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I'll be at cherry Creek (denver) for the first time. Need help set up and take down. I can pay 25/hr. Not really heavy, but help is nice. July 1 9am, and July 4 about 6pm. total maybe 4-6 hours. email kr@kathyross3d.com.

NEXT PODCAST: WED., JUNE 22, 5 PM ET

Mckenna Hallett, a professional trainer and consultant for small business, shares strategic tips from her 25 year career that has covers the entire spectrum of earning a living as an artist: developing a jewelry line, selling one-of-a-kind work to fine art and craft galleries, servicing wholesale accounts (including Neiman Marcus) and selling at a weekly retail show near her home in Maui. 

During this time she has always mentored other artists including teaching seminars on how to sell art. Mckenna has developed a selling system, the E's of Sellling. We talk about what she has learned and share her very solid selling advice. This is not about selling online, but rather how to make more sales in your face-to-face engagements at your shows.

Ever hear, "I'll think about it? " Gain confidence and learn what to DO and SAY when they say they need to think about it! Did you know you are a already a perfect "salesperson" when you are recommending a good book or a restaurant?  You share good things naturally, until it's YOUR art you are recommending. We're not talking about being salesy or “closing deals.” Listen to find out what to do next with solid tips to take to your next show.

To listen click the Art Fair Radio icon up there in the right hand corner, or this link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2016/06/22/selling-art-face-to-face--101-tips

Learn more before the show about Mckenna: http://mygoldenwords.com/my-mission/

40th Annual Maitland Rotary Art Festival
November 11-13

Beautiful Lake Lily Park in Maitland, Florida
135 Artists

Deadline: June 30

Application fee: $35
Booth fee: $325

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to be a part of “Art under the Stars” this November in beautiful Lake Lily Park.  The Maitland Rotary Art Festival has always enjoyed great success and this year “Art Under the Stars” is bringing more qualified buyers to the festival with the return of the popular Patron Program. This year's Patrons will be spending more than $10,000 with the artists. 

The Maitland Rotary Art Festival is taking a strategic approach to media and public relations designed to elevate, promote and support the artists and the event. 

These are just a few of the initiatives that are a part of our strategic media and public relations plan for the 2016 Festival: 

• Comprehensive public and media relations initiatives elevating status of “Art Under the Stars” and raising awareness prior to and driving traffic during the festival.

• Drive attendance by reaching out to markets beyond Central Florida including Tampa, Jacksonville and Palm Beach.

• Social media including Facebook and Twitter actively managed.

• Blogger Event with Central Florida’s top ten bloggers on Friday of the Festival.

• Significant media coverage of “Art under the Stars” including FOX 35 and Orlando NBC affiliate entertainment reporters and weather anchors.

• Along with promotional partner Cox Events, media budget (television and radio spots) for this year’s Festival has been doubled.

“Art Under the Stars” is designed to ensure artist success.

• $26,000 in non-purchase awards including cash awards starting at $1000
  • Twelve (12) Awards of Excellence of $1,000 each will be given without regard to category.
  • Eight (8) Best of Category Awards of $1,500 each will be given.
  • One (1) Best of Show Award of $2,000 will be given.
• Smaller show with simpler layout to drive sales for artist.
• Night-time hours and live entertainment to enhance Festival atmosphere.
• Improved food offerings to create a more upscale event.
• “Art Under the Stars” show hours:
  • Friday                 6pm  - 10pm  
  • Saturday            10am  -  9pm  
  • Sunday              10am  -  4pm  
  • Artist Breakfast Saturday and Sunday

Go directly to the link at www.zapplication.org or follow the link from our updated website www.maitlandrotaryartfestival.com.  

From my mailbox:

Hi Connie, I watched several of your videos of A2 Art Fair. Total newcomer to art fairs with my paintings, I've now done all of 2 art fairs here in Mi, where I live showing my ceramics. (Royal oak clay and glass and Palmer park. )

I am a little scared now...I was too inexperienced to be scared for these last two but have now seen what must have been record high temps this last Sat and record cold for May a few weeks back. I have visited Ann Arbor art fairs and lived in Ann Arbor but this is my first time exhibiting my paintings at any art fair, and my third art fair of any kind. I enjoyed your videos and felt I got a different perspective on what to expect.

I have so many questions I am not sure where to begin so I'll ask a nuts and bolts one that's been of concern.

1. I have a lot of lg paintings, 6'x 39" and I realize I should probably not use up all of my booth space with pieces too big for most people.
2. I'm not sure at all about pricing but that's another question.
3. This one is about how much "behind the booth" space I'll have and how many of these pieces I can put in reserve there. I'm not expecting a whole lot of sales but I would really like to have some extras to fill holes, or try a different one in a spot that isn't getting a lot of attention. What do people do?
4. for those of you who have done Ann Arbor, what is the single most important thing you would tell a first timer?

May Hiddleston

(I haven't missed the Ann Arbor Art Fairs since 1978, so I have a bunch of videos. Click on that video link up above.)

Just wanted to get a shout out to the guys at "Flourish" who so kindly accommodated me when I was lucky enough to win the third prize, the Mesh Panels,  in the Fund Drive Auction.

Honestly, I hardly ever win anything. In my twenties I won a car in a "Paint a Body" contest.....That's the biggest thing I can remember. This was just as good! I love that so many of us were able to win something. How many times does that ever happen.

And most of all Thanks to Connie, who keeps this ball all together so we can benefit from her knowledge and experience in this industry. I will never feel that it is easy to navigate this career....but through everyone who contributes to this site...I certainly feel like I have friends that I can commiserate with and that's big. Thanks Flourish...Thanks Connie... and thanks to everyone at AFI.

• View Discussions

September 17 & 18 
Creston, Iowa
Presented by:  Creston: Arts
50 Artists
Deadline: June 30

Application fee: $25/Booth fee: $75-100

Registration Deadline:  Application and fee is required to reserve your space by June 30. No refunds after August 1.

Arts and Crafts:  Handmade items.  May include pre-contructed inclusions.  Fee is $75 for 12x12 outdoor space, electrical is $10 extra.  Fee is $100 for 10x10 indoor space. No third parties vendors will be accepted.

Fine Arts and Crafts: 100% made by artists.  Fee is $75 for 12x12 outdoor space, electrical is $10 extra. Fee is $199 for 10x10 indoor space. No third parties vendors will be accepted.

Demonstrator:  Free if you are a fine craft/artisan and would like to demonstrate and sell as you "show" off to the crowds.  We encourage you to apply.  Demonstrators who do not sell product may apply for mileage reimbursement.

If you feel your product falls into one of these 7 categories, we encourage you to apply. Applications may be found online or request a hard copy from the Creston: Arts Council. All applicants must submit photographs of their booth and product at the time of application. Application Deadline is June 30, 2016 and all selected applicants will receive notification by July 15, 2016

This past weekend I was at Old Town, this year's AFI listed #1 show. I was a bit skeptical since I was there last year and just did ok, no great shakes. Not that is was bad, but sometimes when you do a show for the first time the payback isn't as good as your expectations.

That didn't stop me from sending in my money this year when I happily got accepted. The show is well organized and about two weeks before, you get a packet with all that is necessary to be able to understand what you need to do. Chicago is a big place to navigate, especially solo. One problem this year was that there was a huge medical convention and the America's Cup this past weekend and because of that the hotels were outrageous. My hotel last year downtown was $150 a night through Hotels.com...right on the river at the Merchandise Mart this year it was $325 a night. There was nothing available, even Air B&B's were $250 per night. The only hotels around $125 were at O'Hare or farther out, which is a considerable drive from the show.

I was lucky....I was a teacher for a long time and I threw it out to the internet that I needed a couch or bed in Chicago and one of my former student's had an apartment on W.Orleans...which was one of the main streets on the show route. Let me tell you that it was incredibly nice to get up in the morning and walk over to Wisconsin where my booth was. That doesn't happen often. I would hope that Old Town might consider in the future hosting like Winter Park or Ann Arbor. It would be wonderful if they did. They do send you a list of recommend hotels but they were still pretty high. 

One of the hardest things about Old Town is set-up and parking. I was there at 4:30 am Saturday morning. I drove right up to my booth and unloaded on the sidewalk. Unfortunately, a car was parked in my and my neighbor's booth . The car didn't get towed until 8am.(ugh)  By then it was a hot set up and I was drenched. I also had to find a parking spot and it was so far from the show that at night, when I had a delivery,  it took me an hour to find my car again. It's a confusing area if you are not from there...I swear the only way I found it was that I kept clicking on my key light hoping that it would revel itself. Word to the wise-at 6a.m. write better directions for yourself (duh). 

There is also a wonderful breakfast served everyday and a well organized booth sitting volunteer staff. I had a husband and wife team that actually called me on the phone on Saturday because they had sold one of my bigger pieces and then came back later and bought two pieces from me also. What more could you ask for!

The day was truly the hottest show day I have ever been at. I thought Georgia heat was bad at Decatur...this was worse. It got up to 100 degrees and it felt even hotter. Even then... the crowds never stopped coming. For encaustic, it was a bit dicy but as long as nobody touched them everything was good. I am usually telling people to touch my work because it feels so different that a pigment painting but Saturday I was a bear if anyone even tried to get close to them (they get soft in the sun and can dent). But they kept leaving the walls and it ended up being the best one day total I have ever had. Everyone around me had an good day too. It was a "5" level buying crowd.

That night I met two of my former students from Switzerland who now go to SAIC and we went around the corner to Renalli's for dinner. They have great pizza and wings and a helluva Bloody Mary (ah... my drink of choice) If you do this show I suggest you go and try their prosciutto and arugula pizza...primo! 

Sunday, I felt like I had left Haiti and had ended up in Helsinki...the weather was in the 60's with a brisk breeze. I saw many people with down jackets and heavy sweaters. By the afternoon it had warmed up again and people came out in sandals and t-shirt's. Let me rephrase that...Many People came out..Many, Many people came out! It was super crowed and I never left my booth except to run to the porto potty-which by the way was way too far away from my side of the show. (please Old Town redistribute them next year) I realize this is too much information... but honestly, it's important.

Well, anyway....Sunday was my next highest selling day ever. Guy's, not trying to act big or anything here, I have done many years of so-so and less than so-so shows...as I said before, I am no great shakes...but I had the magic ticket at Chicago this year. Some of you have been talking on this blog about a recession and an election year downturn. Well, I am here to say that Chicago hasn't heard about that... It was more than good for everyone around me. I didn't hear of Anyone complaining....and you all know that you usually hear a few.

Load out was fairly easy for me. With a short wait and and a curb side load up. With as tight as the streets are and without any formal instructions and attendants...it went a lot smother that most. 

And finally, this show is the BOMB...plain and simple. There is a reason it's #1 and should be. They run a tight ship with numerous volunteers and support staff that makes it smooth going. There is always someone near who can help you with whatever you need. I also love when the director's of the show come and talk to the artists and thank us for being there. With all they do, it's the least of their worries but at Old Town they make you feel extremely welcome. Kuddos Old Town......it was a real pleasure....Hope to see you next year...

Just finished the Hinsdale art festival. This was my second year showing. Here is a link to last years review if you are looking for more info. We are on the road to Virginia Beach and I am writing this in the car on the iPad so this will be a shorter review.

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/hinsdale-fine-arts-festival-chicagoish

Hinsdale is a small quaint town outside of Chicago. The art show is set up in the park in downtown Hinsdale. Great location. There is a Starbucks at one corner of the park, a gas station for ice at another corner and a ton of great resteraunts a stones throw away. It is the perfect combination of showing in a city but having the ease of showing in a park. Booths are set up on the grass and there are sidewalk paths in front of your booth. There is room behind your booth and a decent amount on each side.

Set up starts on Friday at 9:30 am. There are around 100 artists. You cant drive into the park but this is a small park and you get pretty close to your booth. Bring a dolly but for many of us you don't need one. This is a very easy low stress set up. It was hot, 95 and humid so we took it slow. The people that run the show were again wonderful. They introduce themselves and kept everything running smoothly.

There aren't any hotels in Hinsdale but Oak Brook has a ton of hotels just a few miles away. We were able to get the Doubletree for $60 a night.

Saturday called for another HOT day and rain. It hit 98 on Saturday but no rain. After melting in Decatur a couple weeks ago we packed an arsenal of stuff to keep us cool. We had a box fan on the ceiling of the tent for patrons. Two battery operated fans, one for each chair, A misting fan, Two frogg toggs, ice gel packs and the best of all my out door airconditioning that Larry Houghs made for me. We were very comfortable all day and had success with sales. The patrons in Hinsdale are sophisticated and qualified. I felt like the crowds were stronger this year. It never is a crowded show but there always were people shopping all day. The show closed at 5pm on Saturday. 5pm is the perfect time to close a show. So happy Hinsdale has this figured out.

Sunday the temps dropped to the 60s and hit about 70. If was a beautiful day. The show opens at 10 am. We set up early and went for a great breakfast across the street from the show. Sales started happening right at open, 10 am and we watched work go out through out the day. Both days the staff was womderful about keeping us stock with cold water. Booth sitters were available if you needed one. They might have had some food available but we either pack our own or in this case we take turns and enjoy a nice lunch at one of the restaraunts.

Load out is easy. The show closes at 5pm. The police officer starts letting vehicles in right at 5pm. Again this is a small show and pretty easy to get your vehicle close to your booth space. You don't have to tear down before getting your vehicle. This is nice because you only have to touch everything once.

We hope to return next year. The setting is so nice. The patrons are great and the show staff are wonderful.

Now on to Virginia Beach. From everything I have heard about this show I feel like we are entering an art fair game show challenge. But first we are going to visit Point Pleasant WV, home of The Moth Man. I am thinking of staying in the historic hotel in this town but it may be too creepy from all I have heard:)

Just finished up my fifth year as a demo artist at the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina, Kansas.  Once again I have to say this is my favorite show of the year even in a heat wave like this year!  As a demo artist we get treated like royalty and I only pay 10% commission for my booth (with a cap at $325).  Everything at this small town festival is done right from my point of view and one of my favorite programs is their First Treasures program.  

They ask artists to donate any number of pieces they would like.  Then the kids get to come in and shop without their parents.  Kids as young as 4 years old go into a big tent and pick out something for $5 (everything is priced the same regardless of value).  Now I know some artists complain that they usually don't have product that is valued so low but I don't think it matters.  You are donating just like you would for any other fundraiser.  And really this is MORE than a fund raiser- it's teaching the kids to be art patrons!  And I have seen the results.  Every year I see kids that have saved their own money to come and shop in my booth.  I would say I had up to half a dozen such purchases this year from young shoppers - spending as much as $40.  Someday these kids will grow up to be the art patrons that really make our shows!

And this year I had my largest sale from a mother who told me she always checks to be sure the artists she buys from are First Treasures contributors.  She even said she almost bought from one artist but saw they weren't contributors so she went on her way!

Of all the great ideas at art fairs out there I think this is one that should be emulated everywhere!  Has anyone else seen similar programs?  Have they also been successful? 

One of the shows that I've been doing for the last few years is now moving to a new location. Unfortunately, with that move, you can no longer pull up near your booth to unload your vehicle.  Unloading now will be from a small parking lot where they want you to unload your items to your booth space, park your vehicle a couple of blocks away, and then return to set up.  My space is located at the far end of the new show area and I'm looking at 350 - 400 feet one way just to get to my space.  I estimate that I'll need at least a dozen trips to unload everything which may take over an hour to do.  Set up times are staggered...but I imagine that it is going to be quite a traffic jam on packing up when everyone wants to get out at the same time.  And if it is raining on set up then all bets are off...I'll have to get my booth up first before bringing in the my display and items.  Any thoughts??

September 16 & 17
Adrian, Michigan
80 Exhibitors
Deadline: June 17

Application fee: $20; Booth fee: $60, includes electricity

Artalicious is an outdoor event located in beautiful historic downtown Adrian, supported by numerous foundations and grants, a passionate committee and the businesses and the citizens of our community.

Our plans include:

• A layout that will concentrate the visual artists in the best locations.
• Enhanced artist amenities such as booth drive-up, security, close parking, lunch and break service, and Saturday morning breakfast.
• An aggressive regional marketing campaign including print, TV, radio, online, social media, and outdoor advertising to expand the fair's audience. 

From my inbox:

Connie

I am Michael Craven's older brother.

It appears I created an account on your site soon after my brother's passing, but today, my youngest granddaughter asked to see his picture online as she was to young to remember him and it's her way to "connect" to him to her memory. When I brought it up in a search, I saw your comment to members of your art community announcing his death and thought I'd just be sure to thank you for the mention and tell you that you were spot-on about his fastidous devotion to his art.

On June 19th, he would have marked his 60th birthday, and we still miss him. As his sole surviving family member, I wasn't ready to part with his collection at the time of his death by liquidating them through private or an estate sale so I brought them back with me to Florida. He had been preparing for another "road-trip" of art shows so he had prepared a large stock and even packed his trailer and RV. Hard to imagine he isn't still out there on the circuit he loved so much where his great delight was associating with his peers.

I miss his calls to relate his latest travels to shows and the overall experience.

I still have no real idea as to what I will eventually do with his collection although a number of his fans from his loyal customer base still ask to buy additional signed originals from the collection. I'm pleased his prints are timeless and still hold up well.

So, thanks to your members who knew him well and remember his unique art-style.

Sonny Craven

Michael died way too young. I'm posting this here because this is a community site. Michael was a member of this community and he was mourned by many at his untimely passing. I did a "search" for his name on AFI and came up with many moving tributes. I know you join me in not only honoring him but in honoring the creative spirit that makes life worth living for so many of us.

If you search for "obituary" of "In Memoriam" in the discussions on this site you'll find the names of many people who have enriched our business and our lives.

A friend gave me her old Pro-Panels minus the outside covers which means I will have to recover them myself. I know this won't be an easy fete, but one I can afford. What color do you all think I should use for my walls. I am a woman who makes glass jewelry. My hanging frames are either Fern green or black.

My husband thinks I should use light gray and I think a cream or oatmeal color.

I looked up some sites about how certain colors repel or attract certain customers. It says that blue, purple, and green attract women and that women hate gray, brown and orange.

In a workshop I had with Bruce Baker, he said to avoid orange or purple altogether because people either love or hate these colors.

What do you think?

Thank you in advance

Let me say first, this festival was well organized, easy in and out, and a lot of fun.  It is located in downtown Hampton, about a block from the waterfront and the marina.  The Pirate ship set off a lot of noise with it's canon.  There was a separate children's activity area across the street near the marina, which meant a lot of active kids were not near the vendors.  There were 2 blocks of vendors every 12' apart. 

We learned a lot about the people who attend the festival (who are all ages from college grads to retired).  They came from the Southeast region especially Baltimore.  We even met a retired couple from our small town of Bumpass, Va.  The people who attend this event dress up and even their children dress up.  A lot of them said they also do Renaissance festivals, Civil War re-enactments, and other dress-up events.

Unfortunately, we did not do well and made slightly more than our booth fee.  We  could not cover the other expenses.  Everyone there knew about chainmaill.  We make chainmaille jewelry.  But they said  they had it already or they made it themselves.  The people who did buy had no problems with our prices.   We would not do this event again.  There were no fine art vendors there.  The ones who did well there were those who made and sold costumes.  Like I said it was a lot of fun, but, unfortunately, not for us.

October 8 & 9

Newport News, Virginia

Presented by: Port Warwick Foundation

100 Artists

Deadline: June 15

Application Fee: $35/Booth fee: $300-$550

The Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival is celebrating its twelfth year this fall with world-class art by artists who demonstrate the highest levels of innovation and originality.

The arts festival is held outside, in beautiful Styron Square, surrounded by restaurants and shops. The vibrant atmosphere draws a great mix of art patrons with an average household income of $90,000+, College Educated, Married. 

Many patrons continue to return because they know they will see some of the best artwork around and be introduced to new artists. 

• Champagne Awards Breakfast; lunch provided both days for all artists
• VIP Dinner w/Sponsors & Art Buyers
• Discounted hotel rates
• 24-hour security & booth sitters
• Load in/out assistance
• Our guest judge will award prize money totaling $5,500