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Thanks for the memories!

Posted by Curtis Beck on January 14, 2016 at 6:03pm

Hello all!

With apologies to Bob Hope, I want to thank all of the artists who have submitted reviews (their memories) of the shows they have participated in. I have learned, and continue to learn a lot from these reviews. As an art festival producer, it helps to have a broader idea what the artists like and don’t like. Not that we can always do these items, but it does help to know what is desired (and not desired as well!) and have a goal. For well over 6 years I have been part of another festival producer in Southern CA. Now I am spreading my wings, and ‘flying’ to Northern California and Nevada starting a new company called CWB Events. As of this moment, I only have three events on the schedule, but plan on adding more very soon. Reading all of the reviews was a real education, and now I have the opportunity to put it into practice. I am always open to new (and old) ideas and suggestion, as learning is a way of life for me! The goal was and is to have quality art and high caliber artists. I plan on continuing with that goal as CWB Events, while expanding as I can. Again, I thank you for the time it takes to submit your reviews, and I look forward to reading many more!

Thanks
Curtis Beck

Call for Artists: Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 14, 2016 at 10:00am

July 14-17

State College, Pennsylvania

Downtown State College & Penn State Campus

305 Artists

Deadline: January 22

Application Fee: $35

Booth Fees: $550 10'x10'; $1,200 10'x20'

Why should you apply to this festival? Here is what its director, Rick Bryant, says:

Our festival, known to artists as 'the Penn State Show', and the Penn Staters as the 'Arts Fest', is new in its 50th year on the University Park campus of Penn State and the streets of downtown State College, PA.

We were founded by the State College Chamber of Commerce and Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture and we're still very much a 'town/grown' event--it's a big festival in a small town.

We bring roughly 125,000 people to State College over five days of our event in July. That's not a number we make up, we do an audience survey each year administered by a facility member at Lock Haven University.

Going to the Arts Festival is a rite of passage for Penn Staters. Students don't miss it and Alumni return for "Arts Festival Alumni Weekend," a program of the Penn State Alumni Association, the largest dues paying alumni association in the world over 170,000 members strong. Arts Festival Alumni Weekend is a time to renew old college ties, attend special programs, and of course, shop at the "Arts Fest".

Alumni proudly wearing blue pins sporting their year of graduation are often an artist's best customer. Some alums even opt to stay in dorms! (Artists can do that too!)

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Some other things to consider:

We're consistently ranked in the Top Ten in the Sunshine Artist magazine rankings (#1 last time around!)
We hand out over $17,500 in prizes. The top prize is $2,700; our second prize is $1,500. We hand out over 20 prize, and 50 people will be invited back as jury-exempt artists in 2016 based on on-site jury scores.
We provide lots of amenities including one of the best artists' receptions on the circuit
In the 2015 survey by ArtFairCalendar.com art fair patrons chose us as one of the nation's Best Art Fairs that they love to attend.

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The event also includes a full day of activities for children, performances by international, national, and regional acts on three outdoor states and at four indoor venues, a book festival, and a celebration of Italian Street Painting. And, if you're up for it, there's a 5k/10k/10 mile run bright and early Sunday morning with over 500 entrants.

Apply: www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=4314

Learn more: www.arts-festival.com

in the news - Bonita Springs National

Posted by Barry Witt on January 14, 2016 at 9:34am

Hi,

Nice piece in the Banner.

“Bonita Springs National Art Festival brings thousands to Riverside Park”

Barry or Ehren artfest@artsbonita.org

Tel: (239) 495-8989

Bonita Springs National Art Festival web site:
http://www.artcenterbonita.org/artfest/

Formatting Pictures for Zapp

Posted by John Leben on January 13, 2016 at 11:49am

I'm a digital artist and the work I create is an odd size. Pictures are either horizontally formatted or vertically formatted, but they are all around twice as wide as the are tall, or twice as tall as they are wide. So, when I size them down to 1920 pixels on the longest size, there is lots of black space. I'm considering showing cropped sections of these paintings for Zapp for my applications. I can crop some of them so they look pretty good in a square format. But when a juror looks at the booth shot, they will see the actual pictures in the booth, not the cropped ones I use for the jury. The cropped pictures will definitely have more impact, but is it kosher to show cropped images? Anybody out there have an opinion on this?

Call for Artists: 46th Annual Broad Ripple Art Fair

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 13, 2016 at 7:32am

May 21 & 22

Indianapolis, Indiana

Presented by: Indianapolis Art Center

225 Artists

Deadline: January 24

Application Fee: $35; Booth Fees: $370

"One artist, one at a time." This is the core principle of the Broad Ripple Art Fair. We value fine art and fine craft by individual artists or collaborative teams who both create the work personally and sell it directly to the retail customer, and we ask all of our participating artists to share this value.

The Broad Ripple Art Fair is a gated event ($13 presale and $15 day of) that serves as the Indianapolis Art Center's largest fundraiser of the year. It is held on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center and its 9-acre ArtsPark, plus the adjacent North Side Optimists Opti-Park.

Second day pass-back for patrons, gated fair average of over 15,000 attendees
Heavy item pick up service
Staff and volunteer supported load-in and load-out
Over 400 volunteers

Apply: www.zapplication.org

Learn more: www.indplsartcenter.org/braf

Contact: Kyle Herrington, kyleh@indpisartcenter.org, (317)255-2464

Casey Sheppard: Out on the Road and Kicking Butt

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 12, 2016 at 7:32pm

Here's a little inspiration during these dark winter days, or for when you are wondering why you are doing what you are doing, from Casey Sheppard's, Case of the Nomads.

I’m currently working on a project that I need help promoting. I thought you might enjoy what I’m doing. On July 1st 2015 I left Los Angeles, CA on a year long road trip to connect communities: bike and art. I’ve traveled over 15,00 miles, visited over 20 universities, art centers and clubs along with camping all over the US and I have meet fellow adventures like Roz Savage and Kenton Cool. I’ve attached my website for more details.

Case Of The Nomads

I’m busy planning and getting ready to head to the desert to kick off the second half of Case of the Nomads. There is a lot in the works for this year: workshops, lectures, artist visits, trunk shows, mountain bike coach training and much much more.

I’ve also launched a fundraiser event that is for this week only. I've found that fundraising is an essential part of this journey and thanks to others support this trip has been possible. This current fundraiser isn't about supporting a nomadic lifestyle but to support others willing to dare to dream then make it happen. When you help out you become part of this grand adventure and as an added bonus, you receive a gift from the road in return. Gifts include drawings, watercolors, framed photo prints and jewelry all created by me while traveling. There will also be an online thank you to all contributors at the end of the fundraiser that will appear on my website, newsletter and social media. I hope you are able to take part in this event which ends on January 13th at 3pm CST.

Click link to see gifts, donate and please pass along to others:

FUNDRAISER GOODS PAGE

I also think you’ll dig this, it's a little slide show of the past year of my last months in Los Angeles, the built of Jones…Full of Grace and the communities, places and moments from Case of the Nomads that has forever shaped me into the perfect mess of a loving human being, I’m grateful for every moment and I’m looking forward to the next 9 months on the road!!! Please post to Facebook and make sure to tag your friends, I think you may know some peeps in the video!!!

Here's a fast video, so you can follow Casey on here trip: https://vimeo.com/150934409

I want to be Casey when I grow up!

"Urban Punk," My One-Man Show in Holland, Michigan

Posted by John Leben on January 12, 2016 at 11:36am

Three or four years ago, I began showing a few experimental images as part of the mix in my art fair booth. They were kind of fantasy oriented with surrealistic imagery and a bit of humor. They were mixed in with an assortment of landscapes and nautical images inspired by my location on Lake Michigan. I thought that if I showed a lot of different things and subject matter in my booth I could appeal to a bigger audience. I had some mild success with this mix of subjects, but began to notice that the fantasy stuff was outselling the landscapes.

I remembered reading Connie's advice about focusing on a narrow subject so as not to confuse my audience. I wondered if that advice really applied to me. I didn't want to lose all those customers who bought my landscapes and other assorted subjects. But finally, after I had enough of the funky images to show, I took the plunge and eliminated all but my fantasy, surrealistic stuff. You know what happened? My sales almost doubled. I continued to develop this series of images, and I'm having the time of my life. People love this stuff.

Locally, here in Saugatuck, Michigan, people are used to seeing my beach stairs paintings and local landscapes. I've been showing the funky stuff, that I call the "Urban Punk" series in local galleries, but this series has been selling much better at art fairs. Hopefully that will change now because I'm opening a one-man show of the Urban Punk Series at the Holland Area Arts Council on Friday, January 15 with a reception from 6-8pm. Its open to the public and all are invited. Its a show of all the work I've been doing over the last three years... work that I'm also showing in my art fair booth.

I've still got a pretty healthy inventory of the more conventional imagery that I used to show at art fairs. I went through a lot of angst and soul-searching before putting this stuff into storage and focusing on the Urban Punk images. Its never too late to try something new and to mix up the pot a little. Here's where you can see the Urban Punk Series on my website: http://lebenart.com/pages/urban-punk

Call for Artists: 55th Annual Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 11, 2016 at 8:00pm

July 9 & 10

St. Joseph, Michigan

on the Bluff overlooking Lake Michigan

Presented by: Krasl Art Center

200 Artists

Deadline: January 21

Application Fee: $35; Booth Fees: $300/$375

With an estimated 50,000 attendees, the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is one of the most prestigious and well-attended outdoor events in Southwest Michigan. As a source of pride for the community-as well as volunteers and artists from around the country, the Krasl Art Fair provides our guests with tremendous exposure to high quality art.

The art fair is consistently ranked as one of the top art fairs in the country and has been in the top 20 art fairs in Sunshine Artist Magazine for 4 years running and in ranks in the Top Ten of ArtFairCalendar.com's Best Art Fairs. This established art fair attracts fine art and fine craft artists from all over the US and Canada.

Extensive media promotion is made to target buyers of art. Traditional media, magazine, newspaper, radio and tv, is utilized along with social media.

What the artists say:

"Thank you once again for a wonderful art fair! You really care about the artists and are so well organized." Mary K
"I sold more this year than I have sold in the last 36 years of going to art fairs...fantastic!" Randy M.

Apply: www.zapplication.org

Learn more: www.krasl.org

Contact: Breeze Ettl, bettl@krasl.org, (269)983-0271

~~~~~~~~~

Find even more art fairs for 2016: www.CallsforArtists.com

Bonita Springs National Art Festival--A great show on Saturday, Sunday rain killed it

Posted by Nels Johnson on January 11, 2016 at 12:00pm

There was mucho trepidation about this show.Highway construction bisected where this show was held. This meant there was one street of artists on the east side of Old Highway 41. Then patrons had to cross a narrow path over the construction to get to the rest of the show which was in a park and along a paved street.When we set up on Friday, everybody on the east street, me included, were a little worried we would not get any traffic. It is never good to split a show into two sections.Director Barry Witt felt that since the bulk of parking lots were before us on the east side, then we would get plenty of people coming and going.Guess what? He was right.The onenice thing about the east side was that booths on the north side of the street got to park their vans behind. That was a real plus.The weekend weather report called for rain both days. Luckily, it only happened on Sunday, ending around noon.Saturday sales started briskly and held strong until about 2pm which is the norm for Bonita.The crowds came in serious numbers.a lot of people did very well on my street. A glass artist two booths down sold a $2000 glass table to a young well-heeled couple. I sold six large framed pieces, I ended up having having my best Saturday since when the show changed locations.Bonita first started at the Promenade Shopping Plaza years ago. Then the Plaza got sold and the show relocated to its present site. The site is ideal for artists but the monied localsDo not come and buy like they did at the Promenade. That is not just my opinion, most artists will tell you they made better money at the Promenade.Not everybody was happy with Saturday sales. My neighbor, a longtime famous sculptor, zeroed then and on Sunday too.I saw lots of 2-D work float by me all day Sat. My clay neighbors had an excellent show selling their vases and lamps.Overall, everybody I talked to were happy with the crowds and with their sales.That night we ducked getting hit with a big storm, booths at the nearby Cape Coral show were not as lucky.Sunday morning dawned with slight drizzles and no sunshine.The weatherman said the rain would be gone by 11am, as usual, he lied.People never really showed up in any numbers the rest of the day. Our sales sucked Royal Canal Water. We packed up wet tents and got the hell out of their with profits that were good for a one-day show but not for a two day. You cannot control the weather.Here is my bone of contention with the art league.One, the booth fee, in excess of $400, is not realistic, most of us are not getting that good of a return on our money.Two, there will be another show in the same site three weeks from now. Not good.Too many people held off buying, assuming we all would be there later. Not good, because most of us will not be there. The next show is too close to the first date.Unfortunately, the powers that be are hunky-dory with the present arrangement.It almost seems that they only care about renting temporary booth space and could care less about how the artists are supposed to make money.Unfortunately, that is the sad state of affairs in our industry at present, and I do not see things getting better in the future.Next weekend I will be at Richard Sullivan's Sanibel Island Show. More rain is expected.El Niño really sucks.

Holiday Art Show St Augustine

Posted by Suzanne Krongold on January 11, 2016 at 7:27am

Just wanted to Thank Lynn Wettach, of Holiday Art Shows, for my space at the Jan 1/2 show in St Augustine. I won a space with her through Art Fair Insiders, and I gotta tell you, I would love to work with her again!

LARGE spaces, plenty of back space, quad set-ups, so everyone had corner space. Super easy set-up and break down. Friendly staff, nice coffee and breakfast for the artists.

Lynn made sure to stop by each artist to say hello and make sure things were good.

I say , give this show a try, lots of fine art at this show , with really good advertising.

4th Annual A-RTS

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 10, 2016 at 7:30pm

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What is your plan for this time of year?

Posted by david addario on January 10, 2016 at 10:16am

Just curious as to what Artist mostly do during the show off season? A lot of people go to Florida for shows, some just take a break and/or work on their Art, others try to dig deep for small local shows or venues like Home shows or Flower Shows, or get a temp job? Since I'm tired of watching my bank account dip this time of year Im considering a new strategy. I mostly take a few weeks off, work on updating new product, applying to shows and doing my taxes. How about you?

Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts, Nassau, Gilmore -- thumbs up or down

Posted by deborah potash brodie on January 9, 2016 at 3:46pm

After 5 joint replacements since March 2014 - yes 2 hips, 2 knees, rt reverse shoulder -- and knowing that I am on avoidance for left shoulder surgery -- and am now having epidurals for my back -- we have decided to do a few shows this year. Has anyone done the Pittsburgh Arts and Craft Shows, Nassau Shows, and Gilmore Shows? What are thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Call for Artists: Spring at Queeny Park

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 8, 2016 at 12:00pm

April 1-3

St. Louis, Missouri

40th Annual Spring Art Fair at Queeny Park

Queeny Park in West St. Louis County

presented by the Greater St. Louis Art Association

Fri. 5pm-9pm; Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 11am-4pm

130 artists

Deadline: January 15

For more than thirty-eight years the Greater St. Louis Art Association has been providing opportunities for the public to see and purchase original works of fine art and fine craft directly from the artists who create them.

Every year we produce two juried art shows (Spring and Labor Day Weekend). Artists in all media are encouraged to apply. These shows feature juried local, regional and national artists' original work. From the pool of artists applying, about 130 artists from all over the US and Canada are invited to exhibit. These artists are selected by a professional jury process in eleven distinct media categories.

Both shows are presented in the indoor, air-conditioned setting of the Greensfelder Recreation Complex at Queeny Park in west St. Louis County.

Food and refreshments are available on site, parking for the public and artists is free. Live music playing during wine tasting and peak attendance. During Sunday afternoon, an interactive children's art education program encourages families with youngsters to meet and talk with artists and learn about their work.

Noteworthy:

Our 40th Annual Spring Art fair
Limited to approximately 130 artists
An air-conditioned indoor art fair, no worry about the weather, tents or security
Jury/Booth fees ($25/$200); free electricity
Cash awards totaling $4,500
Booth sitters, 24-hour security. Rest easy knowing your booth is locked up safely at night.
Excellent marketing campaign, expanded to television, newspaper, magazine and radio advertising, internet and e-mail promotion
Promotional postcards, business cards and coupons provided free to exhibiting artists
Live music throughout the art fair
Wine tasting Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon

Important dates:

Artist's entry deadline: January 15
January 24 Late Deadline for Artists Applications ($25 late fee applies)
January 26 Artwork has been juried
January 30 Artist notification via e-mail. Acceptance letter will soon follow.
No booth fees will be refunded after March 3
April 10 Booth set up starting at 9am, must be finished by 4pm

Learn more & apply: www.artfairatqueenypark.com/

You may also contact: Vic Barr, GSLAA President

(314)997-1181 vicbarr@sbcglobal.net

Artsy Shark -- Call for Artists!

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 7, 2016 at 1:00am

Artsy Shark needs 48 artists to feature and promote

in the coming months.

Are you interested?

This is a competitive, juried process.

Deadline is midnight EST, January 11, 2016.

Apply: http://www.artsyshark.com/become-a-featured-artist/

Call for Artists: 24th Annual Marion Arts Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 6, 2016 at 7:48am

May 21
Marion, Iowa (Cedar Rapids)
50 Artists
Deadline: January 19

Application Fee: $25; Booth Fee: $225

ONE DAY.

FIFTY ARTISTS.

TEN THOUSAND ADMIRERS.

AN ALARMINGLY SMALL CITY BLOCK.

Greetings from the Marion Arts Festival, in Marion, Iowa! (East Central Iowa). Named by ArtFairCalendar.com as among "America's Best Art Fairs" in 2013 and 2014, the MAF presents 50 artists, offering both fine art and fine craft to an audience of 10,000.

THERE ARE NO BANDS, THERE IS NO BEER.

THE MAF IS ABOUT THE ART.

Marion is a "vintage uptown" type of community, and a part of the Cedar Rapids metro area. Our show is one-day, intimate and purposeful, with the mission to be an event through which you will thrive. (Here, we're obligated to insert that we're volunteer-driven, kind of hokey and maybe more than a little mom-and-pop ... in good ways, mostly.) No beer, no bands -- just art.(However, we do cop to good falafel.)

New this year:

The 2016 Marion Arts Festival is NOT the same weekend as Belleville, Illinois' Art on the Square!

They follow the moon! We follow the calendar!

This year, the twain do not meet!

Marketing:

We work year around, writing grants and securing business and media sponsors, ultimately spending over 2/3 of our budget on getting your customers to the park. Television, cable, newspapers, radio (public and commercial), web advertising, posters, billboards (static and digital), social media, features in state-wide arts tabloids, online event calendars, and a 12-page festival program distributed to 80,000 eastern Iowa households, as a special section of the Sunday-before-the-festival Cedar Rapids Gazette.

What "they" say about us:

"Fantastically run [...] major fine artists [...] wonderful extra art related events. No music. No beer. It's awesome."

"This is a gem of a show in an unlikely place. The show [...] works hard to make this a worthy arts festival and ensures that each artist is "one-of-a-kind" ... The show generated record sales for me, and my one-day sales here topped my previous single-day sales record by a very wide margin. All in all, this is an easy and profitable show to do."

"My best show of the year! A niche market that never disappoints."

Thank you for your interest, and for the work you do ... we count ourselves lucky that you're out there. Please don't hesitate to contact us for information and encouragement!

Apply: www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=4380

Website: www.marionartsfestival.com

Contact: Deb Bailey, mafdirector@marloncc.org

Want more? Here is our blog:

http://www.marionartsfestival.com/blog/2012/11/02/32/

Call for Artists: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the original

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 5, 2016 at 8:30pm

Ann Arbor, Michigan

NEW! Days of the week: Thursday - Sunday

Thursday, July 21 - Sunday, July 24

CELEBRATING 57 YEARS OF ORIGINALITY

Application Deadline: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016.

Hours: Thurs.-Sat. 10am-9pm, Sun. Noon-6pm

200 Exhibitors

Deadline: January 13

Application Fee: $35 (till Dec. 31) $40 (after Jan.1)

Booth Fee: $650 single (Electricity and corners for an additional $100

The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the original of a collective of four concurrent fairs that transform central Ann Arbor into a massive outdoor art gallery each July. Established in 1960 and still true to its mission of increasing public knowledge and appreciation for contemporary fine arts and fine crafts, the Original Ann Arbor Art Fair presents consistently high quality, all original work.

Located on the streets surrounding the historic Burton Carillon Tower and the tree-lined central campus of he University of Michigan, the Street Art Fair, the Original, offers a serene atmosphere that does not include sidewalk sales or merchandise vendors. The Street Art Fair is known for attracting collectors, corporate buyers, and gallery representatives.

Highlights:

The combined Ann Arbor Art Fair draws more than 500,000 fairgoers from across the nation
Marketed extensively throughout Southeast Michigan and northern Ohio
In-depth Artist Directory on the Fair's website, which received 11 million hits leading up to last year's Fair. An enlargeable color thumbnail of your work, contact information and links are included
Inclusion in the searchable mobile application, which incorporates a color thumbnail of your work and geolocation of your booth on the Art Fair map.
$7,500 in award money and automatic re-invitation for award winners.
Set-up the day before.
Behind booth storage.
Artist amenities include: on-site security, indoor restrooms, booth sitting, daily continental breakfast, continuous beverages and snacks available at Artist Hospitality, water delivered to booths and an awards reveal breakfast on Thursday.
Paid demonstration opportunities.

Apply: www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=4379

Website: www.artfair.org

Email: production@artfair.org

Phone: (734)994-5260

Naples New Years Weekend Downtown Show--Starting the year off making moola

Posted by Nels Johnson on January 5, 2016 at 8:12pm

First, here are some valuable points about the show, then we will get into a typical Nels Blog.Produced by the Naples Art Center, find it on JAS.Booth fee $450.00 (a little too much considering the average return on your investment--but then, they are all now greedy bastards, most art show promoters.Quad style layout--four booths to a quad, everybody gets a corner but little storage room behind the booth,unless you luck out and get a jeweler behind you.(yeah jewelers)Setup is early Sat. Morning after 3:30 am (yuck!)Parking is in another country (At least it feels that way)They do offer parking downtown at two lots for $50.This is a two day show.Over 250 exhibitors--lots of competition.OK there is the nuts and bolts in case that is all you are interested in. For those of you who love the biz we do-- read on while I regale you with tales of astonishment and fantastic feats accomplished against overwhelming odds.Now with the new Star Wars out, we must amp the blogs up a bit, if only I had animation.Nels first blog of the year 2016Once upon a time in a land far south of the Mecca known as New York City two stalwart artists named Nels and Ellen, set off on a daunting voyage to invade the riches of Naples, down in Florida.Between them these two artist-warriors had 80 years experience in their field of expertise--photos and pastel-- had attended more than 2300 art shows, sometimes they prospered very well, other times they ran home in their vans licking their wounds.It was a deadly terrain ruled by autonomous art associations and high and mighty art promoters.Naples was a noble venue known for rich nobles visiting from afar, some who lived further away than Georgia, some came from that distant galaxy known as Europe.On the trip from their nest in Ybor City to Naples, Nels was ambushed by by a distracted driver on the great white venue known as Interstate 75.The driver was alongside Nels in what we quaintly call the slow lane. All of a sudden the driver lunged violently into Nels with his towed vehicle swerving precariously into his path.Nels was beset and pissed off. First off, he could not figure out why the guy moved over on him. Was the guy on the phone with the Donald?Quickly Nels jammed on his brakes hard, yanked his steering column hard left, and mentally,gave the offender the fickle upward single finger.There was a water-filled moat to his very left, there were hissing alligators greedily awaitingi his misfortune. Luckily, the offender came to his senses and swerved back a hard right. Nels missed him by a foot. One more foot to the left and he would have been alligator sushi.Ah! Another tale to tell around the Sushi Dens of Naples.Nels and Ellen barely made it in time to find out where they could sell their wares. The Naples Lordship shut done his services at 4pm. Latecomers would have to wait til morn.They both made it with a minute to spare.Nels regaled his fellow artists in line with the tales of his recent derring do. Some fellow artists like the Jeweler known as Phil from Erin, thought that Nels looked a little pale. Maybe these tales were taking a toll on Nels.Nels thought, "Hell with Phil, a little Jack on the rocks will smooth everything--and, it did."After checking in and registering their validity of their wares, Nels and Ellen sought nourishment, mostly of the alcoholic type. They found it at a happy place known as the Bonefish Grill. And, it happened to be Happy Hour, and they both got very happyon fish and mild grog. They retired to a great place known as the Red Roof Inn. They were excited because they had two free night certificates which lowered their risk of not making an honest wage this very weekend.They slept very contentedly til the evil invention by the Lord Jobs awakened them at the early hours of 4 am in the morning.Nels usually never would awaken this early for any art show. The same with the lovely Ellen. Although she would do it for a prosperous adventure in far off Chicago known as the "Old Town Art Fair.Sadly, they were not posted side by side. They both motored off to find ample advantage in setting up their booths and stocking them with alluring wares.The people of Naples were known for their riches and proclivity for images of Florida dear.Against great odds and aching muscles they engineered a perfect booth for each of them.Charmingly, Nels realized he was setting up in a quad known as the Comedy Corner. How devilish of the Naples director to put two photographers who both did humorous images side by side. What vision. We could only hope his bolster vision would prosper us. In the end, against great odds, we did prosper.The event opened at 10 am under very foggy, humid sky. The natives, and tourists, were a bit reclusive.Before noon a great land rush of swarming peoples descended upon the artisans. Speaking in tongues of Brooklyn, Sweden,German and English, they hungerily sought out and spent their riches upon many of us. All media were seen being carried off, although I think I missed a Helen of Troy, I did witness at least two of Scott of the Mississippi's Causey go by me.They riches stopped flowing by two- and we settled into lethargy and afternoon doldrums.By day's end, Nels and Ellen were very happy. When polling his favored artists most were very happy and we're looking forward to Happy Hour.Most agreed that a minemum of $1.5K was achieved for the day and many more were over $3K for the day. It was a good sign for the beginning of 2016.There was a certain amount of grumbling going on that day.It was announced on Facebook and other social sites that two other rival Art Show Lords had set up equal ventures at nearby venues with the charming names of Coconut Point and Estero. So the rich folk were being lured in many directions.Nels noticed thru the day that he could throw the proverbial "cinder Block" out of his booth and not hit anybody. Not a good sign at noon of an art fair.The folk that he got into his booth spent very well, he just needed more of them.Sunday dawned and damn if we didn't have to put on sweaters.Again, the natives were reclusive, and then before noon riches fell from the sky upon us.We prospered well, until 2pm, and then the dreadful rumored rains showed up, two hours earlier than what the Wizard known as the Weather Channel had predicted.Amazingly, the new show director had a moment of great clarity. He saw there would be a lull in the weather before heavier storms befell us. He issued a directive, those who felt their stock was threatened could pack up early and load out. But, no vans onsite til 5.Many, including me and Ellen did just that.We were on our way back to Ybor before five. We were going home happy and rich. Most of my kinsmen were equally happy.We would all live to sell another day.May the force, and good commerce, be with us all in 2016.Everything I said is true, none of it has been Photoshopped.

Call for Artists: 42nd Annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 4, 2016 at 6:00pm

June 10-12
Omaha, Nebraska
Downtown
Farnam St. between 10th & 15th
135 Artists
Deadline: January 15

Application Fee: $30; Booth Fee: $350 regular $425 corner/Electricity $85

Noteworthy:

135 fine art and fine craft exhibitors
High quality juried show
Extensive marketing & advertising
Outstanding organization
Easy set up and load out
Exceptional show layout
A variety of options for discounted lodging within one mile of the show
24-hour security provided by off-duty Omaha Police Officers

Outstanding Artist Amenities:

$2,500 in cash merit awards
Complimentary lunch delivered to each artist' booth on Friday
Artists' Awards Brunch on Saturday
Continental Breakfast and artists' meeting on Sunday
Artist Concierge Desk, centrally located, with dedicated cell phone number for artist requests
Private indoor restrooms, free WiFi and chair massages by appointment
Artwork delivery program providing pick-up from your boot and delivery to your customer's vehicles
Experienced booth sitters; water delivery o artists' booths throughout the weekend
Assistance with load-in and tear-down
Complimentary sand tubes delivered to your booth during set-up and removed at the end of the show

The Best in the Midwest

Named one of "the 20 Can't Miss Summer Festivals of 2014" by Smithsonian.com and one of the 2013 top 40 Fine Art and Fine Craft Shows by www.ArtFairSourceBook.com, the Omaha Summer Arts Festival is one of the finest in the Midwest, attracting more than 80,000 patrons from throughout the region.

This popular show features 135-juried artists from across the country selling their fine art and contempo-rary crafts in 14 media categories. An experienced staff of dedicated, event professionals produces the Omaha Summer Arts Festival. Members of the Festival's Board of Directors visit each artist individually providing an opportunity for one-on-one feedback and evaluation.

We care about the artists, listen to their input and react to their concerns.

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival is a magnet that draws people together to celebrate art in all of its forms and varied expressions. It's mission is to present culturally diverse high-quality arts programs, performances and exhibits in downtown Omaha. Each artist is provided an 11'x11' space with an additional 2'x11' storage area at the back. An exceptional show layout allows every artist to pull his or her vehicle in front of their booth for easy set-up and teardown.

Omaha Summer Arts Festival is an all-original show and artist presence is required.

Apply online: www.Zapplication.org

Learn more: www.summerarts.org

Email Inquires to: epeklo@vgagroup.com

Call for Artists: Lower Town Arts & Music Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 3, 2016 at 6:30pm

May 13 & 14
Paducah, Kentucky
Presented by: Greater Paducah Sustainability Project
Artists: 75
Deadline: January 15

Application Fee: $30
Booth Fee: $175

We are a regional show. You must live within a 350 mile radius of Paducah, KY to participate.

Six years ago a group of artists in Lower Town took over the reins of the Lower Town Arts & Music Festival. We are proud to say the LTAMF has grown into an event that has gained statewide awards (a 'Top Ten' festival in KY) and national attention on CNN and NPR.

Our festival takes place on the streets of 7 blocks in Lower Town (our charming Historic and Arts District). Paducah has now been designated a UNESCO World Creative City for Crafts & Folk Art; only 1 of 3 in the USA.

We partner with the City of Paducah to create two days of regional magic. As a result, our festival attracts crowds in excess of 15,000. We are known for our Paducah Hospitality and we have an amazing volunteer workforce!

LTAMF is a small outdoor event; we have 90-100 booths of artists and local food (The Taste of Paducah). We like the intimacy and we want our artists to continue to make a profit. We feel that it is mutually beneficial for both our artists and our patrons to get to know each other. After all, we are neighbors!

Please note: We set up our booths in pods of two so each and every booth is a corner.

Marketing:
We market extensively throughout our region with print, web, and radio ads. Not only do we focus very locally but we also extend as far as Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, & Louisville. Ask Victoria all about it...she's gets rather animated.

Application: www.Zapplication.org

Website: www.lowertownamf.com

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the co-directors, Victoria & Michael Terra, (they're very charming) at 270-908-0090,

or email: lowertownartsandmusicfestival@gmail.com

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.