art fair - Blog - Art Fair Insiders

Once More Into the Breach

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 7, 2009 at 10:52am

One can get a touch of cabin fever in Michigan this time of the year, for entertainment--read others blogs. Do you think I lead a wild life? Here is ArtFairInsider.com member Pat Sorbini's attempt to handle her off art fair hours: Well, I ask you to open my studio door at the end of the season and not imagine a war having been fought there. Really bad. Really. So, I have some time off from the theater, my first app due in 10 days, a need to keep busy, a snowstorm outside. There will be cleaning. I am going to organize. Again. There will be plastic bins and labels. Old storage stuff that never really worked is already at the curb. New shelves are ready to be filled with those labeled plastic thingys. I have the most trouble letting go of things that I may use someday maybe if just in case I might somehow.....gone. Unpainted paper castings, A book that just need a repair...for 2 years now. Mirrors with designs that just didn't work. Cast bowls that never sold, the edges cracked from schlepping to show after show. Gone. I started this year with the same cleaning spurt, but this time I am actually redoing things. For instance, my paper cutter is on a surface just about 6 inches too low so I always hurt my back when doing any prolonged cutting. That will be moved up. Things i had stored right near my work area will be stored away unless it's something I use daily. Stuff like that. And so we start again. A clean room, a clean slate. A new calendar book. New plans. Guess I should get up there. One more coffee....... Pat's blog: View from the Attic

Call for Entries: East Lansing Art Fair

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 6, 2009 at 9:17pm

May 16 & 17 East Lansing, MI downtown East Lansing 230 Artists Deadline: January 31 Produced by Art Festival Board of Directors under the auspices of the East Lansing Arts Commission/City of East Lansing. Established in 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival is held every spring during the weekend prior to the Memorial Holiday weekend. The popular Festival attracts 70,000-80,000 attendees from across the region. In addition to the 230 juried exhibitors emerging artists are also invited to participate through a competitive selection process. Emerging artists must be affiliated with an institution of higher education within the last 2-3 years. East Lansing is a charming University town with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, galleries and the beautiful Michigan State University campus across the street. What to expect besides the art: Free performances on two stages highlighting a wide variety of music Free arts activities for children and families An international-style food court Having exhibited in this art fair ourselves here is what else you will like: *well-educated visitors, unaffected by the economic downturn in the State; professional people from State government and the University

*well-planned entertainment that enhances the art rather than distracts from it *a festive mood as this is the kickoff of the art fair season *affiliation with the Public TV and radio stations, bringing the right people to you *a well-seasoned staff who "get it" *easy load in and out Message from the Arts Program Coordinator, Corinn Van Wyck: We were rated 32 this by Sunshine artist in their 2008 top 100 fine art fair list. The 2008 festival was very well attended and our artist surveys indicate that most artists had very positive sales - doing better than expected regardless of the economic downturn and some nasty blustery conditions late on Saturday. The great thing we have going for our festival, now in its 46th year, is that this community really supports the event and the artists who attend. Our patrons are knowledgeable and dedicated - they look forward to the festival every and plan to come out and shop - regardless of weather or bad economic news! As a wise person said at an event I attended last week, "there may be a recession going on, but we have chosen not to participate!" I think that sums it up nicely. Sounds good, doesn't it? Visit: http://www.elartfest.com/ for more information. Then, don't dawdle visit: zapplication.org to apply. Today would be a good day to do that, don't you think? Looking for more art fairs for 2009? Visit ArtFairCalendar.com's call for entries page

March 20-22 Art Fair Reports - Winter Park, etc.

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 22, 2009 at 12:30pm

When the big events are taking place there are always good articles in the news about them. Here is around up of reports on the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival: Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival - from the Examiner.com How to get around the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, from the Orlando Sentinel. Award winners at Winter Park, don't miss this one. Everyone covets the awards at Winter Park, especially Best of Show for $10,000 that went this year to digital artist, Chris Dahlquist. Don't miss the video starring ArtFairInsider.com member Vicki Munn. Palm Beach Fine Craft Show - here is an excellent blog critiquing this fine event from the Barbara Levy Gallery in Palm Beach. Gee the gallery owners attend the art fairs! She profiles two of our members: James & Renee Engebretson and Alice McLean. Fairhope (AL) Arts & Crafts Festival - downtown Fairhope erupts with fun, art, craft, great food: Artists hopeful buyers show up at Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival, from the Huntsville Press-Register An excellent article profiling artists at the Scottsdale Art Festival includes: jewelers Fred & Janis Tate, mixed media Mark & Karen Klay, potters Jim Williams and Penny Allen, fiber artist Jan Watterson. Next weekend in Tempe, AZ: Featured Artists at the Tempe Arts Festival

Call for Entries: Amdur Productions in Chicago

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 27, 2008 at 10:47am

This is a special edition of our Call for Entries. Listed below are twelve Chicago area professionally run art fairs by Amdur Productions. Headed by Amy Amdur, these events exploded on the art fair scene 26 years ago when the Port Clinton Art Fair appeared in the affluent community of Highland Park, IL. Taking her cue from this success she has gone on to create new events in affluent areas of the metro area. Her hard work coupled with a strong marketing outreach have enabled many Chicago area artists the ability to commute to their art fairs. The rest of us have, of course, joined the group and headed to Chicago to meet this good marketplace. Visit the website: AmdurProductions.com for full disclosure on each of the twelve events. Then, "think Chicago!" Info About The 2009 Applications Recognizing today's economic realities Amdur Productions offers: 1. No raise in fees for 2009 2. Reductions in fees for two events 3. Introduction of two new "bare bones" events to appeal to the bargain hunter in all of us, artists and patrons 4. Full disclosure on their website of site description and amenities 5. Optional fee payment plans to spread payments over time. 6. An Art Festival Boot Camp to sharpen your skills at art fair participation Call for Entries: Chicago's Amdur Productions 12 Art Fairs to Fill Your Season and Your Pocketbook May 30 & 31 Arlington Heights Promenade of Art To benefit Northwest Community Hospital 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists Amy says: A great show for experienced as well as new artists. Nice easy compact festival layout. Traditional themes do well.

June 5-7 - New! Chicago Eastside Millennium Art Festival downtown at Michigan Ave., on Lake & Stetson Sts. Fri. noon-5; Sat. & Sun. 10-5 150 artists Amy says: Originally founded as the New Eastside Artworks, this fair is reborn in the middle of this busy area just north of Millennium Park. June 20 & 21 Wheaton Cantigny Fine Art Festival Father's Day weekend 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists Show fee reduced from 2008 Amy says: Beautiful setting, very low stress. Middle price points do best. June 27 & 28 Glencoe Glencoe Festival of the Masters In cooperation with the Village of Glencoe and the Chamber of Commerce 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists Amy says: Held in a wealthy community near Lake Michigan where the average home price is 1.2 million. July 11 & 12 Lincolnshire 12th Annual Lincolnshire Art Festival Village Green 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists Amy says: All themes, all price points do well. Good for new artists as well. July 18 & 19 Buffalo Grove Buffalo Grove Invitational Art Fair Buffalo Grove Town Center 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists Amy says: All themes, all price points. Bright art doing well, crowd loves jewelry and wearables. July 25 & 26 Skokie North Shore Festival of Art Westfield Old Orchard 10 am to 5 pm 150 artists Amy says: In a highly visible location at this popular outdoor mall. Judaic art did well last year. July 31, August 1 & 2 Chicago Gold Coast River North Art Fair A Chicago tradition for over 50 years Along LaSalle Street, at the intersections of Erie, Huron, and Superior Fri. noon to 5; Sat. & Sun. 10-5 395 artists Amy says: Big show, best for experienced artists. All art, all prices. August 8 & 9 Glencoe Art at the Glen The Glen Town Center 10 am to 5 pm 195 artists Amy says: Great show, better for experienced artists. Big crowds, All art, all prices do well. August 29 & 30 Highland Park Port Clinton Art Fair Along Central Avenue 10 am to 6 pm 260 artists Amy says: Top fine art and fine craft only. Only for experienced artists. September 26 & 27 - new date + new concept Joliet Starving Artists Festival downtown 10 am to 5 pm 130 Artists Reduced show fees for 2008 Amy says: All art priced under $100 - a great end of season marketplace to clear your inventory. Artists and/or their representatives welcome. October 17 & 18 Highwood Last Call Art Fair On closed streets in the downtown 10 am to 4 pm 125 artists Amy says: Absolute end of season opportunity for you to sell off inventory at reduced prices. Artists and/or their representatives welcome. Apply: www.juriedartservices.com Learn more about these fairs: www.amdurproductions.com

Milepost #1 - 100 Members by 12/31/08 - Surpassed!!

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 24, 2008 at 9:26pm

Welcome to Cali Hobgood-Lemme from Chicagoland who joined ArtFairInsiders.com today and became member #100 of this new social marketing network for artists. A welcome also to Ann Light, Jay McDougall, LizAnne Jensen and Michele LeVett who are #'s 101, 102, 103 7 104!! My many thanks, really, to all 104 of you who are helping to build this site into a strategic resource for art fair artists as we enter into the Brave New World of really scary economic times. Alarming as it is, I know you are all resourceful people who will find a way to make this work for yourselves. This website can be one of the tools to make your way into 2009 and beyond. Please use it to ask questions of one another, share your expertise, start discussions, and dispense wisdom. Invite your friends to participate, that is the quickest way to stay in touch with trends and the news in the business. When I saw Cali's name pop up on the list today I was amazed to see that she has been in the business for 16 years. I remember seeing her when she was beginning. Then I saw her exhibit at the Ann Arbor Street Fair this summer and her expertise was readily apparent. Can we make it to 200 by 12/31/08? Please help. This site will only be as good as you can help make it. I am opening a new discussion tonight and look forward to your participation in the discussion section of the site. It is a question I am often asked and is a good one for the old-timers to help the newcomers with: I’m an artist in tarpon springs, FL and I’m just starting to market my work. I have original pieces but also prints (in various sizes) and greeting cards. I’ve gone to a lot of local gift shops and ask them how they acquire their merchandise while all of them have said vendors. Are there any ideas/resources on how I can sell my work? I’d like to eventually do art shows but need some income on the smaller merch first. Katie S.

Call for Entries: Lakefront Art Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 30, 2008 at 5:21pm

August 15 & 16 Michigan City, IN Washington Park 27th Annual Lakefront Art Festival Sponsored by the Lubeznik Center for the Arts Saturday - 10 to 6 Sunday - 10 to 5 Deadline: January 30 The Lakefront Art Festival will attract thousands of visitors from surrounding states to a festive, high-quality event held under shady trees in a grassy park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Because the festival is sponsored by the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, it is overseen by arts professionals, committed to making every aspect of the festival a quality venue for artists and visitors. Where is Michigan City? Visit this link at Mapquest.com. Why this should be of interest to you: *small town art fair in the heart of vacation country *a weekend get away place for Chicagoans *sponsored by an art center *an art purchase program *volunteers who understand artists' needs *very reasonable booth fee These days there is a lot of talk among artists about keeping their overhead down. One of the best ways is to exhibit at local events and the Lakefront Art Festival is in the heart of where a lot of artists live. Expect a $125 booth fee and a $20 jury fee. When we are all talking about events that seem to forget the artists this is a small show that "gets it". All of us need smaller shows to keep us going between the big ones. The Lakefront Art Festival could be one of those secret ones that everyone can appreciate. Advertising will include press coverage, ads, and billboards throughout the area and through LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information and to download an application click on this link: www.lubeznikcenter.org

Call for Entries: Art Fair on the Bluff, St. Joseph, MI

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 16, 2008 at 5:36pm

July 11 & 12 48th Annual Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff St. Joseph, MI 216 Artists Deadline: January 16 art by 2008 poster artist Gene Brown of Iowa "Artists tell us every year that we're their favorite show," says Sara Shambarger, long-time Krasl Art Fair Director, "and every year we thank them by promoting their work and offering a great place to be for two days!" The second weekend in July, over 200 of the best national artists will be on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Artist amenities include: *Grassy location with trees, lake breezes and gorgeous view of Lake Michigan *Curb-side loading and unloading *Roomy booths with plenty of storage space. *Friday evening reception gala at Krasl Art Center, buffet and live music *Artist hospitality room, free continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. *Booth sitters and roving volunteers *Artist-only off-street parking close to fair during show *Reserved overnight parking for RVs and vans *Unlimited complimentary invitation postcards and stickers *Substantial festival marketing and media coverage *Promoted in Chicago, northern Indiana and Grand Rapids markets *Estimated 70,000 patrons from all over the Midwest - especially nearby Chicago *A committee and staff that is dedicated to making this show the artists' favorite

Publisher's note: I have attended this event (and bought art) in 2007 and 2008. Beautiful weather brings the crowds out in this lovely resort town. It is a "must attend" for vacationers and residents alike. The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is known for its loyalty to its exhibitors employing on-site jurying to reinvite approximately half of its 216 artists each year. Apply online by visiting www.zapplication.org clicking on "applications". New users will find Zapplication offers easy online registration. For more info about the Krasl Art Fair contact Sara Shambarger, Art Fair Director, at (269) 983-0271 or sshambarger@krasl.org, and/or visit www.krasl.org.

How Cool is This? $12,000 Grant to East Lansing Art Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 20, 2008 at 11:24am

Who would have thought there was any money left in Michigan? As the hearings roll on on Capitol Hill about loans to the auto industry, good news seeps out for art fairs. As reported in the Lansing (MI) State Journal, "The State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs awarded the art festival a $12,000 grant. Funding recipients were determined by in- and out-of-state culture and arts professionals who reviewed more than 300 applicants, the city said. East Lansing’s grant is from the Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs’ Art Projects Program, which recognizes efforts to advance the state’s creative, economic and cultural environments." Read the rest of this good news at: East Lansing gets grant for arts festival For more info about the festival visit: www.elartfest.com

Who Was That Artist Featured in the Wall Street Journal?

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 19, 2008 at 7:00pm

What a thrill, local girl makes good! Chris Roberts-Antieau of Manchester, MI, was recently profiled in the Wall Street Journal under this headline: A True Rags-to-Riches Story, Chris Roberts-Antieau Is One of the Foremost Self-Taught Artists in America Today The lengthy article describes the self-taught fiber artist's rise from obscurity to fame, in conjunction with the publication of her book, Sew Far, "a sumptuous and colorful first monograph on Chris Roberts-Antieau's striking hand-stitched appliques. " The book is a limited edition boxed set including an original fiber "painting" in each box, and retailing for $550! Chris grew up at art fairs around the Midwest. I remember being her neighbor in Birmingham, MI, Ann Arbor and other places. And I even own a stuffed figure from her "early days." A few years ago she was the poster artist for the Ann Arbor Street Fair. "Chris Roberts-Antieau is as prolific as she is busy; this fall begins with the debut of Sew Far, as well as two museum exhibitions, three international shows, the launch of Chris's new online gallery store, and the trailer premier of her feature-length documentary: A Love Letter to Tom Waits. Adding to excitement, Chris has been nominated by Governor Jennifer Granholm for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Chris's home state of Michigan." Congratulations, Chris! Best of luck with all your projects. More: www.ChrisRoberts-Antieau

Call for Entries: Wyandotte (MI) Street Art Fair

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 14, 2009 at 4:08pm

July 8-11 48th Annual Wyandotte Street Art Fair downtown streets of Wyandotte, MI sponsored by the City of Wyandotte 250 Exhibitors Deadline: February 2 Where is Wyandotte, MI? Visit this link. Here is what artists are saying about last year's Wyandotte Street Art Fair: I have heard only really good things about this past fair. Word on the street is that everyone at Wyandotte was up (myself included). Best year we have had at Wyandotte and we are going into the 7th year. Everything went smoothly in our opinion, plenty of set up time and we really appreciate the girls that come around offering water and food. Looking forward to next year! - Cheryl Buttons I want to thank you and your staff for allowing me to be a part of the festival this year. The show has been my best all year. I am sorry we did not get a chance to talk longer however, as you can tell people were standing in my booth waiting to give me their money (Ha Ha). Shows this good are hard to come by these days. Many thanks and have a Blessed year!!!!!! - Jody Walker, The Art Gallery (3-D) We really enjoyed the Art Show this year. Had several comments from patrons as well as exhibitors. Congrats on a great show. - Tina Willis Wyandotte is the second longest running and second largest art fair in Michigan. It is well established and very well attended. This is one of the 'biggies' in Michigan and for many customers their favorite. It is usually held the week before Ann Arbor giving artists who are traveling some distance two events back-to-back. It is also one of those fairs where you hear people say that they don't go to Ann Arbor, giving you access to a different clientele. Over 200,000 people from around the metro area and Canada attend. The city really turns out to host the event and take pride in it. If you want exposure to a new group this may be the place. Are you feeling adventurous? Ready to get your feet wet in a strong established art fair? This may be the one for you.

Expenses are low: the booth fee is only $225 for a four day event, less than $60 a day, quite a bargain and housing in the area is reasonable. More good news: * pull up to your booth to unload and load * awards for best of show, best new artist, best booth * showers for artists, booth sitters, water * great hospitality to keep you comfortable during the fair Detroit area art fair audiences are some of the best. For more information and to download an application go to: http://www.wyandottestreetartfair.org/

Will You Be in Florida This Weekend?

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 4, 2008 at 10:52am

16th annual American Craft Show comes to Sarasota 520-20081203-174250-pic-850236825.mi_embedded.prod_affiliate.69.jpg

" It’s the perfect time of year for the 16th annual American Craft Show, which will bring some of the best artistry in the nation to Sarasota this weekend — from one-of-a-kind toys and home accessories to colorful clothes and distinctive jewelry. The three-day event is a holiday shopper’s paradise. What makes this juried show even more appealing is that it only visits six cities in the United States each year, with Sarasota being the last stop on the circuit, " says writer January Holmes at the Bradenton (FL) Herald. Really, this is a terrific opportunity to see one-of-a-kind goods in all price ranges by America's top craftspeople that will make terrific gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime. Read the rest of this story: 16th Annual American Craft Show

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