Does Michigan need a new art fair? I can see the disbelief registering on your face right now. But you know, life goes on, people need entertainment and a break from the gloom. What are you doing in April? Look at this:
April 17-19 Novi, MI Rock Financial Showplace 200 artists Deadline: January 26 Full disclosure: I am consulting with the owners of this really nice exhibition building to help them create a classy event that will bring patrons in. If you know me you know I've been involved in the art fair business for over 25 years, wearing many hats: artist partner, show director, art fair organizer and have participated in over 400 art fairs. Why you should be interested: 1. Great date 2. Organizers who know the Detroit marketplace and have the energy and financial resources to create buzz over the event 3. A strong marketing team who market various kinds of events at this venue all year long 4. A quality exhibition space in a very upscale suburb of Oakland County, frequented by thousands just about every weekend 5. They are seeking to partner with arts organizations and charities to present an art fair that is connected to the local community 6. Fair booth fees There will be a spring and fall art fair. These dates were recently vacated by Sugarloaf who has decided not to come to Michigan again. The Sugarloaf event had many loyal customers who will be very pleased to see this new incarnation of the event. In addition to that the Rock Financial Showplace managers are planning a more upscale event to fit the local clientele.
Expect charity tie-ins, a show designer to make the venue attractive and low key entertainment to keep the patrons in the building and lots more. Visit:
GreatLakesArtFair.com for more information--the site is not quite beautiful yet...but will soon reflect the quality we anticipate. Apply at:
www.zapplication.org P. S. Early applicants receive free electricity and a chance to be have their images used in publicity. The question remains: will people come and buy art? A friend told me this morning when we were talking about whether or not this was a good move that during the Depression all kinds of entertainment sprang up (movies had their heyday) to entertain people. They needed relief. Do you know anyone who shops for fun? I'll bet you do. I'll bet you've met one or two of them in this profession. Am I suggesting people drive in from far away, or fly? Not necessarily. But there are a lot of artists within a near drive for this event, for whom the expenses won't be too bad. What happened to Sugarloaf? To the best of my knowledge they had a loyal cadre of exhibitors who traveled to their fairs who no longer wanted to come here, too expensive, so they pulled out. Their particular type of event had not really caught on with the Midwest exhibitors, so although there are a fair number of them eager to participate this April, it was no longer a sustainable economic venture for them (Sugarloaf). If I have this wrong please let me know.
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