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9fbab1d9-a67c-4304-aa6b-c892f330ec2f.png November 17 to December 22
Evanston, Illinois
Presented by the Evanston Art Center
150 Artists
Deadline: October 1

Application Fee: $35
The Evanston Art Center's 16th Annual Winter Arts + Crafts Expo features original, handmade arts and crafts by over 140 selected artisans. We feature original, handmade works of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed-media, and more. This month-long event attracts visitors all over the Midwest region.
 
The Art Center has open gallery space available for this event. The Expo is a group show, and as such, there are no booth spaces. Each artist's inventory will be identified and displayed on an approximately 20x30 inches tabletop space or the equivalent area on the wall or floor. Extra inventory for each artist will be stored and then displayed as merchandise is sold. 
 
The Expo staff will make all decisions regarding placement and display. Since this is not a booth show, artists will not be required to be present to conduct sales.  The Expo relies on volunteers to run the show. We have found that the artists who are present during the show contribute greatly to the professional atmosphere of the galleries and increase the sales of their own work by being able to talk to customers about their craft and process. We encourage each participating artist (who lives in the area) to volunteer three, 3-hour shifts during the show.



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Find more art fairs looking for you and your art: www.CallsforArtists.com

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The Horror!

Cackling and horrified, I untied the loose knots holding up curtain backdrop as quickly as I was able. Thankfully and blissfully, the curtains dropped to the ground. I clipped the curtains shut and hung as much weight on the bottom of the curtains as I dared.

Giddy laughter would not stop bubbling from my lips. Again and again I looked in disbelief at the photo I had just snapped of my booth. I could not have set up, framed or imagined a more perfectly horrible image of my booth.


A gigantic, stomach churning, revolting butt crack was perfectly centered in the middle of my booth.

The take away lesson boys and girls? Always, always, ALWAYS, take a moment before the show begins to step back and look at what YOUR booth looks like from the aisle. ALWAYS!!8869146065?profile=original

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Questioning the jury process

  The other day I recieved an interesting question from a show about my application.  

To give some background; the show application had a section that asks for the high and low price range of the artwork. Filled that in and proceeded to submit the application last month.  

  The question from the other day was to briefly explain the low end of the artwork. They explained that the jurors would most likely want to understand the lower price range artworks since the jury images are the nicer and more detailed artworks.  I answered politely and briefly but then got to thinking.... without pictures of the less expensive artworks; how are the jurors going to imagine them?  Is the jury making descisions about art they will not see?  Are the jurors making financial descissions as well as artistic?

  My understanding had been that the questions such as price range, were you in the show in previous years, do you require flat ground, can you set up inside, what other festival have you done, will you donate artwork,  etc....were used by the show committe to gather information for marketing, help with show layout and for their informational data base. 

     The question seems normal and weird at the same time.  Any thoughts?

 

 

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Addressing the Needs of Fine Art Photography buyers

I believe both the Photographer who sells their artwork at Art fairs or Galleries would find this informative, as well as the art collector.

I think many of us, myself included have had to deal with presentation issues. Just when you think you have decided on the perfect frame/mat combo for your artwork, you find out differently.  

The link below will take you to my "blog list". (minor inconvenience) Simply click on the little grey tab (bottom left) and this directs you to the FULL article :)   thanks for your patience  

http://fineartamerica.com/blogs/addressing-the-needs-of-fine-art-photography-buyers.html

8869122701?profile=original

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Door County, WI Shows

This is my second year doing shows. I am based in the Milwaukee area. I have decided to branch out and try some shows in Door County this year. However, now that I have gotten into a few of them, I am stumped at figuring out where to stay economically. Does anyone have any ideas? I may end up borrowing a tent and camping for $20/night, even though that seems like a bit more trouble than just sleeping in my car in the Walmart parking lot for free. Unfortunately, these art shows all fall on holidays where the motel rates are higher to begin with. 

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Ann Arbor 2012

Finally got there. I was like getting to the grand buffet and finding only a few slivers of beat up melon.  

For example: 

Ann Arbor State Street.  

Tuesday night an artists' dinner is held, we had the "privilege" of sitting with the Mayor and the show organizer. Tom, the show organizer, boosted that his was the only show that would allow stores to have street booths and that Urban Outfitters would do more than $250,000 during the four days of the show. That is $1/4 million that wasn't spent on art. That was only one vendor.

Consideration should be given to renaming the event the Ann Arbor Flea and Art Market.

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ideas for closing the sale???

I AM POSITIVE. 

I CAN DO THIS.

I CAN SMILE FOR 8-12 HOURS.

I CAN BE FRIENDLY, POSITIVE, AND UPBEAT DESPITE THE SWEAT DRIPPING OFF ME.

OK.  I'm trying to stay 'in the zone' of positive thoughts, positive vibes and auroas.  And people -love the jewelry and the glass.  Lots of compliments.  Sometimes identifying which piece should go to whom.  Thanking both of us for making the jewelry and glass.  Ooos and ahhhs. 

And then they say: 

   Do you have a card (all over the table - cards and postcards).

   Do you have a website (yes but pricing is higher) and I think that the website holds us back at shows because most people - 99.99% do not contact us after shows.

  Will you be showing anywhere else?  (If I say yes, will you promise to buy there?  And what's wrong with buying it at this show).  If I say yes - and tell them, they walk along.  If I say no this is it for this city -- or 'we'll be in  atlanta (not chicago) -- they walk away.  I sometimes think they ask the question and don't listen tot he answer.

    So, does anyone have any suggestions on closing a sale?  Sometimes I ask people - which design speaks to them.  or I see that they keep on going back to a particular design and I suggest that's the piece that is pulling at them ... it works sometimes and not others.

   I'm all ears -- and would love to hear from people before show opens tomorrow -- but even after that, suggestions would be valued.

Thanks in advance - Deborah@DorLDor.com

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Recently, I read a blog on AFI about the perils of:

1) Donating your works for charity.

2) Giving a piece of your work for raffle at the Art Fair you are attending.

3) Well, let's not enumerate on… the post was against GIVING AWAY your ART for any reason because it lowers its value.

Why? The jist of the post was that it’s BAD for BUSINESS!

Yes, I have the concept correct, unfortunately. Artists need to be savvy business women/men with cost sheets of realistic pricing, trend analyses, web maximization, facebook advertising, search engines that keep you in the forefront, gadgets that slip on your iPhone to scan credit cards... and on and on and on.

The theme of the post was ANATHEMA to me (nothing personal to whoever wrote it.) and I feel honor bound to represent artists to the best of my ability. While I’m polite to a fault, truthful about costs, and I’ll avoid conflict at all costs - I’ve never told anyone this before and am reluctant to now - that post forces me to take a very public stand:

Every show I find a way to give a piece of my work… to a charming child, a harassed mother, someone with a light pocketbook but the right eyes, a lovely aging beauty…

Isn’t the greatest gift an Artist can give ONE that is personal, rare and God-given: your own art? I think generosity is a civility I see and read about here on this blog daily.

So I am asking YOU.

I am the Director of Global Outreach for the Rainbird Foundation, a non-profit committed to the end of all forms of child abuse with no child left out. If you would like to participate in an act of generosity that would delight the recipient and contribute to the financial stability of this great organization, join me in contributing a piece of your art to them. I’ve never met a more deserving group of people, and their work will go far with our support!

IF THIS APPEALS TO YOU, FIND OUT MORE @: www.Rainbirdfoundation.org

OR CONTRIBUTE A PIECE OF YOUR WORK AND MAIL IT TO: RAINBIRD FOUNDATION, W311S7433 Arbor Drive, Mukwonago, WI 53149

Please, price your work. It will be sold in the Global web store.

Starting sometime early next year, I am looking to feature an artist a month in the store. If you are interested, write me at AFI.

With gratitude,

Linda

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WOW, thanks for the feedback!

When I posted my blog piece "Why aren't I selling?" I did not expect the response that I received. All I can say is WOW! I just finished reading each and everyone of them and appreciate the various comments, opinions and thoughtful insights that others have on the subject.

Michael R. made the remark "... sold to 4 out of every 10 that stopped by? Really?" To that I have to respond, "Yes, really," however, when I gave that figure, I did not say whether or not the individual had gone by my booth before without purchasing something. This in fact happened several times and a few of the "4 out of 10" came back either the same day or one of the following days of the show to purchase. When they returned they told me they just had to come back because of the amount of energy, the way they were made to feel important, especially when I would excuse myself to answer someone's question, tell that person I would be right with them as soon as I finished with the other person, and then return to talking with them, tell them to enjoy their day even when they didn't buy anything the first time around. I even joked with one person and told them I felt like a used car salesman when I explained about the festival and what we were striving for. The response I received was that I never made the person "feel like" they were being sold a bill of goods.

I have to agree with Michael that if my numbers matched and/or balanced out with the total number of attendees then it would have been a highly profitable venture to say the least. If I HAD sold according to the attendee numbers, I would have been out of stock the first day of the show. LOL. Believe me, I realize just like everyone that sales don't always go by the numbers and in a perfect world we would ALL realize the fruits of our labors. To me, however, building good customer, or potential customer, relationships is extremely important. I did have several people that were pleased that I was still doing the festival as they remembered me from last year (they did not purchase anything from me then), the referrals to other vendors I had given them when they were looking for something specific and directions to various places of interest within Alpena. They even brought others to the Festival this year to meet me and they all purchased something with a promise that they would return again next year.

Word of mouth on the positiveness and/or negativeness of an experience at a show can make or break a show or a vendor. For example, a vendor had a customer complain about a shirt they had purchased last year that was handpainted. The customer even brought the shirt in to show how badly the paint had come off. The vendor looked at the shirt and asked if they had "hand" washed it according to the instructions they received when they purchased the shirt. Even though the customer did not follow the insturctions, the vendor told them he felt bad about the results and gave them two different shirts at no cost to them. The customer was floored by this and even stated that a lot of BIG companies wouldn't do that. He ended up purchasing a stained class and hand carved mirror from this same vendor. When the customer left the show, he stopped at the ticket/information area to tell them that he would definitely be back and bringing others because of the way he was treated months after a prior shows sale by a vendor.

At Festival, even in these tough economic times, we've tried, for the most part, to be very upbeat and positive. We must be doing something right as we will be hosting our 17th year in 2012! The Festival goes out of its way to make sure that the vendors have what they need, when they need it and be as supportative as possible. However, there are a few that no matter what you do, that are not happy but that happens anywhere.

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments and for the food for thought. Mike R, just want you do know I appreciate YOUR comments as well as wasn't picking on you. The numbers and rationale were right on the money, just felt that your comment was a good one to use as an example of how numbers can be tweaked and not really give a good accurate result. May each and everyone of you have a successful show, meet wonderful people and enjoy all the best that life has to offer.

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Open Call to Artists

I recently came across the Art Fair Insiders site, as i am a gallery owner in Miami, Florida that is currently looking for some fresh, new work for a program we are working on at the Miami Airport. We are displaying art for sale in some of the various Premium VIP lounges. If you are an artist that might be interested, please email me with your email/phone/etc contact information, so that we can email you back with the basic rundown/information/program and specifics to get involved. We would love to locate some great new artwork.

kind regards,

Seth

info@sethjason.com

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I have a suggestion to those of you talkative artists and crafters out there. A good way to make money and do some good for future buyers is as follows:

I gave my children each the gift of buying one favorite work of art a year-or two if i felt we could afford it and by the time they had their own homes they had a fabulous collections.

I tell parents when they enter my booth with children usually 10 and up, that have some interest in my work, about how as a past art teacher (i only lasted one year with middle school art classes-aargh) I found that when a child grows their taste and understanding of art changes.

To further this quality a yearly purchase will open up new thought patterns such as about texture and color and dimension. Art pokes holes in the brain to let in air--it helps them do better in other subjects and life (as we all know). If they realize you are an artist and what that entails, and the materials you use and are invited to touch respectfully, they are likiely to want to buy your work as their first purchse.

I have this happen ten times a show

I think it is good for all of us to get kids in the early stages and to give their parents a new way to spend money on their kids.

what do you think?

 

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In this time of fierce competition for getting into shows, whether ZAPP, JAS, Entry Thingy, what have you, I'm still amazed that so many shows don't require an artist to show a picture ID at check-in/registration!  I just did a small show in which there were a number of booths run by people who even said they weren't the juried in artist.  This show did not require ID during check-in. 

There are a lot of shows, some of which have been in business for decades, that either don't care if the artist who juried in is the same one showing up or are naive enough to believe that no one would "fake it."

I'm talking about Coconut Grove, at the top echelon, and many, many more.  I've seen people selling stuff at so many shows who aren't the accepted artist.  When I've brought it up to what passes for a standards committee, I've been blown off, even insulted, that I would dare accuse someone of not being who they are.  And when I ask, "Why don't you ask them for their ID?"  the response varies from anger to disbelief that someone wouldn't be who they say they are.

So, what do the shows have to say for themselves, those that don't feel the need to ID the artists at check-in?

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poor Nels

What happened? Did Nels take a picture of some guys painting hanging on a fence? Really? Let's organize a bunch of torch holding town "folk" and go chase him out of his castle. Where was the outrage when the 10 or 11th "art" photographer shot the same slot canyon? Once again...with feeling. The problem is not that Nels did this, any more than several of the "art" photographer's, when not totally ripping off good men like Ray Hartle, are out shooting statues and such. Once again my children...you are killing the goose by becoming a decorative market place...Instead of rising up like rabid dogs in opposition to the tape measure and swatch caca that prevails, it appears you jumped on a poor old guy for doing wrong...and maybe it was. The problem however, is not Nels. it is the constant pandering to the swatch/tape mentality. As long as fine art/craft biz is dictated to by decor there will be an ongoing march towards average.. Remember, if you can't make it good, make it big...and if you can't make it big, make it blue...or watever this years color is.. F..k it, who wants pie? . .

Generalisamo Hippie

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Call to Artists!

The Relentless Eye:
Global Cell Phone Photography 2009Cell phone cameras are the relentless eye of the global simulacra. Simple and everywhere, cell phone cameras have transformed how photography is practiced. Helen Day Art Center announces the first of its kind international call to cell phone artists. We seek entries that reveal the creative mind through this ubiquitous medium for a ten-week exhibition opening September 25th, 2009. Entries will be juried by the acclaimed photographer, Eirik Johnson (www.eirikjohnson.com). For detailed information and submission guidelines visit us online at www.helenday.comDeadline for submissions is August 31, 2009.
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The start of a sale at any art fair begins with getting customers to notice your booth. What is the best way to attract customers to your booth? Here's just 6 tips that could work for you.1. Flowers. Nice landscaping can go a long way to sell a house. Flowers on a tables in restaurants put people at ease. So why not use flowers to your advantage. Last year I have used 2-4 planters with real planted flowers as anchors for my canopy. The idea came to me as I couldn't stand looking at cinder blocks or milk jugs while I sold at fairs. When I started using the planters - the first thing customers saw "Oh, what beautiful flowers" and came closer to take a look. Guess what happens next - they look in the booth and and enter it. So, perhaps planters aren't for you, what about a simple bud vase with your state flower, rose, wildflowers placed in areas you want to draw people's attention or fake flower garlands draped around an easel of your best 2-D art work?2. Large format photography. Ever find yourself driving and NOT take a second to see what a billboard advertisement was all about? The same idea can be extended to those who walk up and down aisles at fairs. Anything big draws the eye and for artists, this works like a charm especially for those who sell jewelry or anything small in size. For about $20, take a good photo of your best selling piece to a Ritz Camera (or other photo developer) and or get it framed or made into a banner and you are set.3. Good lighting. Remember the saying, "like moths to a flame"? Well good lighting in any show booth will draw customers in like moths to a flame. Darkness, shadows, and dim spaces is a natural deterrent - gets customers thinking about dark alleyways where danger could be around the corner. If people can't SEE what you make and sell, then isn't it only natural to pass one booth up for one that is well lit? Desk lamps, strings of Christmas lights, clip-on display lights, good display lamps, etc. all can work and some work better than others all depending on what you sell. Although some fear the money to fork over for electric, hauling lights and so on is too costly, I can tell you it will at least increase your sales 25-30% if not more - I am one of those who can vouch for this tip .4. Color. Commercial products in today's market place have great bright color branding - Yankee Candle, Victoria's Secret, Coca-cola, etc. I often see "cookie cutter" booths at every show - white canopy, white backdrops, white table coverings... While we can't help that fairs require white canopies and they are so easy to find, something as simple as colored table coverings, flower garlands hiding the legs to a booth, colored curtains/backdrops, simple colored scarves accenting jeweled toned necklaces, painted wooden shelving, and so on all are simple, inexpensive ways to add color to a booth. A splash of color in a sea of white (or black) will surely catch customers eyes as long as it is soft and not too bold.5. Banner. Banners do not have to be big, full of color, or expensive. Office supply stores who have a copy/print area or places online like Vistaprint can help help you make up any kind of banner you want all in the name of getting noticed. Two lines of writing such as your business name and website or tagline can truly make a booth stand out. It has a billboard effect, but also tells customers in a matter of 3 seconds I SELL POTTERY (photography, oil paintings, candles, jewelry...). This will help weed out lookie loos and drive serious shoppers into your booth.6. Demonstrate. Every show I have attended where someone demonstrates how their work is made - it draws a crowd. This idea appeals to the "mob" mentality where if one person stops to watch, others follow suit because they see one or more doing it too that it must be something interesting. Demonstrating is also a simple way to start selling without customers catching on. To show and tell a show patron how pottery is shaped and molded, watching a painter make a blank canvas flow with color, or how the sound of a hammer striking metal to form iron work is something people just don't see every day. Doing so also authenticates your work - they will never question "do you make this or is it handmade"? Can't demonstrate at a show - see point #2 - a large format photograph of you in action working away in your workshop also works just as well.I wanted to add this tip as I have had people asking me this question and recently posted it on my blog. I thought others here may benefit from the knowledge. If you like this post all I ask is to leave a comment on my blog - www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com . I want to encourage everyone though to share their tips. Have you tried any of these tips and they did or didn't work - I (as well as others I am sure) want to hear it. Thanks so much for reading!- Michelle, By the Bay Botanicals, www.bythebaybotanicals.com
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