Blog

This show was last weekend, second weekend of July.

A two day show with Friday setup.

Held on the lake bluff in downtown St. Joseph.

200 exhibitors setup on both sides of the sidewalk, the show extends about eight city blocks.

Most can pull right into the curb and setup.  Pretty easy setup and teardown.

The Show has been going on more than 25 years and attracts a good crowd.  A lot of Chicago money here with a mix of Michiganders and folks from northern Indiana.

Pretty conservative and traditional sales for artwork.  New stuff does not play well here.

In my humble estimation, this is the best show for sales in Michigan for fine art.

I will take it over Arts n Apples, Birmingham, Ann Arbor or any other Lake Michigan coastal cities shows.

The middle class in Michigan has little disposable income.  They will spend it on good drinks and food but not so much on art.

Mainly small pieces out of the bins sell best here.

Every once and a while somebody hooks a big whake for a big sale.  But there are not enough of them around.

The Show is on Zapp and run by the art center.  Lots of volunteers to help everybody.  Free water, free Saturday breakfest, and plenty of booth sitters.

The one big disconnect with this show is the location of the artist lounge and snacks.  It is all the way at the south end of the show.  It is a long trek that most do not make if they are at the north end.  Even the middle.

That should be improved, Krasl are you listening?

This is not an easy show to get in.  Tough jurors and lots of competition.  But it is worth vying for.

This is the same weekend as Madison, Cain Park and Corn Hill and in some years, State College.

If you are waitlisted there are good chances of being called. Lots of people playing off one show from another.  Vets know what I mean.

I have gotten in more then 15 times over the last 25 years.  Most times this is a 5K-plus show for me.

But this year, all shows have been off by 30-40% in sales, that even includes Fort Worth.

People are holding back big time on art.  And this being felt industrywide, it is not just me.

So, I was not expecting to do nearly as well when I prepared for this show,luckily it turned out better.

I think it helped that I debuted three new images and one made me killer sales.

This year like most in the past was a mix of hot, humid July heat mixed with soothing cool air off the lake.

If you were in shade it was almost 15 degrees different.  

Temps were in the mid high eighties both days.

But hell, it is Michigan.  If you do not get it now, when do think you are going to get it.  This is not Florida.

FLASH.            FLASH.    TEQUILA. REPORT

I am sitting at a great restaurant in Saugatuck while writing this blog.

It is going to hit 87degrees plus today, good time to be inside with A/C.

Sorry for the folks suffering on the asphalts of Ann Arbor.

Anyways, this place is called the Southerner.  Located just out of the north side of downtown Saugatuck.

The place sits right on the river with awesome views.

I am at the bar facing 50 varieties of bourbon I could order.  They have an Evan Williams on the rocks for $4.  You can chase it with a $2 Hamms beer in a can.

Then eat the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich on a big toasted homemade biscuit.  Chase it down with some tasty homemade baked beans. Sandwich for $8 and beans for $2.50.

Um, um, um. Life is good.  

If you go to Saugatuck, my home base for the summer, you gotta come here.  They are the berries.

OK, actually this was a bourbon and biscuit report.

Back to Krasl.

So Saturday was hot, humid with cooling lake effect breezes.  The crowd slowly built.

I started off with a $500 sale.  I was happy, considering the last two shows I did, I did not gross $3K total.

Sales came along regularly, mostly out of the bins.

People were buying everywhere. About 12:30 sales ground to a halt.

Til 6pm, show close, I did maybe another $500.

I was sleeping in my own bed, forty five minutes away.

Oh! I forgot to tell.  The show will put up artists for free with patrons here.  That can be a big saving.  More money for margaritas.

Sunday weather same as Saturday with a little more cloud cover, kept it a little cooler, then the fricking sun burned thru about noon, and it was hot, hot, hot.

Crowds were smaller and not buying as much.  Couple of artists hit home runs, but for most it was ho-hum.

Show ended at 5pm and I was home buy by 6:30.

A good time was had by all.

Oh, and my little dear retiring wife, Ellen, bought a Beamer, and we are flying at the speed of sound down the interstate.

Just kidding.

 It it accelerates way faster than my Ford van. 

God almighty.

Later gators.

September 21 & 22
Warrenville, Illinois
Presented By: Warrenville Park District 
50 Artists
Deadline: August 31

Application Fee: 0   Booth Fee: $65

• Artists may bring their own tent or rent a tent. 
• The crowds average 1900-2000 over the 2 day weekend.
• The artist's booth fees and expenses are low due to the support that is received from the City of Warrenville Hotel Motel Grants and the Park District passes this on to the artists. 

Marketing Plan:

Each year the arts are embraced by the Mayor and various City Officials with funding and advertising of the event. Social Media outlets, Newspaper ads, on-line festival websites, step-in the ground signs week of the event, posters, mailers, and digital advertising in both Daily Herald and Chicago Tribune are included in our marketing looking to bring you the customers you deserve.

 

New this year: 

Food Trucks are being added to bring a new aspect to the festival encouraging increased crowd traffic. Various categories of Monetary Prizes for the artists are added this year

 

Apply and More Information: http://www.warrenvilleparks.org

Contact: Ruth Brackmann, ruthb@warrenvilleparks.org (630) 393-727

In this summer of extreme heat, I was wondering how many of us have gone down in heatstroke over the years. It's been a challenge to stay cool this Summer and it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. I was in Des Moines where the heat index got to 111 degrees that weekend, and man, it was a challenge. I have a "frosty' cooler that I swear by. It's the Amazon cheaper version of the Yeti and it kept me hydrated and I have Ryobi fans also, but sometimes it's not enough. I have heard that if you have heatstroke or near heatstroke you are more susceptible. Not sure if that's true, but maybe I am just more aware of the signs now, so I know what to do. Anyway, if you have a good story, any great remedies or just some info we show know...Let's share it so everyone can stay safe.

November 8, 9 & 10, 2019

• Targeted public and media relations initiatives elevating the status of the Maitland Rotary Art Festival, and raising awareness prior to, and driving traffic during the festival
• Social media including Facebook and Twitter
• Generous media budget
• Patron Program, designed to attract more fine art buyers

Has anyone taken the David Emmons Master class ?

Was it easy to implement and did the results meet your expectations ?

Any info is appreciated.

9 Black Space Saver Knock Down Pro Panels @ 38.5" - Ann Arbor

$550 for all 9 (18pcs... includes all connectors and grommets)

• A panel includes 1 top and 1 bottom.

• Includes telescoping leg extensions, allowing you to raise the overall height from 71″ to 84″

• All widths break down small enough to ship UPS.

• Display area measures 65″ high by 38.5″ wide.

• Includes original boxes

Used but good condition. Unfortunately, I do not have any of the braces any more. This is just the panels and the velcro loops to tie them together.

Available for Pick up or delivery within 50 or so miles of Ann Arbor with arrangement.

Can ship UPS for arranged fee.

9 Black ProPanels @ 7'x38.5"

1 Black ProPanel @ 7'x30"

$400 for all 10 panels

84″ Tall Frame
71″ Carpeted Cover
10″ Space between floor and carpet

Each panel measures 1.25″ thick.

Display on both front and back of panel.

Used but good condition. Unfortunately, I do not have any of the braces any more. This is just the panels and the velcro loops to tie them together.

Available for Pick up or delivery within 50 or so miles of Ann Arbor with arrangement.

The Key West Art Center in Key West, FL is pleased to announce that Grace Epperly is the new Show Director for the 35th Key West Craft Show and 55th Old Island Days Art Festival. 

Local Key Wester, Grace Epperly is a potter and former gallery owner. She personally has participated in the Key West Craft Show for at least 15 years as well as various other shows throughout the state of Florida. She knows exactly what is involved in preparing a large amount of inventory, traveling to a show and setting up and breaking down for a show in all types of weather conditions. She is the perfect person to take over the position from Lois Songer, the previous director, as she knows firsthand the show experience from the artist’s perspective. Grace will also bring a fresh, bold and bright look to the marketing with her graphic design background.

"I'm honored to take over the reins for Lois. My goal is to bring some new artists for each venue to keep the shows fresh and energetic and make this an outstanding community event for locals and our island visitors. I have a plethora of marketing ideas to promote each show and I'm very excited for this opportunity." 

The 35th Key West Craft Show is January 25 & 26, 2020. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2019. 

The 55th Old Island Days Art Festival is February 22 & 23, 2020. The deadline for applications is October 1, 2019.

For the prospectuses and to apply online, please visit: www.keywestartcenter.com.

So excited ! I won a free space at the Old Fourth Ward Art Show this September !

How great of Randall Fox to have donated this. Randall was really easy to work in this process. Thank you !

I am looking forward to doing this show , it will be my first time at this show .

I have been wanting to get back into the Atlanta area for shows for some time. Can't wait to see how the area has changed from our last experience ,(2001 ! ).

 We believe in supporting Art Fair Insiders, and are glad there is this forum to express our "happy times as well as our moans and groans" !

Thanks to Connie and her "gang" for doing such a great job !

at the last minute a key staff member needs to leave 

The Michigan Guild of Artists & Artisans is looking for a full time Operations Director for the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair for their organization right away. Is this the job for you?

The Guild of Artists & Artisans is hiring an experienced Art Fair Operations Director. This is a full time position that will report directly to the Executive Director. The Guild of Artists & Artisans is a 501(c)3 non-profit artist membership organization that produces fine art fairs. The Art Fair Operations Director is responsible for all operational aspects of The Guild’s art fairs and related art fair components, programs and projects. This position will hire, assign, train and direct the work of the temporary art fair staff.

Just a few of the duties:

• Designs and manages all art fair operations and site logistics.
  
  
• With the Executive Director hires, assigns, trains and directs the work of the temporary art fair staff. (operations coordinators). Trains and manages operations coordinators.

• Hires, trains, schedules and manages the work of temporary fair staff which includes street coordinators, rovers and barricade workers. Depending on the event, may also manage the booth sitters.

• Supervises the preparation, move-in and teardown of all art fair sites and its various components.

• Designs and administers artist registration procedures. Designs and executes artist move-in and move-out plans.

• Develops and manages sponsor set-up and teardown procedures.

• Develops and manages vendor, such as food court participants, set-up and teardown procedures.
• Prepares art fair operations annual plan; assists in the development of art fair annual and strategic goals.
  
  
• Prepares and monitors operations timelines, budgets, status reports and post event feedback. Is responsible for keeping expenditures within budget
  
  
• Negotiates art fairs operations contracts and services. Orders and maintains art fair operations equipment and supplies. Ensures that all contracted services are provided.
  
  
• Prepares information materials for participating artists; assists artists with art fair related problems and concerns.
  
  
• Evaluates site design and makes recommendations for changes and enhancements.
  
  
• Works with the City, Main Street Area Association and other fair partners and committees to ensure events meet all required contractual agreements, regulations and ordinances.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills. Excellent customer service skills.
  

• Ability to interact effectively with staff, membership, the public, the Board of Directors and volunteers.

• Extremely organized and detail-oriented; able to meet multiple deadlines

• Ability to work well with minimal supervision and thrive in a fast paced, high-pressure environment.

• Proven track record of event management.

• Excellent problem solving abilities. Must be able to think and adjust to change quickly.

Special Requirements

• Able to work long hours, out-of-doors, maneuvering through huge crowds, in all weather conditions – including heat, humidity, rain or other inclement conditions
  
  
• Able to lift 50 pounds
  
  
• Ability to drive oversized vans and trucks.
  
  

Selling out jewelry making machines & tools.  Craft hut & jewelry cases must go.  mackie-designs @comcast.net

February 1 & 2, 2020

HOW DO WE PROMOTE FOR YOU?

• a very loyal base of VIP's, patrons and sponsors who wait all year to purchase art at our festival
• upscale dining areas, including shaded table seating & ample food/beverage options, encouraging buyers to stay longer and shop more.
• on-site arts related activities to keep the patrons engaged while they decide on more art purchases (high school art competition, children's art yard, high school sidewalk chalk competition and more).

• Oversized booth spaces - 3 feet between booths & behind-booth storage areas
• Easy Friday Set-up with scheduled staggered drive-up access
• Breakfast Saturday and Sunday plus water all day & indoor bathrooms
• Booth Sitters and dedicated Artist Ambassadors
• Discounted hotel rates & reserved free artist parking with complimentary trolley transportation
• 24 hour security
• $5,500 in Artist Awards

• Apply from May 15 - September 10, 2019 at ZAPPlication.org
• Visit our festival website ArtFestFortMyers.com. The Info for Artist page provides artist-specific information including hotels, set-up, jury success & many other helpful tips.
• Like us on FaceBook and connect with us on LinkedIn, where we feature festival artists and engage patrons year-round

Apply Now: ZAPPlication.org

I have a 10x20 Trimline canopy top for sale. Purchased in 2007 by the original owner who only did indoor shows and never used the canopy. I only do 10x10 size booth so do not need the 10x20 top. I have photos showing the perfect, never used condition, will send by request. Including the Trimline giant drawstring storage bag with purchase.

Asking $450, local pickup in 53590. Will ship anywhere if you pay shipping charges. 

Used once.  Worked great; I'm just not doing anymore shows.

• Four water proof vinyl walls, with one wall with 3-foot zippered door in the middle. Walls attach with Velcro.
• Comes with wheeled storage bag.
• Comes with everything you see in this booth shot (minus the paintings, of course): outdoor carpet for walls, carpet for floor, six 30lb hanging weights and storage bags (not shown).
• Everything fits into the storage bag. 
• You'd have just about everything you'd need to start showing. 
• At lest $2000 worth of equipment if bought new.  I'm asking $1000.
• For how it fits together and sets up, look here and here.
• For how well it stands up to wind, look here.

I'm in Ormond Beach, FL, and it would have to be picked up there.

This was the second time I had done the show, the first was about 12 years ago with a different body of work.

This four day show, which starts on a Thurs, with longish hours (12 noon to 11 PM) is not as bad as it sounds as the late start each day is not as tiring as the usual 9 or 10 AM start time.

Work was variable good quality although there were some rubber swords and funny walking animals near the kids area.

Relatively easy load-in with staggered times and good logistics control. Load out either after 11PM on Sunday or come back Monday morning early for an even easier time. Partner hotel rates were as good as the nearest cheap hotel (Super 8) and within walking distance of the show.

Thursday saw intermittent rain and cool temps with low crowd numbers, things picked up considerably on Fri into Sunday with perfect weather (not always the case!) Best sales for me were on Saturday, others reported better sales on Sunday. Overall slow sales meant a low average selling show.

This is a well established show so people know about it, I'm not sure how much goes into advertising.

Some booths had storage, others not. Booth sitters were readily available snacks were only available the day of load in with water jugs to fill your own bottle available all times. There is parking nearby at various price points. Judges for awards were very engaging. Security is there throughout the show and even into Monday morning.

People that came into booths were engaging, not the usual walking dead, and asked questions of the artists but buying energy overall was low.

One artist comment that I read from earlier years suggested that this was not a fine arts fair but catered more to the music and beer component. There were many new artists to the show this year according to their advertising, it seemed like a lot of beginners/amateurs and not well seasoned artists and craftsmanship.

Our 10th Pledge Drive was one of our best solid pledges and wonderful prizes for all of you who support our mission to enable artists to earn a living at the nation's art fairs.

Your pledge really makes a difference. Not only was the response great - the personal messages to me about how helpful our websites have been for you was a wonderful reward. Thank you. 

The prizewinners were thrilled, especially the top winners:

1. Debbie Stillman chooses: $200 gift certificate from Pro Panels
   
   
2. John Houle chooses: a $300 Flourish gift certificate
   
   
3. Patricia Venaleck chooses: the Ring Doorbell from ArtFairCalendar.com
   
   
4. Carolyn Copper chooses:$200 gift certificate from Pro Panels
   
   
5. Lou Ann Grover chooses: a $300 Flourish gift certificate

See the rest of the prizewinners right here.

Who do we thank?

Supporters: 

Ann Anglim, Ruchi Bartar, Jean Block, Edward Browning, Joan Brusch, Theodora Cox, Paula Dammeyer, Deborah Gunvaldsen, John Jassy, Norma Klein, Guillermo Pagan, Janet Peterson, Kristine Ritter, Barbara Scraggs, Mark Sherman, James Snively, Judith Spector, and Betty Werner

Ruth Davis Odile, Christie Wilcock, Patricia Venaleck, Wallace Fuller, Anne Metcalfe, Christine Lush-Rodriguez, Allison Farkas, Sonja Jones, Margie Luttrell, Anne Harding, and Hollis Graze

Theresa Jankowski, Mary Sommers, Geri Wegner, Bernadette Sza, Rhonda Brown, Patricia Monaco, Caroline Peters, Stephen Mineck, Beverly Cox, Kathryn Nidy, D Heraty, Musette Bonds, Nancy Falco, Sara Shambarger, John Shoemaker, Carol Faith, Jean Einstein, Kaity Klothes, Gerri Katz, Pamela Eckert, Moxie Sorber, Cindy Miceli, Peggy Roeder, Susan Kovach, Linda McCarthy, Laura Bundesen, and Garden Shed Studio

Lou Ann Grover, Shanghai Tai Designs, Chris Fedderson, Lori Burns, Susan Fleming, Bradley Gray, Frances Hooper, John Jassy (2), Alice Johnson, Michele Klein, L E Maynard Enterprises, Rita Lindsay, Memories Antique Gallery, Robert Pangman, Lyn Patterson, Karen Pfender, Regal Beads

Beverly Ringenberg, Kristine Ritter, Karen Ruff, Lori Ryerson, Veronika Willard, Beechtree Designs, Debbie Cooper, Jerry Dowdle, Susan Feder, Lebenart/Bumbley, Heidi Mandich, Charene Murray, Richard Seymour, Thomas Wingate, Barry Bernstein, Brent Coulter, Michael Perronne, Chengqing Wang, and Blake Museum

Tammie Everly, Robert Wallis, Katie Hoffman, Donna Dreyer, Larry Sohn, and Timothy Schroll, Natureation, Kristin Moger, Marla Wieck, Layl McDill, Geaux Photography, Scott Wright, Tina Noonan, Andrew Shea and Larry Sohn.

Patrons:

Mark Loeb, Gregory Shaull, Ron Gage, Clinton Dean, Janet Muchnik, and GRC Sign Network, Pam Wiggins, Debra Facciolo and John Desalme, Barbara Walker, Charlotte Beales, Burnt Offerings Art, Kevin Miller, Constance Ross, Donna Aurandt and Victoria Jackson

Angels: Richard Sherer, Debbie Stillman and Paolo DeMaria

The Prize Donors:

Luke Block and Sage Billig at Flourish.com, Howard Alan at Howard Alan Events, Ryan Muir and Jason Brown at ACTIns.com, Larry Berman at BermanGraphics.com and Julie Cochrane at festivalnet.com.

Carolyn Edlund from artsbusinessinstitute.com, Randall Fox at AFFPS.com, Greg Lawler at the Art Fair Sourcebook, Janet & Howard Rose from Rosesquared.com; Richard Rothbard from www.AmericanArtMarketing.com; Larry Sanders of www.juryimage.com; Lynn Wettach at www.holidayartshows.com and John Leben at www.LebenArt.com.

Mark Burris at ProPanels.com, Jeff Abele at GrandstandApps.com, CC Barton, Jeff Christlieb at CanopyBanners.net, Dave Emmons at Vermont Nature Creations, Mckenna Hallett at MyGoldenWords.com, Drew Hendrix and Leslie Clampitt at RedRiverPaper.com, Mark Loeb at IntegrityShows.com and Josh McClure at CanvasGicleePrinting.com.

Debbie Stillman at debbiestillmanjewelry.com, Patty Narozny at HotWorks.org, Trudi van Dyke, Barb Walker at Art Spectacular, Larry Mitchell at CanopyWeights.com, Franklin Puick at www.cyberhenge.com, and John Appellazano at Holbein Artist Materials. 

See the prizes: http://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/pledgedrive.html

Thank you everyone for your pledges and your kind words for our work. Now we'll get to work and continue to help artists earn a living at the nation's art fairs.

--- the ArtFairInsiders.com team: Jacki Bilsborrow, Larry Berman, Tina Towell, John McKiernan, Meg Mettler and me too, Connie

Hello All,

A question for those of you who have a catalog or portfolio of "Other Available Artwork" in your art fair booth... Which do you have --or recommend-- a hardcopy or electronic presentation?  How do you have yours displayed in your booth... on a pedistal... on your desk... pull it out on request... other?

Thanks, in advance, for your input.

--Chris Fedderson