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i see reviews from 2014, does anyone have input from last year's show?

thx

Kathleen Hughes from the La Quinta Arts Festival, La Quinta (CA), has given me permission to share this private email from her with you:

I know that you always like to get statistics or hear how a show went across the country. This morning this information was sent to all of our participating artists.

 

This year I concentrated heavily on marketing to the coastal audience (we are two hours away) hoping to compensate for the weak Canadian dollar with many second homeowners here in the Coachella Valley. Well as only Mother Nature can, she laughed at me! It poured rain along the coast Saturday and Sunday and 22% of the tickets purchased in advance for the weekend day did not take the risk and drive to Festival. We tried to assure the patrons that called that the skies were overcast and we did have a few gusts of wind but nothing like what was being touted by the newscasters.

 

Our attendance overall was down 20% from 2015. But those who came, bought art as art sales have surpassed $2.7 million when in reality with a 20% drop in attendance, we should only have reached $2.5 million. We are extremely grateful for the high quality of art and new talent that was at Festival and believe this is the reason that art sales remained strong. Thrilled to get such a strong influx of new artists from the Midwest and East Coast! (Thank you for your influence on them to travel such a long distance to the West.)  The new artists swept the Artist Awards which confirms what I meant about their strength.

 

You may not feel the effects of the weak Canadian Dollar in Florida but it certainly hits both California and Arizona hard. We depend on the snowbirds for a strong winter season and all  business is down 20-30% this season throughout the Coachella Valley.  So we feel very fortunate indeed.

 

I hope this  information gives you a better understanding our market. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

 

Kathleen Hughes
Events Manager

I wonder if these Canadians were also missing from the Florida shows this year. Does anyone have any information on that? 

     The Elkhart For the Love of Art Show was held on March 12, 2016. This show is held in the Elkhart RV Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is located not far from the Elkhart City limits. It is also right off of the I 80 Indiana Toll Road which makes it very visible to people coming from the toll road or from Michigan.

     The RV Hall of Fame sits in the center of a huge open area. There were signs along the road in Michigan and near the Hall of Fame announcing the art show. They weren't huge signs but if you were looking for the show the signs did tip you off that you were near the show. There was also one of those tall flags at the drive into the Hall of Fame to catch people's attention from the road. There was plenty of parking for shoppers close to the building as well.

     The Hall of Fame was a great building to use for the art show. Artists could actually drive right inside the building to load in their booth and art work. They did have to arrive early to do that but it would be well worth it if you work an art show all by yourself or have heavy equipment or art work. There was plenty of space for each booth. None of the booths looked small at all.

Shireen Cline is the show's producer.  Shireen has been working so hard to put on a great show.  I have bumped into Shireen at several shows this past year.  She has been attending shows to observe what each show was doing to put on a good show.  Shireen is bubbly and energetic.  Her enthusiasm is infectious. 

     Shireen had about 50 top notch artists lined up for her show.  No category was top heavy.  There were several artists that were demonstrating their art work during the day.  One man was weaving the most beautiful Mexican rugs.  A glass blower was demonstrating how he blew glass pieces.  There was an artists drawing caricatures for shoppers. 

     AFI member Monica Langowski actually finished painting one of the cushions for the sofa above that Shireen is sitting on during the show.  I don't know how she did it.  I noticed the cushion was not finished as I visited her booth earlier in the day.  When I came back later it was done and Shireen posed for a photo on the sofa.  Monica told me that she was also chosen to display this sofa in one of the showcases in the Merchandice Mart in Chicago for the new Spring One of a Kind Show in April.  What a great opportunity that will be for her.

     Shireen had 5 top decorative artists and 5 top functional artists chosen from all of the exhibiting artists.  Of those 10 one artist received a free booth in next year's show.  Shoppers also entered their names in a drawing when they arrived to the show. 

     There were several great door prizes for shoppers that were given away later in the day.  There was also a children's drawing.  One little girl won a free week at art camp from the Elkhart Art League. 

    Soft music was playing for the enjoyment of shoppers who needed a little break.  It was a great place for artists or shoppers to also take in a little lunch.  There was only one food booth at this show.  The food was not meant to overshadow the art at this show. 

     I did notice shoppers with packages as they left the hall.  I think the artists would have liked a larger crowd at this show.  I don't know why there weren't more.   It was a fairly warm Saturday for March.  I suppose people may have been taking advantage of the warm weather.  After talking with Shireen I know she tried to cover all the bases to get shoppers there.  She personally told me she spent quite a bit on advertising.  I even saw her at the Garage Sale Art Fair in Kalamazoo in February handing leaflets out for the show.  Sometimes shows take a few years to develop a following which may be the case here.  However, I do think this show is going to continue to build and get better with each year.

      The opportunity was there for artists to have larger booths if they wanted them.  This hall was easily accessible for wheelchairs, too with no steps and wide walking aisles. 

      The artists all seemed very friendly and were more than happy to talk about their art work.  That added to the intimate atmosphere of the show.  Another nice thing about getting into this show is once you jury into this show you will always be invited back.  

From an email I received:

I just purchased a new Showoff tent and Armstrong walls for the 2016 season. Being in MI and in the middle of winter I am not sure I will get the chance to get a new image made before getting out my apps that are due soon. My last year's image is with my EZUP tent and mesh walls. Is it better to find a way to get my booth set up and shot before the deadlines or to use my image from last year and instead let the show know that I do have this new setup?

Thanks!

My response:

It all depends. Is it a well known show with many applicants, or one where you might not have to be too strict about the rules? 

If its a biggie and your old booth shot is good, I'd use that. Shows do not choose their exhibitors on the quality of their set ups. I know we obsess over which is the best tent, walls, color, angle, that will get ourselves into a show, but basically the show just wants to know your 10 x 10 will add value to the overall look of the show.

Didn't get around to shooting it? Put in the disclaimer, but ordinarily the show doesn't care. They just want to see the degree of professionalism you have and you want the jury to say "we want that one in our show."

What does anyone else have to say? What have you done in this situation?

Hello All, We are looking at this show to fill a gap in the schedule for October. Does anyone have and history or experience with this event? Noting shows up in AFSB and nothing much on Google. Thanks in advance for your help.

April 30-May 1
San Diego, California
presented by ArtWalk San Diego
300 Artists
Deadline: March 30

Fees: no application fee
Booth fee: $475 (10 x 10)

San Diego's Little Italy district is the city's hip, historic neighborhood which has also become San Diego's foodie mecca. Mission Federal ArtWalk fills the streets of this charming and popular neighborhood each year with fine visual art and performing art.

The mission today is the same as 32 years ago...to produce a truly fine art festival, connecting Southern California's affluent, well-educated art buyers with artists from all over the world, and offering a world-class celebration of arts and culture to Southern Californians.

Marketing:
A magazine is published and distributed inside the local newspaper. Extensive television, radio, print and online magazine. Publicity plans call for morning news shows by every local station...some of them up to three times. Our title sponsor, Mission Federal Credit Union adds to our already robust advertising program by tripling our radio spots.

Testimonials:

• ... The artists around me were all top-notch and though I didn't get to leave my block ever because I was so busy, I was really impressed with the caliber of work and the patrons were plentiful! ...
• ... In the last year I've participated in both ArtWalk on the Bay and the Mission Federal ArtWalk. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated all your terrific work. You've provided two wonderful events that provide great sales opportunities for artists. ...
• ... Just wanted to thank you and your staff for once again putting on a fabulous show. It was really good for me and EVERYONE that I talked to who participated this year. ...
• ... This was the best ArtWalk ever for me personally...I sold really well and got a couple of commissions as well to work on in the next couple of weeks....
• ... Well, you did it again - a fabulous show helped along by the incredible work you, the staff and the volunteers did putting this shin-dig together. 

September 24 & 25
Augusta, New Jersey
presented by Peters Valley School of Craft
150 Exhibitors
Deadline: April 11

Online app by April 1, $40; online app April 2-11, $55, paper app $60
Booth fee: $455+ (includes 300 watts electric)

This nationally respected exhibition takes place at the fully accessible Sussex County Fairgrounds, just 60 miles outside of NYC. 7,000 visitors visit throughout the weekend. Pipe and drape are available for a fee. Boothsitters are provided, as available. This event has easy drive-up and unload, with most exhibitors being able to drive up to their booth space.

In 1970 the first Peters Valley Fine Craft Fair was held and its success was the catalyst that formed Peters Valley School of Craft. Peters Valley is a nationally recognized non-profit focused on cultivating creative thinking through fine craft media and educating the public about fine craft. 

We do this through immersion learning workshops, outreach events, artist residencies as well as public lectures and gallery exhibitions The Craft Fair is an exhibition and selling venue for artists, showcasing fine craft. The event is well known throughout NJ, PA and NY and is one of the most influential fundraising events supporting the educational programming and scholarships at Peters Valley.

Marketing:
The show is advertised heavily in the tri-state area. The exhibition progr am and exhibitor map is printed in three magazines that are distributed leading up to and throughout the event. Social media, posters, direct mailings, etc.

Manufacturers, importers and agents other than craft artists should not apply. Work should be original and the unique vision of the artist applying. Work created from commercially available kits is not accepted. 

Work that is created under the direct supervision of the applicant in a small-studio production scenario is acceptable if the artist has a constant hand in direction, feedback, and assistance in the making process. Learn more about our policies. 

Apply: http://www.juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=1018
Learn more: www.petersvalley.org
Contact: Lindsay Gates, craftfair@petersvalley.org, (973) 948-5200

June 11 & 12
Danbury, Connecticut
Ives Concert Park 

The nonprofit organization, Friends of the Ives, will present the first annual "Art at Ives, Juried Fine Art & Crafts Show" on the Western Connecticut State University Westside campus.  This two day event will feature a wide variety of high-quality original works and a diverse scope of art forms representing every major category.  

Looking forward to a snow free Mayfest in FW. Anyone else going?

This was my first shot at Winter Park after three years of applying. I had to read it twice when I got the acceptance, I was so excited. A lot of my friends seem to judge their Spring season in terms of acceptance to this show, everyone was excited for me and I don't think I came up for air during the months of January and February, making new work to show. I had done Gasparilla two weeks before which was a great show for me and was looking forward to Winter Park. 

It's a huge show laid out in the central park of the town on meandering sidewalks and wood chip lanes. There is one long row set across from the main drag but it gets full sun all day, the rest of the show is mostly under trees.

I was on the sidewalk path which I believe is better than the wood chips which can get hard for buyers to figure out and hard to roll a stroller through. The booths on the street seem to me to be the prime spots, I asked one artist how he got this great spot and he said he pays his booth fee the first day and requests it but there are always trade-offs as these people have to set up at 3 am because the road doesn't close down until midnight the night before the show. But the load out for them is much easier at the end of the show as they can just drive up and pack, while the rest of us had to lug our stuff over the train tracks (ugh) or wait for the others to drive off to get a parking spot. Expect to be there a while. 

Dollying in was the name of the game on Thursday and it wasn't so bad as the show is so incredibly thought out and organized. It was around 85 degrees that day so lugging all out stuff was not a piece of cake but also wasn't as bad as some I have had.

I was hosted by a wonderful husband and a wife who was on the board of directors of the show and stayed right in the town and serindipidously got to see the inner workings of the show.  I have to say, the all volunteer show is like a fine instrument, tuned to perfection. Our hosts became friends, as that often happens, and it was a short car ride from their house to where there was artist's parking every morning (right across from the booths). 

Friday was a beautiful day, tons of people coming from town and also from the Sunbelt train, which runs through the center of town and brings people in from Orlando and surrounding areas. Judging was thoughtfully done and every judge asked questions and engaged each artist, it doesn't get any better and I believe they chose great awards. I didn't win anything... but as I said to someone; "Going to Winter Park was like goes to the "Oscars" of shows, just getting in makes you a winner.". This year the judging changed, I was told and they considered your whole body of work instead of focusing on one piece and then the artist decided what to bring up a representative piece to be judged again (second round stuff) Other artist's said they liked this better.

Food was plentiful at the hospitality tent. Saturday morning the crowds were out in force again but last year they let the trains run for free. They stopped that this year apparently because at the end of the show each day there was such a back-up of people they had to send another train to take everyone back to Orlando. Shame, because I was expecting wall to wall people and I was a little surprised. But then again, the forecast was rain so maybe they just were coming Sunday instead. It was full-on rain from around 1pm on and it pretty much cleared out the show. I didn't go to the artist party, I was wet and beat... but I heard there was incredible food and drinks. 

Sunday was better and the sun was out most of the day and it was incredibly crowded, but many were tire -kickers-for me at least...and Sunday was my least profitable day. No-worries, it was a good solid show and I was so pleased to be here. Many people walking by said it was a year where there were many new artists and they were happy about that. I was happy about that too since I was one of them.

All in all, it's a fabulous show where people support us and aren't afraid to put down big bucks for art and that is always a winner of a show. It's ranking is well deserved. Thanks Winter Park...hope to see you next year. 

July 29-31

Application Fee: $35
Booth Fee: $500

The show is held in the parking lot adjacent to Main Street in the center of town next to all the shopping and restaurants. Breckenridge was voted one of the most beautiful mountain towns in a very affluent area. This time of year is at the peak of the tourist season. This is the 15th year for this show and is very well received by the town and locals.  

Tina and Dick Cunningham are now running the show having taken over from Mark Belling.  

We have made a few changes to make the show easier to set up and tear down and are increasing the advertising budget.  We advertise in local papers, calendar of events through out the county, and also extensive radio ads in Summit County and Vail Valley.

Contact:  Dick Cunningham
Email:  MountainArtFestivals@gmail.com
Phone:  (970)406-1866

Best of Show ($10,000 Purchase Award)

Aletha Jones - Watercolor

(photo at right - Aletha & Holly Hensen, 2016 president of the WPSAF)

Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation Art of Philanthropy Award ($5000)

Katherine Mathisen - Sculpture
(photo at right below - 

Katherine Mathisen is with David Odahowski, President of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, and Holly Henson)

Morse Museum Award for a Distinguished Work of Art ($2500)

Robert Hessler - Clay
(3rd photo - Robert Hessler, Morse Award Winner,  is with Holly Henson, President of WPSAF)

10 Awards of Excellence ($2000)

Richard Auger - Photography

Carolyn Cohen - Printmaking

Candiss Cole-Footitt, Rodger Footitt - Fiber

Matthew Cornell - Painting

Robert Farrell - Metal

Roin Kittleson - Glass

Jennifer Ivory - MM 3D

Michael Madzo - MM 2D

Dylan Stryzynski - Painting

Marina Terauds - Printmaking

20 Awards of Distinction ($1000)

James Barnes - Wood

James Carter - Painting

Robert Coby - Glass

Scott Coulter - Painting

Randy Eckard - Watercolor

Ummarid Eitharong - Painting

Susan Frerichs- Jewelry

Helen Gotlib - Drawings & Pastels

M. Kemper Watrcolor

Danielle Merzatta - Jewelry

Cathy Rose - Sculpture

Suzanne Scarborough - Mixed Media

Bounkhong Signavong, Wolfgang Grieger - Fiber

Grant Silverstein - Printmaking

Paul Stevens - Photography

Mark Sudduth - Glass

Jonathan White - Clay

Vonnie Whitowrth - Watercolor

Micahel Wommack - Drawings & Pastels

Youngjoo Yoo - Jewelry

30 Awards of Merit ($500)

Lisha Ashinoff - Painting

David Bryce - Sculpture

Edson Campos - Drawigs

Ed Coleman, Kate Coleman - Clay

Erin Curry - Drawings

David Figueroa - Sculpture

Jenny Henley - MM, 2D

Aaron Hequembourg - MM, 2D

Cali Hobgood - Phottography

Lori Jenkins - Watercolor

Michael & Mieko Kahn - Clay

Karen Klinefelter - Jewelry

William Kwamena-Poh - Watercolor

Mark Lewanski - Glass

Ethan Lillemor - Clay

Clare Malloy - Drawings

Trent Manning - MM, 2D

John Mascoll 0 Wood

William Ortman - Glass

Andrew Otis - Clay

Loretta Petraitis - Painting

Luke Proctor - Metal

Adriana Rangel - Fiber

Robert Ross - Painting

Aaron Sault - Jewelry

Ezra Siegel - MM, 2D

Joyce Stewart - Fiber

Tai Taeoalii - MM, 2D

Cat Tesla - MM, 2D

Zhou Yu - Painting

Even better news is that the top 33 winners are invited back! (Distinction, Excellence and top three)

I just want to thank Jeff Gracz for submitting several show reviews this month.  He wrote reviews for several west coast shows.  We are always looking for some west coast shows to help out artists on the west coast. 

You all know how important it is to have an idea of what to expect before applying to an art show.  Nobody likes to be blindsided once you get to a show and find out it is nothing like you hoped it would be.  That is why art show reviews are so important.  You can find art show reviews at www.Artshowreviews.com.

Here are a few west coast shows that we really could use a few more reviews for.  So, if you have done any of the shows listed here we would love you to review one or a few of them.

Bigfork Festival of the Arts - Montana

Proctor Arts Fest - Washington

Sequim Lavender Festival Street Fair - Washington

RAGS Wearable Art Show - Washington

Urban Craft Uprising - Seattle

Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival - Washington

Bellevue Festival of the Arts - Washington

Woodland Hills Art & Craft Faire - California

America's Clay Fest III - California

We would also be happy for anyone to review any other show that you would like to.  If you want to review a show not on our site, that is fine.  Just submit it and I will get it added for you.  Then, you can add your review once I get it posted to the site.

To write a review or to submit a show just go to www.Artshowreviews.com

And once again, thanks so much Jeff Gracz for all of your help.  It was so appreciated.