Blog

June 23-25

Columbus, Ohio
Easton Town Center
Presented by Huff-Burch Promotions
105 Artists
Deadline: March 1

Application fee: $25; Booth fee: $300

Take a virtual tour at www.eastontowncenter.com.

March 2-5, 2017 
La Quinta, California
Presented by: La Quinta Arts Foundation
220 Artists
Deadline: September 30

Application Fee: $50; Booth Fee:  $275-$775

La Quinta Arts Festival is held on the spectacular grounds of the La Quinta Civic Center Campus, a life-size picture postcard framed by majestic mountains, lush green lawns, and a lake.  This spectacular outdoor gallery extolled by Art Fair SourceBook as "the most stunning festival site in the country" is currently ranked #1 Fine Art Festival in the Nation.

Hosting 220 of the nation's foremost contemporary artists, this four day show attracts an affluent demographic and wealthy snowbirds who have second homes in the southern California desert.  The festival runs concurrent with the HITS Horse Show which attracts the most accomplished equestrian riders in the world and is the weekend before the BNP Tennis Open March 6-18. This ensures hotel availability for art patrons and artists.

Noteworthy:

• Gross art sales 2014-2016 averaged $2.9 million per year.
• Average art sales 2014-2016 was over $12,000
• Innovative online Jury process by qualified jury members per category who independently evaluate one medium over a three day period
• Dedicated 24/7 Artist Hotline-contact booth sitters by cell phone
• 24 hour private security and Police
• Leisurely 2 day set-up and tear-down. Paid Labor assistance with flatbed golf carts available
• Artist Hospitality includes morning and afternoon snacks, chilled bottled water throughout the day, a gourmet lunch box delivered daily to each booth. (Artist selects lunch order.)
• Impressive Artist Award Reception
• Booth fees from $275-$775-all booths located on lush grass!
• Year round exposure to art buyers on www.LQAF.com Artist Galleries, $100 annual fee.

Please note:

La Quinta Arts Festival requires the Artist to pay a show fee of 20% of all art sales made at, or as a result of participating in La Quinta Arts Festival. A low booth fee of $275 for a 12x12 space means minimal up-front investment to participate, and allows LQAF to be successful only if the artists are successful. The 220 participating Artists are the stars of our show. Art patrons come for the high quality art! 

July 14-16     
Guilford, Connecticut 
on the Guilford Green
Presented by: Guilford Art Center
180 Artists
Deadline: January 9

Application Fee: $40/Booth Fee: $680-$1,005

Craft Expo has been a summer destination for shoreline residents for sixty years. It is Connecticut's premier outdoor juried show of fine American craft, and is known for its one-of-a-kind contemporary crafts in a variety of media:  Baskets, Ceramics, Glass, Leather, Wearable and Non-Wearable Fiber, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Paper Arts, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture and Wood.  

The scenic and historic Guilford Green, a beautiful open space surrounded by boutique shops, restaurants and art galleries, has been home to Craft Expo for 60 years. Conveniently located off Interstate 95, half-way between Boston and New York, Craft Expo draws from a sophisticated and informed audience of approximately 7,000 visitors.

The show also features live craft demos by Guilford Art Center instructors, food trucks, beer and wine sales, live music and a Family Art Tent.

Marketing:
Promotional efforts include detailed press releases, paid print and online advertising, public radio spots, broadcast media events, direct mailing, and extensive use of social media networking and email campaigns.

Apply:  www.zapplication.org
Learn more:  www.guilfordartcenter.org/expo
Contact:  Allison Maltese, expo@guilfordartcenter.org, (203)453-5947

My head is spinning from trying to figure out what happened with Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast Art Festival. Lots of confusion about why it was cancelled, whose fault it was and the challenge of receiving refunds for the artists (which I have heard are in the mail).

So, let's move on. If you're open that weekend and looking for a sweet show, run by artists, nearby, check this out:

Hello ,

         Every year I put together two small art shows on the west coast of Florida.  If you know me you know that I believe in the value of original art.  I publicize “The Best Little Art Show in Englewood” extensively to attract an educated art buying crowd so that every artist in the show will have a successful experience in my home town.  It is important to me to see smiling faces leaving the show after pack up on Sunday so I work very hard to make that happen.  

          I collect cards of amazing artists at the shows I do because my show is invitational, there are no jury fees and no jury, if you’re invited you are “in” provided you send the application back to me before the show fills.

          I have set the dates for my two shows and I hope that you will consider participating.  I have attached both applications for you to read, download, fill out and mail back to me with your check.  The first 60 artists fill the show.

          I'm excited to announce the 1st Annual Englewood Bank & Trust Invitational Thanksgiving Show on Saturday & Sunday, November 26-27, 2016.  Thanksgiving is a very busy weekend here in Englewood but there is never much to do besides eating turkey so I am giving the community a place to shop for original art and meet the artists who create it.  

          The 29th Annual Englewood Bank & Trust Invitational Art Festival is Saturday & Sunday, January 28-29, 2017.  This annual event attracts thousands of art buyers to our community each year looking to add original artwork to their collections.  Widely recognized as one of the best quality small art shows in Southwest Florida, the show fills quickly so send in your application soon if you want to participate.     

            My shows are small, just 60 artists and every year I work diligently to maximize publicity for these events to make them successful for everyone.  I hope they will fit your schedule.  I have attached both applications in PDF form.  Please read them (they will give you all the details you need to know about the area and the show), then print out the applications and send them in.

Please remember:  

~ The show is very Small and it's Invitational which means that I carefully hand pick my artists to have a quality well balanced exhibit.  

~ Each year sales get better and better which means that each year I have more artists accepting a space early.  

~ The show is first come, first served.  The first 60 artists that send in their applications and fees, FILL THE SHOW.  

• Limited to 135 artists
• $2500 in cash merit awards- all awards include an automatic invitation to the following year's show
• Color thumbnail with links on website Artist Gallery
• More than $100,000 in combined media and marketing efforts to promote the Festival
• 24-hour security provided by off-duty Omaha Police Officers
• A variety of options for discounted lodging within one mile of the show
• Private, air-conditioned artists' lounge with artist-only restrooms and snacks & beverages throughout the day
• Complimentary lunch delivered to each artists' booth on Friday
• Artist Awards Brunch on Saturday
• Continental Breakfast and Artists' Meeting on Sunday

• Deadline to Apply:  January 31, 2017
• Artist Notification:  February 15, 2017
• Artist Acceptance:  March 15, 2017
• Booth Fees Due:  March 31, 2017
• Deadline to Withdraw with Refund (less $50 processing fee): May 1, 2017

March 17, 18 & 19 
Winter Park, Florida
Central Park along Park Avenue
225 Artists

The 58th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious juried fine art shows. It consistently ranks among the most highly regarded outdoor art shows in the nation as artists compete for one of the largest cash awards ($72,500) among the top shows.

Along with cash awards our enthusiastic Patrons Program is expected to spend more than $70,000 in Patron Bucks this year. 

The show is conveniently located in Central Park, a beautifully landscaped area whose surrounding streets are closed during the festival to allow for foot traffic only. 

Artists' booths nestle under large oak trees in the park and line Winter Park's Park Avenue, the heart of a charming downtown with brick streets, unique boutique shops, and inviting outdoor cafes and bistros.

Attendance usually reaches 350,000 people for the three-day event. 

Highlights:

• Ranks #5 in the nation and #1 in the southeast by Sunshine Artist magazine in their 2015 list of Best 200 Fine Art and Design Shows
• Ranks #2 in Art Fair Calendar's 2015 America's Best Art Fairs survey
• Presents $72,500 in 63 cash awards including a $10,000 Best of show purchase award, a $5,000 Art of Philanthropy Award purchase award and a $2,500 Award for a Distinguished Work of Art given by the Morse Museum of American Art
• Lists artists' names, art image and contact information in Art Festival Magazine and on the website
• Celebrates with a Saturday Night Artists' Award Dinner
• Produced by an all-volunteer board that focuses on the artists' success
• Booth sitting on call
• Remember, no signatures showing on artwork, not signage or people in booth shots
• Emerging Artists encouraged to apply, see  www.wpsaf.org for details

Apply today: www.Zapplication.org

 
For more info: www.wpsaf.org

E-mail: WPSAF@wpsaf.org, (407) 644-7207

October 15
Sugar Hill, Georgia
Presented by:  City of Sugar Hill
40 Artists
Deadline:  Sept. 8

Application/Booth Fee: $100

The art element of Sugar Rush will be located on our turf lawn with tents lined along sidewalks, across from the food trucks (guaranteed traffic!). We want artists to be able to feature their work and make money from their work.  We only charge an application/booth fee of $100 total.

Last year we did an indoor, exhibit  style, juried art show.  We had 40 participants and a few sales.  Foot traffic was not as great because guests had to come inside City Hall to view the work.  This year we are putting the artists outside in the center of the party. Different from last year, we will also have a pottery glazing area, candy stations pumpkin painting and cupcake decoration in other areas.

We are located in between two major highways and in the middle of one of the fastest growing counties in the county.  We expect over 10,000 people this ear, as we had that many last year.  We get a lot of road traffic as well as a great, active community!

Some of our marketing: 

Apply:  http://cityofsugarhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2016-Sugar-Rush-Artist-Vendor-Application-1.pdf
Learn more:  www.thebowlatsugarhill.com or www.cityofsugarhill.com 
Contact:  Megan Carnell, mcarnell@cityofsugarhill.com, (770)945-6716

August 13 & 14
Shelby Township, Michigan
presented by Shelby Towmship Art Fair Committee
Shelby Township Municipal Grounds
100 Artists
Deadline: April 1

Now with four exhibitor categories, this event is held outdoors on the Shelby Township Municipal Grounds with the majority of the booths on grass, many with shade trees. All booths measure approximately 15' x 15' with some double booths available. NO resale products, services, home improvement companies, or distributors permitted.

What to expect from us:
The friendly, helpful, organized staff, easy load-in & load-out, Friday night set-up, plenty of free daytime & overnight parking close to exhibit areas, overnight grounds security, and complimentary coffee and donuts each morning help to create a fun, friendly atmosphere. 

Advertising in local and regional publications, internet social media, television and radio announcements, e-mail blasts, flyers, banners and signs throughout the community, and more bring over 10,000 visitors to the event. 

Features for visitors:
free parking and shuttle bus, family friendly musical and other entertainment, kid's craft and activity area, great tasting food, and a sponsor tote bag giveaway.

New this year:
As a result of our 2015 survey, there are now four categories for applicants to choose from:

• ART MEDIA - Original, hand-made, one of a kind pieces (with the exception of prints), created and produced by the artist 
• EMERGING ARTISTS - Artists just starting to exhibit in any of the ART mediums that don't have enough work for a full booth. Each accepted artist may rent no more than one 6 foot table under the Emerging Artists Tent.
• CRAFT MEDIA - Items created by the crafter and produced in small quantities 
• MICHIGAN MADE MARKET - Items created in batches by Michigan based businesses 

June 25 & 26
Grand Haven, Michigan
Presented by: The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg
100 artists
Deadline:  February 15

Application Fee:  $30
Booth Fee:  $270

The Grand Haven Art Festival is a community event inviting 100 artists from the region and nation to transform Washington Avenue into a chic, outdoor art gallery complete with free admission, food vendors, kids' activities and live music.  Residents and visitors from Grand Rapids, Chicago, Detroit and more, visit the annual Grand Haven Art Festival looking to purchase that perfect piece for their homes, cottages and offices.

Artist Amenities:

• Awards: Best in Show, Jury's Choice and Excellence Award and Honorable Mention selected by onsite jury, invited to participate in the 2017 Grand Haven Art Festival. 
• Complimentary coffee and muffins Saturday and Sunday; snacks and water
• Roaming booth sitters to allow for artist breaks
• Boxed lunches available for purchase delivered directly to artist's booth 
• Artist-only parking reserved one block from the start of the show.  Each artist will have two parking spaces assigned to them, with drive up access for set up and take down
• Complimentary invitation postcards
• Extensive Festival marketing promotion
• Paid security Friday and Saturday nights throughout the Festival
• Grand Haven Art Festival Brochure including name, image, booth number and contact information of all participating artists 
• Information packet provided in April including lodging options, area information, event logistics, etc.
• A welcoming and excited community for the 55th Annual Grand Haven Art Festival

July 23 & 24 

Geneva, a chic and charming historic town located on the Fox River, will celebrate its 12th annual Fine Arts Fair in 2016. Its prestigious reputation of offering a superb selection of fine art by renowned artists and cutting edge newcomers attracts beginning and avid collectors. 

The show is tucked among 100+ specialty shops located in Victorian-style homes and century-old buildings. Awards for emerging and seasoned artists along with warm small-town hospitality, offer a picture-postcard setting for this juried art celebration.

FESTIVAL FACTS:

• Sunshine Artist's Top 200 for 2013 - ranked #62
• Jury Fee: $20
• Booth Fee: $350
• Ribbon Awards: $4,000
• Attendance: 20,000+

Learn more and apply, visit:  http://www.emevents.com

PLEASE NOTE: Prints, photography, digital art and computer generated art: Prints must be produced by traditional printmaking techniques. Giclee prints are allowed only in digital photography. Photography may be wet darkroom (chemicals) or digital darkroom. We define computer generated art as an art form created entirely with a computer.

The Geneva Fine Arts Fair is one of a series of Chicago area art fairs managed by Erin Melloy of EM Events, a well-established promoter of art shows in the Chicago area. EM Events works closely with some of Chicagoland's most innovative and creative communities and organizations to produce premiere art festivals of distinction.

 

At EM Events, it's about the art. 

For additional information please contact:  

Erin Melloy, 630.536.8416, 

emelloy@emevents.com.