Congratulations to John Costin**, winner of the $10,000 Best of Show Prize at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. Best of show is awarded for the artist's whole body of work. Here is a representative Big Bird Drawing by John Costin.

Also to John and Shirl Parmentier for the Morse Museum Award for a Distinguished Work of Art, $2500.

At Winter Park the judges make the rounds of the booths and choose pieces to be removed from the booth to be judged altogether in a gallery space.

Winter Park is generous with awards and there are lots of winners. Here are the rest:

10 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE ($2000)
Painting - Matthew Cornell, Orlando, FL
Jewelry - Lauran Sundin, Concord, NH
Wood - Thomas Dumke**, Oconomowoc, WI
Fiber - Amos Amit** Los Angeles, CA
Clay - Becky Lloyd & Steve Lloyd Clyde, NC
Wood - Matthew Hatala** Danielsville, GA
Glass - Scott Amrhein** Sherwood, WI
Photography - Mark Mackinnon** Millbrook, NY
Fiber - Sandy D'Andrade Red Hook, NY
Fiber -  Xiao Xia Zhang Minich & Patrick Minich, Cleveland, OH

20 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION ($1000)
Sculpture - John Whipple Winter Park, FL
Photography - Cali Hobgood** Urbana, IL
Jewelry - Patricia Karnes** Winter Park, FL
Painting - Charles Gatewood** Phenix City, AL
Jewelry - Kim Koch Oshkosh, WI
Clay - William Kidd Miramar, FL
Jewelry - Pam Fox** Sarasota , FL
Mixed Media - Rasa Pranckunaite & Algis Keburys Astoria, NY
Glass - Mark Sudduth Cleveland Hts., OH
Wood - Don Carter Longwood, FL
Drawings & Graphics - Jody Depew Mcleane Eagle River, WI
Fiber - Jill Wagoner Fuquay-Varina, NC
Fiber - Candiss Cole**-Footitt & Rodger Footitt Sedona, AZ
Clay - Brian Beam Fulton, MI
Jewelry - Sana Doumet & Munir Doumet Clearwater, FL
Glass - Chris McCarthy St. Louis, MO
Wood - Donald Boudreau Hollywood, FL Ebony
Clay - Michael Kahn & Mieko Kahn Greenbush, MI
Mixed Media - Paul Andrews Charlotte, NC
Clay - Shadow May Chattanooga, TN

Jim & Shirl Parmentier - Winners of the Morse Museum Award

AWARD OF MERIT LIST ($500)
Mixed Media - David McKirdy Tampa, FL
Mixed Media - Jeff League Winter Park, FL
Mixed Media - Joe Decamillis** Birmingham, AL
Wood - Larry Roofner Windermere, FL
Sculpture - Kostas Ulevicius St. Petersburg, FL
Drawings & Graphics - Helen Gotlib Ann Arbor, MI
Jewelry - Jonathon Stopper Sarasota, FL
Watercolor - Russell Yerkes** Tarboro, NC
Wood - John Mascoll Safety Harbor, FL
Glass - Duncan McClellan** St. Petersburg, FL
Photography - Emerson Matabele New Orleans, LA
Photography - Robert Clibbon New Smyrna Beach, FL
Sculpture - Bill Secunda Butler, PA
Fiber - Miriam Carter Dublin, NH
Jewelry - Christian Butera Apopka, FL
Clay - Mark Knott Suwanee, GA
Painting - Jon D Smith Naples, FL
Sculpture - Trent Manning Winter Haven, FL
Jewelry - Rick Austin Inverness, FL
Drawings & Graphics - Edson Campos Winter Park, FL
Leather - Horace Thomas** & Shawn Thomas Belton, TX
Jewelry - John Ruff & Carolyn Ruff Springfield, MO
Watercolor - Randy Eckard Blue Hill, ME
Painting - Bruce Peeso Monson, MA
Drawings & Graphics - Ron Hoyle Lees Summit, MO
Clay - Michael Schwegmann** Champaign, IL
Fiber - Mary Sly & Dan Wyatt Friday Harbor, WA
Clay - Marti Mocahbee Staunton, VA
Clay - Vadim Malkin Orlando, FL
Drawings & Graphics -Heinrich Toh Kansas City, MO 

**Members of AFI - including Best of Show! Woo hoo!

August 31-September 3 

Happy buyers at Arts, Beats & Eats

Royal Oak, Michigan
Downtown Streets
155 Artists
Deadline: April 10

We invite you  to apply to the 15th annual Arts, Beats & Eats. This festival is the "go-to" event  that heralds the end of summer in metro Detroit, hosting more than  300,000 visitors who come to enjoy the amazing diversity of art, music  and food in a cool urban setting.

This event is held in Oakland County, which is the  third-wealthiest county in the nation (including cities such as  Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Rochester).

The 155  artists chosen to participate come from across the country to join our  celebration. Being an art fair artist is a demanding business. A  professional staff awaits your arrival and we look forward to welcoming  you with perks such as vigorous volunteers, easy set up and take down, good cash awards, free food and beverage tickets and personal attention  to particular needs.

New this year:

• A lower number of artists than in 2011
• reduced exhibit space prices
• an enhanced layout with varied price  structures
• easier load in and load out
• improved parking access, and  much more!

This year we  will miss Connie Mettler, who has left to pursue

People love this festival

full time her commitment to artists through her various websites. Good Luck to you Connie!

We are pleased to add Donna Beaubien who has joined us as our new Associate Art Director to our Art Team. Donna comes to us from a long history as an artist and a director of art fairs, such as the Art  Fair Chair for the Guild; Art Fair Birmingham, Meadowbrook, Greektown, and the Village of Rochester Hills Art Shows. Welcome Donna!

We know you  are aware of the challenging economic times throughout the nation and in  Michigan, but we want to reassure you that we are committed to meeting  your needs and bringing you the audience you deserve. Ford Arts, Beats & Eats has been one of the few festivals that has been able to sustain a fine arts component over 14 years, and the event's recent move to Royal Oak and limited number of booth spaces, positions it as one of the top potential sales spots for artists anywhere.

Our  promotion is considered among the best of art festivals

nationwide. You  cannot be in the metropolitan Detroit area on Labor Day weekend without seeing specials about the arts activities on television, hearing artists' interviews on the radio stations and reading comprehensive feature articles in the press, directed solely to the juried fine arts show.

Buyers of all ages

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Looking for more art fairs for your 2012 season?

Visit www.CallsforArtists.com

June 2 & 3
Deerfield, Illinois
Deerfield Festival of Fine Arts
Deerfield Road and Park Avenue
Presented by: Deerfield Fine Arts Commission & Village of Deerfield

Debbie Netter is proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the Deerfield Fine Arts Festival. Ms. Netter, President and founder of D & W, has 20+ years of organizing events and knows how to make it less stressful for everyone!

Held in town, busy city-like atmosphere
- Approximately 125 artists
- 10th year festival
- Median home price - $825,000

Top reasons to consider this show: (not in order of importance!)

1. Well run, organized and fun!
2. Attentive artist hospitality including booth sitters, hot and iced coffee both days, continental break fast both days, indoor restroom facilities, bottled water delivered to you frequently throughout the show, discounted hotel rates, overnight security
   
3. Booth fees for all shows remains at $300.00, and jury fee, $35.00. Larger booths and corners available for an additional fee
4. Wonderful attendance from a higher economic buying crowd
5. Advertising intrinsically placed to capture the high to middle economic crowd
6. Easy load in and out
7. Promoter who cares and will implement your suggestions
8. Apply easily on line through Entry Thingy
9. Smaller show means less artist competition
10. Juried and judged by industry professionals

What artists say about D & W Events, Inc.:

June 2 & 3
Deerfield, Illinois
Deerfield Festival of Fine Arts
Deerfield Road and Park Avenue
Presented by: Deerfield Fine Arts Commission & Village of Deerfield

Debbie Netter is proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the Deerfield Fine Arts Festival.  Ms. Netter, President and founder of D & W, has 20+ years of organizing events and knows how to make it less stressful for everyone!

Held in town, busy city-like atmosphere
- Approximately 125 artists
- 10th year festival
- Median home price - $825,000

Top reasons to consider this show: (not in order of importance!)

1. Well run, organized and fun!
2. Attentive artist hospitality including booth sitters, hot and iced coffee both days, continental break fast both days, indoor restroom facilities, bottled water delivered to you frequently throughout the show, discounted hotel rates, overnight security
   
3. Booth fees for all shows remains at $300.00, and jury fee, $35.00. Larger booths and corners available for an additional fee
4. Wonderful attendance from a higher economic buying crowd
5. Advertising intrinsically placed to capture the high to middle economic crowd
6. Easy load in and out
7. Promoter who cares and will implement your suggestions
8. Apply easily on line through Entry Thingy
9. Smaller show means less artist competition
10. Juried and judged by industry professionals

What artists say about D & W Events, Inc.:

Photo Caption: Rockbrook Village Art Fair
Several artists have participated in the art fair from its early days. Joining Art fair director Charlie (Juanita) Galvan (l to r): Tom Hubbel (34 yrs.), Stoneware and Earthenware, Omaha, NE.; Loren Corell (38 yrs.), Acrylics, Chesterfield, MO.; Carroll Danbom (34 years), Pastels and Acrylics, Red Oak, IA.

The plaque behind the artists is dedicated to Gloria Mathews and reads as follows: Dedicated to the memory of Gloria E. Mathews, president of the Rockbrook Village Merchants’ Association in recognition of her love for Rockbrook Village

Rockbrook Village Art Fair Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Artists, art lovers, and volunteers converged on the 40th Annual Rockbrook Village Art Fair, September 10-11, 2011, in Omaha, Nebraska. The juried art fair attracted 150 talented artists and a crowd of 40,000 loyal customers to the outdoor show, which is conveniently located in an upscale shopping center with easy access to the interstate and major streets.

Over the years, the Rockbrook art fair has gained a reputation for treating artists well and meeting customer expectations for quality, variety, and value. Customers meet and talk with the artists who hail from around the country. Art fair director Charlie (Juanita) Galvan, said, “Our art fair is designed and dedicated to those that create and appreciate quality pieces of all varieties. Whether you are looking for glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics or fiber.... you are sure to find something special at this one of a kind event. Along with our food court and fine dining at our restaurants it is always an exciting event.”

History of the Art Fair
In 1971, Gloria Mathews had the first Rockbrook Village art fair with 15 local artists. Known as the “Mayor of Rockbrook Village,” Gloria was able to grow this event into one of the best art fairs in Omaha. At the time of her death in 1991, the Rockbrook Village art fair was an established annual event, hosting over 150 artists from across the country.

Gloria also owned and operated a custom framing business in the shopping center. Charlie took over the business and direction of the art fair. By continuing the art fair, the artists and art lovers honor Gloria’s memory. It was her love of art and her vision to bring in the best artists possible that has made the Rockbrook Village art fair what it is today.

Note: For the last three years, Charlie also has directed the Countryside Village Art Fair in Omaha – Nebraska’s oldest outdoor art fair, which is held the first weekend of June.
The two art fairs would not be as successful without the support of the many loyal, long-time volunteers that return every year, handing out water to artists, assisting with show setup, shuttling artists to their vehicles, making artists feel welcome, and assisting with cleanup.
Charlie is a hands-on director. She can be seen wearing a ball cap as she walks the grounds, wielding a clipboard like a baton, taking notes, and issuing orders via walkie-talkie to her trusty volunteers in a friendly, yet assertive manner. She takes time to chat with the art lovers, shares stories with artists, and ensures that the artists have what they need to be successful.

Location:
Rockbrook Village Shopping Center is a lovely neighborhood setting for the Midwest’s best art fair!
Admission to the Rockbrook Village Art Fair is free to the public. Visitors will find a family-friendly atmosphere, along with a food court and fine dining at our restaurants such as the Garden Café, Jaipur, Pasta Amore, Taste, Don Carmelo’s Pizzeria, Java N’ Ice, Great Harvest Bread, Kristen’s Cookies, Cork ScrewWine & Cheese, and Regis Food Mart.

Contact
For more information about the art fair, contact Charlie (Juanita) Galvan:
Write: Rockbrook Village Art Fair 11004 Prairie Brook Rd Omaha, NE 68144
Call: 402-391-4745 Email: juanita@rockbrookvillageartfair.com
Art Fair Website: www.rockbrookvillageartfair.com
Shopping Center Website: www.rockbrookvillage.com

Time to decide – May Shows  - Go South or Stay Home?  The rainy season has definitely started in Seattle and we are thinking we really wanted to cut the rainy season short with a road trip to Northern CA.  Earlier this year we decided that staying in the Pacific NW for all of our shows didn’t make sense, too many months with marginal shows, too many gloomy months, time to head south and enjoy some sunshine while working!!

After lots of research using this site, Art Fair Calendars, AFSB, FNO, etc. we’re more undecided than ever before. We keep hearing that California shows are not worth the drive (over 1000 miles from Seattle), Arizona is still economically depressed, Nevada has few good shows, so what do we do for May and September?  We’re tired of setting up for rainy Seattle shows, but we don’t want to waste our time or energy heading to Northern CA only to be disappointed and feel like we’ve wasted our time.

Here’s our dilemma, I’m still working that “corporate job” while trying to help my husband as much as possible establish his niche in the art show markets.  I have quite a bit of vacation leave, but it's quickly used up with travel to shows.  He’s the primary artist, I’m the “class A” personality with a few pieces of art, but my contribution is more in the bookkeeping, organizing, business planning, etc.  BTW, did I mention my corporate jobs have been in finance, accounting, process re-engineering and sales support?  So no, I’m not a full time artist, but totally supportive of my artist husband and trying to do everything possible to make his art career a success.

We started doing community art shows / art walks in late 2005, graduated to a few fine art shows in 2007 after we spent a few frustrating months realizing the community events were NOT our market.  We have  a  reasonably predictable schedule in the Pacific NW after the past 5 years of participating in fine art shows, but have a few months a year with few or no show opportunities, hence our idea to expand our market and try a few shows in Northern CA.    We’re a bit tired of the “gloom and gray” of Seattle and the thought of an extra month or two (May and September) of sunshine was worth the travel.

Are California shows really as bad as I’m hearing from other artists in this area? Do we take the risk?  How much vacation time am I willing to burn on this experiment?  Or do we decide to use our airline miles and just have fun on a quick getaway to the sunshine?

Trying to decide if we need to try a different direction for 2012 and would appreciate any feedback or insight.

Although I know the Art Show circuit can be fun and exciting, occasionally people have the need for a more stable job.   If that is the case for you, you just might be interested in this job opportunity. 

The Rapid City Arts Council is seeking an energetic, experienced and innovative Executive Director to further its mission and manage its operations which include the region’s premier art center. The Executive Director position offers an excellent opportunity to lead an established arts organization located in the beautiful Black Hills of western South Dakota. The Rapid City Arts Council is headquartered in the newly expanded and renovated Dahl Arts Center. The Dahl is a thriving art center dedicated to exhibiting local and regional art, and is home to 6 galleries, a 280-seat auditorium and 5 classrooms.

This is a full time job opportunity.    Applications are open till August 15, 2011.   Does that sound like anything you are interested in?   If so, you can find more information at http://www.thedahl.org/employment.html.

Good Luck

The City of Ann Arbor seeks an artist, or artist collaborators to create artwork(s) for permanent inclusion in the southwest corner of the main lobby area of the Ann Arbor Justice Center (AAJC). Deadline for submissions of qualifications has been extended. Contact Aaron Seagraves, Public Art Administrator, for more information. $150K for public art inside Ann Arbor police-courts building lobby. Deadline is 09.01.11 - Ann%20Arbor%20Justice%20Center%20SOQ%20RFQ-797B.pdf.

2.  Guggenheim Grants for artists and scholars 

The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation is offering unrestricted grant money to selected individuals who demonstrate advanced professional standing in the humanities annd creative arts (excluding performing arts). Fellowships will be granted to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship/research work or artistic ability. This fellowship is intended to provide time and unrestricted funds to individuals to focus on their projects. Deadline 9.15.11. Learn morehere.

3.  Director of Development - Ann Arbor Summer Festival

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is seeking a creative and strategic-thinking individual to serve as its Director of Development to plan, manage and implement a comprehensive fundraising program. Details here.

4.  1708 Gallery seeks exhibition proposals for their 2012-2013 season.
National and international artists working in all mediums including, but not limited to, video and film, new media, installation, painting and social practices, and curators are encouraged to submit exhibition proposals. Current students are not eligible. Proposed work must have been created within the last three years. Please visit the exhibitions page of the gallery's website for more details. Deadline: 10.15.11. Gallery website.

5.  WDEE TV (budding local internet TV station) is looking for artists
who would like their art piece placed on the set of a talk show. You will be mentioned in the credits and during the show as that episode's art sponsor. Contact Lfriend@darkelfentertainment.com if interested.

6.  Calling all indie crafters and art makers!
We want you to be a vendor at Liberty Local - a hand made craft fair presented by the Ann Arbor Art Center. The Ann Arbor Art Center is currently accepting applications from artist vendors whose work embraces the indie spirit - unique, handmade and creative. View the rest of the listing on a3arts.org.

All these links come to you by way of the Cultural News from the Ann Arbor area Arts Alliance.

Do you "like" this post? Please, please click on the social media tabs -- Twitter, Facebook, Google & Like

Today I was reading how one artists was planning to keep herself cool at her next art show.  I think this could be a very timely topic as we are in the midst of a large heat wave.  What do you to keep keep cool?  What tricks work for you?  Have you ever had a heat stroke at a show?  Did you have to leave the show and go to the hospital?  I think this is a great time to share a few of your secrets to help artists who may be starting out and haven't given much thought to this topic.  Please post some of your cooling tricks. 

Jacki B

June 17-19 the Milwaukee Art Museum hosted the the Lakefront Art Festival on the museum grounds fronting Lake Michigan. It is a lovely venue and one of the top art fairs in the country attracting applications from artists coast to coast.

From Journal-Sentinel online, reported by Mary Louise Schumacher:

Nine artists and one artist team, including three artists from Wisconsin, won top awards at the Lakefront Festival of Arts on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum this weekend.

Jurors chose them from among a field of 179 artists.

The winners included:

Jill Bedford of Dousman for photography.

Theodore Gall of Ojai, Calif., for sculpture.

Daiga Henson and Sarmite Svilis of East Windsor, N.J., for wearable fiber art.

Ning Lee of Livingston, N.J., for painting.

Joe Limpert of River Falls for glass.

George Raab of Millbrook, Ontario, for printmaking.

Julie Seymour of Hill Point for jewelry.

Klaus Spies of Asheville, N.C., for jewelry.

Justin Teilhet of Yellow Springs, Ohio, for ceramics.

Zhou Yu of Yardley, Pa., for painting.

The winning artists each receive $1,000 and a commemorative piece of art. They also are invited to return to the festival for three years without being juried in.

Michael Imes of Pewaukee won the sculpture garden award for his work in ceramics. It included a $500 prize.

Several artists also received honorable mentions. They include:

Gene Brown of Urbandale, Iowa, for mixed-media work.

John Charbonneau of Santa Fe, N.M., for digital work.

Peter Flanary of Mineral Point for sculpture.

Matthew Hatala of Danielsville, Ga., for wood.

William Kidd of Miramar, Fla., for ceramics.

Kelly Marshall of Minneapolis for fiber art.

Jennifer McCurdy of Vineyard Haven, Mass., for ceramics.

Thomas Meyers of Hancock, N.H., for pastel drawing.

Larry Oliverson of Sullivan for photography.

Elaine Unzicker of Ojai, Calif., for metal works.

Here are some photos: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/multimedia/photos/124138004.html?page=1

The jurors were:

Susan Aurinko,a Chicago artist (photography) who curates the Chicago Artists' Coalition Gallery.

Robert Barnum, an artist (murals, oils, watercolors and metal) and educator from Mecosta, Mich.

Stephanie Wiles, the John G.W. Cowles director of the Allen Memorial Art Museum in Oberlin, Ohio.

The Lakefront Festival of Arts is presented by the Friends of Art, a support group of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Proceeds benefit the museum's acquisitions fund. The event continues at the art museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14 at the gate or $8 for museum members with valid membership cards. Children under 16 are admitted free with a paying adult.

June 25
Elk Rapids, Michigan
Veteran's Memorial Park
10am-5pm
75 Artists
Deadline: April 1, 2011
 
Where is Elk Rapids?  Visit this link.
 
Elk Rapids is at the center of some of the most affluent real estate in northern Michigan, on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, near Charlevoix and Harbor Springs.  This area has really blossomed with new homes, golf courses and galleries in the last ten years, making it a desired vacation second home location, for people from Chicago and Detroit.
 
The art fair is held in Veteran's Memorial Park, by Grand Traverse Bay in the heart of this charming harbor town.  Patrons can walk two short blocks where they will find restaurants, antique shops and art galleries.  Elk Rapids already attracts an art-loving clientele the year around.
 
The organizers have planned every detail including a reception (appetizers and wine) the night before for the artists and volunteers.  The next morning volunteers are on hand with golf carts at 5am to unload artists vans and help with setup.  Then the sun comes out and the people show up.  As they know this is a one-day show so it is "now or never."
 
Prize money:
     $1000 Best of show
     $600 Honorable Mention
     $125 Best Display
     $125 People's Choice
 
Space Fees:
     1 space, 1 artist $125
     1 space, 2 artists $175
     2 spaces, 1 artist  $250
 
Testimonials from artists:

--This was a terrific show, well organized, advertised, and well attended.  Glad to be in the show.
 
--My compliments to all involved.  The art presented was upscale.  Very well done.
 
--Thanks for selecting fine art (as opposed to crafts). It's very difficult to find art shows, and if you continue to keep a high standard and accept only fine art, you will get that reputation and buyers coming with the knowledge that it is an art show and they are prepared to spend accordingly.
 
For more information and to download an application visit: www.artrapids.org

Are you free on this date? What a wonderful place to spend a summer weekend, on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, enjoying the hospitality of this artsy community.

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Do you enjoy being kept up to date on the latest art fair happenings? Then subscribe to our news feed at this link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=373715

• The high booth prices
• Logistics of exhibiting in this huge city

Visit the website for more details: www.ContemporaryArtFairNYC.com

Questions? Richard Rothbard, producer, will be pleased to answer your email or phone calls (845-661-1221).

Absolutely Amazing Booth Fee

$390.00 10 x 10

· $535.00 10 x 15
· $780.00 10 x 20
visit website for complete details

americancraftshownyc.com | contemporaryartfairnyc.com

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Artists working in the Adirondack Style. Furniture & Furnishings never before seen at any metro NYC show!

Live demonstrations & workshops

Sponsored by An American Craftsman Galleries Produced by American Art Marketing

I've been given some good advice on displaying so far but don't have that kind of $$$ YET! Could anyone steer me to some pics of simple displays or just give me advise??? Please