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This past weekend, my good friend and favorite jewelry artist, Amy Taylor and of course husband Tom, used their beautiful backyard garden and home as a small "show" for 7 artists.  The cost to us was $25.  That's it.  And that was for advertising.  Not sure how many times they've done their show, but it's at least 3 or more years.  My drive was an hour and one artist was from the Milwaukee area.  Amy lives in Glenview IL.

As a stained glass artist that exhibited, I have to say, what an awesome idea.  Talk about using your own property, minimally, to give a few chosen artists a new way to sell. One weekend, with Friday setup or Saturday morning.  Most of the art types were represented - jewelry, pottery, fibre, glass and 2D pen and ink.  Now I know, many of you have home shows to sell your artwork and maybe a few have done garden shows in your own backyards, but not many that I am aware.  Amy said her idea was to promote artists in every way possible and this was her idea.  

They had a cool, LARGE,  "OPEN", neon sign and a large banner, street signs etc to alert passerbys.  (They said I could borrow their signs if I wanted to do this.)  I live in Naperville, in a heavily traveled subdivision, and I'm truly thinking this would be a way to go.  People scout out garage sales and various art stuff, so why not this? We all had to bring a snack for customers which they laid out on a table with lemon water provided for drinking.  The influx of people was steady!  And we all won "awards".  It was a blast!  One of the artists' husbands brought a ton of homemade bbq and sides for a small dinner on breakdown.  The brownies were incredible!

Basically, how can you lose?  Ok $25.  Wow.  Even if local town newspapers and publications were used, I'm sure the artists involved would not mind ponying up a bit for that.  I'm seriously giving this alot of thought.  Sure it's a bit of work, she made a FB page, we used her home for the bathroom, etc, but I will be laying the groundwork for this in the next year.

Just thought I'd share!

This was the 49th edition of this show, named after a Booth Tarkington character, Penrod Schofield, a sort of Tom Sawyer type character set around 1900. I've done this show since 1988 and watched it become smoother and smoother each year. It has about 300 artists arranged around the grounds of the old Eli Lilly estate, now home to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which is a beautiful setting. There are several groups of artists in different sections, each with their own entertainment, such as the Blue section with the Indianapolis Symphony and several choral groups. The Green section where I was has jazz groups playing. None of the groups overwhelm and are just the right volume. Attendance is $20 at the gate and $15 in advance, so there are no or few dog walkers, and little idle curious. Attendance is about 30,000 so the gate fee doesn't keep out too many.

Set up starts on Friday morning at 9:30 AM and you are expected to clear out by 3:30 or 4:00. We arrived at 10:00, and were finished hanging everything by 2:00. Shuttle service is provided to ferry the artists to a parking lot about 3/4 mile away. Set up was plagued by drizzling rain about 10:30, but I had decided to put the tent up and hang the side tarps before unloading anything else, and that was a good call. By 2:00 about half the artists had their booths up, and virtually all were complete on Saturday morning. This show starts early, at 9 and goes to 5. 

Tear down is a little different, as there are only a limited number of spots for vehicles to pull in. No one is allowed in before 5:45, and the volunteers keep tabs on available spaces so only enough vehicles are let in that the space will accommodate.  Unfortunately, some artists take exception to this and the volunteers have been yelled and screamed at for doing a difficult to manage job. The best way to load out at this show is to send a helper to the parking lot and get in line while you finish tearing down. if you're the only one present, this can add 45 minutes to an hour to your drive out time.

I wasn't able to compare notes with others on how well they did, but I did see a lot of large packages being carried. In a summer for me, marked by low sales except for a few spots, I was worried about infrequent sales at the beginning of the show but things started picking up and I wound up having the second highest show of the year. I'm revising my attitude about what size of photos sell, and it looks like smaller pieces (lower cost) is what is moving, but my luck says next year will be a different ballgame. I have two shows to go, a month away and then the two are back to back weekends with one being a brand new one day show here in town and the final one is in Bluffton, SC.

Here's a photo of the Green section which is in front of the Eli Lilly Mansion. I think it was around noon time or an hour later as the phone records the time in GMT time. This was during a lull in the crowd. I like the way people are pointing in the booths ;-)

Well gang, this was my first year doing Black Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green. Ohio. First year with a Honorable Mention Ribbon. But my sales were though the roof. I didn't know how this fair would went. But my sales total was $3397.50. Not bad for a two day art festival. I really like this fair. People were always within my booth. So many art fair patrons visited my booth. I am really amazed my time was invested into this show so heavily. Bringing in 155 5x7s and another 45 8x10s, And there was five new canvas prints too. One of then sold at the fair. I am definitely going to be back next year. And the volunteers were amazing. Sorry I don't have photos of the fair. I did not have time to take any photos.

I made a Facebook page today to share details for my new adventure - art festivals. I have my first show in Oct. at Winter Park, FL. I entered it in Digital Art - but I have been accepted in Photography at other shows. This category thing is a bit of a conundrum. Any advice is welcome.

I have tried to be prepared - but there are many areas of un-certainty. Pricing, advertising, setting up alone, handling shoppers, packaging sales (if I get some , ha). One area I am worried about is keeping track of shoppers/clients. 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. L. Stewart Powers

https://www.facebook.com/lspowersart?fref=ts

www.stewartpowers.com

Here's a solid article about abstract painter Frank Stella who is putting together a retrospective of his work for the Whitney. What does he say about earning a living as an artist?

Among other things: 

People get excited about the high-end numbers,” he said, “but almost all artists, even the really successful ones, are basically hand to mouth. If you’re self-supporting, no matter how successful you are it’s not easy.

Read the article here: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/sep/01/frank-stella-art-money-whitney-retrospective?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&mc_cid=03fbdd49ba&mc_eid=68d259417b

Arts, Beats & Eats - Royal Oak, MI - Labor Day Weekend

Some of you may know that I used to be part of the "Art" at Arts, Beats & Eats. I came from a background of being the schlepper at the art fairs as my husband showed his work. One day when I was helping run the show I watched a fine man sweating his a__ off pushing a dolly up the street laden with his wife's art. 

How many times had I done that? That winter someone left a dolly behind at an art fair so I confiscated it, painted it gold and added "jewels." We presented the 1st "Golden Dolly Award" (plus a check) to that man. The next year it went to Mike Strailey, then Carol Weber, etc. You never heard of those folks? That's because they are the "woman behind the man."

Each winner added his/her touch and this year Nate Burch (assistant to photographer Jan Kaulins), last year's winner, did it up very well and presented it at the Artists' Breakfast to Jeff Kutno who hauls his brother's (Phil Kutno) "stuff" at the shows. 

Many thanks to all those wonderful people who help us look good. Congrats to this year's winner.

The rest of the prizewinners at Arts, Beats & Eats:

Best in Show:  Carl Crawford, Columbia, SC - Mixed Media  

1st. Place:  David Barkby, Dover, PA - Wood

2nd. Place:  Michael George, Scottsdale, AZ - Sculpture

3rd. Place:  Sidney Carter, Powder Springs, GA - Painting

5 Awards of Excellence:

1.  James Parker, Rochester Hills, MI - Photography 

2.  Don and Serena David, Cleveland, OH - Jewelry

3.  Jack Valentine, Akron, OH - Ceramics

4.  Meredith Kuntsch, Lago Vista TX - Painting 

5.  John Wayne Jackson, Black Mt. - Sculpture 

Spirit of the City:  Debbie LaPratt, Commerce Twp., MI - Ceramics

Golden Dolly (Best Helper):  James Kutno, Phil's brother, Tucson, AZ

Street Judges:  Sara Shambarger, former Director of Krasl Fine Art Show, St. Joseph, MI

George Barfield - Former Consultant from Krasl also

Jurying for a total cash amount of $7,500 spread over all categories.

So how did you ever learn the art that you take to shows? I'm sure your style has evolved over time and that you could write a book on how much your work has changed.

Here is a post I wrote about one of my best (not favorite) teachers. It's not the work I currently take to shows- I am a jewelry artist. However this year I am transitioning back to painting and plan to spend my off show season doing watercolors of the woods.

http://sandyartparts.blogspot.com/2015/08/one-of-my-best-teachers.html

So, what's your story?

Estes Park is the gateway to the east side of Rocky Mountain Park and this year was its 100^th anniversary.  There are many summer homes in the area and it is a destination for a broad spectrum of nationalities, income levels, and interests.  I started doing this show in 2010, and I have done it every year since then.  I also do the Memorial Day show in Estes Park.  Gross sales at the September Labor Day show since 2010 have been in the $3-$5K range, and I have considered it a good solid show.  The show is produced by the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary, Inc. and they do an all-around EXCELLENT job!!!!  The town is packed for the weekend, and leading up to the show there was a lot of promotion on Facebook.  The show is setup with 103 booths set up around the perimeter of Bond Park and in the parking lot for the town hall.  Clean, indoor, accessible restrooms are in the town hall.

SETUP AND TAKE DOWN.  Set up officially begins at 9:00am on Friday but Rotarians are present to check you in as early as 7:30am.  If you are early you can park at your site to unload.  Street parking is available within a block of the show, but oversize vehicle and trailers have to park at the fairgrounds.  Free shuttle service is available from there, and in town.  Volunteers are available to assist with unloading and set up.

     Takedown begins at 3:00pm on Monday and volunteers were there to help.  Like set up, traffic was controlled and vehicles were not allowed in until you were ready to load.  After paying your sales tax, you get a yellow ticket.  When your booth is knocked down and you are ready to load you get a blue pass to bring your vehicle in.  We loaded around 7:30pm.

WEATHER.  Temperatures were in the 70’s.  There were brief showers Sunday.  An unweighted booth went over in a gust of wind Friday night and another had breakage knocked off a wall. 

 THE SHOW.  The town was packed with people and thousands went through the art show.  There was seldom a time when people were not in my booth, and I had several repeat clients.  Belts were my top seller, with holsters, suspenders, spur straps, and several custom orders thrown in.  My sales were in the $4-5K range, and my largest sale was $475 for a silver mounted headstall and two breast collars (horse gear).  There was a good balance of all art/craft mediums including edibles like jellies and salsas.  There is no buy/sell at this show.  Nuts and bolts for the show are in www.artshowreviews.com.  The Rotarians have coffee and goodies in the morning, and booth sitters. All taxes are paid to the Rotary at the end of the show.

ANALYSIS.  I have come close to hitting the “home run” of $5K gross sales at this show a couple times.  My inventory of flasks and checkbooks was pretty lean by this, the last shown of the season.  Most of the belts sold were plain, and only a few were the more expensive carved with or without silver buckles.  I sold out of some sizes and some styles of buckles but didn’t loose and sales because of that.  The Estes crowd is definitely middle class and families visiting the park.  It is also a destination for Denver motorcycle clubs making the run up Big Thompson Canyon and over Trail Ridge Road.

THE OTHER FUN STUFF.  There were lots of different dog breeds and babies at the show.  Interacting with both was fun.  We were able to rent our favorite cabin that is just up the hill from Bond Park.  It was built in 1898 but it is modern and cozy. The hot tub is great after a day on the street.  Our son and his family came up for a cook out Saturday and we got to visit with our college and high school age grandsons.  Tuesday after the show we headed to the park and drove up Fall River Road (one lane dirt one way) up to Trail Ridge Road.  We saw elk and mountain sheep.

I cannot emphasize enough the need to be in top physical condition for doing shows.  I will be 72 in a couple weeks and Jean is 68.  Set up takes us 7 1/2 hours of steady work and take down is 4 1/2 hours.  We don’t diddle around, but we have lots of inventory.  At the end of the days we are still energized and not exhausted.  We do yoga 1-2 times a week and work out with a personal trainer once a week.

Photos:  1. Setup Friday morning, Longs Peak. 14,259’

             2. Saturday crowd

             3. A pampered dog with green paws, pink and purple tail and ears.

             4. Fall River Road

             5. Longs Peak from Trail Ridge Road

             6. Bull elk 

             7. Bear Bottom Cabin  

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I took a lot of them, made a few more paintings, hung them wet, and my husband used a different lens. I think there are still some issues with this, and I might send it to Larry, who helped with my most recent one, but I do think this one is worlds better. 

The tent is up in the side yard, and my husband is shooting with his real camera. Before I finalize this, I'd appreciate any comments you all might have. This is pretty much all the art I have right now, so I can't add any. 

Thanks! 

PODCAST: Thursday, Sept. 10, 4 pm ET

The interested parties have come to your party: that Art Festival you have been planning and marketing for 364 days. How do you make sure they love the show, bring their friends, buy art, spread the word about what they found there and can't wait for next year?

Successful show organizers Sharon McAllister, Executive Director of ArtFest Fort Myers (FL) and Jenny Wright, Festival Director of The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (TX) join the conversation and share their best tips for building a memorable experience for their patrons.

Show directors hear what you can do for your show to connect with your desired audience. Artists, learn what you can do on your part to help shows be successful and in turn contribute to your own success.

Learn more: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2015/09/10/keep-them-coming-back--marketing-to-the-art-fair-patron

Then be sure to join us on Thursday for this helpful information and to meet these show directors.

Today while doing a show I had a discussion with another artist who said he uses Square on his iPhone 6 and always closes the Square app after each sale because it would use up too much data.

I disagreed and am under the belief that it only uses up data when you are processing a transaction. Leaving the Square app, or any other app on when idle does not use up data on you plan...just battery.

I asked others at the show about this and everyone had an opinion and said "I Think" this or that but no one there could say they were 100% positive about their answer.

My opinion is just as everyone else's....not totally 100% positive.

Has anyone researched this and have accurate facts?

Looking to convert my credit card terminal and move strictly to square and researched this add-on (Miura device) that can swipe and read chip cards. It has a key pad and runs off blue tooth. Just wondering how well it works.

February 6 & 7, 2016

Downtown Fort Myers, FL

9 am to 5 pm

215 Artists

Option to participate in Opening Night - February 5, 2016

Deadline:  September 14, 2015

ArtFest Fort Myers works year-round to produce the best fine art festival in Southwest Florida and many artists agree that this fine art festival puts all the right components together to create a very successful weekend for artists!

Ask the artists - - -

"ArtFest Fort Myers was, by far, one of the top shows we have done in the past several years." Debo Groover, a MM2D artist who participated in ArtFest Fort Myers 2015. 

ArtFest Fort Myers has a comprehensive marketing campaign targeting art buyers throughout Southwest Florida and beyond.  Between TV, radio, newsprint, billboards, glossy magazines, ads in theatre & symphony programs, as well as a vigorous social media presence, they concentrate on bringing art savvy, motivated patrons to you.  Their web site is mobile friendly and the on-line Artist Gallery gives buyers a sneak peak at your work, in anticipation of your arrival!

"Thanks for hosting a terrific show - I have done your show five times, and this year was my best ever. What a great way to start a new year." Michael Brown, a digital artist from the 2015 festival. 

I just got a call from my credit card processing company asking if I wanted to update to a new terminal that can read chips? My understanding is that all new issued credit cards will have chips (sooner than later) and was wondering before I shell out another $500 for a wireless terminal what everyone else was doing for the short and long run . So far I have only had one credit card that I could not accept  so it has not been an issue. I assume most are using the square and was wondering how or if that will be affected? I personally dont like the square but that's just my personal preference.

Feel free to search the main site for "Affordable Arts" reviews from the past. I wont retread what's already been said.

Reflections on this years show: The "promoters" job, after we've paid what continues to be exorbitant and rising booth and jury fees is to do just that, promote the show and get buyers there (by the way this is NOT one of those overpriced shows). Okay, enough editorializing.

Maybe it is the nature of this particular beast ($100 or less) but Jim Delutes continues to bring in a buying crowd. Does there need to be 300,000 visitors to make a good show? Not if the ______K (fill in the number Jim)  that do show up actually BUY! My sales at this show, unlike the others I've done this year, have been consistent. Not to say I wouldn't mind having them trend up but given the paucity of sales I've experienced at other shows I've done this year it was a welcome respite. The few other artists that I spoke with felt it was a worthwhile experience as well.

Jim has continued to make adjustments to the show to keep them there. This year there were two food trucks (Indian cuisine and pizza) as well as an ice cream vendor and water sales. Additionally, there were three tents set up as, what I'm calling,  a "shade station". Boy did they need it! I saw a cluster of patrons amassed under the shade of one tree late in the day. Given that the temperature was in the mid 90's with nary a cloud in sight, if these amenities were not available it would have been a very short show! Just stepping out of the shade of my tent made me sizzle! So cudos to those patrons who stuck it out and made the show a success. I saw one poor woman trying to carry a framed piece of art that was almost as tall as herself! Which, if suggestions are solicited...how about a "large item art pickup" sited in either of the parking areas north or south of the food area? That might also be cordoned off as a handicapped parking area?

Jim doesn't have a large staff of people helping so what he manages to do with what he's got is commendable. In the past I noted that there was some booth sitting relief. If they came around this year I didn't notice it but I was sweating so much I didn't need the break!

Parting shot: This morning, as I write this, it is overcast and 20 degrees cooler! There is NO justice! ;-) LOL By the way, I haven't been paid a promotional fee to say nice things about this show.