• download an application at: www.bethesdarowarts.org/application
• or submit digitally at: bethesdarowarts.org/app
  

Traveling the show circuit you soon become aware that some shows are managed extremely well. Francisco's Farm Arts Festival is one of those shows. The show takes place on the grassy grounds of Midway College in Midway, KY, a very nice setting. This is one of those community shows, run by volunteers, where the entire community embraces it... there are other gems like this: Medina, OH; Williamsburg, VA; or Belleville, IL come to mind. Many of these shows hover under the radar of the big rating sites so word about them is passed on like folklore from artist to artist.

It was the 7th year for the show. Local sponsorship by area businesses was solid, which kept the cost down for artists (booth fee is $150). I was impressed with this show... knowing all the thought and planning that had gone into making the experience positive and hopefully enterprising for the artists. Seldom do you meet a group of volunteers who are as friendly and hospitable. There
must have been 50 volunteers working this show and each knew their role and worked hard to make the show as pleasant as they could for the artists and patrons who visited. There was a sense of pride on the part of the volunteers from Marcie Christensen (show director) on down ... it was their show.

So where is Midway, KY? Well, it's in the middle, midway between Lexington, KY (20 min.) and Louisville, KY (60 min.)...pretty country but it's out there. Because of its location, the show has the challenge of developing a marketing strategy and reputation that can draw folks from outlying
towns and cities. Surprisingly, most of the folks who visited my booth were from outlying areas and yes, several came from as far Louisville and Cincinnati.

About 150 artists attended and many like myself had returned; it was my 2nd year. The quality of the art was solid and mediums were balanced. I would say, most of the artists I met were local, an hour or two away but the show's web site indicates that artist came from 14 different states. I had traveled some distance to get to the show and my neighbor (fabric artist) came up from North Carolina, about 8 hours away. My other neighbor was local. There is a fun group of artists from the Lexington and Louisville area who participate in this show. It's a treat to be around artists that are so positive.

So how were the sales? The weather was hot...I mean, real hot (90 -95degrees!) A good number of the booths were out in the direct sun and I'm sure sales were affected. This made for slow sales, especially on Sunday. However, most of the southern artists seems to take the heat in stride and have created elaborate cooling systems in their booths... multiple fans that run off a marine battery. By the end of the weekend, I had battery envy.

The artists around me seemed pleased with sales and finished in the 2 to 3K range. For me, my expensive items, in the 300 to 600 range, sold again and again. I had a good strong show and finished in the 3 to 5K range (up from last year). Though money was spent by patrons, folks were cautious about their spending. I'll get a better sense on how other artists did, later. This is one of the few shows that I've participated in that aggressively collects financial data and comments from artists and then generates a report a few months later back to the artists showing the sale ranges for different mediums.

Amenities: You could stay in college housing for $45 per night and many artists enjoyed convenience of on the grounds housing and free breakfast..a big breakfast but you're staying in a dorm. Sorry Nels, this is an alcohol free campus... but there are some good places in town. You can get Sam Adams on tap at Duggans and it went down real smooth after a hot set up on Friday. Dinner was provided to all artists on setup day, catered by a local restaurant. On Saturday, artists were encouraged to head into town and enjoy the local cuisine... a smart strategy for bringing business to local establishments. Six other artist and myself enjoyed a fantastic meal at Bistro La Bella (a little pricey but YUM). The show had music, GOOD music, a nice mix and not too loud.

Things that need changing: Layout was confusing. It was modified this year because of construction on campus. You had to pay attention to make it to every nook and cranny and a few booths somehow got lopped off the main flow of the show to an outlying area... those artists did not do well. I suspect that next year the construction will be over and the flow of the show will return to its previous flow.

Attendance could be better. It was light, especially in the afternoon and went down to a trickle by 4PM each day. That said, my largest sales came at the closing bell on each day.

From my perspective, this is a show to pay attention to. Would I do the show again? Hell yes! It is well organized, has community backing, and an increasing and faithful following.

If you were there, tell us how things went from your perspective?

Cheers!

ArtWalk on the Bay

• The venue is a grassy 4.3 acre park adjacent to the luxurious (and brand new) Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. The flat and accessible park offers ease of load-in and out. ArtWalk on the Bay provides high quality 10' by 10' tents that are also 10' high.
  
• Access to more than 40,000 annual attendees
  
• A page on the ArtWalk on the Bay web site that will remain up until summer, 2011. Check out www.artwalkonthebay.org/
• Tenting opportunity provided by show management
• An opportunity to be included in the festival's very dynamic publicity outrreach (print, broadcast, online)
• Listing in Event Brochure/Map
• Booth sitters offered to participants

Artists who participate in ArtWalk on the Bay find that they sell artwork long after the event as a result of the comprehensive web page dedicated to each artist that can be updated by you as
frequently as you wish...you can upload new artwork images, change your artist statement, etc. This living gallery is a unique feature to this event, and one that many artists have stated "is worth the price of the registration fee."

ArtWalk on the bay does not charge an up-front jury fee. We typically receive approximately 500 applications, and we accept approximately 150 artists.

The festival is a celebration of arts and culture throughout the region. KidsWalk features interactive art activities for kids, and showcases the art education program founded by our organization: ArtReach, which takes professional artists into elementary schools to address the lack of programming for our region's budding young artists.

To learn more:www.artreachsandiego.org

Musical performances also take place throughout the weekend, featuring everything from gospel to classical music. The festival is embraced by San Diego's Mayor, the Port of San Diego and numerous corporate sponsors, as a world class celebration of culture in the region.

Visit the website to learn more: www.artwalksandiego.org

To apply, go to: http://www.artwalkonthebay.org/register.htm

At the Brookside Art Annual, people not only browse, but buy

Artist Meredith Wenzel, who has been blowing glass for the last 37 years, won’t deny it. She likes happy people.

People who walk through art fairs, gaze at the paintings or the jewelry — and especially
her glass ornaments and vases — and appreciate them. Maybe buy a few.

Not surprising since Wenzel lives in Toledo, Ohio, 45 minutes from Detroit.
Smack in the middle of recession depression...

• Discounted hotel rooms for artist
• Complimentary snack and beverage delivery
• Artist V.I.P. area complete with buffet, beverages, AC, indoor eating area and restrooms
• Complimentary Artist Awards breakfast for all artist
• A 10'x10' booth space with 2' buffer all around
• 500 watts of electric provided free, no generators
• 24 hour security with booth sitters
• Free/Reserved parking
  

What to Expect:

• 20,000 Upper Income patrons
• 24 Hour Security
• Electricity available
• Friday Night Wine
• Saturday Night Dinner delivered to booth
• Artist's lounge with restrooms, snacks and air conditioning
  
• Parking nearby and overnight parking allowed
• Discounted Hotel Rates
• Booth sitters