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June 24 & 25
Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 10am-5pm
250 Artists
Deadline: March 24

Application fee: $30; Booth fee: $340-$600

Artfest Midwest 'The Other Art Show', 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. It is held 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 downtown. Parking and admission to the show are free for the estimated 30,000 patrons.

New: The event promotion is under new management, with new faces and new and innovative ideas to ensure a successful event. There will be cash prizes for the best art in each category and an overall "Best in Show".

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

Learn more: www.artfestmidwest.com
Contact: Robyn Mills, artfestmidwest@sppg.com, 515-237-0339

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5554

May 6 & 7
Atlanta, Georgia
12th Woofstock - Pet Party in the Park
Presented by Entercom
40 Artists
Deadline: April 15

Space fee: $250

If you have pet themed art we think you'll love this outdoor event in the beautiful suburb of Suwannee in the Town Center, in Atlanta. This "Pet Party in the Park" caters to animal lovers, so we're looking for artists and crafters who have animal or pet themes. Pet owners are passionate and have high disposable income!

This year we are highlighting artisans who focus on animals. Do you have art that features animals or pets, or a product or craft item for a pet? We're looking for a bunch of creative people who know that pet lovers will spend like crazy on their furry friends (photographers, pet portraits, painted pet accessories, custom leather, dog sweaters, etc). If so we encourage you to apply for Woofstock!

Learn more about our party in the park: www.WoofstockATL.com

Contact Heather right now for an application: Heather.Schneider@Entercom.com

Questions: Dave Demer, Dave.demer@Entercom.com, 404-238-9445

Brooksville was the sixth and final art fair in our winter swing through Florida. It is a small art fair and I didn't expect much when I signed up. And, guess what? I didn't get much either.

This is a laid back art fair which assigns you a space and pretty much leaves you alone. We set up on Friday and were able to keep our van right in back of our booth for the entire setup. In fact, on Sunday we parked in the same place, in back of our booth, all day, so break down was also a breeze. The show is in a grassy park with lots of trees. Booths are set up along a paved path. All booths are in the grass. Our booth was between some trees giving us side walls on both sides to exhibit art on. The ground at our location was very uneven giving us a challenge to keep everything level. The high point was a good foot higher than the low point. Other artists had more even terrain.

Last week I was disappointed by my sales at Bonita Springs, making that show our worse in five years. This show beat that record. So, overall, we had a great start with four successful shows at the front end of our "tour." The last two shows at the back end were disappointing.

I saw a few pretty good artists at this show, but not many. There were a lot of inexpensive jewelers and a lot of buy/sell. There was a fine art section and a craft section. Saturday started out pretty good with people responding very well to my work (I'm a digital artist showing surrealistic prints). Its common for people to see my work and come back later to purchase. That didn't happen this time.

This show was also asking artists to donate a piece of their work for a fundraiser. In fact, the woman who came around to collect donated artwork assumed I would be donating and was surprised and insulted when I declined (politely). The work was to go in a tent at the show and be sold to patrons. I generally have a problem with donating my work unless I really have a connection to the cause. In this case, my donated work would directly compete with the work in my booth. Not sure why us artists, who struggle to make a living with our art, have to subsidize these "causes." Why can't they solicit a donation with the stipulation that a sale of our work will be shared with the artist? I would probably donate a bigger, more expensive piece if I knew that I would receive 50% of the sale.

Anyway, this was a pretty venue for a show, and it was easy to do, and not too expensive. But it wasn't a good show. I'd be surprised if any artists at this show grossed more that $1K.

One more thing. I just heard from Carolyn Edlund and her excellent website: Artsyshark. She just published a great piece on her website about me and my work. She made me look very impressive! HA! You can see the piece at this web address: http://bit.ly/2nfyeDS 

Just a quick post with a little info on two shows.

Anyone, please feel free to add or comment.

Mt. Gretna Art Show, Mt. Gretna, PA

Jenifer VonStein posted a bit back on Mt. Gretna Art Show.

Thought I would add. I have done this show about 7-8 times over the past 10 years.

This show is a two day mid August. Situated in scenic Mt. Gretna, PA.

Wonderful setting.  Trees, grass, decent food and background music.

Apps are on Zapp : https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5172

As well as most of the info.

Sales have always been satisfactory for me and my neighbors. I live within a few hours but when I was about a 7 hour drive, it was still worth it. One year we had rain on Sunday and it did bring in much less people, who do have to pay at the gate.

Set up can be on uneven grassy areas. When it rains, some areas can become muddy. I have seen a booth or two with a built up floor for these areas.

I don't recall having any 2d neighbors that traded info with me, but the area is probably a more traditional buying area. I am selling pottery, both functional and decorative have sold for me here.

There is a second show running right next to this one, same time. Did not notice any less sales due to it.

Central PA Festival of the Arts, State College, PA

Also on Zapp: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5133

Deadline has passed for 2017. Mid July, seems to run on a weekend when there are other good shows.

I have been doing this show since 2010, when I moved here.

This show runs 4 days, plus a day to set up. On the streets, plus some of it is on Penn State Campus.

My booth has been close to one of the ends of the show, not close to the busy area or the food.

I have stayed in that space as I had a trailer, and it made it easier to park it nearby.

I have had decent sales, even in an area that is possibly not premium space. I believe most people get through the entire show or close.

The hours of this show are a bit long, going to 8 pm, then it is preferred to take you work out of the booth at night due to lack of security.

I do not have any info to pass on from other exhibitors who are coming a distance. I have had neighbors from several states away, who have not returned, one I know applied but did not get back in, a few others returned and moved to another space.

There is another show going on , maybe 5 miles or so miles away- many people attend both.

June 3 & 4
Denver, CO
100 Artists
Deadline: March 23

Application Fee: $35.   Booth Fee: $395.   
Corners, doubles and electricity available.

Just wanted to put the word out about a new Howard Allen Events show that will be in Richmond Virginia September 23-24, 2017. This show will debut the weekend after the Alexandria show. The application is available on Zapp. As many of you know, Richmond only has ONE two day arts festival a year called Arts In the Park which is always the first weekend of May in the Spring. Richmond has needed another art show in the fall for a long time and having it in the West End will be great! This show also has a Friday set up!!

 Howard Alan Events proudly presents the West End Art Festival in Richmond, Virginia! The show will take place the weekend following the legendary Alexandria King Street Art Festival, completing the September Mid-Atlantic tour (Columbia, Alexandria and Richmond). The show will set up on the streets of West Broad Village, a masterfully designed urban village in the heart of Richmond’s West End. Brick streets lined with maple trees connect charming, stately single family attached homes to shopping, dining and entertainment experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Richmond. The festival also has a convenient Friday set-up. 

Average Annual Income: $115K

September 8, 9 & 10
Clayton, MO

• Avg. Sales: $13,095 (AFSB)
• Jury Images:  4 Images of work plus one booth image, viewed simultaneously with images horizontally across the screen (booth image is last image in the row)
• Jurors: The jury is made up of arts professionals, peer jurors, and local buyer/collector (all paid), a total of 5 jurors.
• Scoring:  yes, no, maybe
• Cash Awards: Up to $20,000
• Booth Space:  10'x10' with 2' buffer all around
• Electric:  500 watts provided free, no generators
• Produced by:  Cultural Festivals 501(c) 3 Non-profit corp.
• Artist Presence: Required
• Reproductions:  Not allowed
• No. of Applicants in 2016: 1176
• No. of Exhibitors from Jury Pool:  145
• No. of Exhibitors Exempt from Jury:  36
• Security:  24-Hour
• Parking:  Free/Reserved

Apply:  
https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5350

August 19 & 20

Our 2016 Festival had 132 artists and historically, we have 35,000-40,000 attendees over the course of this two-day Art Show. Judges will award prizes in 9 categories: Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, 2D, Painting, Photography, & Sculpture. Total Cash Awards equal $1,800.00.

Artist amenities: An artists' reception will be held Friday evening, August 18th. Booth sitters will be available during the show so that artists can take a break. There are professional overnight and daytime security (see rules). Hospitality Area for our artists is available during the show until approximately 2 P.M.

Apply: zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5264

More information: http://goldenchamber.org/golden-fine-arts-festival/
Contact: Alicia Fresquez    alicia@goldenchamber.org  (720) 454-0705

I was just logging on to write a review of the "For the Love of Art" show in South Bend, IN but Alison Fox beat me to it.  Alison covered most of the bases and was spot on, so I'll just add on my experience and if you want to see exact logistics check out her review.  I stayed in the Double Tree with the artist rate and it was so nice just being able to walk across that skywalk over to the show!  The venue was really really beautiful!  The previous years it had been held at a location actually in Elkhart.  This year it was in South Bend.  This was my first year doing the show, but everyone I talked to agreed that this venue was much better!

Friday night after setup we drove a short distance to get dinner and ended up in not so nice an area, so I was a bit worried about the demographics of the area, but Saturday proved excellent art buying demographics.  The crowds were never very big, but it was 95% very knowledgeable and interested clientele.  I don't think I've ever had so many people actually carry on real meaningful conversations about my art with me.

I set up the show not really sure what to expect and figured it would be mainly a print show and I'd be lucky if I broke $1000.  I sold 6 original paintings and 4 prints, which almost doubled my expected sales, so I was thrilled!

And yes, Shireen is the most dedicated, energetic, and caring director that I've ever met.  She was helping unload carts, taking tickets, distributing meals, making coffee, talking to all the artists.  She came around to talk to me at least 4 or 5 times before, during and after the show.  Her preshow emails were very helpful, and I loved her setup instructions/drawing.  Made me smile.  And the organization was without a flaw, at least to my experience.

Oh!  And she got news crews to come out Saturday morning at opening of the show, and I had at least two sets of clients tell me they came to the show because they saw it on the news that morning, so huge KUDOS to Shireen for advertising and getting the word out.

I would definitely do this show again, even though its a 5.5 hour drive for me, and I look forward to working with Shireen again.  I'm sure with her passion and energy this show will be a little jewel.

August 4-6
Park City, Utah
Presented by the Kimball Art Center
220 Artists

Application fee: $50; Booth fee: $575-$1625

The Park City Kimball Arts Festival is an award-winning jury selected visual arts festival located in the heart of the world-famous resort community of Park City, Utah.  The Kimball Arts Festival is one of the most highly regarded art events in the West. We proudly feature more than 220 fine artists across 12 disciplines. Each year, the Festival draws more than 58,000 art enthusiasts to Park City's Historic Main Street for a celebration of art, cuisine and music.

 

Highlights: 

 

* 2016 Average Artist Sales:
  $4,895

* No Commission

* Lodging Discounts

* Designated Load-in
   times; Complimentary Artist
   Parking 

* Artist Lounge; Booth sitters

* Enhanced security measures

* Updated weekend hours

* Additional advertising
   opportunities available

 

Testimonials from 2016:

• "I do many of the top shows in the nation and Kimball's Park City show ranks as our favorite to be honored to exhibit in."
• "This is, without a doubt, one of the BEST run shows that I do...It's nice to be treated with such respect and courtesy as an artist...I will definitely apply again next year!"
• "It was my best show ever. Everything just seemed to go well, the weather, the setup and take down, the sales, the support and a lot of nice folks attending."

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5320

 

Learn more: 

http://parkcitykimballartsfestival.org/artists/artists-area

Questions? Contact Hannah Palmer, 435-649-8882, artsfest@kimballartcenter.org

Scottsdale Waterfront show in Scottsdale, AZ.

2017 was my first time doing the Waterfront show in Scottsdale and it was a success. Thunderbird Artists really does know how to put on a great show. No buy and sell, no T-shirts, no soap-on-a-rope. Just high quality fine art and the best of the best.

Load in can be tough because you have to either dolly in or use the golf carts. It all went smoothly. I was given a wonderful space near the fountain and had plenty of room to show my artwork.

Denise, Judy, and their entire crew area always there to help you in any way.

The waterfront show is really a beautiful setting, a shopping district and high-end homes above. Parking is easy and plentiful for both the exhibitors and the public. Many of the patrons were from the buildings surrounding the show and many more were from upscale neighborhoods in the Phoenix area (I know because I delivered to some very fancy neighborhoods).

The weather was perfect which I think brought out a lot of people. Most buyers were from the area however many were from the east coast (snowbirds). I did have to ship a piece to Michigan. My buyers were not holding tight to their wallets and purses. They were buying what they wanted.

Music at art festivals is either a "Heck No / Other" experience for us artists. Music at this show was perfect. Near me was a very talented piano player who did 70's and 80's hits, and he did fairly well with the patrons. I always get "tired" of hearing the same songs over and over but he kept it moving and the crowd loved him, so did I because they would listen to him and visit me.

Security as mentioned by Robert is top notch. Not only roving patrols but Arizona's finest are there to keep watch - I never worry doing a Thunderbird Artists show.

My points for this show: (1 to 10, 10 being the best) ( not in any particular order )

Load in: 9 (a little tough, but with the golf carts works out good)

Patrons: 10 (high end, 30 to 60 yo, know what they want and buy it)

Promoter: 10 (Thunderbird knows how to treat artists right)

Location: 10 (On the canal at Scottsdale's Fashion Mall - perfect)

Load Out: 7 (tough, as it was getting dark and late - but I persevered)

Atmosphere: 10 (Trees, grass, fountains (on my side) pathways, etc.)

Artist Parking: 10 (underground parking for cars and vans, not tall sprinters)

Nearby restaurants: 8 (some high end. low cost breakfast and coffee right in village)

Neighborhood: 10 (you are in Scottsdale, AZ in winter, what else could it be but a 10)

Artwork at Show: 10 (There is no buy / sell at a Thunderbird show)

My sales were great. I do southwest (south west) artwork and my buyers were from the area and from the east coast (snowbirds).

Would I do this show again? Yes. It's a 12 hour drive from my home but I now break it up to a 7 and a 5 hour drive (Stop in Indio, CA at the Fantasy Springs Casino - great room and not a bad price - excellent restaurants).

I would recommend this show to artists who specialize in high end southwest artwork - but who am I to say what sells at shows - I'm as mystified as many of you.

Good luck out there!

The Sedona show is held on a baseball field, at the High School. It's a nice venue with all the booths on grass. You cannot drive on the grass so you have to dolly your work to your space, not too bad.

I made money at this show selling my southwest art (Shamans) in the price range of $95 to $1,800.

Load in is the day before the show. Load out is a bit more difficult. The show closes as the sun is setting and it gets dark fast - you just need to take your time and hope you get onto the field to load out because there is always a line of vans itching to get in.

Weather played a part in the 2016 show with rain on Saturday, although not too much, but the lightning storm was a bit nerve racking. People still came out, but not as many as we would like. Sunday was beautiful and sunny with a lot more people.

It's a tourist area, but you don't get a lot of tourists (my opinion). Most of the patrons lived in or near Sedona and go to the show every year. I would recommend this show if you have artwork related to the southwest or have a product that "fits" into the southwest lifestyle.

The city of Sedona is about 2 or 3 miles from the venue - lots of restaurants and shops there where the tourists hang out. Most tourists in Sedona go for the activities in the area, like hiking, jeep tours, etc. I will apply to do the show again this year. I don't know what hotels cost in the area because I usually do AirBnb.

My neighbor at the 2016 show was a jeweler and he sold well on Sunday. He was staying with his wife and kids in the brand new hotel right next to the show and he told me it was $400 per night, ouch.

Good luck out there !

Hi All. I did the Southwest Art Festival in 2016 (three days) and 2017 (four days) and this show has been a winner for me. I sell southwestern artwork (Shamans) and this is what they are looking for out there. I did the show in 2012 with my abstract sculptures and went home with zero sales. I tried it again in 2014 with abstract and again, zero. I fell in love with the southwest indigenous American artwork and decided to apply with my Shamans - bang, found the key for the lock.

The show is at the polo grounds in Indio, about 3 or 4 miles south highway 10, and about 2 miles east of La Quinta. The show is attended by residents throughout the area.

This year (the four day show) I had little expectations for a crowd on Thursday but I was wrong, very wrong. The place had (on a scale of 1 to 10) about an 8 every day for attendance. Most of the attendees are between 40 and 60 and they have just moved there or are established and looking for something interesting... not much to do in the desert if your retired, so going to the SWAF is a great adventure.

Three of my sales were to the same person on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, just could not get enough. My prices range from $95 to $1,800 and average out at $295.

I have some friends who also did the show and they were not as happy as me (financially). I don't know why they were not selling, but as I mentioned earlier, this (I think) is a southwest show (Southwest Art Festival) and I really do think that with that name on the show, this is what people are expecting to see there.

When you do the show you are given a receipt book when you check in that you have to fill out for each sale (If more than one sale to the person you put it all on one receipt). When the buyer leaves they have to give the gate person the yellow copy to get out with their goods, and they are tight on this.

Weather is always a back of the mind thought when doing desert shows. You never know what's going to happen. The 2016 show ended early on Sunday because of a wind storm. The 2017 show was perfect weather throughout the four days (thank goodness).

Load in is sometimes a bit tight as the aisles are only one car wide, but somehow we all seem to make it work. Load out goes a little easier if you take your time and knock down your booth then take your receipt book to the office, then get your car, wiggle your way in, and load up.

Booth spaces are reasonable for a California show. If you can, get a double. It gives you more room and makes it easier to breakdown in the end. The booth spaces are quads and larger than normal 10 x 12 wide, so a double gets you 10 x 24. You can even request an entire quad for not much more than a double. If you normally use a 10 x 10, a 10 x 20 space will allow you to show your work a lot better, it's just an investment in a second tent, but your "presence" will more than make up for the added expense.

The people organizing the show do a great job (it's never easy) and bring you water throughout the days (drink it!). Mornings there is some food and coffee for the artists. There is also a free lunch ticket for Friday (burger and chips).

If you do decide to apply and get into the show, I suggest bringing a cooler with some apples and power bars and lots of water to keep hydrated.

Good luck out there!

Below is a photo from the 2016 show. I didn't have time to take a photo of my booth for 2017, too busy selling!!!