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St James remains a true grassroots non-profit art show, fueled by passionate volunteers for the benefit of the community. The show is held in the heart of historic Old Louisville, which boasts the largest collection of Victorian homes in the country. Old Louisville is an elegant backdrop for this display of fine arts and contemporary crafts drawing patrons come from all over the region. A destination art show attracting 200,000+ visitors annually!

APPLY: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6451

More Information: stjamescourtartshow.com
Contact : Elaine Steele   edsteele@stjamescourtartshow.com  (502) 637-3711

I recently was accepted to the Mission Federal Artwalk in San Diego.  A few days ago, I receive a call from someone saying I should call them regarding the Mission Federal Art show.  The voice mail was very hard to understand due to their accent and fuzzy line. 

So I called today and ask for Sarah Jackson.  After talking to a rude guy insisting I know what the voice message was, I get transferred to Sarah.  I'm placed on hold... she comes on... line fuzzy with static.  I commented on the sound and it clears up somewhat.  She starts talking fast and with the accent, very hard to understand what she's saying.  I comment on her to slow down and she comments that she's going to help me on my hotel rate.   That she's authorized by the Mission Federal to help the artists and vendors.  Ok.... Let's see what she can do.  I had already booked my room from Orbitz.  As she asks questions, I answer them.  She wants the name of the hotel, the address, and she comes back with my room rate.  Hmmmmm, wonder how that happened?  She then says my rate is $248 and she can make sure I get the discount rate for vendors, which would be $237.  I'm thinking... $10 isn't a lot to save.   Ok.... she then says that she's going to transfer me to the reservation department.  I get the same rude guy at the beginning when I called.  He starts talking in the same accent and the phone line starts it's static again.  I comment on it.  He states that "the line is engaged".... who says that in America?  I ask again how he knows about the rate and hotel information.  He's authorized by various art shows to help make sure they get the discounts.   He says he sees where Sarah made her recommendations and he'll send me an email.  "You need to go to your computer now and open the email".  

Me - "I'm not near my computer".   (inside voice... I have work to do)

H - You have a smart phone, use that.

Me- I don't have it with me.  (thinking... why so urgent to open an email)

H - In order to get you the discount, we need to do this together.

Me - Alright

H- I'll wait as long as needed.

Me - I got the email. ( which is coming from OPS at(ehsrooms).com via SignNOW.com)

When I opened the email, it was an information form to fill out, I see all the highlighted areas.  All those areas are your personal information... credit card number, expiration number, name, address, etc.  And at the bottom, you sign off on the form.... Giving them all the permission to use your information.

I told him I'm not going to give any information.  His comments try to reassure me that all the information is confidential, nothing goes to "his" computer.  LOL.... maybe not his computer but it's going to be recorded somewhere, on someone's.  :)

I hung up on him and call the Mission Federal Artwalk group.  I told them about the incident.  They confirm it's a scam (someone else told them the same thing)  and they'll be sending out an email to notify the other artists.  They also said that there is an actual company of EHS ROOMS, but probably someone is using it to their own personal gain.

We might be creative but we aren't stupid!  :)

June 23 & 24
Des Moines, Iowa

Presented By: SPPG, LLC

250 Artists
Deadline: March 23

Application Fee: $30 Booth Fee: $340 - $600

ArtFest Midwest 2018, Iowa's largest fine art show, is an indoor event (with a few outdoor spaces) held in the rain-free, air-conditioned Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on the same weekend as the downtown arts event. ArtFest Midwest, an affordable alternative to the downtown show, will again offer free shuttle bus service to and from downtown. Parking and admission to the show are free to the public. Expected attendance: 30,000

New this year: ArtFest Midwest will include an "Artist Lounge" supplied with beverages and snacks for artists to take a break.

Marketing:

In addition to radio, television, newspaper and digital advertising, Artfest Midwest 2018 will be promoted through a robust social media network on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

APPLY: https://www.artfestmidwest.com/how-to-apply

More Information:  www.artfestmidwest.com

I'm looking for anyone who may have done this show last year who would be willing to share their experience. There is only one review that I could find on the art show review site, and since the show is new, I'm a bit nervous about doing it this year, especially since it is a bit expensive. This is the show in June, not the July one. Any thoughts?

I'm from Saugatuck, Michigan. Needless to say, there is not a lot of opportunity to exhibit and sell in the cold North country during the winter months. Since we make our living selling art, and we can't make it through the winter without some sales, Marcia and I have been traveling to Florida every winter to exhibit and to reinforce the bank account. OK... it's not only the bank account, it's also a nice perk to get out of the cold and the snow. 

Some artists from the Midwest, who I admire, try their best to minimize expenses. They book rooms in extended stay hotels or find campgrounds or use campers to avoid those high hotel bills. Marcia and I are not among this frugal lot. The older I get, the more I depend on the help and support of my beautiful wife, Marcia. I have to admit, she is (sometimes) a reluctant participant. It's important for us to stay in comfortable and beautiful surroundings to counteract the grueling routine of set-up and breakdown (activities that also get more difficult as we get older). And we like the beach so our expenses are not on the low side.

This year we did six Florida art fairs: Images in New Smyrna Beach, Artfest Fort Myers, ArtiGras in Jupiter, Naples National, Gasparilla in Tampa and Art Under the Oaks in Vero Beach. Incredibly, we had great weather for all six shows (which I feel is one of the biggest factors for success at an art fair) My goal was to average $5K per show and I'm delighted to say that we met that goal. I'm a digital artist and I sell prints of surrealistic imagery on environmental topics. My prices are low, ranging from $28 for a small unframed print to $895 for a large framed print on canvas. Our "business plan" is to make lots of sales. We average about $80 per sale. I admired the sculptor next to us in Fort Myers who grossed $30K in that one show. But I felt bad for the oil painter down the way who had zero sales for the weekend. Volume is our friend and consistency keeps us in the game. All six shows for us were between $4200 to $6200.

So, the Florida shows this year did not make us rich, but sales were sufficient to finance our two months in Florida, pay the mortgage and taxes back home, and to leave us with a little profit as we head for home.   

Morning Glory is held on the beautiful outdoor grounds of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Milwaukee, along the city's Riverwalk.

Morning Glory is open to any and all fine craft artists 18 years or older working in ceramics, digital art, fiber wearable, fiber non-wearable, glass, jewelry metal, jewelry non-metal, leather, metal, mixed media, photography, printmaking, sculpture or wood

New this year:

• Morning Glory will take place only on the grounds of the Marcus Center - no secondary location. 
• The traditional Artist Reception held on Saturday night has been discontinued.
• Money formerly spent on the reception will be used to increase artist awards. 
• Artist awards will be presented Sunday morning at award winners' booths.

The 4th annual iMaGine Project returns to the show, where we invite artists to create objects in their particular medium around a central theme. This year's theme is "The River," honoring the Milwaukee River that runs through downtown Milwaukee and which runs parallel to our show. The show poster/postcard will include select "The River" representations, as artists represent and present them differently. All selected artwork will be exhibited in a centrally-located tent for the public to view throughout Morning Glory. The public is invited to select their favorite "The River" representation and a cash prize is given to the winning artist

Marketing Plan:

In addition to traditional social media efforts, the show will be promoted through radio, television and various print forms including magazines, newspaper and paid advertising, all managed by a paid professional public relations and advertising firm

Testimonials: 

More Information: www.MorningGloryFineCraftFair.com
Contact: Beth Hoffman  bethhoffman@wi.rr.com  (262) 894-0038  

Don't know much about this portable solar generator, but I saw it on Facebook and thought I'd pass it along to those of you who use electricity during shows. It looks promising. I'm not endorsing or anything - I don't even know what it costs, am just bringing it up. 

https://selfrelianceplan.com/ppg/solar-generator-works-indoors.php?AFID=ACQFB&source=a0003_post439504326468207

49th Annual A Fair in the Park
September 7, 8 & 9
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
110 Artists

Booth Fee:  $395,  Corner $445

This event is held in the affluent city neighborhood of Shadyside, in a lovely park beside Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

The Fair is free to the public and draws strong community support. Outstanding live music, artist demonstrations, children's activities, plus a variety of food choices are featured throughout the weekend. Make A Fair in the Park part of your 2018 show schedule.

A Fair in the Park is held in the lush surroundings of Pittsburgh's Mellon Park. An estimated 20,000 dedicated visitors enjoy the opportunity to interact with over 100 regional and national artists working in a variety of mediums including clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, metal, mixed media, and two-dimensional art.

Shoppers will enjoy outstanding live music, artist demonstrations, children's activities, plus a variety of food choices are featured throughout the weekend.

• Rated one of Sunshine Artist's Top 100 Art Shows
• Drive-up loading and unloading (weather permitting) 
• Amenities: free parking, security, booth sitting and more
• Four awards for Best of Show Artist, Artistry/Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Originality  
• Saturday Night Artists' Party with complimentary drinks/food and awards presentation

All Members of the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh are offered a booth space at A Fair in the Park. Each year approximately 60% of the artists at the Fair are Members of the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh, who have become Members by passing a rigorous jury process. The remainder of the artists at A Fair in the Park are selected by a jury from a large pool of national and international applicants.

You are voting on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being “good heavens, no, absolutely not” and 7 being your highest vote for “wow, I wish I could create work like that.”  (Please see below for some guidelines on scoring.) The average score needed to call applicants to the Object Jury will be 5 or higher.   PLEASE DO NOT USE THE NUMBER 4!!!    If you give anything a score of 4, I will hunt you down and make you change it.  Don’t make me.

Please keep in mind the objective of this group as you view these images and prepare for the object jury in November at Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair. The Standards Committee searches for new exhibiting members whose body of work, whether one of a kind or production, traditional or contemporary, shows excellence and creativity in concept, design and technique.  

• Design – is the work creative in concept and/or composed well (i.e. marriage of materials, color, form, line)?
• Craftsmanship – is the work well-crafted and does it meet an acceptable standard? 
• Artistic Expression – does the body of work suggest a cohesive statement? 
• Originality – is the work unlike anyone else’s that you know of?

Again, thank you for your time and energy.  I look forward to following your scoring and comments.

Scoring guidelines:

Remember, you are scoring on a scale of 1 to 7.  It’s not a simple up or down vote.  Allow for shades of gray.  Use your 1 and 7 votes fairly.  One way to look at it: use 1 (low score) or 7 (high score) only if the work makes you gasp, either in horror or with pleasure.

Another way to look at it:  (credit to one of our exhibiting members for coming up with these descriptions several years ago)

1 point--These objects should not be seen in public unless your 6 year old made them.
2 points--Maybe these objects would be at home in a street fair.
3 points--Good ideas poorly executed, or lousy ideas well executed.
4 points-- HA!!!! GOTCHA!! There is no 4.  Get off the fence.  Either you’re for it or against it.

5 points—Promising work that is probably worthwhile, but can only be scored completely if seen first-hand
6 points-- Good ideas and strong execution, unique interesting work.
7 points—I am overcome with a mix of pleasure, covetousness and envy.  Damn, I wish I could say I had done that.

Deb Britton, Piedmont Craftsmen Fair and Membership Services, PiedmontCraftsmen.org

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I hope some other shows will chime in. Please post your responses in the comments below. 

APPLY: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6184

More Information:    www.saintlouisartfair.com
Contact: Laura Miller   lmiller@saintlouisartfair.com   (314) 863-0278

Once upon a time security at art festivals might consist of Boy Scouts patrolling the streets of Ann Arbor at night; Boy Scouts camping in the park at Winter Park or the University of Miami football team being "security" at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. True story ... 

Then came 9/11. Everything changed and continues to be more challenging. I was staff on the Super Bowl committee in Detroit a few years ago. We had security briefings that included local police, sheriffs, FBI and the border patrol. That was an event with a huge budget.

What has happened at the art fairs as we try to control these hugely popular, sprawling, well-attended events? Who'd attack an art fair? Who knows? Insurance companies and municipalities are requiring the shows to add 24 hour security, barricades, security cameras, train staffs for disasters. I'm sure I'm missing something here.

At the recent Arts Festival Conference sponsored by Zapp in Florida one of the topics was how to prepare an event for emergency situation. The truth: it is very costly. And VERY frightening. I learned:

• Concrete barricades need to be put in place with a crane. How do you pay for that crane? One of the shows found a crane company to be a sponsor! 
• a semi full of bike rack needs labor to get it on the street and off again
• Maureen Riley from the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair said that their security costs have gone up 267% in recent years; just police was up 86%
• Shows hire professional security people
• Off duty policemen get paid double time and since this is such pleasant duty the ones with the highest seniority (and highest pay) are likely to be patrolling

Shows are looking for grants, partnerships with sponsors, partnering with their cities to find the funds so they don't get passed on to you. 

It used to be that the only disaster we had to prepare for was seriously bad weather.

As I sat there listening I was pretty horrified that it has come to this. Why is life so complicated? (rhetorical)

2018 version of the Fountain Hills Great Fair in Fountain Hills, AZ an isolated community NE of Phoenix. I say isolated meaning that it grew up outside the boundaries of the larger metro area but still within reach. This was the third time I've attended this show with diminishing returns this year.

Just The Facts...

Show Hours and Dates: Fountain Hills Great Fair, Fountain Hills, AZ. Feb. 23-25, 2018, 10 - 5 each day but it helps to be open by 9:30 for the early crowd. There is also a November edition of this show. This show can be found on the Zapplication call for entry website.

Logistics, Load-In/Out:

Load in for the show was Thursday afternoon starting at 5 pm after businesses are closed and roads are clear. Depending on your location load-in/out can either be frustrating or less so. I was on the far NW side of the show so it was a little less congested then down near the fountain. I can't help but wonder if my location lead to lower sales, i.e., if I had been closer to the fountain would I have done better?

Amenities:

This show has always relied on the artists to figure out their own plans for food, the usual "fair food" is available. I had leftovers and there are nearby regular restaurants and a grocery store that I've gotten sandwiches from the night before. The occasional volunteer booth sitters came by.

Storage, Booth Space:

Most booths, that I could see, had some sort of storage space behind them. Booths are allowed 4 feet of clear space behind them which was enough for me to put my two wheeler back there and stack stuff on it.

Demographics/Buying Trends:

Can't speak to "buying trends" as I didn't see much buying going on. I guess that is a trend in-and-of-itself! Low end was the rule of the show. Not so much artwork as trinkets were walking by.

Quality/Range of Art:

The range of "art" was very wide. From my survey of booths content was variable. There of course were some high end artists and a lot of (good and bad) craft items, food, ointments and clothes.

Food:

You either brought your own or went to the typical "fair food" vendors. On my end of the show there was the lemonade vendor that is at all the AZ shows and the huge fair food truck/booth. I think a service organization was cooking the obligatory burgers and hotdogs somewhere.

Weather:

I don't often comment on the weather but it is notable here. In previous years of doing this show it was just right. Not so this year. A large cold front that was blanketing the more northerly states made its appearance here in the form of lower than average temps and a lot of wind! It made for a very uncomfortable weekend in addition to the paltry sales. I was hoping for some respite from the cold in Denver but not so this year!

Reflections:

This was not a first time show for me. I know (sometimes) when it's time to bail on a show. Usually it's when your revenue one year goes to half, you think it's a fluke, and the next year it's half again. That was the case with this show so I guess it's time to bail! This show lacked enthusiasm, it seemed as if it were being held out of some obligation and not out of a real spirit of support for the arts or the artists. As is the case, when that happens it seems to be a swan song. I've heard that there is a November edition of this show and of course "it's much better!" Maybe I'll give it a try after 2020.

Okay, now for the star rating! I'd give this show 1/2 ✩ out of 5 and that's being generous. As far as the buying goes, I'd give it  1/4 ✩ and that's being way to generous. I did lose money doing this show.