Listed below are
thirteen Chicago area professionally run art fairs by Amdur Productions. Headed by Amy Amdur, these events exploded on the art fair scene 27 years ago when the Port Clinton Art Festival appeared in the affluent community of Highland Park, IL.
Taking her cue from this success Amy has gone on to create new events in affluent areas of the metro area. Her hard work coupled with a strong marketing outreach have allowed many Chicago area artists the possibility of commuting to their art fairs. The rest of us have, of course, joined the Chicagoans and headed to Chicago to meet this good marketplace. Take a look at these thirteen events to fill your art fair schedule and your pocketbook! Amy and her staff Visit the website:
AmdurProductions.com for full disclosure on each of the events, then, "think Chicago!" CALL FOR ENTRIES: CHICAGO'S AMDUR PRODUCTIONS
May 29 & 30 Barrington - New Festival! Barrington Art Festival 10 am to 5 pm 140 artists Barrington, known for its wealth, mansions and horse farms is the setting for our newest festival which is situated 36 miles northwest of Chicago. Barrington has a population of about 40,000 and an average household income of $125,000, with ¼ of the population earning $200,000+. This art fair kicks off the Chicago art festival season. Amy says:
Wealthy, art-loving area & great local support! Nice downtown layout. Memorial Day Weekend (still have your Monday off). Average temperature 70.June 4-6 Chicago Eastside Millennium Art Festival downtown at Michigan Ave., on Lake Street Fri. noon-5, Sat. & Sun. 10-5 150 artists The Eastside Millennium Art Festival is a downtown Chicago show located at Michigan Avenue on Lake Street, just north of the world famous Millennium Park and Chicago's Art Institute. 175,000 people pass through this office and residential area daily. Chicagoans and tourists patronize and love this show. The show opens Friday. $25 City permit is required. 2nd year of this event, previously known as New East Side Artworks. Amy says:
Located just north of Millennium Park in a very busy area. Chicagoans and tourists love this show. Average temperature 71.June 12 & 13 Lincolnshire Lincolnshire Art Festival Village Green 10 am-5 pm 150 artists The Lincolnshire Art Festival is situated around a tranquil fountain in an upscale community 30 minutes north of Chicago with plenty of restaurants and hotels in the area. Booths are on grass and pavement. Visitors are from the north and western suburbs. Artists' parking is free and close. The festival features all types of fine art and fine craft. 13th annual event in same location. Amy says:
All themes, all price points do well. Good for new artists as well. Average temperature 71.
June 19 & 20 Wheaton Cantigny Art Festival Father's Day weekend 10 am - 5 pm 130 artists The Cantigny Art Festival is held Father's Day Weekend at Cantigny Park, one of the most beautiful settings in the greater Chicago area. The festival offers extra spacious booths and is a lovely, safe, friendly location. Booths are on grass and pavement under a light canopy of honey locust trees. The striking Visitor's Center provides comfort and convenience to all. 9th annual event in same location. Amy says:
Beautiful setting, very low stress. Middle price points do best. Artists' breakfast included. Average temperature 72.June 26-27 Arlington Heights Promenade of Art 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists Arlington Heights is in an affluent community of 77,000 people. The festival is held on the downtown streets amid new and upscale residential buildings, the Metropolis Arts Centre, quaint stores and popular restaurants. An artist reports that she had a $150,000 commission come out of this show. This fair is easy, safe and fun! 8th annual event in same location. Amy says:
A great show for experienced as well as new artists. Nice easy compact festival layout. Traditional themes do well. Average temperature 73. July 10 & 11 Glencoe Glencoe Festival of the Masters In cooperation with the Village of Glencoe and the Chamber of Commerce 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists The Glencoe Festival of the Masters takes place in the prestigious Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced community of Glencoe near Lake Michigan in Chicago's famous North Shore area. Held in the downtown among boutiques and cafés, parking is close and free. The crowd is wealthy, educated and loves art. Fine art and fine craft are featured. 3rd annual event in same location. Amy says: H
eld in a wealthy community near Lake Michigan where the average home price is 1.2 million. All art does well here. Average temperature 75.July 17 & 18 Buffalo Grove Buffalo Grove Invitational Art Festival Buffalo Grove Town Center 10 am to 5 pm 160 artists The Festival is northwest of Chicago and is home to some of the most successful and reputable business organizations in the Midwest. Buffalo Grove boasts a population of 44,000 people and is home to a large Jewish community. Plenty of close parking and great sales. A huge community volunteer corps provides booth-sitting and artists' assistance with a smile. Village permit required. 9th annual event. Amy says:
All themes, all price points. Bright art doing well, crowd loves jewelry and wearables. Average temperature 76.July 24 & 25 Skokie North Shore Festival of Art Old Orchard -
New & better location! 10 am to 5 pm 140 artists The North Shore Festival of Art is located at Westfield Old Orchard in the Village of Skokie. This festival has a long and rich history. It is our third year producing this festival for the discriminating art lover of Chicago's North Shore including a large Jewish community. A great layout, high visibility location and day before set-up make this show a pleasure to do. 3rd annual event. Amy says:
In a highly visible location at this popular outdoor mall. Judaic art, paintings, jewelry and photography did well last year.July 30, 31 & August 1 Chicago Gold Coast Art Fair A Chicago tradition for over 50 years Along LaSalle St., at the intersections of Erie, Huron, and Superior Friday noon to 5; Sat. & Sun. 10-5 350 artists The three day Gold Coast Art Fair returns to one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in the United States, Chicago. Considered to be the "grand daddy" of art festivals this event draws artists and visitors from around the world. Thousands of people attend this show daily. Many artists' report record sales here. Most event streets are closed to traffic. City permit required. 53rd annual event. Amy says:
Big show, best for experienced artists. All art, all prices. Most streets closed to vehicles. Average temperature 76.August 7 & 8 Glenview Art at the Glen The Glen Town Center Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm 195 artists The Art at the Glen is held in Glenview, Illinois, north of Chicago in a beautiful, dynamic area designed for strolling, browsing, shopping and dining. Festival streets are filled from open until close with thousands of art buyers. Festival sales rank among the top of the season for many artists at this high quality show. 7th annual event in same location. Amy says:
Great show, better for experienced artists. Big crowds. All art, all prices do well. Average temperature 75. August 28 & 29 Highland Park Port Clinton Art Festival Along Central Avenue 10 am to 6 pm 260 artists The Port Clinton Art Festival is a high-selling show located in downtown Highland Park, an upscale community 30 minutes north of Chicago. Those who attend are art savvy and have high disposable income. Only originals are allowed to be displayed in artist's booths. Artist's amenities include artist breakfast and booth sitters. City permit required. 27th annual event in same location. Amy says:
Top fine art and fine craft only. Only for experienced artists. Average temperature 72. September 11 and 12 - JUST ADDED! Downers Grove 34th Annual Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival 10 am to 5 pm 130 artists The Downtown Downer's Grove Art Festival is held on the lovely main street of this suburban community. Downer's Grove has a population of 50,000, a median age of 39, a downtown filled with restaurants, stores, coffee houses, luxury apartments, and a state of the art parking facility for about 800 cars. An annual cherished community tradition for the past 34 years, the festival now comes under the direction of Amdur Productions. Historically a one day show, the festival will now span a two day weekend with optional set up for artists on Friday night. 34th annual event in same location. Amy says:
This festival has a great following. We predict big crowds and great sales. Average temperature 68. September 25-26 - New Earlier Date! Highwood Highwood Last Call Art Fair On closed streets in the downtown 10 am to 5 pm 130 artists The Highwood Last Call Art Fair features great art at great prices. The show gives the public the chance to buy end of the season original art, left over inventory, slightly damaged, bruised and odd pieces at discounted prices. Artists decide how much to discount their work and can use festival stickers to mark work at 10% to 50% off. 2nd annual event in same location. Amy says:
End of season opportunity for you to sell off inventory at reduced prices. Artists and/or their representatives welcome. Average temperature 63.What to do Next! Learn more and apply at
www.amdurproductions.com 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, Steve, Alana and Amy are ready to take your calls Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm central time.
Amy has very well run shows. The only problem is that 9 of them are within an hour of each other. The Glencoe show is a misnomer as it is the same artists from her other shows. The layout at this one is very cramped with way too many dogs. Now that I have a dog who I take everywhere, I can say that I wouldn't take her to this show. (before I just complained that people brought dogs to art festivals, what a difference a pet makes!!!)
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