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Mt. Desert Island, Maine
 

The Downeast Maine Art Festivals are a series of fine art and crafts shows held during the peak of the tourist season: August and September, on Mt. Desert Island, Maine, home to world-famous Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, and are held in incomparably beautiful locations! 

August 1 & 2
Northeast Harbor
Northeast Acadian Harborfest

Northeast Harbor Marina waterfront
40 Artists 

This  show is being expanded in 2015 to include other culturally-related activities. 

August 7-9
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Fine Arts Festival

Held on the grounds of the Bar Harbor Inn on the town waterfront. This is our "flagship" show and has established a reputation with both artists and patrons as one of the top shows in northern New-England. 

September 11-13
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor Fine Arts Festival II 

Held on the grounds of the Bar Harbor Inn on the town waterfront.  This show follows Labor Day weekend while the Bar harbor region is still very busy with tourists and when cruise ships make more frequent port calls in Bar Harbor. 

The shows are produced by a show circuit artist like you and for you!  Promotion is island-wide and uses cards, posters and tasteful outdoor signage as well as newspaper and internet advertising.  Promotion of the shows goes beyond just the weekends of the shows--customer and gallery inquiries will be forwarded to the appropriate artists year-round.  
 

These shows are ideal for the traveling artist wishing to have a "working vacation" -- most artists stay a week and often do back-to-back shows.
 

Jurying is by on-going periodic rolling-jury.  Spaces are

limited in media categories in order to maintain a balance of media types and therefore spaces are reserved on a "first come, first paid" basis.

How to apply:

Applications are at www.Zapplication.com  

Further information may be had at www.marcfink.com/shows  

calling (207)266-5162 or by e-mail atin_a_cloud@hotmail.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 - 12 noon

Connie Mettler talks with Marcy Boroff, from Renaissance Craftables, one of the east coast’s premier craft show promotion companies partnering with downtown areas and non-profits. Marcy Boroff had worked with her mother, Barbara, on shows for years and took over the business in 2010.  

She operates 8-9 events each year primarily in the Philadelphia area and in New Jersey near Philadelphia.

As a craft show promoter, Marcy feels very strongly that it is a partnership between the artists, the downtown areas or non-profits she is partnering with, and the community of festival-goers.  

How did this company get from mall shows to the streets of some of the best shopping areas in the East?

We talk about:

• the role of the show promoter and why they do it
• choosing a location to host a show and starting a new show
• building and implementing a marketing plan
• the good part of being a show promoter
• the bad part and the worst part
• building relationships with the shopping areas where they host their events
• building relationships with artists
• the future of craft shows and their economic impact

Learn more about the company: Renaissance Craftables General Guidelines for Artists

If you live in the east and are sometimes wondering what is all this talk about art fairs when what you do are craft shows -- this podcast is for you. There are regional differences in our business and the Boroffs were some of the first people to develop the market in the East. 

Got questions for me to ask Marcy? Leave them in the comments below.

Hope you'll be listening on 3/19 -- if you can't make it then you can always access our podcasts at the Radio link up above at this iTunes link. 

looking for opinions on the Montauk Art on the Green show held on Memorial Day weekends?

art show Recycle and its prestigious juror Elissa Goldstone, Director of Exhibition at the Socrates Sculpture Park.  With her direction, we look forward to a really awesome show. $2,800 in cash prizes will be awarded including $1,000 Best in Show.  The exhibit runs May 9-June 14.  

This call for submissions is open to all residents of the U.S. and its Territories 18 years of age or older.  This is a juried exhibition for artists working in all traditional and non-traditional 2D and 3D media, including film/video when part of an installation.  All artwork must be original in concept, design and exception.  All work should be non-utilitarian in nature.  This is a fine art exhibition.
 

  
Final Application Deadline March 24

From the latest newsletter from B. Eric Rhoads
8 Secrets To Winning Art Competitions
From An Art Competition Judge

http://us9.campaign-archive1.com/?u=08b7b899f536384c34bdeb9f6&id=5a167a717b&e=6eac799ad3

Some of the information isn't relevant but some of it should be considered when applying to shows.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

May 2 & 3

Sanford, Florida
Historic Downtown Sanford
Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 10am-5pm
125 Artists
Deadline: March 21
Applications on ZAPP
 

$15,000 in Awards $3,000 Best of Show

A NEW art festival experience...

We are very excited to announce our 4th annual event, rapidly becoming one of the South's premier outdoor fine arts festivals. A different festival experience awaits you!
 

Throughout the festival there are 12 demonstrating areas for artists selected through our jury process. These artists will have adjacent spaces to demonstrate their artistic process along with their finished artwork to sell.
 

Our plans to make this an exciting successful event for you:

Anticipated attendance: Approximately 20,000 visitors over the two days
 

Entertainment: Soft acoustical music artists perform throughout the festival footprint.

Jury Fee: $35.00 - Booth Fee: $225.00

It is not so often that we can report on a show doing the right thing, or the generous thing, for an artist so I felt it was incumbent upon me to report such a deed done well.

Last year I reported on my inability to attend a show (Grand Junction Art and Jazz) due to the death of my spouse's father on the weekend. I had emailed them to that effect and later followed up with a request for a possible booth fee refund due to the circumstances. The show's coordinator said she was unable to do anything at that time but would contact the shows director and see what could be done. Perhaps my booth fee could be used for next years show. Long story short nothing happened at that time, never heard back.

Fast forward a year...

It's time to apply for the Grand Junction Art and Jazz Festival again. I write to the same event coordinator, remind her of the circumstances from last year send it off and wait for a reply. I receive an email reply which, in effect says that yes, she remembers the circumstances and that YES, my booth fee can be applied to this years show and in effect I am pre-accepted to the show all I have to do is send in the application so that they have it for their records.

If that isn't doing things the right way I don't know what is! Kudos to Robin Brown, Special Events Coordinator and the Grand Junction Art and Jazz Festival! Thanks again.

This was a surprisingly nice small show in the dead of winter. I was cautioned about the show by another artist who had a bad experience there. It's a Friday evening and Saturday show, and while it wasn't gang-busters, it did turn a nice small profit.

Move-in is done by a schedule, and several museum workers were standing by to help unload vehicles with their carts. The van was unloaded in about ten minutes and the workers took your materials to the booth spot and unloaded for you. The same happened at pack-up at show's end, and most folks were out of the venue quickly and effortlessly.

Space was limited, as most booths were 10 feet wide and 8 feet deep, with no storage behind the space except for a few booths. There was an area on the next aisle behind us that had space available, and we were able to place our tubs and cartons on our dolly and store them out of the way. I normally prefer to sit behind my booth in an open doorway, but this time had to arrange a Pro-panel as a french door at the rear and sit back there.

Friday evening was the patron's party, and unusual for me, managed to eke out enough sales to meet the show expenses. Saturday started off with customers walking through well before the show opened, and a nice steady flow of people came through for the rest of the day, and I made a few more sales of larger pieces.

This is a small show with about 55-60 artists, all of whom must be Indiana residents. The artists are placed on two levels of the museum hall and lobby. I was told to make sure that I was on the first floor as the upper level does not get the same amount of traffic. Walking the second level confirmed that and most artists up there weren't happy with their sales. I was glad I specifically asked to be on the first floor as other photographers up there did not fare well.

Electricity was supplied, which was good, as the hall lighting was spotty and not good in some areas. Food vendors were there with a decent selection and reasonably healthy offerings. Artists were also extended employee discounts for the coffee and snack bar at the IMAX theater adjacent to the lobby.

All in all, it was decent small show in the winter, indoors in a well lighted and open museum environment with an appreciative and art cognizant crowd. I'll apply again next year :-)

Hi My Name is Mari Pruks and I am looking for gently used pro panels. Any Size.  I'm in Ann Arbor Michigan and could come pick them up.

I was wondering if anyone has exhibited in the Easton Art Affair in Columbus. I just got accepted, but have never been to the show. I understand it's a rather upscale section of Columbus, but if anyone can offer any insight to the art fair itself, I'd love to hear it. thanks.

Your work will be viewed by thousands of shoppers who reside in Westport year round as well as the many summer residents who call this upscale beach community home during the month of July.

Westport enjoys a long-standing tradition as an artistic community and the Westport Fine Arts Festival remains a highlight on the calendars of collectors from New England and Manhattan each year.

The Westport DMA invites submissions in the following categories: 

Oil Painting, Watercolor, Photography, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing, Glass, Ceramics, Fiber, Jewelry, Wood, and Digital Art. Original works will be chosen by a jury of experienced artists, working professionals, and local community members. 

Apply: www.Zapplication.org

For Further Information: www.westportfineartsfestival.com 
 or call 203/505-8716

DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 7 PM ET

Here are the nominees:

• Geoff Coe - Bonita Springs (II): Moderate attendance, but strong sales for me. Just sayin'!"
• S Brian Berkun - 2/11/2015 "Too Bad for Tubac, AZ"
• Melanie Rolfes - 2/19/2015 "Art Basel/Beaux Arts Miami"
• En Soo - 2/24/2015 "Shopping At the Great Fair, Fountain Hills, Arizona"

Then choose to say thanks to the people who added helpful posts, comments and stories to the site in February. This month's nominees:

• Barry Vangrov
• Barry Witt
• Barry Bernstein
• Barrie Lynn Bryant
• Barrie Shandler

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE

photo by Mary Taglieri

September 26 & 27  

Voted in Top 50 Best Art Fairs by ArtFairCalendar.com

Imagine the sales rolling in while watching the fall colors change over this scenic Midwest riverfront venue. Be appreciated by tens of thousands of art enthusiasts and collectors while being waited on by a dedicated team of over 400 volunteers. Find your work promoted in national and regional outlets. Your lunches are delivered. Your talent is celebrated. In a nutshell, that's the Peoria Art Guild's Fine Art Fair.

Ask the artists who have exhibited in Peoria. No one treats you better!

"Once again as I finish my art festival season, Peoria proves to be one of my top three shows of the year. Both in sales and my love for the show. A big thank you to everyone involved!" - Shawn Wolter, 2008 - 2014 Fine Art Fair Artist

 

Whether you're a first-timer...
 
"Best show I have had in my ten years. Thank you!"
- Amy Beeler (Jewelry), 2014 Fine Art Fair Artist

Or back for more...
 
"We had another awesome show with good sales. Thank you!"
- Richard & Carrin Gruchalla (Ceramics), 2013 - 2014 Fine Art Fair Artist

We pride ourselves on preserving the established reputation of hosting an exceptional fair-now into its 53rd year!!

• An appreciative buying audience for ALL mediums
• Pre-fair sales opportunities and commissioned post-fair sales
• Easy set-up and teardown/level and accessible; convenient parking including NEW trailer drop-off location
• Over 400 energetic community volunteers willing to please-delivery of refreshments, booth sitters for breaks, and other help as needed
• Overnight security-both Friday and Saturday
• Complimentary meals all weekend with artist awards reception meal
• Beautiful outdoor venue on over three acres of Riverfront
• Above and beyond hospitality-enjoy some good mid-western fun!

Come to Central Illinois and let us show you why so many artists consider the Peoria Art Guild's Fine Art Fair one of the most fun (and profitable) fairs they do all year!

Application available at:  www.Zapplication.org 

For more info, please call 309-671-1090, visit: www.peoriaartguild.org, or email: events@peoriaartguild.org

Safety at the shows for ourselves, our work and our displays is paramount. This is part one of my project, Holding Down the Booth, photos from various art fairs. 

1. The basic:

2. The stake:

3. The ubiquitous pvc filled with concrete:

4. Two choices, not sure what that is on the left, but how did they fasten that concrete block to the tent?

5. The tractor weight, hooked to a bungee?

6. Serious about PVC!

7. Big tent, making sure with backup:

Any pros or cons about any of these systems? What do you use?

August 22 & 23

Evergreen, Colorado  

Put on by the Evergreen Artists Association

Held in the beautiful & historic Heritage Grove Park

10am-5pm

About 100 Artists

Deadline: March 15

The original juried fine arts event for the Evergreen area, this high quality arts festival provides the affluent bedroom community of Denver the best of the best in art.  Ranked in the top 100 by Art Fair Source Book, close to 10,000 collectors from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs find their way to this free event nestled in the heart of the foothills west of Denver. It is the longest running Juried Art Festival in Colorado!  We love artists in Evergreen-it is a gorgeous location with a huge appreciation for the arts.  

 

The Evergreen Fine Arts Festival is an art show run by artists, for artists.  This year's director is art fair veteran, photographer Josh Trefethen, who knows his way around an art fair.   

New for this year-Evergreen has been chosen as a candidate for the official Colorado Arts District designation!  This has already brought more art buyers up from Denver and the surrounding population to check out what we have to offer.

We take care of our artists!  Artists amenities include a catered dinner on Saturday night for the artist and one guest, booth sitters, free water delivered to artists, night time security, free parking, and early set-up on Friday.

The advertising budget has again been increased. There will be extensive use of TV and radio, posters, banners and signs to the event to increase the attendance of qualified buyers.  In addition, this year we will be placing more ads in Denver to bring up more buyers from the surrounding areas.  We will also again be advertising in Southwest Art Magazine with accepted artists imagery as part of the ad.

For more information and application:

www.evergreenfineartsfestival.com 

www.Zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=3808 

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Even more art fairs for your season: www.CallsforArtists.com