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art festivals (5)

Featured Art Festival: Omaha Summer Arts Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on June 24, 2010 at 9:30pm
Art Fair Calendar.com
June 25, 26 & 27, 2010
Downtown Omaha
10th to 15th on Farnam

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival has been named Omaha's Best Annual Festival, one of the Top 100 Fine Arts Festivals in the country and one of 2007's Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association.

Artists' Market:
135 Artists
At the heart of the Omaha Summer Arts Festival lies the Artists' Market, a virtual village lined with white peaked tents and filled with the
talented works of 135 of the nation's finest painters, potters, jewelers
and sculptors-just to name a few.

Each year the artists are hand-selected by a jury of local art educators and enthusiasts whose task is to fill the Festival with high quality
art that demonstrates original design and unique representation of the
chosen medium.

Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don't miss our featured artist John Leben in booth 104!

TasteFest:
Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

World Music Pavilion:
Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m.

Young Artist Exhibition:
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Children's Fair & Family Stage:
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Report back to me!

Posted by Connie Mettler on April 16, 2009 at 4:55pm
This weekend (April 17-19) brings art fairs around the country to life and I know many of you will be there. I'm looking for reporters for the following events: 1. Main Street in Fort Worth, TX Here is a recent story from Texas: Festivals dominate live music events in Dallas-Fort Worth . That one is about the music. Can't wait to hear about the art. 2. American Craft Show in St. Paul, MN 3. Great Lakes Art Fair in Novi, MI Oh, right, I'll be reporting on tht one 4. Dogwood Festival in Atlanta, GA 5. Four Bridges Festival in Chattanooga Read this good story about "Bridging the Business of Art" 6. Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City, OK To read a quick overview of this event read about this festival in the Fridaylanders. I know someone at all of these events and you are members--let the rest of us know what we missed. Thank you in advance
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Best Art Fairs? A Report From the Field

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 23, 2008 at 4:44pm
My thanks to member Jean Thompson of American Style magazine, an arm of the Rosen Group, for forwarding me this interesting article. After you have read it I'd sure be interested to know if you agree with the results of the poll. America’s Top 10 Art Fairs and Festivals: Winners Announced Baltimore, MD (Dec. 10, 2008) Where do Americans prefer to go to view and buy art and fine craft in a festive setting? The answers are in the February 2009 issue of AmericanStyle magazine, which will reveal the nation’s Top 10 Fairs & Festivals, as determined by polling its readers. The issue goes on sale at newsstands on Dec. 16. Art collectors are willing to flock to places like Wausau, Wisc., and Midway, Ky. – crossroads far removed from better-known urban art centers. Despite the distance and the economic downturn, many of the top-rated art fairs and festivals boast crowd counts of more than 200,000 visitors – made up of tourists and locals alike. What keeps the crowds coming back? The quality and diversity of the art are top-notch. In addition, the nation’s best art events provide a noteworthy intersection of contemporary trends in professional art and craft and major current trends in retail, says Wendy Rosen, publisher of AmericanStyle. “Discerning shoppers can ‘buy local,’ ‘buy handmade,’ ‘buy American’ and ‘support a worthy cause’ simultaneously at the very best art fairs and festivals,” Ms. Rosen says. “At the same time, they help the economy by supporting the small businesses of artists.” “They can feel good about making an investment in professional handcraft that has been carefully juried,” Ms. Rosen says, “and at the same time, soak up the fun atmosphere, the entertainment, the education and the collegiality that’s possible only at a gathering of like-minded art lovers. They can meet the artists and learn where the work came from and how it was made.” This year’s first-place winner blends three distinct events into a citywide arts extravaganza called Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend: Art in the Park, held in Marathon Park; the Festival of Arts, in downtown Wausau; and the annual “Birds in Art” exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art museum, a mecca for international wildlife artists. 2009 Winners list TOP 10 FAIRS & FESTIVALS Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend, Wausau, Wis. Kentucky Crafted: The Market, Louisville, Ky. Bayou City Art Festival, Houston, Texas Scottsdale Arts Festival, Scottsdale, Ariz. Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, Iowa St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, Ky. Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College, Midway, Ky. American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, Baltimore, Md. Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, Ann Arbor, Mich. Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Northport, Ala. SOURCE: AmericanStyle magazine readers’ poll, Feb. 2009 issue, on newsstands and at www.AmericanStyle.com on Dec. 16, 2008. Are you planning a trip to one of these great festivals in 2009? Here’s the winners list again, in calendar order: February 21-22 Kentucky Crafted: The Market (2) February 27-March 1 American Craft Council Show in Baltimore (8) March 20-22 Scottsdale Arts Festival (4) March 27-29 Bayou City Art Festival (3* also see October) June 26-28 Des Moines Arts Festival (5) June 27-28 Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College (7) July 15-19 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (9) September 12-13 Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend (1) October 2-4 St. James Court Art Show (6) October 10-11 Bayou City Art Festival (3* also see March) October 17-18 Kentuck Festival of the Arts (10) The mission of AmericanStyle magazine is to inform craft enthusiasts and art collectors about the significance of handmade objects of art. Launched in 1994 by The Rosen Group, AmericanStyle provides art lovers with valuable tips on decorating, interior design, display and lighting ideas for everything from designer jewelry and art glass to collectible teapots, art furniture and sculptural ceramics. More than 250 arts festivals, gallery exhibitions and museum events are listed in the Datebook section of each issue. For more information, visit www.AmericanStyle.com. Your turn. What is your vote for the best art fair? Or, let's make it easy: what are the three best art fairs? Let us know.
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Call for Entries: Amdur Productions in Chicago

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 27, 2008 at 10:47am
amdur_01_centered.gifThis 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. goodshoppers.jpgJune 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 & 2sculpture-at-aa.jpg 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
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15 Life Lessons Learned at the Nation's Art Fairs

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 10, 2008 at 10:04pm
This post was so interesting to me and such a good example of the indefatigable spirit prevalent among art fair artists that I needed to repost it here so everyone could be inspired. Here is Barbara Sistak Baur's post of her first year at art fairs. "I purchased my very first display panels last spring from Connie. She is so gracious and she 8868640053?profile=original asked me to “report in” on my first year in the art fair business. So, here it goes – “The Unforgettable Life-Lessons I Learned During My First Art Fair Season”. Ahem – 1. How when I saw the truck fully loaded with panels, chairs, the tent, tubs of equipment and a few paintings thrown in on top of it all, is when I truly grasped the concept of “overhead.” 2. How you shouldn’t make the 500-artist show your first show. By yourself. Far away from post-26-1214628770_thumb.jpghome. ( I didn’t mean to, but I was “blown out” of my first, first show.) 3. What is feels like to be trapped under a blown-over tent and debris during a micro-burst. (Or, when someone tells you to take the artwork off the walls because a storm is coming, leave immediately.) 4. How easy is it to get a “free” charge card merchant account (and then find out how much it really costs you). 5. How heavy those weights really are. (And, I still don’t have enough of them.) 6. That 6 feet 7 inches is truly out of reach. (Even on my toes, no matter how hard I stretch.) 7. How little sleep you can get and still put up a display and talk to customers. (Note to self: don’t try that again.) 8. What a hard, 16-hour day really feels like. (It ain’t like the office!) 9. How April, May, June and ½ of July were a nightmare. (But how during the second half of July, August and Sept, I felt like a pro.) 10. The shock I felt when other artists started asking ME for advice (They must have mistaken my “finally, I know how to put this thing up in less than 3 hours” look for “seasoned.”) 11. How gratified I felt when the local museum purchased a painting. (It was the only sale that day but what a good one!) 12. How my fear of talking to people who came into my booth morphed into a steady sales prattle. (I don’t know how many customers I scared away!) 13. How (inwardly) irked I am when people comment to me, “how relaxing you must find painting.” (Yeah, right.) 14. How it feels to be not “just” an artist, but, rather, an art business entrepreneur. 15. Most unforgettable are the people that helped along the way. A very special thank you to Kathy Eaton, who been an inspiration to me and a tremendous friend and wealth of knowledge. She has gone so far out of her way to point me in the right direction, subtly let me know when I am being an idiot and has given me great advice and insights. And, of course, my husband, who -- I can’t believe it -- actually fixes mangled display panels, builds shelves for the art truck and encourages me to keep going. I hope to see and meet many of you next summer! " Barbara Sistak Baur, guest blogger
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