… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 29, 2009 at 9:07pm — No Comments

Buying Art - why now?

Here is an excellent article on buying art, it makes a good case for owning something special.

2009 - June

"The paradigm has shifted. Less than a year ago, the wealthy [or seemingly rich] were in a feeding frenzy – scooping up contemporary art - at the most notable of galleries, art expos and auction houses in New York, Miami, Paris, London, Venice and beyond.

The value of the art work was highly inflated – boosted by the insatiable appetites of those who wanted… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 29, 2009 at 7:29pm — No Comments

Big, Big Cash Awards!

The De Vos Family (think Amway) of West Michigan is offering a the world's largest Art Prize - $250,000!

There is so much to learn about this prize and all the smaller venues surrounding it. The competition is going to take over Grand Rapids, MI, in the fall with much press and activity going on. The winner is by public vote! You heard me right, the public.

# Top 10 entries will receive a prize

# Multiple artists can collaborate on an entry

# Artists may… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 29, 2009 at 7:23pm — 2 Comments

June Artist: Daryl Thetford - Photography & Digital Art

I'd guess that at least half of the artists you see at art fairs have been working on their art since they were children. The

other half are people who have unearthed their talent later in their lives, whose life experiences have taken them a step at a time to their present situation, later discovering a passion for exploring their artistic abilities. Daryl Thetford's story is a long unwinding from mental health therapist, manager of a mental health center, which segued into… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 25, 2009 at 11:12am — No Comments

June's Art Fair of the Month: Des Moines Art Festival

2009 Des Moines Arts Festival Des Moines, Iowa June 26-28 Western Gateway Park, Downtown Fri 4P-10P / Sat 10A-10P / Sun 10A-5P 175 Artists The Des Moines Arts Festival has established itself as the signature cultural and arts event in Iowa, sweeping awards from many sources: --2009 Top 10 Art Fair & Festival by AmericanStyle Magazine (No. 5) --2008 recipient of 17 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Association --Winner of four National Association… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 25, 2009 at 11:02am — No Comments

What Really Happened to the Midwest Salute to the Masters

A long-running art fair, the Midwest Salute to the Masters, in Fairview Heights, IL, got done in by politics, reports the Belleville (IL) News Democrat:

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- Mayor Gail Mitchell said Friday that politics played a role in the abrupt cancellation of the 22nd annual Midwest Salute to the Arts scheduled for Aug. 28-30. Salute to the Arts organizers said Friday that they have started to plan for the 2010 event, but city officials are still questioning why the event… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 25, 2009 at 10:54am — 2 Comments

Handling the Budget at the Utah Arts Festival in Salt Lake City

Tough and even tougher times are affecting the art fairs around the country. In Pontiac and Toledo they are finding alternative funding sources for art fairs that had depended on Chrysler's largesse. But even far from the Rust Belt the slow economy is affecting the planning. From the

Deseret News in Salt Lake City: "Last September, I drew up three budget scenarios," said Lisa Sewell, the festival's executive director. "In one, I laid out a 10 percent cut. In the others, I… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 25, 2009 at 10:42am — No Comments

Artist Kevin Finnerty Dies in Arson at his Home

This is way too sad a story. Kevin Finnerty, a well-known artist from Arlington Heights, IL, set fire to his home early this month killing his wife, his 11 year old son and himself. Two other children escaped. He left a suicide note that blamed financial troubles. The previous weekend he had exhibited his paintings in a familiar place, a store that was near the Arlington Heights Art Fair. "LaSalle Bridge" Read the story at the …

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Added by Connie Mettler on June 19, 2009 at 10:18pm — 4 Comments

Call for Entries: Big Fish Festival

August 22 & 23 Keego Harbor, Michigan Sponsored by the Bloomfield Area North Chamber of Commerce Sat. 11am-8pm, Sun. 11am-5pm 50 artists Deadline: July 15 or until full Big Fish Festival is a local community event. Located in the lakes area, bordering West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, and Sylvan Lake you will enjoy an 'Up North' atmosphere, but located

right in the center of Oakland County.… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 19, 2009 at 9:00pm — 2 Comments

Boost your art sales

Many of you know about the very fun Art Fair Garage Sale that takes place in Kalamazoo in February. In recent years a bunch of this kind of events have sprung up around the country. But how about one online? No travel, no booth fees required?

This has been one of my long term goals, but, thank the lord, I don't have to take that on! Enter

Travis Allison of

www.ArtGarageSale.com. Here is Travis' message to you:… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 17, 2009 at 10:32am — 1 Comment

New Life on Web Wizards Group - Welcome Jim Parker

When this site was built one of the most important "groups" was the Web Wizards group organized by well-known Internet entrepreneur Scott Fox. Scott is an authority on all things having to do with websites and marketing small business on the Web. Recently he has become consumed with new projects and has been unable to keep up with inquiries from the group. I am pleased to announce that photographer

Jim Parker has stepped into his place to

moderate the group. Jim is… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 17, 2009 at 10:00am — 2 Comments

New: The Weekly Art Feed - News from art fair world

Every day I encounter bits of news in the art fair business that may interest many of you. My plan is to pass them on to you in this new post, The Weekly Feed, leaving you free to follow up and have all the news about this ever changing and ever-challenging business.

1. In Michigan: Chrysler pulls out of title sponsorship for Arts, Beats &… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 17, 2009 at 9:52am — No Comments

Recession changing art fairs?

ArtFairCalendar.com (the mother of this site) and ArtFairInsiders.com made the Chicago Tribune last week! I was interviewed by writer Leslie Mann about the future of fairs, resulting in a bunch of new subscribers to my newsletters. Thanks, Leslie.

Interestingly I knew almost everyone else she interviewed for the article:…

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Added by Connie Mettler on June 17, 2009 at 9:00am — 1 Comment

Call for Entries: Funky Ferndale Art Fair

September 19 & 20 Ferndale, Michigan downtown on 9 Mile Rd. 120 artists Deadline: 6/15/09 Mark Loeb, the show director claims that his Ferndale show is,

"Twice as funky as the average fine art show..." Ferndale, Michigan, is a town that skews a little younger, a little hipper than much of the world. While traditional artwork does sell here, this show focuses on less pastoral work. As many as 40,000 art shoppers attend over the weekend. Not every art lover… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 12, 2009 at 8:23pm — No Comments

Last Call for Entries: Jazz Art at the International Jazz Festival

September 4-7

Detroit, Michigan

Downtown

part of the Detroit International Jazz Festival

40 artists

Deadline: June 15

Do you love music? Does your art appeal to art audiences? If so, here you will find the perfect marriage as part of the exciting Detroit International Jazz Festival.

This year the Festival celebrates it's 30th anniversary by bringing back JazzART. What is JazzART? The Jazz Fest Director, Terri Pontremoli describes… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 12, 2009 at 8:07pm — No Comments

Uninsurable Artist Needs Your Help

From Cynthia Davis at the NAIA (National Assn. of Independent Artists):

It has come to my attention that one of our long-time members, Anna Millea, has been diagnosed with a re-occurence of breast cancer which has metastasized to her bones. Currently Anna is undergoing 18 cycles of chemotherapy and has just completed her second round of radiation. She is also taking pain medication that costs in excess of $600 per month, and which will need to be increased significantly over time.… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 10, 2009 at 10:15am — 1 Comment

Call for Entries: Winnsboro (TX) Fine Art Market

November 7 & 8 Winnsboro, Texas Saturday 11-5; Sunday 11-4 Downtown in the Cultural Arts District Sponsored by the Main Street Partnership 75 Artists Deadline: June 15 In early November when the rest of the country is turning cold, the trees in Northeastern Texas are in full color and the daytime temperatures are in the 60's and 70's. What a perfect way to conclude your art fair season and make those last minute holiday sales! The quaint community of …

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Added by Connie Mettler on June 8, 2009 at 9:34pm — No Comments

Last Weekend's Reports: June 5-8

Catch up on the art fair that you missed last weekend. Here are reports from:

1. Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia: Artists at Rittenhouse Adjust to Fewer Sales

2. Frederick Festival of the Arts in Frederick, MD: See a video and get a report

3. Columbus Arts Festival in Columbus, OH:… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 8, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

3 Bets for the Weekend: Chicago, Pittsburgh and Columbus

1. June 6 & 7 - A neighborhood art fair celebrates #62!! Visit the

57th Street Art Fair in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. A unique feature - if you don't know how to buy art they offer a free guided tour of the fair called "Art Buying Boot Camp."

Learn more. 2. Opening today and running until June 14 is the newly… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on June 5, 2009 at 9:31pm — No Comments