Blog

August 11 & 12

What we missed that you want included: 

Contact: Pam Marshall,   marshallp@shelbytwp.org    (586) 731-0300

Chicago, IL
14th Annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts

The Lakeview East Festival of the Arts is Chicago's premier fine art and fine craft festival showcasing over 125 juried artists. Lakeview is located on the north side of Chicago, near Wrigley Field, north Halsted and Lincoln Park in a very diverse, culturally rich community with unique boutique stores, cafes and restaurants.

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts encompasses all fine art and fine craft to include: acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, printmaking, drawing, fiber, ceramics, glass, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media, photography. This festival is open to other disciplines upon individual consideration. 

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts strongly promotes this event and has created a marketing/multi-media plan to reach a wide audience. The event is in it's 14th year and the event has seen 45,000 plus attendees in previous years.

Security detail will be present throughout the event to include setup, overnight and during each day of the festival.

Marketing: 

For the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, the chamber partners with a local marketing and PR agency for a multi-media advertising campaign across the city of Chicago, northwestern suburbs and a full digital media campaign. Our marketing plan includes over $50,000 in ad buys which encompass digital, print, radio, television, and on-site advertising.

Jury Rules and Artwork Requirements:

• All artists who apply must submit work of their own conceived creation and must be in attendance throughout the duration of the festival. An artist is not allowed to send a representative in lieu of their personal attendance.

• Work must not have been made in a production studio or using commercial molds, patterns, kits or prefabricated pieces. 

• Artists must submit a booth image with their jury application, preferably from a previous show. If the jury feels that the image is not an actual representation of the artist's booth layout, the submission will be declined.

• Once accepted, Lakeview East Festival of the Arts reserves the right to use images for award jurying during the festival and possible event promotion.

APPLY: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6386

Advertising Contact Email: dillin@lakevieweast.com

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Find more art fairs looking for artists: www.CallsforArtists.com

Hello

Asking the veterans out there.. I have been preparing my show tent for Jury..  I am a photographer and will be selling smaller packaged prints of my larger photos on display...  

I see that pro panels  make a type of print bin?   Are there any dos and dont's  or advice I need to know for my submission to Jury?  

Placement in booth?

Type?

alternative possibilties? 

Logistics for success in my photo submission of my booth with print bins or anything i need to know for that matter,,

Thank you in advance,,

chris

We're here to help. At the recent Arts Festival Conference, sponsored by Zapplication, in Deerfield, FL, one of the presenters was Brenda Conway whose session was geared to all participants in this art fair business.

Her Mission: Provide resources so art fairs and artists can succeed.

My favorite quote from her talk:

When you are doing well and feeling good, pat yourself on the back, and don’t start worrying about what isn’t done.

Quick overview:

First tip: Concentrate on spending your time on the jobs that support your mission. Does it support your goal? If it doesn't set it aside.

Second tip: Organization: Concentrate on the plan that will support your mission, create an annual Plan/business plan and a time line; create a calendar that insures it is taken care of; create a support system; plan for attrition and life getting in the way. dates, accountability

Third tip: Plan for growth. As opportunities come your way think long term. Don't use the lemonade stand approach (here today, gone tomorrow), but each day builds for the future.

Fourth tip: TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE; reward your team members; make it fun

Fifth tip: If you're stressed, change it up. If you change nothing, nothing will change. Sometimes you need something completely different: take a class, meetup with like minded people, do yoga first instead of when you have time, reward yourself

Directly from Brenda:

Burnout robs you of your passion; your joy.  Taking steps to avoid/address burnout can help you find your way back to your passion and help you realize your goal/s; make it a conscious choice to live and thrive in that sweet spot.  What you do matters so much – you should get to feel the joy rather than the “drug through the mud for forty hours” that burnout brings.  Here are some tips that can help you avoid burnout in the first place or, if burnout is staring at you from the mirror, to make it pack its bags and move to Siberia. 

• Know your goal/s for being involved – all decisions should tie back to this “mission statement”.  This keeps your focus in focus!  Write it down – words have power!
  
  
• Know what you are willing to sacrifice (and what you are not willing to sacrifice) to reach your goal/s.  Also know what you are asking those around you to sacrifice so you can reach your goal/s. Give them the courtesy and power that agreeing to their role deserves. 
    
• GET ORGANIZED – This is often the point where everything breaks down.  People often get so busy “doing” they forget the planning.  This creates a “can’t see the forest for the trees” situation every time.  Burnout ensues and people walk away.  Better to put everything on hold and get organized than continue this sure path to mediocrity and a loss of passion especially when you think you don’t have time. 
  
  
• Change it up – take a different role or give yourself the gift of being involved in a way that challenges a different part of your brain and your skill set.  It is sort of like taking a vacation (new sights, smells, scenery, new challenges) but within a festival.
  
  
• Have fun and celebrate!  It’s a festival – it’s supposed to be a fun and entertaining event.  This applies to you as well as the patrons!  Celebrate event the smallest things (they often mean more than the big ones). 

I especially liked the last one. That is one of the very good things about our business. We get to meet people who love meeting you and have voluntarily shown up for that pleasure. Also, each step of the way has its joys, not to be missed, celebrated. A favorite story of mine, when we were doing shows I remember so well one day when we got accepted to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival (a joyful event, right?), and my husband saying, "Too bad. Now we've got to start worrying about getting in again next year." Me, I celebrated ...

Brenda Conway co-founded the nonprofit Downtown Peculiar Arts & Culture District. During her leadership, this organization went from an idea to a multi-award winning entity with over a half million dollars in assets and one quarter of a million dollars in grants and donations. The organization received a Missouri Arts Council Creative Community Award and became an award-winning part of Missouri Main Street. 

Stemming from her working experience, Conway developed a passion for small towns and arts endeavors. She is the author of several arts guides, including The Beginner's Pocket Guide to Becoming an Art Festival Artist, How to Organize & Host a Successful Arts Festival, and Twelve Months of Affordable, Temporary Public Art Projects. Learn more about Brenda.

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.