Blog

THURSDAY - MAY 30 - 5 PM ET

You support our websites with your donations and we really appreciate it. We couldn't do it without you.

Listen as Connie Mettler, host of ArtFairRadio.com and ArtFairCalendar.com and her co hosts, Sara Shambarger, former Art Director of the Krasl Art Fair in St. Joseph, MI and NAIA board member, and Trudi Van Dyke, veteran art fair juror, art curator and art consultant will join me as we draw the names for the winners in the 2019 Pledge Drive.

We'll give away nearly $9000 in prizes to our patrons. If you sent us $$ during the Pledge Drive there is a very good chance you will win one of our 63 prizes! (at this point about 1 in 3).

Didn't pledge yet? Hurry up. Here's the link: 

https://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/pledgedrive.html

Have you been to any art fairs lately and asked yourself, "what am I doing here?" Have you spent four days including travel time and you've barely broken even? You know I'm talking about art fair alternatives and learning to use online tools to show, share, sell your fine art and craft. 

What if instead of going to that marginal event you put as much time and energy into creating an online fanbase? How about Facebook with all its free tools? Heck, you're going to be home anyway, instead of searching for an iffy show to keep the cash coming in, you sit down at your computer. You've already got your lodging and probably plenty of food nearby. 

Our recent podcast addressed step-by-step how to build your business online with free Facebook tools plus how to use Facebook to bring people to your next art fair. This was probably the most informative podcast we've done. Our guest Dave Emmons is a good teacher. 

Learn more at these links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hangingwatergardens; Strategies about Facebook marketing: https://www.daveemmons.com/p/artist-marketing-formula/  

Were you listening? What did you learn?

Tuesday, May 28, 5 pm ET

Story telling today: An amazing podcast with three women covering the spectrum of creativity. 

• A stoneworker, Kathleen Teach, who with her trusty trailer traveled alone for over 160,000 miles participating in art fairs
  
  
• A leatherworker, Stephanie Wheat, who starting from scratch has built a business that is taking her to Paris Fashion Week
  
  
• Sculptor, Kathy Ross, a full time self-employed artist since 1978, creating one of a kind pieces from cookie tins, fabric, jewels, imagination. An example here: http://kathyross3d.com/two-horse-tin-horse-town/

You will be inspired and head into the day ready for your next challenge.

Learn more: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2019/05/28/3-artists-creating-a-career-as-an-artist
 

and click here to listen

PLUS:  we'll be drawing the names of the first 5 winners in the Pledge Drive. Pledge now so you can be in the drawing: https://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/pledgedrive.html

We've had such a good response to last week's podcast with Dave Emmons (Can you Really Sell your Art on Facebook?) that I'm considering doing a follow up. I'm looking for suggestions from you for questions and also want to know if you've had experience with selling on Facebook and if you'd like to be a guest. 

Please add your info in the comments below, so I can start planning. Thank you.

Wednesday, May 22, 5 pm ET

Participating in the nation's art fairs is not for the faint-heared or the penniless. So much overhead! We won't go into all of those costs, but a serious contender for the diversity of options and costs is lodging on the road. Some artists opt to stay near home so they can sleep in their own beds, thus limiting many opportunities, and at the other extreme some go for the full-fledged "its a write off" and stay in quality lodgings.

How about you? What do you do when planning a trip to an art fair? Sleep in your van? Air BnB? VRBO?  tent camp? RV? frequent flyer points at specific chain hotels? Show lodging? stay with friends? We talk about all these options and more, To get it started our panel will include Fletcher Dean, a photographer from Michigan who prefers Air BnB and Don Hart, mixed media from Connecticut who travels with a camping trailer.

I know almost all of you have solved this problem in one way or another. Would you like to be part of the panel? If so,

1. email me asap: info@artfaircalendar.com
2. or would you just like to call in during the show? We'd love to hear from you. Here's the #(805) 243-1338
3. or leave a comment below for us to share, a photo would work too.

And for the rest of you listen live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs, or use that same link to download later.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13, 6 PM ET - Listen Live

(this is a sponsored podcast)

The high overhead of doing 30 shows a year exhausting you? What if you only did 20? or 10? When I first started my websites I thought if I only had $500 more a month that would be great. Now nearly 15 years later I'm no longer putting up a tent and traveling to events. Social media, learning its ins and outs, made the difference for me.

My guest is Dave Emmons who shares some of the same background I do. He has participated in art fairs for 27 years. A while back he thought there "might be a better way" to sell his work, starting to hate what he was doing. Whether you are new to this business of art fairs and are intrigued with having more freedom in your life or you are a long time veteran and just want to slow down, Dave's (and my) premise is "let's get online."

Your customers are online, an international audience, shopping online 24/7. You have (or should have) email lists of your buyers. You probably have a website. You're probably on Facebook, maybe even a FB business page. We're going to learn from Dave how you can put it to work to make your life even better. Dave is an artist who also coaches other artists on the skills needed to sell their work online.

If you're saying, "I've tried that"; "I'm too busy", "It's too complicated" ... or the myriad other reasons, listen to this podcast. I think it might help you.

Listen at ArtFairRadio.com: Can Facebook Really Help You Sell Your Work?

Learn more about Dave Emmons and his ideas: 

https://www.daveemmons.com/p/step-by-step-success-with-facebook-marketing-for-the-artist-and-craftsperson

Will you join us? This will be Part I. If there is enough interest in 2 weeks we'll do Part II and invite you to share your experience with all of us.

Questions for Dave? Please post in the comments below.

MONDAY - AUGUST 6, 6 PM ET - An Art Fair Story

Ready for a great story? Then you'll love this podcast.Details: The St. James Court Art Show (Oct. 5-7, 2018) began five decades ago as a small open air art show taking up only a small corner of Old Louisville's St. James Court. It has since become the second largest event held in Louisville each year (second to the Kentucky Derby Festival). It hosts 700 artists in 4 neighborhoods in this historic part of the city. 

On September 3, 2018, the Kentucky Historical Society will dedicate a Kentucky Historical Marker to Malcolm Bird, and his friends, not only for founding the Art Show, but also for starting the renovations and revitalization of St. James Court in the 1950s. The work by these urban pioneers, led to the designation of the area as an Historic Preservation District in 1974 .... Old Louisville was born .... or maybe reborn.

 Our guests who will walk through the history with me are:

• Mark Bird, who, with Sonny Whittle, created the first St. James Court Art Show poster, and is Malcolm's nephew and subsequently with Sonny produced if for the following 6 years, 1981-1987
• new executive director of the St. James Court Art Show, Howard Rosenberg
• long time participant in the show photographer and now music entrepreneur Hippie Jack Stoddart
• Printmaker Mary Lou Hess, who has participated in the show since the beginning

If you love art fairs, and particularly this one, this will be a fact-filled and fun listen as we learn what makes an art festival a success.

Fun fact: this show is so popular in Louisville that they even close the schools on the Friday of the show so everyone can enjoy it.

Have you ever done this show? If so, you've contributed to this historical neighborhood and helped preserve it. 

Click here to listen

THURSDAY - APRIL 13 - 5 PM ET

Time for some nuts and bolts. Getting to and from the art fairs is essential to an artist. Reliable transportation is a must. We talk with artists and learn their tricks for buying, loading, unloading, maintenance and what is the best vehicle on the road. One of our guests is Michael Zavison who drives a big truck that holds all the equipment for a double booth and large artwork. He, and his partner Melanie Rolfes, travel from Georgia to Florida to Texas and Colorado and up to the Midwest in the summer. 

Getting the vehicle right makes a big difference in the ease of participating in our business. Michael will give us his tips. Also, we invite you to join us.

What is the best vehicle for art fairs? Tell us in the comments below.  Would you like to be on the panel. Let me know.

Tell us in the comments below

• show us your photos
• give us a call during the show: (805) 243-1338

THURSDAY - MAY 11, 6 PM ET

Veteran travelers (and cheapskates) share their secrets for traveling and scoring lodgings frugally. This podcast has useful information for all of us who travel a lot or whose goal is to be on the road. 

Artists Melanie Rolfes, jeweler Margaret Aden and photographer Evan Reinheimer tell how they really score. Learn their insider secrets of leveraging Air BnB, VRBO, Hilton Honors Points, KOA, couch surfing, Corporate Lodging cards, Ebates, loyalty rewards programs and so many more tips to save you money and have more fun on the road! 

There is a mother lode of information and places to get deals: Priceline.com, Trivago, Booking.com, kayak.com, HotelTonight, Hotwire -- getting kickbacks along the way to fund the next trip is one of the favorites. Click here to listen.

We'll do a Part 2 to this podcast about RV's and camping. I've found there is just too much to cover in this one program.

I know we've got lots of experts on this topic. What is one of your best tips?

Next podcast: January 31, 5 pm ET

The premise: As a "new" artist attempting to earn a living at the nation's art fairs I often think about the business side of things. People are surprised that I even attempt the notion of doing it full time... without a pension! 

We speak with art fair artists who actually pay the bills and make a living, BUT they do so without a pension or some other significant source of income. In other words, these are people who figured out how to be profitable at art fairs! Are there people like that? This is a very practical nuts and bolts discussion of entrepreneurship. Creating art and earning a living with it are two separate endeavors.

Our guests will be long timers and new people just starting to hit the road.

If you would like to be on the panel please let me know. If you have questions you'd like discussed add them in the comments below. 

A recent podcast with 3 artists and some callers came up with these conclusions: 

1. having income from several sources helps a lot
2. sometimes the rain, a terrible crowd or the fact that you may have picked the wrong show intervenes with the "earning"
3. you've "got to love what you are doing" to make it work

Our participants were:

Marge Luttrell, encaustic painter and a former high school art teacher, who has been participating in art fairs for 7 years and who did 25 shows in 2016. Her "other" income includes teaching at places like Arrowmont and Penland. Her work sells from $350-$3500.

Jill McGannon, a realist landscape painter with an MFA who has earned her living with her art since 1988, with success in galleries and her own business (15 employees) mural painting and licensing her work until the Crash of 2007 took away that income and she came to art fairs to earn. Her prices range from $250 for a 9 x 12 to $4000 for a 30 x 40. 

Loc Tran, an artist who creates his own designs and screen prints the designs onto t-shirts. Although he is not doing art fairs, in the last 10 years he has found plenty of other opportunities, wholesaling and retailing his work at events with consistent revenue in the 6 figures.

On the podcast we talk

• $$ - how much do you earn at a show? with $$ answers
• great tips from Kelly Cassidy: have a helper, never discount, have an outstanding booth, consistent prices and a sign that says "I do commissions"
• Jill does fewer shows because of commissions 
• how to sell something with a $3000 price tag
• Loc has no employees and has 150 wholesale accounts; exhibits and sells at "niche" markets, veterinarian conventions, dog shows, etc.
• all have friends who earn their living at the art fairs ... you can do it too. 
  
  

Listen or download this right here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2017/01/31/is-anyone-here-earning-a-living

This was a very affirming discussion. Do you have any tips to add? Or questions to ask? 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - 5 PM ET LIVE

The guests:

Samantha Saturn is reviving a popular Nashville, TN, art fair: American Artisan, June 16-18. The event was started in 1971 by her mother, Nancy, a retailer and pioneer in the contemporary craft movement. In its day it was "THE" show to do in Tennessee. It was restricted to 3D crafts and the 2D people were jealous they could not participate. It will be held in historic Centennial Park. Samantha grew up in the business booth sitting, checking in artists and managing the show.

Louis Nunnelly, an artist and businessman with deep roots in our business and in the Louisville community, has spent the last three years perfecting a new event along the Ohio River to host the Big 4 Bridge Arts Festival in Louisville on Sept. 9 & 10. Making it attractive to quality artists and patrons is his goal. A popular location, ample parking and trolley service are a few of thse components. Exposure on the City's website and local partnerships are part of the marketing.

Let's rethink that old idea "I never do first year shows." Maybe Sam and Lou can change your mind. 

Click here to listen

(I hope you know you can always download these to listen any time. The podcasts are usually so full of insider information that they make good background while you are working in your studio or driving to your next show.)

Leave comments or questions for Samantha and Louis below.

PODCAST: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 5 PM ET

The fastest way to earn money with your art is to participate in art fairs. The buyer enters your booth, loves the work, hands you the payment and your work has found a new home. It's not always that easy of course, but it has worked for years for thousands of artists.    

Many artists have multiple streams of income including gallery representation, selling work online, image licensing, hosting studio tours, participating in small boutique events and being in gallery shows. How about your own gallery? The nearby empty storefront beckens you.

Today's show includes digital artist John Leben, supporting himself for over 40 years in the arts who is contemplating opening a gallery. Unlike art fairs this is a 365 day commitment. John wants to know: should he do it? Read his opportunity here.

Joining the discussion is artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold, the "Queen of Junk Mail Art." About a year ago she posted Towel ... Throwing ... in on ArtFairInsiders.com where she announced she was opening a gallery. Sandhi will share her adventures in moving from the streets to her own art gallery.

Terri Belford is a business consultant. She started her first business in her 20's and has developed numerous others since then.  Her last business was a gallery of fine art and contemporary craft that continues to thrive under the direction of a new owner. She blogs at craftbizblog.com.

Should John open a gallery? Sandhi and Terri give him some answers.

Have you been part of a gallery operation? Do you have some useful information on this topic? or questions to be answered? Put them in the comments below.

Do you want to be part of this podcast? Comments welcome, contact me, and I'll add you to the program. 

Click here to listen live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2016/08/30/judges-jurying-awards-at-art-festivals

Did the judges stop in your booth at that big show you just did? Did they look at your work or just pass by and you never saw them? How does an art fair assure everyone is seen and judged? What are the best ways to have a consistent and ethical judging process?

Listen to this podcast and learn from Rick Bryant, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (State College), Sharon McAllister of ArtFest Fort Myers in Florida (with around 30 years of art fair experience between them) and art fair industry advocate Les Slesnick who shares a system for fairness. 

How long does it take a judge to visit over 300 booths in a day? Listen and find out how to make your jury system work well for all and start planning for your next festival. Listen here at ArtFairRadio.com.

Tuesday, August 30, 5 pm ET

Congratulations, you are ready to go at one of "the biggies." Now the tension builds as the judges approach your booth. Will you win an award? Will you be re-invited (the biggest award of all)? Building continuity at one of the top shows is one of the secrets of success in the art fair business.

• We discuss how judges are chosen for the application jury and if those same jurors are the "street jury." 
• Are the identities of the judges published in advance?
• What directions are these street jurors given in choosing the winners?
• Do they jury secretly? Do they introduce themselves to the artists?
• What happens when the weather or crowds interferes with the judges viewing?
• Should a show rotate the award winners from one year to the next?

Our guests will be Sharon McAllister, Executive Director of ArtFest Fort Myers in Florida, Rick Bryant from the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College and Les Slesnick an art fair industry advocate and former art fair exhibitor.

Click here to listen live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2016/08/30/judges-jurying-awards-at-art-festivals

Do you have questions on this topic? Please put them in the comments below. 

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 6 PM ET - Expert advice on Mobile Websites, Photography for Shows and Marketing to Patrons

The guests:

• Scott Fox, author and e-biz strategist who focuses on online marketing, e- commerce, using the Internet to build businesses and finally doing the work you were born to do. His popular books include Click Millionaires, Work Less, Live More with an Internet Business You Love.

• Larry Berman is the recognized authority on "all things photography" involved with the art fair business. Larry's extensive technical knowledge makes him the answer man for creating digital images that get you into the shows. He consults with art fairs and blogs about the business at BermanGraphics.com.

• Connie Mettler is the host at ArtFairInsiders.com and creator of ArtFairCalendar.com, ArtShowReviews.com, CallsforArtists.com and ArtFairRadio.com. She has worked in all facets of the art fair business for over 30 years, as an artist's partner (participating in over 400 shows), show director, juror and consultant to events.

Do you have questions about using the Internet to further your career or better position your art fair online? Anything Internet, Scott can answer and point you in the right direction.

Concerned about your jury imaging, booth design, visual appeal, digital help? Larry is the expert.

All things art fair: marketing your show, connecting with customers, making the sale, travel tips, organizing your schedule, Connie can help.

This will be a call in show. We welcome your questions. Call in: (805) 243-1338

If you can't call in, post them below. Remember you can always download these podcasts to listen to any time.

AND -- we will be drawing names for the top ten prizes in the Pledge Drive. Have you pledged yet? Do it now so you can get top pick! Right here.

Next Podcast: Thursday, May 19, 5 pm ET

Stories from Art Fair Land

How do you earn a living as an artist? Let's talk about the pleasures and the pitfalls of choosing to be an artist in the U.S. This episode will either have you running to apply to the art festivals all across the country or running the other way, fast!

Our guests are Floridians Toni and Jay Mann who have been creating fun and functional claywork and selling it at art festivals for a long time (20 or 30 years, I'd guess).  They have had a lifetime of adventures in the art fair business and been in every town east of the Mississippi.

Also joining us are Craig and Sara Roderick, photographers from Alabama. Their desire to find a market for their work, American Road Trip Photography, brought them to the shows just a year ago.

Join us to hear the contrast between the stories of the veterans and those new to the business. What is the best part? What is the worst? and OMG what did that patron just say about your work and what did its dog do to your booth?

This will be a call in show. Show directors welcome. Let's hear it from both sides.

Get your stories ready and call in: (805) 243-1338

Wednesday - February 3, 5 pm ET 

It is application season! Anyone active in the art fair business is deep into preparing applications for jurying into the nation's art fairs. What are the odds you'll make the cut and get into your most desired festival?

Our guests are long time professionals from the business including Cindy Lerick, executive director of the Saint Louis Art Fair and Christine Berthiaume, Crafts Manager at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and Marguerite Esrock executive director of the St. James Court Show. 

We'll talk about:

1. As an intro we'll hear how each show prepares their jurors for jurying and the process of showing the jurors the applications
   
   
2. 10 worst things you can do to sabotage your chances of "getting in"

Have paper and pencil ready. This one is sure to bring you useful information applicable to your finding success exhibiting at art fairs large and small.

Comments welcome below -- what do you want to know? who would you like to have on the panel? A question you want me to ask? 

PODCAST: Thursday, Sept. 10, 4 pm ET

The interested parties have come to your party: that Art Festival you have been planning and marketing for 364 days. How do you make sure they love the show, bring their friends, buy art, spread the word about what they found there and can't wait for next year?

Successful show organizers Sharon McAllister, Executive Director of ArtFest Fort Myers (FL) and Jenny Wright, Festival Director of The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (TX) join the conversation and share their best tips for building a memorable experience for their patrons.

Show directors hear what you can do for your show to connect with your desired audience. Artists, learn what you can do on your part to help shows be successful and in turn contribute to your own success.

Learn more: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2015/09/10/keep-them-coming-back--marketing-to-the-art-fair-patron

Then be sure to join us on Thursday for this helpful information and to meet these show directors.

AUGUST 6 - 4 PM ET

When a city's largest employers pull out and the population begins to decline what do you do? Find new corporations, preserve the downtown, improve the quality of life by improving the schools, rebuild neighborhoods and focus on becoming one of the "Top 100 Arts Small Towns in the United States." 

Enter Artisphere, now in its 12th year and awarded Top 20 event out of the "100 Best" Art Shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine, a Top 10 Fine Arts and Fine Craft festival by the Art Fair Sourcebook, and #3 out of 20 finalists in USA Today's 10 Best Reader's Choice Award for Best Art Festival as well as one of ArtFairCalendar.com's Best Art Fairs in 2014.

Kerry Murphy, Executive Director of Artisphere and Liz Smith, Program Director,  join us to share their experiences.

1. We'll talk about how a city in the rural South, half way between Atlanta and Charlotte, attracts the nation's top artists and why those artists apply again and again to be part of the event. 
2. How a fine art event is "sold" to the town and how they attract buyers.
3. The organizational structure of the event, recruiting working board members who expand the reach of the festival.

How you can participate:

1. Listen by clicking the Art Fair Radio logo. 
2. Post questions for the guests in the comments below
3. Call in to the show: (805) 243-1338