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Just got back from a one day show in South Bend, IN, run by Shireen Kline. It's called "For The Love of Art".  Beautiful venue in downtown South Bend. Host hotel was an equally cool Hilton Doubletree. It's even connected to the Century Center, where the show takes place. She uses the 2 ballrooms at the center where roughly 45-50 artists have their spaces, with pipe and drape and electricity if you need it. Space fees start at $165 for a 10x10. No extra fee for a corner, which I really appreciated.

Show is always the first weekend in March. Weather was cold with flurries but people still came out. Large parking lot ($5) and an entry fee of $7.  Setup was easy thru four dock doors and plenty of large, carts available. Same with takedown.

I've never seen a promoter with so much energy. She had a great team of volunteer helpers to answer all questions quickly. Entertainment was excellent - She even had a poetry slam. Country duo, Rock duo, and a youth chamber quartet. With the room being small, the entertainment was never overpowering. Lunches were delivered from 3 area restaurants and delivered to your booth by Shireen and the volunteers. Storage in two corners of the floor. Raffle prizes given thruout the event and at the end, awards for the artists.

Everyone seemed to be happy with their sales, making their expenses and a bit more. Doesn't sound like much but She is still trying to get this event going strong. I could see great things in the future for this show. Would be worth a try if you don't have to travel too far. I live in Naperville and the trip was a doable 2 1/2 hrs one way.

Keep this little gem in mind for 2018! A very fun, very 'chill' time was had by all.

I've exhibited at various Bonita Springs Art fairs over the years, including at the mall many years ago. I've done well there in the past off and on, but never great. Two years ago was the last time I did Bonita and took home $4000. I was a happy camper. This year I did around $950. This is my poorest showing in 4 years at any show. I'm jealous of you artists who were at Gaparilla. I was wait-listed this year.

I can't complain too much because the four previous art fairs were good for me this winter and it was just a matter of time before the bottom dropped out. Not sure why I did so poorly. I just couldn't connect with this crowd.

It's a nice setting for a show, in a park in old Bonita Springs along old highway 41. The show is spread out all over the place making it confusing for patrons to navigate. There are five distinctly different areas where exhibitors put up their tents. We were in a paved parking lot near the train tracks. The furthest away area was across old 41 where police were on hand to stop traffic to allow patrons to cross. Other areas were in grass where the wind kicked up a lot of unwanted dust and debris. A nice setting, but not a great layout for an art fair.

Turnout was low at this show, and, from my perspective, was mostly retired people who had "no more wall space" or were "downsizing." My work is surrealistic with fantasy and humor thrown in. Its also digital, which could be hard for some retirees to get their head around. Whatever the reason, I didn't connect. Other artist around me seemed to do OK, so it wasn't a bust for everyone.

Another subject of discussion among us artists was the fact that this is the third Bonit Springs art fair of the winter. They have one in January and February as well. For non-retired, and non-snowbird people... actual full time residents who have jobs, they probably got their fill of art fairs with the first two. These are the people who typically buy my work. Also, Bonita is close to Naples where there are about one million art fairs over the winter months. Yes. this area is saturated with art fairs.

Anyway, I've got another "filler" art fair next weekend to round out my winter schedule. I'll be at Brooksville, a small show where I don't expect much. Nels laughed at me when I told him I'd be at Brooksville, but he laughed at Bradenton too. I did OK there. Maybe I'll do OK at Brooksville. Can't be much worse than my showing at Bonita.

August 19 & 20 
Duluth, Minnesota 
Bayfront Park on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Superior 
150 Artists
Deadline: March 16

Application Fee: $30  Booth Fee: Single 10' x 12' $300, Corner single $400, Double 10' x 25' $600, Double corner $70

The 8th annual Art in Bayfront Park is a two-day art fair located on the beautiful   Duluth lakefront. Work includes jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, metalwork, glass and more.

There is significant advertising, promotion in the North Shore communities and tourist audiences. Website and social media opportunities for artists.

New this year: This show is now produced by the Stone Arch Bridge Festival (Mpls) team.

Learn more & apply:  http://www.artinbayfrontpark.com

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts was this past weekend. Just got back home from this show. This was our second year doing the show and it was another successful year in Tampa. If you aren’t familiar with this show they give out big award money and many awards. Many of the best artist are attracted to this show for the awards. Another great thing about the show is it is pretty affordable to do compared to a lot of the other shows we do and hotel options are cheap within walking distance to the show if you do your homework.

The show is great about giving you all the info you need and if you read it everything runs smoothly. They do a great job advertising, offer patron money with ribbons and really push pre shopping on their website that does a great job featuring the artists. I also feel they do a great job about making this show about the art. This always is a big plus when we are choosing shows. The show takes place at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at the Tampa Museum of Art. It is one of the prettiest settings for a show. The waterfront gets better and better each year.

Set up is on Thursday and Friday. Show runs Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-5. We prefer the set up on Thursday even though it is an extra night in the hotel. It is relaxed and then we can enjoy a day in the Tampa bay area. You show up to a staging area an hour before you are marshalled in with your group. The staging area moved this year due to construction. This is also artist parking. It is not an easy walk to the show from the new staging area but they will shuttle you in and out.

Since we stay at a hotel near the show that offers plenty of oversized parking not a big deal and I actually prefer the new location since it is across from one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa, Uleles. During that hour wait you can grab a great meal. They line you up and marshall you in. Once you are at your booth you have about 1.5 hours to set up before you need to move. I am not a fan of the marshalling in as I have mentioned before. I am not a patient person and since it only takes us 45 minutes to set up a single booth I could have been done in the time I waited from check in time to load in time. I am one of the few that feel this way. Most artists love it. They all tell me it is less stressful, which is true, but the real reason if you ask them after a couple beers is that they like the feeling of having a police escort into the show. Makes them feel special and I have to agree you feel like a big deal when you have police escort entering a show. Needless to say set up is a breeze. It is great to not have to move your vehicle. If you can’t set up in the 1.5 hours no big deal you have all the time in the world to go back. Lots of great restaurants in the area so many artists would take a break and enjoy a nice meal before finishing up.

The show only allows single booths. We normally do a double so a single is tricky for us but it really cuts costs. The booths are pretty much back to back. Some booths have more storage behind then others and the booths are not squeezed together so there is some room on the sides for most. Some booths are on the grass some on pavement. Pros and cons to each. I would prefer to be on the concrete, I like the flow, but the area can be windy. This year it was windy. Those on the pavement need to be more careful plus many of the booths on the pavement seem to get more wind from what I have heard. It is the way the park is set up.

We have always had a corner and those areas also get more wind. The middle booths are more protected. We broke out our extra weights for this show. Gusts were up to 35 mph. I highly recommend the gravity weights. They are black bags that pack up really small when not used. They take up no room and we leave them in our truck always. You can fill them with sand, gravel or water. It is usually easy to find water. The park let us fill them up no problem and we now had an extra 150 lbs on the tent on top of the 250 we already had. The tent never moved the whole weekend. I think a set costs around $100.

Many artists were going to home depot to buy buckets or rented water barrels from the show. For the money the gravity tubes are well worth it. They have already paid for themselves after having to use them a few times at different shows. Plus it eliminates the stress and time of finding extra weight when needed. Some tents did go down over night and some art was damaged because of the wind. I can’t emphasize enough to use extra weight when needed. There isn’t any shade in the park so if you want shade make some for yourself. We had sunny days every day. Sunday was too windy for an umbrella in our area. Sunscreen and hats were a must.

This show has great amenities for the artists. There is a big artist’s hospitality tent in the middle of the show. Continental breakfast, hot lunch with healthy option, even gluten free options, water all day, sweets if you want it, artist award ceremony with snacks I believe but didn’t go so not sure, lots of volunteers for booth sitting and in the tent they always had someone that could actually answer question. The judge for the show actually comes into each booth and gives you a card and introduces themselves. I am sure I am missing other things and hopefully someone can add to this.

Saturday was a beautiful day. The wind was not bad just enough to be comfortable and not hot. It was packed all day. Serious buyers right out of the gate. Our first sale was from a patron that pre shopped on the shows website and came just to see us. This was before the show started. Strong sales all day. Sykes building is the round building in the skyline at the park. They were out shopping for art since they had just redesigned their headquarters. They bought a lot of art at this show. By the end if the day Saturday almost half our inventory was gone. Since Sunday had been the better day last year we were hoping for a sellout. Plus many people told us they were looking on Saturday and coming back on Sunday to buy.

Sunday was another beautiful day but very windy. Umbrellas were not an option for shade in our area. Packed show again.The buying energy was not as strong in our area. We did have be backs but had already sold what they wanted. We did sell three more pieces making this an even better year than last year for us. Reports from other artists were across the board. I know many artists were very happy. My jeweler friends were not as happy. The patrons did not ask for discounts, what a treat. Only a few had sticker shock but they were not buyers for our work. Marge Luttrell was just down a few booths from me and it is always great to see her and her work. I am sure she can chime in on the show.

I am writing a glowing review but there are some negatives. Last year we were very close to the music stage and again this year we were right near the stage. This year they turned the speakers towards the audience instead of towards the booth so this helped. The music is still loud but it didn’t affect sales and we didn’t have a problem talking to our clients. The show does not encourage dogs but people bring them. We remembered last year dogs peeing on our stuff were a problem and it was again for many of us this year too. We are currently building a new kit to deal with dog pee instead of driving home having to smell it.

Finally breakdown. It is always going to be a challenge getting out of a park in the middle of the city. For breakdown you are assigned a load out time. Ours was 5:30, 30 minutes after the show closes. You are supposed to breakdown first before you line up. Many artists will say that they cannot break down that fast but that is not true. Many of us can. For a single booth we can be down to the ground in 15 minutes. Unfortunately many of the artists do not follow this rule and line up even though they are not broken down.

They do not allow everyone in at 5:30 that has this load out time. They let in just one or two vehicles per aisle. The rest of us that followed the rules had to wait to be let in until those that were not broke down left. This slows down everything and causes a big delay for all the later load outs. Patience is a must and possibly one beer while you wait so you can stay patient. One last thing, the police that work this show are some of the nicest, friendliest we have worked with. You leave with a smile.

Last Florida show for the year for us.  We will miss it but hopefully on to more great shows.

Okay, I know this will never happen in any big way, so don't sweat it, and those of you who disagree with my rambling musings, it's just a thought, I was thinking.

Recently got back from the Fountain Hills Not So Great Fair and whilst I was standing around freezing and waiting for the occasional buyer to manifest I had a thought. Occasionally I have more than one but I did have this one...Booth fees are way out of control and my first experience with shows that charge a commission was in California 7 years ago. At the time I was incensed. ( Yes, I am fully aware that I signed up with the knowledge that I had to pay a commission but to mention that would ruin my diatribe) "How dare they charge me a __% commission on my sales on top of the already over inflated booth fee! The nerve of those guys!" As it turned out the __% commission I was to pay them amounted to about $26.45 and on the way out of the flea market grounds the collector of said funds said, "keep it for gas money", was that meant as an insult?

I digress, so the thought I had at the previously mentioned show was; what if more shows actually DID charge a commission IN LIEU of an over inflated booth fee. Those that sell a lot pony up what would only be reasonable if they did well and those that didn't do so well would come out with their skin still intact. The Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City is one such show with a model that I will use as an example. First, they charge a nominal booth fee, if my memory serves me, of $150. Second, if you make a certain level of sales the booth fee is credited back to you and you pay a __% of your sales to the show. How can that possibly be in the artists favor? The show is sharing the risk with you. How? Well, they have the responsibility of delivering actual buyers to the show, they want you to do well so that they can do well. Win-Win don't you think? Of course this show will only consider you for future fairs if you reach another pre-determined sales level but that's their prerogative, they have to make their expenses and fund whatever projects that they fund.

Okay that was just an example but the point I'm trying to make is this. Booth fees are going up astronomically. Just got an email trolling for artists for the Cherry Arts Festival and they want $600! Remember when booth fees went to $100 and artists got incensed? What warrants this kind of highway robbery? The show is only in its third year and the reviews that I read of the previous years were not blindingly brilliant. What if instead this show did a low booth fee, took a commission and the promoters actually worked to deliver buyers? It is in the best interest of the show that you do well but if you don't? The risk is shared, and you don't have to mortgage your house for the second time!

I guess another point that I'm getting around to is this. How many show "promoters" are actually promoting with the intent that artists benefit from the experience? Locally, I've participated in one show where the promoter really does his homework and delivers the buyers! I can think of another one that I signed up with that may not necessarily have had the artists interest at heart as the show was held in the back of a shopping center with heavy road construction going on nearby. I bet he'd work real hard to get people in there if it were a commission show and he had something at stake.

Yah, I know, there are no guarantees of ever doing well at a show but at least I'd feel better about it if I knew that the show was really working for the artist. Ultimately, our participation is voluntary. No one twists yer arm and says you have to do any particular show at all but, wouldn't it level the playing field a little if the show had everyone's interests in mind in addition to their own? Just say'n.

July 8 & 9   
Rochester, New York
Presented by: Corn Hill Neighbors Association
375 Artists
Deadline: March 19                               

"Corn Hill has excellent organization and volunteers that make a very positive event for the artists/exhibitors."

"I feel the quality of the art is terrific and diverse. It is on my list of must do's every year!"

What a joke,  I think they should name the show something else, not the Great Fair  I did this show in the early 90's and then it was a Great Fair.  The work was real good and no buy/sell.  I knew artists that did wonderful sculptural pieces, paintings, and fine jewelry work, but where have they gone. The artists I knew 20 years ago are no longer doing this show.  And this show has evolved into mostly buy/sell.  It is a shame.   And then the landscape is changing do to progress.   Used to park my van behind my booth, not any longer.  The land has a hotel, assisted living facility, and coming soon retail/apartments.  So unable to  park behind the booth. it is called progress.  The bathrooms were plentiful, and clean,  Security was excellent.  I remember when the streets were so crowded with buyers one could hardly walk.  Now seems rather empty,  People just out for a stroll not looking sideways at the art but straight ahead at their cellphones (leave the phone at home)  And no I do not have a smart phone.  Setup was horrific, as was teardown,  it was a free for all.  I figure after 30 years they would have figured something out.   Did talk to quite a few artists who are NOT coming back.  I would like to know why they had a direct tv booth, kitchen knife booth, windows for your home, where is the art in that,  One can tell by this review that I WILL NOT BE BACK.  The best part of this fair were the people I met and stayed with.  

April 1 & 2
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Presented by Glynn Visual Arts
75 Artists
Deadline: March 10

No application fee. Booth fee: $220

This annual Spring Arts Festival on St. Simons Island, GA offers a fine arts event in a small town ocean-side setting that brings more than 8000 visitors.  Postell Park is home to this festival, across the street from the Golden Isles Visitors' Center. The one square block setting is located under mighty live oak trees, in view of our historic lighthouse with the Atlantic Ocean a few hundred yards away.

The arts festival brings visitors from as far away as Atlanta to enjoy the ambiance of this coastal community and is anticipated by the local community, visitors and local businesses. New this year is a bicycle scavenger hunt on Sunday that focuses on everyday art in the community but also brings more visitors into the park for the start and finish.

Artist amenities include a continental breakfast each morning, bottled water, and booth sitters during the show.

Marketing: 
Local newspapers and tourism guides, local magazines, billboards, banners, and signage throughout the community, posters in storefronts, Constant Contact emails, and our website. The festival is also promoted through the Golden Isles' Convention and Visitors Bureau website and other local online calendars.

Learn more & apply:  http://www.glynnvisualarts.org/festivals.html

Contact: Hannah Roberts, festivals@glynnvisualarts.org, 912-638-8770

48th Annual A Fair in the Park
September 8, 9, & 10
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
110 Artists
Application Deadline: March 10

Application Fee: 1 medium $25, 2 mediums $50
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 2017 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

We employ a full marketing and PR campaign to promote both our event and to highlight the talented artisans participating in the fair. 

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.

When artist call themselves high-end artists in art show world?

How many times I hear this from other artists and I ask my friends what that suppose to mean. When it comes to jewelry does that mean the artist works only with gold, platinum and diamonds and that make sense. So how those that play in other mediums. Does quality of craft and skills counts in being high-end artists? Why do you call yourself high-end artist?
In photography, which is my area I practice, I really do not see that in art fairs world. Anyone with the right equipment can produce a large print (48X96). Printing in metal or acrylic does make you a high-end photographer. Using high framing materials does that make you high-end artist.

So because you have big item with high price does that make you high-end. Does success make you high-end artist. What about those yard artists?

Look at ceramics, more detail in piece makes more special but does that make you high end artist.

So my question to you, why you call yourself I high end because price alone does not make it. To me high-end is more when I walk to that store with the cyan little box.

May 13-14
South Walton, Florida
Presented by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
200 Artists
Deadline: March 1

Application fee: $40; Booth fee: $300

ArtsQuest is held in beautiful South Walton, Florida, at Sandestin along the Gulf of Mexico. The two-day festival is always held Mother's day weekend, which is a great time for discerning travelers to visit South Walton. ArtsQuest artists compete for $10,000 in cash awards, including Best in Show, Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit. It is the kick-off event for Art Week South Walton, an initiative of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.

The festival takes place at the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin which is also home to large-scale events such as the 30A Songwriters Festival and the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. Located along the Scenic Hwy. 98 Corridor, Grand Boulevard is easily accessible from regional drive and fly markets, including Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Mobile, Pensacola and Tallahassee.

Marketing: With the support of the Tourist Development Council, Visit South Walton, there is a comprehensive marketing campaign for ArtsQuest, including radio (Southeastern markets), social media, direct mail, posters, online advertising, and regional and national print media.

Amenities: Artist hospitality room serving continental breakfast, light snacks * Artist parking * Overnight security * Booth sitting * Artist-only lunch specials at participating restaurants * New festival venue is conveniently located to many affordable accommodation options

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5422

Learn more: https://www.artweeksouthwalton.com/
Jennifer Smith, jennnifersmith@culturalartsalliance.com, 850-622-5970

I was looking for a show for Feb 25-26. Marcia and I are down here in Florida from Michigan for a couple of months and, to make it work, we have to cram in as many shows as we can. Its expensive down here in the winter. I stay away from shows that are organized by professional promoters, preferring shows that are put on by arts groups and community organizations. The one in Bradenton fit the bill so I applied and got in. Its a small show with less than 100 artists, and this is only their second year at this location. Nels laughed at me and predicted I wouldn't even crack a thousand. But, what the heck, an open date... why not give it a try.

The show is in a parking lot just off a highway in Bradenton. I wasn't impressed with the location. Load in was easy and setup on Friday afternoon (after 1pm) was leisurely (I like that). We kept our van in front of the booth for the whole time (I like that too). Organizers were very low key and let the artists self organize their own set up. I think its much easier for that to happen in a small show. Booth spaces were large and cost less that $200 (can't remember exactly). At 12 x12, we were able to work with our neighbor and establish a side wall with an aisle 3-feet wide.

Saturday, the show went from 10-5 and it looked like Nels' prediction was right. Turnout was very light and we only made $635 for the day. I didn't expect much from this show, so wasn't terribly disappointed. I thought that with a few sales on Sunday,  I would surpass Nel's $1000 prediction.

Sunday started out about the same as Saturday with a sprinkling of sales in the morning. The show was scheduled for 10-4pm (another thing I like, allowing us to fully break down before dark). By noon it looked like Nels prediction was right. The few people walking around were not buying much from any of us.

Now, I am always amazed by the group dynamics at art fairs. I have no idea what kind of karma in the air would create such a drastic change in the buying habits of the public. It could be that the organizers were requiring all attendees to leave their wallets behind... until about 12:30. Suddenly, the wallets came out and people started buying stuff. And it wasn't only in my booth. Many other artists were selling stuff too.

I'm a digital artist and I sell prints of my surrealistic pictures with environmental issues as their theme. My smallest print is $28, and I usually can count on those prints to pay the bills. But, Sunday at this show, after 12:30, my larger framed prints started selling and I even sold one of my large canvas prints. This buying frenzy went on until about 3pm, when it stopped as suddenly as it began. (huh?)

Anyway, we made $2600 in those couple of hours, bringing our total for the show at over $3200. I was amazed and delighted. You just never know who is going to show up. The weather was next to perfect for this show with mostly sunny skies and mostly low winds (a bit windy on Sunday morning). Load out was equally easy as all the artists self-organized. We were out of there by about 6pm.

Next up for us is Bonita Springs next weekend. We've had a pretty good winter season so far. Hopefully it will continue.

Hi Connie and all my friends,

It has been a long time since I have been in contact, much water has flowed under the bridge and my situation has changed.

I am now 73 and had my 4th and most serious back surgery a couple of years ago with fused vertebra and metal rods inserted.  (Have so much metal in my back that I am picking up alien transmissions)  My back has deteriorated to the point that I have had to give up shows and it is very painful to work.  This, together with the fact that my wife has Alzheimer's has forced me to throw in the towel as most of my efforts are going into taking care of her.  (Have been doing that for 50+ years and am not going to stop now.) 

Anyway, here is my situation -  While I am no longer making instruments, I have quite a few remaining instruments and have them on my website - www.archiesmithinstruments.com .  I have seriously lowered prices and will consider serious offers.  My instruments are made for a purpose - which is to go out and give pleasure to those who play them and to those who hear them.  It really distresses me to think that they might wind up in a box or a flea market.  I am "trying to find good homes for my 'children'".  If anyone knows of someone who might be interested, please let them know to check out my website.

ALSO - if you know of anyone who is making bowed psalteries, I have a LOT of bookmatched tops and backs left over.  (Have never been able to turn down a beautiful piece of wood, so I have made a lot and still have approx. 200.)  These are all made from highly figured domestic and exotic woods - from Bubinga to Zebrawood.  (Also have jigs, etc.)  Am also selling the Sprinter Hilton - 2008 2500 Sprinter Van w/1.5K miles and many extras.

May you ALL have safe trips, great shows and FABULOUS SALES.  Will miss seeing all of you "on the circuit".

Archie Smith

Archie Smith Instruments

info@archiesmithinstruments.com

arcsmith@ctc.net

Jan. 28, '17

P.S. Feb. 27.  When it rains it pours- got out of the hospital on Friday after about 3 weeks. Had emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery.  Although very sore, am doing well.  Again, may all of you, my friends, have safe trips and great sales!

Archie