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

Connie Mettler's Blog – September 2009 Archive (19)

I Went to Peoria and What did I Learn?

September 24 and 25 I was in Peoria, IL, participating in the 12th Artist/Directors Conference sponsored by the

National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). The conference had artists in attendance (

Don Ament,

Larry Berman, Ronna Katz, Patrick Dragon, Carla Fox, Cynthia Davis, Martha Giberson and many more). The highlight of the artist conference is always the

Mock Jury. Artists bring their images and they are projected for all to… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 29, 2009 at 1:00pm — 7 Comments

The Really Big Deal - Grand Rapids' $250,000 Art Prize

Rick DeVos scion of the Amway family in Grand Rapids, MI, announced in April the

world's largest Art Prize - $250,000 and invited all artists to come to GR in September to compete. The winner will be selected by the public! This, of course, means

YOU have to get to Grand Rapids soon to cast your vote. ~~

25,000 Peace Flags (and counting) by Kiaralinda and Todd The hope is that the exhibition will involve the public and get them looking at art, so… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 28, 2009 at 4:26pm — 2 Comments

Congratulations to the Art Fair Insiders! 1500 strong

Many, many thanks to all of you. Today member #1500 joined our ranks. I hope you'll all welcome her,

Kim Hutt of Clarkston, MI. She is a show organizer and should have lots to share with all of us. I am so pleased at the site, your participation, your questions, your helpfulness to one another, your comments, all the interesting personalities emerging. Most interesting to me… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 22, 2009 at 7:00pm — 3 Comments

Do the Arts Deserve Funding with the Stimulus Money?

Let's see now. If you put on a performance partially funded with money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in San Francisco that was named Perverts Put Out would you be surprised if some people were also put out?

Here's a good story from the Houston Chronicle that refutes the outrage: Arts fair becomes target of stimulus critics:

San Antonio festival’s funding called… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 21, 2009 at 6:19pm — 3 Comments

Where Do Art Fair Artists Go? Kenneth Huff's Story

An amazing digital artist (and I

really mean digital in that he uses the computer as his tool) used to

participate in the nation's art fairs. He took top prizes everywhere he went. About five years ago he dropped out to see if he could make it in another arena. It is no surprise to those of us who saw his work to read about his success. Read below and be inspired. From Kenneth Huff: Last week, during the 2009 Ars Electronica Festival in Austria, one of my time-based… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 21, 2009 at 6:04pm — 1 Comment

The New Face of Art Fairs in Naples, FL, in 2010 with the 22nd Annual Naples Festival of Arts

The affluent Naples area is a much desired place for organizers to present art fairs. Times change and things change.

Here is the announcement from

Howard Alan Events about his popular downtown Naples fair: After 21 years on 5th Avenue South the March Downtown Naples show is officially moving the award Art Fair Calendar.comwinning show to Pelican Bay on Tamiami Trail (US 41). Pelican Bay: - To the South - Downtown Naples - To the North - Bonita Springs Alongside of… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 20, 2009 at 7:48pm — 3 Comments

New Festival in West Palm Beach January 23 & 24

Howard Alan Events presents a new festival in affluent West Palm Beach. The message from Howard:

We are excited about the potential for this new event. We are closing down the major streets that encompass City Place, located in downtown West Palm Beach, a beautiful downtown shopping district. This retail empire, which is rich in European architecture, includes 21 fine restaurants, a 20 screen theatre, a cultural city theatre, scores of high end shops, and private high… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 20, 2009 at 7:30pm — 1 Comment

What Does $25 Get an Artist These Days?

Lots!!

Give yourself a well-needed break from work. Come to Peoria, IL, on September 24 to attend the NAIA Director/Artist Conference. This is an easy drive for many of you and on the way to the Plaza show in Kansas City.

Why?

* to network with other artists and art fair directors

* to learn what that "booth image" is all about

* get tips for preparing digital… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 16, 2009 at 4:35pm — No Comments

Thievery at Penrod Doesn't Stop Art Fair

One of last year's big art fair stories was about the volunteer at Indianapolis' popular Penrod Arts Fair, sponsored by the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Said volunteer stole $380,000 from the organization's treasury. Now what would this theft done to most art fairs? You've got it -- devastation, anguish, cancellation. But not in Indianapolis!

The show must go on! And on it did go last weekend, bringing thousands of people to enjoy all the arts on the lovely grounds of the Museum of… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 16, 2009 at 4:18pm — 2 Comments

5 Fairs for this weekend Sept. 11-13: Atlanta, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Westport (MO) & LaGrange (IL)

It is a beautiful fall weekend and here is where you should be right now:

1. Atlanta Arts Festival, September 12-13, beautiful Piedmont Park, 200 artists Lots more info here from the

Atlanta Journal-Constitution online Here's …

Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 11, 2009 at 3:37pm — 1 Comment

Photographer Michael Craven Dies from Cancer

Michael Craven, a 30 years+ photography veteran, died in June after a long illness.

Michael was a great guy and his fine work was an asset to the art fair business. He really knew his way around a camera and a darkroom. He was a photojournalist and commercial photographer before he started exhibiting at art fairs. The integrity of his images made his work stand above many of his contemporaries. The work was original in concept and always great to see. No cookie cutter images… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 11, 2009 at 11:04am — No Comments

Artists Behaving Badly at Art Fairs

So here we are, everyone (and I mean everyone) working hard to keep up the spirits in a downtrodden economy, all the artists looking sharp with beautiful booths heading into what we all hope will be a profitable weekend. Everything is in place.

The show opens at 3 pm on Friday. Already on Friday evening we are hearing reports from the artists that one of the artists is announcing to everyone within hearing distance of his booth that he hasn't done a show this bad in 35 years. We… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 10, 2009 at 11:37am — 32 Comments

She Kept the Money! More Bad News from Brandywine

It is official, the Brandywine Arts Festival, Wilmington, DE, is not taking place this fall. A change of organizers, back money owed for the event and three venue changes have stopped the event in its tracks after 48 years.

There seems to be a pattern of miscommunication along the way. The new organizer, Janie Blanch "said Friday that she would be calling each artist who paid for a space. She said she needed at least 100 artists to make the festival a go.

She didn’t get… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 10, 2009 at 11:22am — 6 Comments

Arts, Beats & Eats - Part II

Sunday morning brings the artists breakfast where Lisa and I get to have our little party visiting and

feeding the artists. We love to pass out the awards and our ceremony includes lots of stories about artists and art fairs. I do believe a good time was had by all. This show starts with setup on Friday morning and then runs from 3 pm to 9 pm that day; 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday and 11 am to 5 pm on Monday. It is an easy setup, drive up to your booth for unloading and… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 9, 2009 at 9:53pm — No Comments

Call for Entries: Howard Alan Events - 32 festivals

You know it is time to be thinking about your 2010 art fair schedule. Today's newsletter brings you a great kickstart to the search listing 32 festivals presented by Howard Alan Events, art fairs that can be the backbone of your festival season.

Las Olas Art Festival, Fort Lauderdale, FL These popular outdoor festivals are consistently ranked among the top art shows in the country. Located along some of the most charming streets in the nation, Howard Alan Events brings… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 9, 2009 at 9:52pm — No Comments

Show Review - Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac, MI - Part I

Normally pretty loquacious on this site, you haven't heard much from me lately because I've been up to my elbows in art fair preparation since late August in Pontiac, MI, where I am one of the art directors (along with Lisa Konikow) for this rambunctious festival.

Now I have to tell you, I'm feeling pretty intimidated writing this. Nels Johnson has set such a high standard on entertaining, yet informative, show reviews ... what's a girl to do?

First of all the tequila… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 8, 2009 at 10:30pm — 2 Comments

Call for Entries - Holiday Arts & Crafts Ensemble

Saturday, November 21

Plymouth High School

8400 Beck Rd.

Canton, Michigan

Sponsored by the Plymouth-Canton Music Boosters, a 501c3 organization

90 exhibitors

Canton is in the metro Detroit area, right here.

Several years… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 8, 2009 at 10:13pm — No Comments

Call for Entries: Shopping Extravaganza

October 17 Walled Lake, Michigan Presented by the Walled Lake PTSA Walled Lake Central High School Gymnasium 1600 Oakley Park Rd. 10am - 4pm Deadline: Sept. 17 Walled Lake Central PTSA is featuring the area's most prestigious vendors & caterers! Being an exhibitor at this show gives you a chance to promote your business to people who are ready to buy. This exclusive show has one purpose, to put you the "seller" in a room with hundreds of buyers. This is not some intimate… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 2, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Six Resources for Artists: jobs, conferences, tools, grants!

1. Open Clay Studio Facilitator, Reach Studio Art Center - Lansing, MI: Reach Studio is currently recruiting an Open Clay Studio (OCS) Facilitator. OCS is a fee-based, drop-in ceramics program open to all ages. The OCS instructor will handle all aspects of running the OCS sessions for which they are scheduled. Major responsibilities will include instructing participants in clay building (wheel and hand building) and finishing skills, orienting new participants to the studio and clay… Continue

Added by Connie Mettler on September 1, 2009 at 10:57am — No Comments