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Always the last Saturday of February
Garage Sale Art Fair in Kalamazoo, MI

Approximately 140 art fair artists gather together once a year to sell their overstock, seconds, odd pieces, supplies and so much more at reduced prices and it is always on my calendar, either as an exhibitor, a shopper or a reporter. On Saturday, Feb. 25, the crowds flocked into the Kalamazoo Expo Center eagerly pulling out their wallets for the artists who were just as eager to see them.

I attended this year to see old friends specifically: Bonnie Blandford (the show director), Lynn Krouse, Mark Schlabaugh, Jim Reinert, Chuck Wimmer, Annette Morrin, Chris Maher, Debbie La Pratt, Paul Jelselskis, Barry Bernstein, Lou Zale, Jim Parker, Don Ament, Pat and Jon Hecker. I wanted to catch up with Phil Thompson, who I learned had died in October. He was such a good friend for many years. One of those people who made every art fair fun and interesting. Always great to be his neighbor.

This is what you missed:

At least four of the artists I spoke with told me they were participating in their last art fair. The crowds swarmed the booths and there was good energy all around. Many booths were half empty when I got there a little late. Wish you could have been there also.

Your Invitation to apply to the Guild's suite of fine art fairs in the Midwest. The Guild is a non-profit, membership organization of professional artists. Do you like art fairs run by artists? These events are there to serve their artist members and you too!

Deadline February 1. Apply: JuriedArtServices.com.

Bringing art to the community and the community to art. That's the mission of the Guild of Artists & Artisans. The Guild, which has been a force in the art fair world for more than 40 years, is best known for its award-winning Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. Guild events have a reputation for excellent advertising, attendance and artist amenities.

You can apply online right now for the Guild's 2011 spring and summer shows. The Guild's fair applications can be found at www.juriedartservices.com and are open through midnight EST on February 28, 2011.
 

If you need any assistance in setting up your JAS profile, or have any questions about the Guild and its events, contact the Guild -- 734.662.3382 or info@theguild.org. You can learn more about the Guild and its events by visiting its web site, www.theguild.org.

1.  May 14 & 15 - 30th Annual Art Birmingham

Held in Birmingham, Michigan, in the heart of affluent Oakland County.

Art Birmingham will be in the streets around Shain Park, downtown Birmingham's newly and extensively redesigned city park.  The park is conveniently located in the center of this favorite urban downtown and features all new and welcoming pathways and beautiful landscaping.  As the downtown center, the park is surrounded by convenient parking for artists and fairgoers. 

This highly respected event will showcase 190 juried artists.  Last spring brought more than 120,000 visitors to downtown Birmingham.   The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center continues to produce this event in association with the Guild of Artists and Artisans.   

                   Apply: www.juriedartservices.com

P.S. Many reviews on this show at ArtFairInsiders.com, search for "Birmingham" in the Show Reports.

2.  June 11 & 12  - 6th Annual Crocker Park Art Fair

Crocker Park, in Westlake, Ohio, will host the 6th Annual Crocker Park Fine Art Fair in June. The event will feature 130 juried fine art and fine craft artists. Admission is free, as well as parking for both fairgoers and artists. The fair is Crocker Park's most respected and best attended event; more than 100,000 fairgoers attend each year. 
 
A popular destination, Crocker Park is the $400 million innovative outdoor lifestyle complex just 12 miles from Cleveland. It features a sophisticated mix of national retailers and eclectic local favorites plus restaurants, cafes, a multi-screen movie theater, beautiful luxury apartments and office space - all together in a congenial neighborhood of parks and tree-lined streets. Crocker Park is an extremely popular destination for families of all ages. Community support for the complex and its events is excellent and growing.
 
Event advertising will be featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cleveland Jewish News, Westlife and the Crocker Park Press. Print advertising will be supplemented with radio advertising on WCLV, WCPN, WMJI and WDOK.
 
Apply: www.juriedartservices.com

3.  July 20-23 - 42nd Annual Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair

The Guild's flagship event, started in the heyday of the art fair startups, continues its popularity with artists and fairgoers alike.

The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair is one of four official partner fairs that comprise the award-winning and highly respected Ann Arbor Art Fair. More than 600,000 people attend the event each year. The Summer Art Fair is located in the heart of Ann Arbor stretching from its charming downtown to the campus of University of Michigan. 
 
The Summer Art Fair has 375 artist booths. It consistently appears in Sunshine Artist Magazine's annual best shows listing and was recently named to the top 25 shows in sales by Art Fair SourceBook.
 
The Ann Arbor event receives exceptional media attention and is covered not only by local and regional media, but consistently gains the attention of media throughout the Midwest and beyond. You think you are part of the art fair business? Not until you've participated in this important rite!
 
Apply: www.juriedartservices.com

4.  August 20 & 21 - 7th Annual Levis Commons Art Fair

Held on the streets surrounding this popular shopping destination in an upscale area outside of Toledo, Ohio, the Town Center at Levis Commons, a unique "open-air lifestyle experience,"  features sophisticated shopping, superb dining and entertainment and is located in lovely Perrysburg, Ohio. It's the perfect setting for an exceptional art fair. Parking and admission are free. The event features 130 artists.  More than 35,000 fairgoers attend each year.
 
Event advertising will be featured in daily and community newspapers and magazines, including the Toledo Blade, the Toledo City Paper, the Toledo Free Press, Perrysburg Messenger Journal and more.  Print advertising will be supplemented with radio advertising. The number one radio station in the Toledo area, K100, has been and continues to be the major media partner for the event. 

Apply:  www.juriedartservices.com

5.  September 17 & 18 - 4th Annual Crocker Park Fall Arts Fest

Crocker Park in Westlake, Ohio, hosts the 4th Annual Crocker Park Fall Arts Fest, September 17 - 18.

The event celebrates the change of season with art, music and dance. The focus of the event will be 99 juried artist booths on Crocker Park's Main Street, its elegant central avenue. Parking and admission are free. Community support for the complex's events is excellent and growing. Exhibitors can expect 80,000 fairgoers to attend the Fall Arts Fest. 

Apply: www.juriedartservices.com

6.  September 24 & 25 - Common Ground's 37th Annual Birmingham Street Art Fair  

Common Ground's Birmingham Street Art Fair, originally known as Art in the Park, continues as one of Michigan's premiere art events. 2011 finds the fair celebrating its 37th year of bringing outstanding and original artworks to a welcoming community. The event will be a stand out on South Old Woodward, the celebrated gateway to downtown Birmingham. The event features 190 juried artists in this sophisticated and dynamic setting. 

Apply:  www.juriedartservices.com

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Please...

Contact The Guild if you have questions about our events or need assistance with the application procedures, 734.662.3382 ext, 101, or info@theguild.org. We look forward to your application.