Festival - Blog - Art Fair Insiders

North American Sea Glass Festival!

Posted by Danielle Renee Mullen on October 4, 2010 at 8:34am

You are all welcome to join me at the NASGA sponsored annual sea glass festvial held in Hyannis, MA this upcoming weekend.

Here are the details:

North American Sea Glass Festival: October 9th & 10th

10am to 6pm on Saturday

10am to 5pm on Sunday

At the Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis, MA

$5:00 admission

over 50 sea glass artists, displays, lectures and a "Shard of the Year Award" with a first prize of $1000.00

My booth Sea Glass Jewelry by Danielle Renee' will be at booth #2. Please come by and say hello!

My first outdoor show Windsor Colorado Fine Arts Festival

Posted by Gary Haynes on August 1, 2010 at 9:47pm

I was able to get into this local show on very late notice. This was the first year for the Windsor show and the committee that put the show together gets kudos from everyone I talked to about the smoothness of the operation, how they took care of everyone with multiple volunteers bringing water and snacks, a great reception on Saturday night and a solid organization.

<1. Roy Schneider was absolutely correct in Jaws when he said 'You need a bigger boat'. Weights and a top line tent are critical.

<2. We were allowed to stake down in addition to weights. In fact we were encouraged by the organizers to do so. That's right! The locals know their weather and had clearly checked with the park on sprinkler line layouts. I did and so did my neighbors.

<3. It looks like there is safety in crowds. Only the one end tent appeared to be damaged in the main group. I was on an east end and we were really swaying for awhile. There was 30 ft gap to my east and then a jeweler with a Trimline that rode out the fury unscathed. (Note to self: Don't take a ridge line. She was located up there and asked to move on setup day). One of flimsiest, saddest looking, blue topped ez-up which should have blown away with a sneeze came through unscathed. It was in the pack and had what looked like 90 lb massive concrete blocks on each corner.

<4. If you have an iPhone, iPad, laptop or other device that you can look at weather maps learn how to use it and get to some of the excellent radar sites available. WeatherUnderground, Intellicast, NOAA, FAA weather. Can help give you an early warning.

www.reflectionsimaging.com

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park Art Fair

Posted by Lindsay Hastings on September 29, 2010 at 9:52am

Sept. 26-27,2010

Hamilton, OH

Booth Fee: $100.00

Jury Fee: $25.00

I loved the location of this show, the artists weren't cramped, we had tree lined "streets"- (they were golf cart streets). Plenty of trees and permenant sculptures behind and around the exhibitor spaces which made for a beautiful setting. Parking was close and people were there to shop. Set up was completely painless since there was room to bring your car right up to your space and get back out on Friday all day so noone was there all at the same time.

My sales were close to the 10x's the booth fee, so that rule of thumb worked for me. Sales were about the same on Sunday as Saturday so don't panic if Saturday doesn't do as well as you think it should. Another jewelry artists did better on Sunday than Saturday. If you do metal sculpture, you will do well at this show! People were walking all over the place with those things. (they were cool!) The photographer next to me did well and I think she would consider coming back, forgot to ask her. The water colorist on my other side did great work but didn't seem too happy with his sales. His stuff was great so that was unfortunate. I think the biggest thing with shows in this climate is to make sure you have a lot of options for people to look at. If they feel you don't have a big enough selection, they will go to the next booth. I found that demonstations work fantastic at shows, especially for a jeweler. Men don't always like to get stuck in our booths, especially if the show is heavy on jewlery (which is most of them), but guys like to see how things are made and will stop to look at least for a minute which is a minute more than you would have gotten. I'll be back to this show next year.

Summer fun in WA state

Posted by Tim Wistrom on June 7, 2010 at 6:00pm

I'm staying a bit closer to home this summer as dictated by the economy and travel costs. And while I'm keeping busy with art shows and festivals in Washington state (check out my calendar page on my website), there are numerous weekends with nothing going on.

EXCEPT for Art in the Park in Leavenworth, WA. (show website, town website), this is the longest running outdoor art festival in WA. state, and they welcome newbies as well as us old-timers. Sign up for 3 weekends or the entire summer.

This event runs every weekend from May to October, and is situated in the center of a tourist town that actually advertises on TV (among other places). The show is run by artists who know what it means to set up in the early hours, and that are so personable, friendly, and helpful.

Check it out. Call Mary @ 509-548-5809 PST for more info.

My observations - the art festival attendance equation

Posted by sandhi schimmel gold on March 25, 2010 at 10:17am

After standing in many 100 square foot spaces in countless shows in several states over the past couple years, I have come to a few conclusions/observations.

I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic.

Of all the people that attend art festivals and art fairs - from parking lot shows to the top 10 in the country...

69% of the attendees are artists, crafters, wanna-be artists and their spouses and children and friends. The artists are looking at what's being sold, what is relevant, what is new and are looking for ideas for techniques, materials, etc.
25% of the attendees are our "accidental" tourists; visiting the area, looking for something to do while on vacation, at a conference, etc. If it is a free event, it's a day out. Sometimes they're just there for the entertainment/music/food and the art festival is the side show.
1% are trying to sell the artists something - plexi card holders, advertising, web sites, etc.
5% of the attendees are actually looking for art.
- most of them have a small budget and won't actually buy anything or will buy a small print or bowl or ornament
- most of them don't have any room for more art
- many of them will buy jewelry because they don't have any room for more art
- some want to get a deal and want to bargain with you
- and of those left...that actually know about art, want to know where you show your work, want to see your portfolio, discuss your inspiration, etc.
- - only a few of them can make a decision [with their spouse] to buy something at that moment
  - even fewer have the means to do so.

Of all the artists in any given show, on any given day, in any medium, of any price range:

100% of them are there to sell their work.

Good luck to all of us!

Boulder (CO) Farmers' Market Fine Art & Fine Craft Fair April 24th

Posted by Jacqueline Webster on April 26, 2010 at 12:10pm

My first ever festival was this one day event this past Saturday in Boulder's Central Park. Held monthly in conjunction with the farmers' market, this was the first of seven events for 2010, and the only one I was invited to (wait listed for 4 more).

For those of you who aren't familiar with Colorado, there are a fewthings that you should know. First, there are many things that folksin other states take for granted that are completely optional here,such as road maintenance, road markings, and snow plowing. This isdemonstrated by the fact that we had to 4-wheel it all the way offthe mountain through about 4 inches of snow on the road, we encountereda small rock slide on a state highway near our home, and the entiretrip up Hwy. 93 I couldn't tell what lane I was in thanks to a lightrain fall.

Second, the joke here is that if you don't like the weather here, justwait 5 minutes 'cause it will change. Unfortunately this resulted inme wearing snow boots in 65 degree weather all the way through teardown.

Third, Denverites make a lot of jokes about the Free Republic of Boulder. Depending on your point of view, this may be true.

So, after obsessing about the weather and a winter storm at my home 30 miles away from Boulder in the foothills, we found zero precipitation when we arrived at 5:15 AM. Because the regular festival manager wasn't there (home sick) and and a large number of vendor cancellations due to possible inclement weather (nearly half), there was a small amount of confusion at the outset. Once booth assignments were adjusted for the no-shows, folks went to work pretty quickly. Set-up began around 6:00, and the art/craft exhibitors had to be unloaded by 6:30 when the farmers arrived and took over 13th Street. Parking was a few blocks away in the RTD parking garage. My husband shuttled both of our vehicles over there while I began set up. Once unloaded, we had until 8:00 when the market opened to finish up. As for load in & set up, it was pretty easy. We could park at the curb and carry our things across the sidewalk and up a small hill. We were set up towards the Canyon Blvd. end of 13th Street facing the backs of the farmers' booths, which were set up down either side of 13th St. We were required to have either stakes of weights for our booths, but with the hill I was placed on it became clear that if we weighted the front the booth would collapse down the hill (even with shims), and we could only get one stake to hold thanks to about 6 inches of bark mulch underneath us. Fortunately there was nothing behind us so we took most of our weights out back and tied down to them. The down side of this was that we couldn't zip up the back wall of the canopy.

The first thing that I noticed after set-up was that my booth and display were way more complex than the others. EZ Ups? You bet. Plus there were backyard mosquito huts and shade awnings. Second, I was the only photographer. Third, I was the only non-crafter. Fourth, my price points were way too high.

I was in between an silver spoon wind chime booth and a scrapbook style greeting card booth. Once the crowd picked up around 11:00, I got plenty of traffic, lots of positive feedback and a few leads, but absolutely zero sales. The wind chime folks sold a couple of pieces, the soap lady down the way was really working on making her booth fee (not sure she made it), and the card ladies on my other side just made the booth fee off of $2.50 to $5.00 items. And this was after the sun came out and gave us a glorious warm and dry afternoon until the market closed at 2:00.

Tear down and load out was similar to load in: we had to wait for the farmers to clear the street and then shuttle our cars in from the parking garage.

All in all this was a good learning experience for me. I know that I need some lower priced items now. I also know that this was way too much work for my set up and will probably eschew the one day festivals from now on. The interaction with the good people of Boulder was fascinating. It truly does take all kinds. And my thanks go out to the lovely people at the Dushanbe Tea House who opened up their restrooms to the vendors and public with a smile, even though we were traipsing right through the middle of their restaurant.

So to sum up: if you are a local crafter with low to mid priced tactile items and a simple booth set up, you may do very well at this festival. Folks are not in the fine art or big purchase mode when visiting the market, even if you do take credit cards. And don't be afraid to show up if there's an iffy weather forecast - I went home in snow boots with a sunburn.

Darlington Apple Festival - the ins and outs

Posted by Michelle Sholund on October 6, 2009 at 10:14am

This past weekend I sold at the Darlington Apple Festival located in a beautiful VERY small town of Darlington, MD. This was my 3rd time selling there although I want to say I sold there 4 times, but can't really recall if I did or not. That is besides the point. I do look forward to this weekend as it usually occurs on one of the best Fall weekends we see - not too cold and rarely too hot, maybe temps reaching 75 degrees, and some of the best crowds any show has seen in the area. Vendors (and this time I am going to use the term vendors) have the option of setting up the day before (Friday starting at 5:00 p.m.) or early morning Saturday. It is an hour drive from home and decided this time I would set up on Friday and SOOO glad I did. I got to my spot just in time - same spot as in the past, where 1 minute later my neighbors brought their big trucks and tractor trailers with barely enough room to maneuver around. There are other reasons why setting up early at this show is wise. 1) It takes place throughout the whole town - not just on the main street. Spaces can be found in parking lots where churches are, all around the elementary school and in the park as well as a few other little outlets. The main street is about 5-6 blocks long and driving through the area with many willing to cause accidents getting around other people who are simply trying to find their spaces, it is not a pretty site. This occurs throughout all of set up time and then all over again in the a.m. only there are more people set up with more canopies and cars blocking aisles. 2) The show takes place both on grass and pavement and the sooner you set up the less likely you will have to contend with mud. Mud everywhere as the who drive the "big wheels" are not considerate of where they drive creating huge ruts in the grass and carrying it all over. 3) Spaces are super tight not one inch can be spared on all three sides of one booth. In the past, there was a few inches, but even this year people who buy 2 spaces couldn't put up two canopies - each space, where I was, was expected to fit in a parking space width with another behind you. When I got there in the morning to finish setting up my work, I couldn't get my sides down as I couldn't get behind my canopy or on the sides - it angered many of us. I would hate to think how I could have gotten my trimline up with all the others set up first. So, the rest of the show. After setting up many of us were thankful the sun came out - it rained that night and the forecast claimed it would be a wash out day. It was a beautiful day. The crowds showed up too. I learned, from a police officer, that last year's "gate" count was 65,000 and I believed it. I want to think it was about 60,000 this year as it seemed the crowds thinned out early. Sales for everyone were all over the place and attribute it to two things - location of your booth at the show and what you sell. A majority of the booths were geared towards country craft like stuff with berry vines, country portraits, flower arrangements, wooden toys (and if I hear another pop gun I will "shoot" someone), all kinds of jewelry, handmade kids clothes (not the crocheted stuff, but NICE clothes), alpaca fabric wearable art, mixed with some watercolors and other 2D art. All in all, I liked the variety. There is always buy/sell at this place including the pan flute players, but the Amish mums and whoopie pies as well as other nice handmade items drowned out the other "stuff" nicely - there were 250 exhibitors. The area I was in many didn't make much although it seems those of us at least made our booth. I made 2 times my booth and that isn't wonderful, but hey it could have been worse, and did have quite a bit of lookers and new fans too add to my list. One friend - Gus who is on there - did well, selling out of her table runners, place mats and the like! In the past I did quite well, and attribute this year to people not spending as much yet still come out to want to support the event. I can't fault that. So, would I do the show again? This for me is tough. I have done it years in the past (not 10 or 15 times) but want to think yes as long as the economy bounces back. The area has suffered some set backs as it is near Aberdeen Proving Ground and they had major layoffs recently and other businesses in the area closing or closed. There isn't much in the area there - no gas station or McDonalds, a few shops, one main one closed and if the economy doesn't pick up, I could see it become a ghost town despite some historic/farming attributes the town contributes to the area. At least it is close to Rt. 95 and another popular area, Havre de Grace (a sailing town with historical nautical museums and art places too). I want to add the photos are ones I took at the beginning of the day (first five mins. of it being open). The one is an aisle shot from my booth (my booth is the one with the chair on the left side) and the other is from the aisle looking down the Main Street. I do not have any special food or drink type things to report - when to the Cracker Barrel both Friday and Saturday and have to say their trout is like butter and love their service.

St Stephen's Art Festival

Posted by greta anthony on February 17, 2010 at 9:20am

So this was my first year at St Stephen's. My van was giving me problems so I left for coconut grove much earlier than I needed to I got to the show very early and of course I got a little lost. I truly hate a downtown area. Called the phone # that came with the paperwork and got a hold of Daisy the new show director and she was able to get me unlost with good directions. I found a pay parking lot close to the show and decided since I was early I'd walk St Stephen's, see where my spot was and how things were going. Found my spot right away and a friend of mine was setting up only 2 booths away from me so that was an added bonus. Our set-up time was 12pm and I starting walking the show about 11am, apparently the staff knew about the bad weather coming and were letting us early birds get our booths unloaded and set up before it got here, Which I thought was very considerate of them. Also the spots were clearly marked with the corners outlined and arrows as to where to start the booth, very nice. So I pull in was able to get right next to my spot. Put up my tent but didn't raise it all the way, left it at halfmast unloaded the display and boxes then parked the van back in the same lot which was about 1 1/2 blocks from the show. Set up my shelves and curtains put all of the boxes inside, weighted the corners and also tied down to the heavy parking stones behind my booth, still leaving it at halfmast. I stayed with a friend about 20 mins from the grove got there about 3pm and we watched the weather with our fingers crossed, having done everything I could to protect my booth I tried not to stress about it too much and it was just fine in the morning when we got there to finish setting up.

At first I didn't like my spot and thought since this was my first year I was paying my dues with a bad spot. I was wrong, sales on all 3 days didn't really start until after 1 and then it was hard to get a break, as a nod to the bad economy I made a lot of the smaller pieces, should have made more bigger ones. Sold out of all my big dragons on sat, sun found one in the overstock boxes that I'd missed while setting up, put it out and by 2pm it had found a home. There were bathrooms real ones just for the artists, coffee and breakfast stuff all 3 mornings. A spaghetti dinner Sunday night, which we didn't go to, had other plans. A staff member came by at various times during the show to see how things were going. The judges actually came into the booths and talked to us. We were given breakdown instructions, lo and behold they stuck to them, had to breakdown your booth completely including the tent before you got a load out pass, then I just drove in and loaded up. What a pleasure, but then of course I had to navigate the downtown area to get back to 95 but I survived it. The staff at St. Stephen's did a good job and were available and friendly. I also liked the fact that when a patron came into the show they each got a program right away, with a map of the show included. Did see some buy sell but not a lot, overall the quality was good.

I walked the Grove show on Monday morning while my friend took care of my booth. First if you wanted a program you had to hunt one down, there was some very impressive art at the show and there was some not so great. I was surprised to see hammocks, wooden utensils, the obligatory Peruvian art which seems to be at every show, so so beaded jewelry. A friend was at the Grove show and blamed the doctored pics that were sent in. Also she noticed that none of the committee was comparing the zapp pics with the set up booths, which they do for Melbourne and Virginia Boardwalk. $800 is a hefty fee, surely for that kind of money they can do a better job at policing the exhibitors that they let in.

So to wrap things up I truly enjoyed my first St Stephen's experience, set up was a breeze, breakdown went smoothly, sales were good my own fault they weren't better. Will bring more bigger pieces next year and only got lost once. Oh and the van with over 423,000 miles on it didn't break down, a big plus any day.

Atlanta Arts Festival Fall 2009

Posted by R. Michael Wommack on December 5, 2009 at 12:10pm

I am a pastel artist and I wanted to share info about this show, which is a fairly new show I believe. It takes place in Piedmont Park in Atlanta, and have been told it is similar in layout to the Dogwood Festival in the spring. Piedmont Park is a beautiful setting, and with the rains in the summer, it has been reopened to festivals. The way the show is laid out, there seem to be no bad spots. The circular nature is very democratic. Load in is notoriously bad, because there is only room on the road for your booth, and a vehicle, but no room for any one to pass. The show directors had sent out specific times for the artists to set up, and it was important you be there on time. We caravanned in, and we had an hour and a half to unload. It was enough time to set up your tent, and get everything in, and then we caravanned out. I would like to have returned and continued setting up, but I could find no parking on the street, and the artists lot wasn't available until Saturday morning, as it was next to a school football stadium adjacent to the park. I was told by a returning artist that the lot usually used in the park was under renovation so we were stuck with this lot outside the park. It was way too far from the show, and as I needed to get larger drawings out of my van 'cause I had no storage space behind my tent. (I was one of the unlucky artists to be next to a construction fence. They are renovating the Riding Club building at the north end of the loop.) I really hope they have closer parking next year, and I hope the construction fence is gone.The crowds were okay. I kept hearing from other artists that the Dogwood show is much more crowded. I also heard patrons that the word had not gotten out about the show, some of them stumbling on it by accident. This said, I had a really good show. I have only been doing the art festival circuit for 3 years, so I missed the go-go days, but at over 6K, it was good for me. In my short experience, I have noticed the South, excluding Florida, has been less affected by the economic downturn. In Atlanta I found enthusiastic buyers, all whom had never seen my work before. Now I have to say not everyone shared a similar experience. My booth neighbors both didn't meet expenses, so you may need to take this review with a grain of salt.Load out was not that smooth. Getting in the park was not bad, but getting out was horrific. We broke down and put our stuff to the side, so there would be room to pass, but there is always someone who doesn't care , and blocks the whole road.I will try to get in again next year.

Havre de Grace Seafood Festival - Review from a Craft Person

Posted by Michelle Sholund on August 10, 2009 at 3:31pm

I was a craft artist at the Seafood Festival this weekend. Here's some thoughts from my own personal experience as well as from neighbors and other craft friends. 1. I can't say it enough - It was HOOOTTT! 92+ degrees with 100% humidity. In order to do this fair you need a fan. Although it is set in a park right on the water, there isn't enough breeze to keep cool. Hot, Humid, and Haze with not much wind makes for a miserable experience. During pack up, just like last year there was a major thunderstorm - I survived it! And to be honest - the rain felt soooo good. Nothing got damaged. 2. Security was an issue. I am one of the lucky ones not affected by some early visitors who went on a shop lifting spree. The way I was told is the two adults (parents) would distract the artist and the kids would steal the products. Jewelry artists got hit harder, but it was 1-2 things from each booth - a total of about 10 booths I think were hit. There wasn't any security that I saw and if the stealing wasn't enough to set some off, it was the drunk people. One artist left 1 day early as a drunk, at the end of the day, fell into their display and damaged some of their merchandise. 3. Sales for me were better than last year, however I only made a few extra dollars of profit over my booth expenses, gas and food. Last year I was a few dollars short of making my booth - $100. This could be that I had a different booth location, newer booth set up, products that people were looking for - I don't know, but nice to know it was better than last year. Of course it isn't anything to jump up and down over, making a profit that makes it worth my while is key and helps me determine whether I should return or not. 4. Customers/attendance. I thought the attendance was good. Not too many great quality customers - those who aren't picky about prices of art or craft. But some there were a few - as long as husbands weren't keeping an eye on wives and their spending. I had a LOT of people taking my business cards as some even fessed they don't have the money now, but want to keep me in mind for Christmas presents. 5. Neighbor crafts people. I had an annoying neighbor who would barge into my booth - when I had customers shopping, in the middle of talking to my husband or another craft friend - and interrupt the conversation to say something that wasn't important. She cost me 3 sales. She also didn't ask for help, she assumed I would help - like, "I need one of you (looking at my husband and I) to help me take down my canopy. " I did the show by myself with my husband joining me for packing up and she (the neighbor) did the same. It was just annoying. 6. How others did. Many didn't make their space, others made out well, it was a wide range of highs and lows among other artists. 7. Final thought... I don't think I can do the show again. Two days of intense heat - and no cooling station or water fountains - plus long hours - 11 - 7 and 11-6 Sat. and Sunday - it just wasn't worth it. I gave the show two tries - hoping it would be better, but when most are there for $6 beers with a 2$ refill and the average food item costing about $8 (and that is not including drinks) it doesn't help with customer spending. Also there is no admission - good but not great - as I saw it opening the doors for a lot of lookie loos. Take my review for whatever you want - like I said some did well, others did not - I did ok. Here's a few other photos - one is of my booth and the other from the park with a view of the Chesapeake Bay...

Kutztown 2009 - First Hand Account

Posted by Michelle Sholund on June 30, 2009 at 8:49pm

I was at the Kutztown Festival yesterday (June 29) and as always, had a great time. The 9 day festival held in Kutztown Festival is like a Renaissance Festival, but cut out the minstrels and 'ol English dialogue and insert PA Dutch heritage, history, and traditional folk art. I have gone to the festival for about 5 years now and primarily go as a shopper with Christmas list with many names usually checked off by the end of the day once I am done there. I haven't been able to do the event since it takes place over a 9 day period.The event has taken place since the 70's and every year gets better with age. The jury does an amazing job with a large variety of folk art and traditional art forms galore. There is about 350 artists who make up the event, plus demonstrations from artists and others such as barn raising. I have several friends who do the event each year and find it to be THE event to do (and look forward to) each year as many make at least $5,000 over that period of time with many more making about $20,000 or so - all depending on what is being sold and contacts after the event. The event also offers information about hotel and even housing options including housing options at the local college and campground info as well as opportunities in staying on site.One artist, Lin who works with recycled glass cups and creates stained glass and butterfly feeders. New to the show, Lin stated how she was just happy to be accepted into the event. After the first two days of the event being open she quickly learned it can be a very profitable event making several good sales. Monday proved to be good, despite less foot traffic. In my experience, walking the event on both weekdays and weekends, some weekdays can be incredibly busy especially if the weather cooperates. The event ends around the 4th of July with a great fireworks display. Another artist, a jewelry maker who works with leather, attended the show for the first time last year, had such a successful time found it was necessary to buy two booth spaces. So far the weeks start has showed it was the best move to ever make.Don't take my word for it, go to their website - www.kutztownfestival.com (I think that is the site address) and see for yourself. Information on how to apply and more is found there. I am seriously thinking about signing up for 2010 - maybe I will see you there! - Michelle Sholund, By the Bay Botanicals

2009 ARTS ON THE AVENUE REPORT – Cedarburg WI

Posted by Linda Anderson on June 29, 2009 at 4:00pm

Held June 27th &28th, the annual “Arts on the Avenue” is a part of Cedarburg’s popular Strawberry Festival activities.This has everything most artists would stay away from. Food (it is about the strawberries), crafters (though - high end and juried in), and various “festival” activities (pancake breakfast, 5k run, contests, several music stages and commercial vendors – bike – car – windows etc.) However, with the location and its 100,000 attendances, it has always been a top selling weekend for me. More framed pieces sell at this show than at any others I do (16 this year). I sold a large amount of matted only but I had lowered my prices by $5 or $10.Cedarburg is an upscale artisan community – smack dab in the center of one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S. Not the quasi-wealthy – the real thing where the wealthiest wear t-shirts & cutoffs to avoid standing out in a crowd. I’ve always connected with wonderful commissioned work from them here – their own little decorator they call me.Arts on the Avenue is organized by a combination of (3) separate art groups - the Cedarburg Cultural Center’s Fine Art Fair, Cedar Creek Settlement’s Arts Fair and the Ozaukee Art Center’s Fine Art Fair. Applications are sent to one of the three and each has their own jury and acceptance process. No buy/sell allowed – and if discovered they are removed immediately. An arts highlight is the Annual Plein Air Painting Competition, featuring Adult & Youth Divisions, at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. On Saturday morning, registered artists can participate in a two hour Quick Paint Competition in the Historic District. Cedarburg’s entire nine block Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places with many unique restaurants and charming shops that are a signature of Cedarburg’s tourism appeal. It is juried (with no awards) and very difficult to get into. This is my 5th year participating (10 minutes from home).This year I’ve noticed more high end crafters than typical and I counted only 3 other photographers. Jewelry, as always, was abundant as was pottery, fantastic wood creations and metal sculpture. Saturday tends to be the “out of towners” looking for an alternative to Milwaukee’s huge Summerfest activities. Sunday was mostly the Ozaukee County locals – looking for their favorite artists and ready to spend. I would estimate 90% of the crowd attends annually.Set up goes well and begins at 7am Saturday morning. It is drive up except for those inside the Cultural Center and adjacent lawn. A few of the booths in the main street area have to tear down Saturday night (beginning at 6pm) and set up again Sunday morning (no earlier than 7 am). I always have that area and really don’t mind as the location is prime and I have nice shade most of the day. Parking is wherever you can find it – but once you’ve attended, you know the hidden areas that are very close. The art area opens at 10 am but my sales start at 9. The street is elbow to elbow by 9:30 and remains so for most of the two days. There are typically more people walking the sidewalks behind the tents, getting out of the middle crowd, than at several art shows I’ve done this year. There is a food court area, but also a few food booths (ice cream, strawberries, and drinks) located among the art booths. Cedarburg has terrific wine makers and a local brewer, so those booths are also located among the art booths. They do keep the kettle corn guy and any smoky food booths well away from the art.As I mentioned – most artists would avoid this type of event and had I not been part of this area for many years, I too would stay away from any food festival events. However, I’ve been extremely successful here each year and it is a prime example to artists needing to look outside of the box – beyond their typical annually attended top tier show schedule - to carry them through this tough economic year. Plus....they are fun to do once in awhile. I sometimes get tired of seeing only high end pieces. My booth was busy continually both days and I talked so much this weekend that I lost my voice today - making hubby quite happy. But, I'm a "local" artist and these folks are always good to me. I should also mention that every year I have sold to those from England, France, Italy, Austraila and Sweden who fly in every year for this event. My Monday is consumed with international shipping.My three videos show the smallest crowds of the show. Only the last half hour of each day had less. You can check them out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuGuyfxUA0s&feature=channel listed as Cedarburg 001, 002, 003Have a great summer everyone!Linda AndersonAnderson Photo Works Great Lakes Nautical & Nature Photographyhttp://www.andersonphotoworks.com

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to the Rescue of 3 Rivers Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 27, 2008 at 10:07am

The very popular Three Rivers Festival in Pittsburgh that runs through three weekends in June has been struggling to keep its bills paid in recent years. The festival supports many entertainment venues plus three different art fairs, a different group of artists each weekend and is held in the glittering Golden Triangle in the downtown. Because of economic uncertainties the future of the event was in question. Now the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has stepped in to take charge. "The 2009 festival probably will be smaller," President and CEO J. Kevin McMahon said, citing economic troubles and the limited time the trust has to plan the event. "There likely will be less money than the $1.6 million budgeted for the 2008 festival," McMahon said, but he's confident the trust can raise enough money to produce the festival. Read the whole story at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Preparing for Festival Season as an Artist, Crafter, or Tradesman

Posted by Spencer Knowlton on April 15, 2021 at 6:00pm

With the start of festival season quickly approaching, you need to start preparing in order to make the most of every art event you attend this season. 2020 put a damper on our spring and summer markets, so you can bet the turn out for this year’s season is going to be great. You don’t want to miss out, and is here with some info on liability insurance and a few tips to help you make the best of 2021’s art festival season.

TIP #1: UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

Is your contact information up to date? Have you checked to make sure your phone number and email are listed correctly online and on your business cards?

You’ll want to spend some time updating your information if anything has recently changed. If nothing has changed, be sure to proofread any new business cards or signage you’ll be using for the 2021 market season. You want your customers to be able to find your website and online store info as easily as possible.

TIP #2: STOCK YOUR INVENTORY

We’ve all had plenty of time to create and think of ideas for new products. Now is the time to make sure your signature pieces are fully stocked and prepped for your first show.

Most seasoned crafters and artists suggest you carry enough inventory to sell at least 8-10 times. the vendor fee. So if a show costs you $40 to get into, consider carrying anywhere from $360-$400 in merchandise. You know your business best, though. Maybe try looking at past sales from shows you attended a few seasons ago to see how much you sold and base your show inventory off that.

TIP #3: CREATE NEW SIGNAGE

New year, new business signage! Try amping up your signage by designing something new for your booth. Whether you want to create socially-conscious signs that remind people to be mindful of space or have a new color theme you want to use, new signage is the way to go.

You can usually design something online yourself or contact your local graphics or even UPS or FedEx store for help.

TIP #4: REARRANGE YOUR DISPLAY

In creating new signage for your booth you might also look into rearranging your booth display. If you’re currently keeping things basic and only using a few tables and tablecloths to display your products to the public here are a few ideas to step things up:

Using shelves to elevate products
Organizing items with storage cubes
Try displaying larger art with table easels
Hang items with clips and racks

TIP #5: FILL OUT APPLICATION FORMS

Have you signed up for the shows you know will start soon? You’ll need to fill out your exhibitor forms correctly in order to avoid any application mishaps that could result in your business not getting into the events you've chosen.

Be sure to read through your forms a few times and list accurate, up-to-date information. For the best outcome check to see if your show has an online application to avoid any complication.

TIP #6: GET INSURED

When filling out your forms and applications, you may realize you’re asked for proof of artist liability insurance. Event shows and promoters may even ask you to list them as an additional insured on your policy. Wherever you’re unsure in getting the right coverage or paperwork, ACT Insurance can help!

ACT Insurance offers artists, crafters, and tradesmen liability insurance that can protect you against financial loss associated with liability claims that arise out of your booth operations at a market, fair, or festival. Show policies start at $49 and you can also purchase annual policies starting at $265.

To learn more or get covered, visit ACT Insurance. today.

TIP #1: UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

TIP #2: STOCK YOUR INVENTORY

TIP #3: CREATE NEW SIGNAGE

TIP #4: REARRANGE YOUR DISPLAY

TIP #5: FILL OUT APPLICATION FORMS

TIP #6: GET INSURED

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.