This is a special edition of our Call 
for Artists. Listed below are eighteen juried art festivals professionally run by Amdur Productions, a nationally acclaimed art festival production company which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this season.
Founded by Amy Amdur, Amdur Productions exploded on the art fair scene with the launch of the Port Clinton Art Festival in the affluent community of Highland Park, Illinois, 30 years ago. Since then Amy and her great staff have continued to produce and organize nationally recognized festivals in high-profile suburbs and popular metro areas, many of which are considered the best in the business.
Last year Amdur Productions expanded its geographic footprint beyond the Chicagoland area by launching new festivals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Hallandale Beach, Florida and New Buffalo, Michigan, a high-end summer-home destination and weekend escape for Chicagoans.
Amdur's dedication, unparalleled eye and hardworking team, coupled with a strong marketing outreach, have made the festivals among the most successful in the country.
Take a look at these eighteen events and apply today to fill your art fair schedule and your pocketbook!
Visit the website: AmdurProductions.com for full disclosure on each of the events and apply before January 11, 2013, for consideration in this year's line-up.
Take a look at these eighteen events and apply today to fill your art fair schedule and your pocketbook!
Visit the website: AmdurProductions.com for full disclosure on each of the events and apply before January 11, 2013, for consideration in this year's line-up.
| Barrington Art Festival |
|
|
May 25 & 26 Barrington, Illinois  130 Artists Booth Fee: $405 Jury Fee: $25 Amdur Productions proudly kicks off the season with the fourth annual Barrington Art Festival over Memorial Day weekend. Known for its grand mansions and horse farms, the affluent suburb of Barrington boasts a wealthy population with a deep appreciation of art and buying history. The festival takes place in Barrington's charming downtown, which is filled with cafes, boutiques and restaurants. Easy listening live music takes place throughout the festival. A centrally located Festival Info Booth and children's art activities add to the weekend. Admission and parking for the public are free. More information. |
|
| Millennium Art Festival |
|
|
May 31 - June 2
Chicago, Illinois
125 Artists Booth: $495 |
|
|
Promenade of Art Arlington Heights |
|
June 8 & 9 
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Booth: $450 Jury: $25 Celebrating its eleventh year, the Promenade of Art Arlington Heights is rated as one of the top 100 festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. The festival is a longstanding tradition for the art-loving homeowners in this prosperous suburb of 90,000 residents and nearby communities. The Promenade of Art Arlington Heights takes place in the lively downtown area amid many upscale high-rise apartments, the Metropolis Arts Centre, boutiques, cafes and popular restaurants. All booths are on pavement. More information. |
|
| New Buffalo ARTigras! |
|
|
June 15 & 16
New Buffalo, Michigan
125 Artists
Booth: $450
Jury: $25 After a successful inaugural event, ARTigras! proudly returns to New Buffalo, Michigan, for its second year. Located one hour from Chicago, this charming Michigan town, on the shore of Lake Michigan, welcomes tens of thousands of art lovers who own summer homes in the area, known as Harbor Country, or escape the city to enjoy a weekend away. This year's festival takes place over Father's Day Weekend, ensuring large crowds of festival-goers.
Traditional and contemporary work does well here as the public is shopping for city and weekend homes. More information.
|
|
|
The Art Center's Festival of Fine Craft |
|
|
June 22 & 23
Highland Park, Illinois
Booth: $450 + local permit Jury: $35 Amdur Productions celebrates the second year of partnering with The Art Center - Highland Park (TAC) with the Festival of Fine Craft. A longstanding community tradition, the Festival of Fine Craft attracts a loyal audience of art lovers who patronize the show annually. Hosted on the beautiful tree lined streets of Downtown Highland Park, the show emphasizes fine craft including glass, wood, ceramics, fiber, jewelry and more. All artists are required to donate a piece of art, valued at $100, for "Bid or Buy," a silent auction benefiting TAC, a 51 year old not-for-profit visual arts organization. All proceeds from "Bid or Buy" support TAC's mission of ensuring access to the arts for individuals of all ages and cultural interests. More information. |
|
| Gold Coast Art Fair | |
|
June 29 & 30 350 Artists(tentative date)  Chicago, Illinois Booth: $595 Jury: $35 The Gold Coast Art Fair is heralded as the "Granddaddy of American Art Festivals" and is rated as one of the top 30 shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist magazine. Now celebrating its 56th year, the Gold Coast Art Fair is the third oldest and by far one of the most well attended art festivals in Chicago. The festival proudly returns to Grant Park, Chicago's premier festival destination! Located within walking distance of the Art Institute of Chicago and Buckingham Fountain, the art festival draws hundreds of thousands art enthusiasts annually from Chicago and beyond! An improved layout makes the festival even more enjoyable for the artists and the loyal art lovers that shop the show year after year. This show is supported by an extensive marketing plan that include newspaper ads, radio, television, street banners and more. An artist's VIP tent provides support during the festival. More information. |
|
| Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival |
|
|
July 5-7
85 Artists Booth: $625 Jury: $35 The Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival returns for its third season. Since its return after a decade-long hiatus, the festival has quickly become a favorite for the art lovers that live near or travel to the Chicago Botanic Garden for a day of exploring. Since its first year, the festival has set attendance records for the Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the top five visitor attractions in the Chicago area. Art of a botanic theme, material or use is exclusively featured at this festival. The Chicago Botanic Garden is located about 1/2 hour north of Chicago. Booths are on grass and pavement overlooking a lake and spectacular gardens. More information. |
|
| Buffalo Grove Invitational Art Festival |
|
July 13 & 14 |
|
| North Shore Festival of Art |
|
July 27 & 28  Skokie, Illinois 120 Artists Booth: $445 Jury: $25 North Shore Festival of Art takes place at the incredibly popular Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, a luxury outdoor shopping destination in Skokie, Illinois. Benefiting the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, the festival is located in a very busy shopping and dining area, ensuring high visibility and traffic from the crowds of shoppers at Westfield Old Orchard. Since its inception, attendance at the festival has consistently increased and it now welcomes more than 84,000 guests. A revamped layout and day before set-up make this Amdur festival a pleasure for artists. More information. |
|
|
Glencoe Festival of Art
|
|
|
August 3 & 4
120 Artists
Booth: $455
Jury: $25
Glencoe Festival of Art takes place in the prestigious Village of Glencoe, an upscale community blocks from Lake Michigan on Chicago's North Shore. This high-end festival features fine art and craft and attracts a highly educated crowd of art lovers. Held in cooperation with the Glencoe Chamber of Commerce, Glencoe Festival of Art takes place on the main strip of Glencoe's downtown area downtown amongst many galleries, high-end boutiques, retailers and cafés. More information. |
|
| Art at the Glen Town Center |
|
August 10 & 11  Glenview, Illinois 185 Artists Booth: $525 Jury: $35 Sales rank among the highest at this high quality show, which is currently rated as one of the top 12 shows in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. Art lovers flock to Art at the Glen Town Center, which is situated in a high-end, shopping and dining destination. Festival streets are filled from opening to close with thousands of art buyers. In addition to great restaurants, The Glen Town Center boasts some of the finest stores in the Midwest. More information. |
|
| Lincolnshire Art Festival |
|
August 17 & 18  Lincolnshire, Illinois 130 artists Booth: $430 Jury: $25 The Lincolnshire Art Festival proudly celebrates its 16th year as a fine arts institution this summer. The Lincolnshire Art Festival is currently ranked as one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. Located in one of Chicago's most prosperous suburbs, this popular art festival draws crowds from near and far. More information. |
|
| Port Clinton Art Festival |
|
August 24 & 25  Highland Park, Illinois
260 Artists Booth: $760 + local permit Jury: $50 ***30th Anniversary*** Now celebrating its 30th season, the Port Clinton Art Festival is nationally recognized as one of the most successful juried art festivals in the country. Founded 30 years ago by Amdur Productions, the Port Clinton Art Festival was named the number five show in the nation by Sunshine Artist magazine and featured on the recent cover of the magazine's celebrated "200 Best" issue. The festival welcomes 260 of the world's most celebrated artists and 250,000 art enthusiasts annually. Only originals are allowed to be displayed in artist's booths at this high-end festival. More information. |
|
| Third Ward Art Festival | |
August 31 & September 1  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 140 Artists Booth: $450 Jury: $25 After a remarkable first year, Amdur Productions proudly returns to Milwaukee for the 2nd annual Third Ward Art Festival. The Third Ward Art Festival is located just three blocks south of downtown Milwaukee in the Historic Third Ward, knows as "Milwaukee's Arts and Fashion District." This upscale area boasts the city's most dynamic array of restaurants, spas, theaters, galleries and unique shopping - attracting visitors from near and far. The 2013 festival takes place the same weekend Harley Davidson brings hundreds of thousands of hog enthusiasts to Milwaukee for a national convention. Motorcycle and automobile themed artwork will certainly be coveted at this year's festival in addition to all other mediums which produced great sales at the inaugural event. More information. |
|
| Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival | |
|
September 7 & 8
Downers Grove, Illinois
Booth: $315
Jury: $20
A cherished community tradition for the past 36 years, the Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival draws stellar crowds of art enthusiasts annually. Held on the main street of Downers Grove's charming downtown area, the festival features artwork of all mediums and price points. More information.
|
|
| Highwood Last Call Starving Artist Art Fair |
|
|
September 21 & 22
Highwood, Illinois 100 Artists Booth: $235
Jury: $15 Nestled between three of the wealthiest communities on the North Shore, the Highwood Last Call Starving Artist Art Fair offers artists the opportunity to sell off their inventory at the end of the season. The festival promotes "great art at great prices" and artists are encouraged to reduce prices at one of the final festivals of the season. Artists and/or artist's reps are welcome to work the festival. The festival sets up in an "all American" park with paved walk ways around a gazebo featuring live music. More information. |
|
| The Inside Show | |
|
November 22-24  Highland Park, Illinois 40 Artists Booth: $750 Jury: $25
Amdur Productions extends art festival season into the pre-holiday season with the return of The Inside Show. A select group of artists showcase their artwork at the festival, which takes place indoors at an upscale country club in Highland Park just before Thanksgiving. |
|
| Gulfstream Park Art Festival | |
|
December 14 & 15
 Hallandale Beach, Florida 100 Artists Booth fee: $450 Jury fee: $25 ***NEW December Date!*** After a successful first year, the Gulfstream Park Art Festival returns to The Village at Gulfstream Park, south Florida's newest outdoor shopping and entertainment destination. This beautiful outdoor enclave, located adjacent to the legendary Gulfstream Park Racetrack and Casino on South Federal Highway, boasts a sizzling collection of fashion boutiques, home accessory shops, signature restaurants, outdoor cafes and nightclubs - adding to the art festival experience! This year's festival will take place in December, ensuring a larger crowd of art lovers and snow birds eager to find the perfect gift of art for the holidays. More information. |
|
| WHAT TO DO NEXT! |
|
Learn more and apply at: www.amdurproductions.com
DEADLINE: JANUARY 11 LATE Applications accepted through January 18, 2013 for additional fee If you have any questions on the jury process, our festivals, or related topics, please contact the office at 847-926-4300 or email info@amdurproductions.com. Lennette, Lindsey, Caitlin, Lisa and Amy are ready to take your calls Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm CST. |
|
Comments
The only things that weren't mentioned is that there is some questionable art that is accepted into some of these festivals and that there is now a glut of art festivals in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
With booth fees as high as these, please read the reviews of most of these shows in the blog section of this website.