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Looking back at my posts, I am fixated on the subject of creating a fair jury and clearly providing information to artists so that they can choose the best shows for their art.  For each artist, there is a different answer, including things that range from proximity to price point.

How can I provide answers that would be helpful to all of them?

The next section is very long and very detailed.  Maybe it would never be read if posted on my web site.  Still, if we're going to be transparent the information may need to be available.  Let me know what you think.

SHOULD YOU APPLY TO THIS SHOW?

Thank you for considering applying to our Art Fairs.   We want to be as transparent as possible with the goal of getting the best quality, most suitable artists into this event.  We also want to help you decide if the show is a good fit before you spend money on application fees.

Please note, while the information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge, and has been reviewed by participating artists, there is no assurance or guarantee for your success.  There are so many variables from weather to taste that a guarantee would be virtually impossible.

The first step is for you to be familiar with your art and if it is a good fit for the show.   Degas would not be a good fit for our Funky Ferndale Art Fair (but wouldn’t we be thrilled if we had Dali!)  For our Belle Isle Art Fair it may be the reverse.

In the ideal world you would have a chance to attend every show you want to consider before you apply.  Since that is not practical, we suggest that you take a look at the images on the website.  Does the show include art like yours?  How does the quality, medium, sensibility of art in these images compare to yours?

It’s not a bad idea to email the show to ask if they feel your art fits their sensibility.  Even better would be to email some of the artists that you saw represented in the show who may be on your contact list.  I believe most show promoters will give an honest assessment,   but they may not be able to give as accurate information as a previous attending artist. 

Does the show list the criteria that they are using to jury?  Is there a relative weight to each element?  I advise our jurors to look at originality, competence, suitability and one other intangible area.

            Originality-  Would you find similar images at Target?  Are other applicants

sending similar work?

Competence- Basically, who is in charge- the artist or the material? Does it look like the artist completed the work in an appropriate way for the style?

Suitability- Does your style fit the show?  Rarely will you see the same artist at a high school craft fair and a juried art fair.

Finally, the intangible.  Would the look of this booth (and the art in it) be good for the perceived quality of the fair, or might it harm it?

            It helps to know who is jurying the show and how.  An art fair artist may see things differently than a museum director.  College professors may know what is good art, but may not know what sells at the shows.

            Our juries are composed of local talented artists from each community in a variety of mediums.  Other shows may use museum experts, art professors or other community members.  For each group there are advantages and disadvantages.  I remember one show that I worked with thirty years ago that was juried by museum staff but attended by regular folks.  The jurors choices did not always match up with the tastes of the public.

            We allow time for discussion at our jury sessions.  Some shows prohibit it, restrict it, or don’t provide an opportunity for it.  Some shows jury remotely with each juror signing in from home.  Others run a projector and limit views and statements to a specific time frame.  I suppose if we had 1000 applicants we would need to be more efficient, but I prefer allowing for discussion.  If we arrive at consensus great. If not we move on and come back to it.  Another advantage of this system is that I can gather comments to share with the artists.

            Now for a more controversial area that would also help you to determine if applications are advised.  The numbers.  Size of show, number of applications, mix of artists and percent that are jury exempt.   Frankly with the top shows none of this may make a difference.  If your work is suitable for the Smithstonian Fair I’d say go for it, even though it’s not the largest show, has fewer attendees and has many, many applicants.  The sales and prestige make it worth the effort.

            Size of show indicates both the audience and the number of artists.  Frankly I feel like both of those numbers are far less relevant than the spending per artist.  I’d much rather hear from artists about their success.  Who comes to the show is more important than how many.  One thousand wealthy collectors mean much more than 40,000 music loving passer bys.  There is an exception to this-  if you are selling twenty dollar mugs and need to gross $3000 to be happy, that indicates 150 transactions. For you the size of the crowd matters more than the artists selling $15000 work who averages a sale every two or three shows.

            Ratio matters.   Most shows received up to 50% jewelry applications.  Anyone who has been in a general art fair with 50% jewelers is likely to see a problem.  (Gem and jewelry shows do work, but only if that is the intention).  You can sometimes tell this by looking at the web site.  We keep any one medium to about 20% maximum.  Perhaps a bit more with multi-media as they are so varied.  Also with the Art of Fire- Clay, Glass and Metal our limits are different since there are only three mediums.

            I have been accused of not having enough spaces open for new artists because of what we feel is an artist friendly policy.  If you are accepted into one of our shows, you can return for two more years without jurying if you follow the rules and procedures.  Mathmatically that sounds problematic, but in reality it works and supports artists.  The numbers folks say that if 75% of the artists return that only 25% of the spaces are open.  The reality is that we have never had less than 60% of spaces available even with the vast majority coming back.  How cn that be?  Not everyone is on the same three year cycle.   Starting a new show, we may place only 50-60 artists.  That gives each a better chance of success.  The next year, depending on results and applications we add more artists, and so on for the third year.  This works out well.

            Some shows require everyone jury every year.  I have heard of prize winners being denied the opportunity to return.  Frankly I feel like our policy is more artist friendly and evens out the power structure.  I’m sure we lose some mathematically inclined artists.

            All this text and I’ll give you a one paragraph conclusion that is more important than the rest of it put together-  Find artists in a different medium than yours who sell well to the same audience you do.  Share advice.  Different mediums so you’re not directly competing and have no reason to hold back. 

            Please share your thoughts and comments.

I'm receiving a bunch of creative emails from artists promoting online sales and discounts, etc. 

Here's the latest from a good email marketer, John Leben:

Subject line: John Leben is having a 20% Off Sale

Content: 

Type "SALE20" at Checkout

 

 

The last three of the eight art fairs I was scheduled to exhibit in were cancelled in Florida this past week because of the virus. This sale is to offer you an opportunity to see and buy my work at a discount and to help me recoup some of my losses from those cancellations. 

There is more to John's email, but you get the gist of it. Learn more about John and his sale. Btw, this is NOT an advertisement.

What about you? What are you going? Show us your stuff ... (and be careful and safe)

Some of the discussions on various social media pages have revolved around resources for artists. Here are some that you may or may not have come across and may or may not be of use to you.

https://cerfplus.org/get-relief/apply-for-help/craft-emergency-relief-fund/

https://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/

https://www.nyfa.org/Content/Show/Rauschenberg-Emergency-Grants

https://www.nyfa.org/Content/Show/Emergency%20Grants

Historic Old Louisville neighborhood

Consistently ranked as one of the top fine art shows in the nation, the St. James Court Art Show attracts more than 250,000 attendees annually from all across the nation who come to purchase unique, handcrafted items directly from the hands that crafted them. Held annually on the first full weekend of October in historic Old Louisville, the St. James Court Art Show has been running continuously since 1957. 

There are five sections of the St. James Court Art Show that artists can apply to: St. James Court, Belgravia Court, Fourth Street, 3rd Street, and 1300 Association. Each section juries artists. 

 

What to expect:

• Over 250,000 attendees 
• $10,000 in awards 
• Booth sitters and complimentary meals 
• Friendly volunteers and staff 
• Drive-up loading and unloading (weather permitting)
• Deadlines vary by section: April 1 to June 1
• Application Fees vary by section: $30 - $40 
• Booth Fees vary by section and location: starting at $550
   

When I left New Smyrna early Thursday morning, I waved Ellen a goodbye kiss and took a big breath.

So far as I knew this was about the only show to go on for the weekend in Florida.

Vero is a biggie, So was Winter Park the following weekend.

I had ordered and bought lots of inventory, printing papers, mat boards, frames and glass in anticipation.

My past history told me I had the potential to make $10k-$18k between the two shows.

That could hold me over into late May.  I needed this bad.  Just like so many of my friends,

I was also looking at nearly $2k in booth fees due by the end of the month.

I headed down I-95 with crossed fingers.

I arrived early and found my booth space.  Challenging, but I could handle it.

You could feel the apprehension in the air.

Everybody was trading stories. Shows cancelled, what are we going to do.  What future shows were closing.

By 3pm, after a cool lunch with Chris and Linda at the Riverside Cafe I was finally setup.

Everybody was looking forward to making money on Friday.

We counted ourselves lucky.

The. At 4pm I heard the first rumor.

They were cancelling Winter Park.

I about threw up.  Way to spoil a perfect Mahi sandwich.

Minutes later, it was official.

Now, I was really sick.

Let me preface this—about sick.

When I did Gasparilla two weekends earlier, I caught an airborne virus from somebody.

First I got that tickle in the back of my throat.  Next day I was coughing up yellow mucus.

The next two days, I had no energy, stayed in bed.  Went to a clinic on Friday and was diagnosed with a viral respitory infection.  Not the Coronavirus.

Got an inhaler, took Musinex, and started a daily pill.

Laid low next five days and slowly recovered.  Ellen caught it.

By Wednesday, day before. Vero, I was still weak.

 BY Thursday I felt ok and was on my way.

So Friday morn first day of show, we were all ready.

I heard that more than a dozen artists had shown up early to see if there were any cancellations.

There were none.

People came early.

There was good social distancing.

Nobody was on top of another.

no coughing, no sneezing.

I signed for people on my Square on the IPad.

Alcohol wiped all cards and screens.

People were happy to see us.

 Not a lot of sales going on, but people were happy.

Friday is never a biggie here,  If you make $500 you are doing good.

Had lots of bites.

Usually the wife comes today and Spock’s out the show.

Then they drag their husbands off the golf course and buy on Saturday.

I had at least 12 situations like that.  Saturday looked real good.

Then, do not forget this was Friday the 13th!

The shitstorm hit us,

.We had heard rumblings around the show around 4pm.

Show was closing—permanently.

At five minutes before closing, the red golf cart with the show director started making the rounds.

We were told that the show was closed, by sheriffs order, and we had to get our white tents and asses out of Dodge.  Pronto.

I got a sick feeling again.  This really sucked.

I packed out in less than two hours.  My heart was not in it.

I started having feelings about artist oblivion.

This is what I found out later.

The Show wanted to go on.  Because of Trumps Excecutive Order police depts. had to close down all large public gatherings.  End of show, no refunds.  Tough, fucking shit.

So, it is Monday and I am at my fav NSB bar, the Ocean Breeze.  It is Monday Monday, so all food and drink is half price for guys.

We just got the news.  The bright orange Tuna said that any gatherings of people are verboten, unless you are at one of his rally’s. A little sarcasm.

I ordered another Patron and sushi.

I am living on the edge.

Jeez! We thought all that was important, was to get in the best shows and prosper.

Now! Who knows, where is my next future sale.  And online is not where it is at.

Shows are cancelling or rescheduling, but applications still have to be submitted. And for some artists that means needing new images. So for anyone hiring me to photograph their artwork or improve their images, I'll do 50% when the job is finished and you can pay the balance when you can afford it, no matter how long it takes, and you can even pay me off incrementally.

Check out the examples of my art photography:
http://bermangraphics.com/digital-jury-resources/jury-slide-photography.htm

Check out the examples of my jury image improvements:
http://bermangraphics.com/digital-jury-resources/fixing-jury-images.htm

Call 412-401-8100 if you have any questions.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com

September 19 & 20

The Riverwalk, considered to be one of the most beautifully maintained park grounds in the Midwest, features plants, trees, fountains and covered bridges along side a winding brick walkway. This paved path is a natural showcase for many of the sculptures and artwork commissioned by Naperville's Century Walk committee. As the focal point of downtown Naperville, it is a delightful setting for a Fine Art Fair. Visitors travel from far and near to enjoy the splendor of the riverwalk and the quaint restaurants and shops in downtown Naperville. 

This just in my inbox from Alice Moulton at the Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival:

This is a very hard email to send to you, but I must let you know that the 61st Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival has been cancelled.  Could you help us get the word out to the art festival community. With much regret, we have notified the participating artists through ZAPP. 

Thank you for all that you do.   Alice

“Due to current information regarding the potential spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), and events beyond our control, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival (WPSAF), scheduled for Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22, 2020, will be cancelled. The City of Winter Park and the WPSAF Committee decided together that the health and safety of the community, guests, event patrons, artists and staff are the very top priority. Thank you for understanding our concerns.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Center for Disease Control at cdc.gov/COVID19. For information related to WPSAF, please visit WPSAF.org.”

This is so sad -- when you think of all 365 days of devotion to produce a top art fair by this non-profit organization, totally volunteer-driven, plus the inability to recoup their expenses, the loss is pretty devastating and the recovery will take some time. 

And, of course, the loss to artists who were relying on the show for their income and so disappointing for them not to be there to meet the buyers. It is one of those shows that an artist looks forward to all year. 

Have any of your shows been cancelled? What are you going about it?

September 5 - 7
Breckenridge, Colorado
Colorado Mountain College
107 Denison Placer Road
Saturday-Sunday 10am - 6pm & Monday 10am - 4pm
120 Artists
Deadline: March 31

The 45th Annual Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival has been consistently ranked in the top 200 Fine Art Shows in the country by Sunshine Artists (#37 in 2018).  As one of the longest running events in Breckenridge, the tradition continues as the highlight of the Labor Day Weekend and will be limited to approximately 120  artists and craftsmen in a wide range of mediums.  

Breckenridge is located just 80 miles west of Denver in Summit County (which includes Copper Mountain, Frisco, Silverthorne, and Keystone) in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. This is the last big weekend of the summer with many locals, destination tourists, front range tourists, and second home owners in attendance for this very well established show.

Due to construction of a new parking structure by our old location, this year's festival will be held in the Colorado Mountain College parking lot 

just north of town. This is a very large paved lot with great visibility from Highway 9, the only way to come to town from I-70.  This allows us to have free parking for artists and patrons. You can drive right to your booth. 

• No gate fee
• Free parking
• Free coffee, bagels/donuts each morning
• Water provided throughout weekend for artists

Apply: 

https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=8173

For more information: http://www.mountainartfestivals.com/

Contact: Richard Cunningham, dcphoto49@embarqmail.com

Yes, viruses and earthquakes. If you're feeling secure, and have the resources, please consider donating to CERF+'s fund for earthquake victims in Puerto Rico.

If you don't know about CERF+ it is a non-profit that supports arts and is "The Artists Safety Net", providing resources for artists in need. CERF+ participated recently in the 5th Clinton Global Initiative Action Network Conference, the Flamboyan Foundation formally announced our partnership and commitment to supporting the arts and creative economy of Puerto Rico in the wake of natural disasters.

The conference, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier this month, brought together leaders from business, government, and the private sector to create opportunities for collaboration and secure commitments that advance and promote long-term recovery and resiliency in the Caribbean.

And, if you are an artist in need, CERF+ is there to help you!

Learn more here and subscribe to their newsletters which always include helpful information for you and your business in the arts: https://cerfplus.org

Here at ArtFairInsiders.com we are committed to providing resources so artists can support themselves with their art, but CERF+ also provides $$$ for those in need.