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Melanie Rolfes wins "post of the month" for her review, "Alexandria and Arlington, VA, art shows." Along with her cohorts Matt Estrada, Reid Watts, Matt Estrada, Oscar Matos Linares and Barry Bernstein she celebrates another year of survival.

http://www.palletfest.com/ - October 11 & 12 - Sculpture Park - Denver

Working on Snaggle Tooth - sculpture made from recycling of pallets

This was an incredible event. Weather was good on Saturday, with cooler temps , frequent showers with some rain, and wind on Sunday.

This was the first year for Pallet Fest, a family friendly festival featuring upcycled - repurposed art, sustainability, Parkour (!) , networking and some awesome music, food and beverages. (Ask me about the Ginger Beer!)

Held at the Sculpture Park in the heart of the Denver Theater District and featuring an expansive lawn with the 50 foot  Dancers sculpture towering over the venue.  Across from the Auraria Campus and framed by Speer and Champa streets.
 
While the attendance could have been higher, the engagement was through the roof.  I spoke with nearly every vender and they all reported satisfaction and sales.

One artist from NM that I spoke with (there were two or three) was very happy, having sold a $500 piece.  During the rain, I circulated among the venders, and on one round made a point of mentioning AFI to several.  This was a first time event for some of the artists, and while their use of pop ups might have given a clue, their art was of good quality in my opinion.  NO buy sell was evident. Creativity abounded.  Electricity was available, load in and out was quite easy, parking was a bit tight, unless you used the nearby parking garage. Mostly on the lawn, with some pavement  There is room for more venders without crowding.  Plenty of space for storage, etc.

Demographics skewed to young professionals, but all ages were evident, with strollers, and older kids as well as well dressed retires evident.

Working on Snaggle Tooth - sculpture made from recycling of pallets

Artist Sean Doherty ( http://www.dohertyart.com/  120 + public art projects in the Denver area, including the art down the center of Broadway in Englewood, and Colfax in Lakewood) was there.  In   spite of what I originally though of as an "out in the boondocks" location, he had steady traffic and steady sales at $5 to $20+.  He had brought a couple of large sculptures, and was pretty sure one was sold when I last spoke with him.

When I say engaged, I mean folks were INTERESTED.  Even at the worst of the rain on Sunday, I had a steady stream of folks hiking the near length of the park to try out the classic wood stilts that I had brought. And of course, my Rainbow ZEEbra Bubble Tower was a hit with the adults and especially the kids and young at heart.  After the event, Kenny (the producer) assured me that yes, he "got it" and he would be soliciting sponsors for the BT for next year's festival.

Denver Mayor Hancock was there with an entourage including the Denver sustainability director (not sure of the exact title) and they toured the park, and spent quite a bit of time with several of the venders. As well as mounting the stage and making awards.  I was at some distance away at the time and can't report further, except that it was a two way conversation with the audience and an award was given.  People seemed to actually paying attention.

I was able to find sources for materials that I was looking for, including old fashioned cotton flour bags, that haven't been available here since the '60s.  Also was able to source vintage Japanese textiles, malted barley bags (for an agricultural themed Bubble Tower for the county fair circuit)  and had a conversation with a business owner who seems to have an interest in the Bubble Tower for an event at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.  

SS Guppy and crew hook Snaggle Tooth

Habitat for Humanity had a large tent with samples of some fine furniture for sale at very reasonable prices.  

The furniture is part of a rehabilitation program partnership with one of our prisons. Along with bookcases, Adirondack chairs and tables, headboards and the like, they also manufacture all of the cabinets and roof trusses for the Habitat for Humanity homes.

http://www.denverpost.com/homegarden/ci_24142984/habitat-humanitys-cabinets-teach-carpentry-colorado-inmates

The lumber was all sourced from pallets keeping in line with the re-use, re-purpose, up-cycle ethos of the festival.

I have a stack of business cards from folks that wanted to engage, question, and most of all help.  In spite of the rain and the Bronco's game or maybe because of that, the folks were actively looking and not passive.  I couldn't be happier with my experience.

I'm not a fan of rap, but other than the one band, I was very happy with the music.  Other than the initial test of the equipment, the volume was spot on, and not too loud, a major bugaboo of mine, and venders and artists in general.

With the exception of one tent that was badly placed, everything else was excellent, with traffic circulating the park to the activities and the venders.  Other than the above mentioned tent, there were no dead zones.  The entrance and exit to the event was maned at all times, forcing engagement and set the tone in a very positive way.  The food!  The food and beverages were well above average for a festival.  Waste, compost and recycling bins were much evident, and people actually used them.

When I arrived, Kenny had just completed some interviews, including one with someone in Chili who was interested in the festival.  This festival in my opinion has legs and will be back next year, as will the Bubble Tower.

The surprise of the festival, was the pallet sculpture that was built on site.

Delayed by rain, it was finished up as everyone was packing up.  I was happy that I took my time packing so I could see the finished sculpture.

Snaggle Tooth chomps the Dancers!

And a very big reward goes out to photographer Xavier Nuez who not only gets into an amazing number of the top shows, but brings his own buyers to the shows:

I took this photo in Xavier's booth. The sign up was hanging on his ProPanels.

Brought to you by another lesson in email marketing! This is how you build that email list.

Does anyone else have anything to show us how they do it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiUuL5uTKc

Hi Everyone!  Just finished my last outdoor show of the year in Mt. Lebanon, PA this last weekend.  Mt. Lebanon is a very well to do neighborhood south of Pittsburgh.  The show is put on in the PNC bank parking lot one block over from the main road (Washington Road).  

New directors took over the show this year and approached me at a show earlier in the year and invited me to exhibit there.  Now, I know several of my friends have done the show under the old management and have dropped it over the years because they didn't do well.  I decided to give it a try because I really liked Steve and Wendy Denenberg and their enthusiasm.  They own a beautiful gallery in Mt. Lebanon.  

This was one of the most organized show I've ever done.  As soon as I pulled up, volunteers came up and had my van unloaded in about 3 minutes.  They were also there for tear down, and they were helping people take down their tents!!!).  I was able to move my car and come back and set up while drinking nice warm coffee and eating gourmet pastries from a local bakery (The second day it was homemade biscotti).  Plenty of volunteers and Steve and Wendy were available for even the hard stuff.

There were 64 booths of mostly beautifully juried art (too many jewelry booths, though).  The weather was perfect both days and there were people shopping.  There were food trucks in a small parking lot adjacent to ours, food Trucks included Pgh Taco Truck, Oh My Grill, Bella Christie and Lil’Z’s, and crepes.  Luke Williams Band was set up for a good part of both days and entertained us with his beautiful voice.  

A lot of other events were going on at the show, a food drive, a blacksmith demo, touchstone center for the arts had an information booth.  It was impressive for a first time event.  The show was the end of a weeklong Plein Air event in town where artists from all over came into town to do some open air paintings, then they were judged for awards.  

Sales for me on Saturday were disappointing, but several of my friends had good days.  I sell jewelry.    Then on Sunday, I had a pretty decent day.  One lady who bought a pair of earrings for a gift on Saturday, came back on Sunday and said her husband told her she couldn't give them away....so she came back and bought a matching bracelet and pendant AND 4 other items for Christmas gifts!  

I didn't make what I usually make at shows or what I wanted to make, but many others did and this show will do nothing but improve.  I did well enough to want to do it again next year, but honestly would want to do it again even if I didn't do that well.  Of the artists that I talked to, some did very well, some did not.  But most would give it another try.  I think in a few years, this will be one that will be very hard to get into.

Steve and Wendy and all of the volunteers were there the entire time and wanted comments and suggestions from us.  I really believe that they will implement some of the suggestions that were given by some of us 'seasoned' artists and make this one of the top Pittsburgh shows.  

There was talk of changing the date, but then maybe not.  Also talk of not being a part of the Plein Air festivities, but as a separate event (GREAT idea, maybe change the name too).  They may even provide housing for some out of town artists (do I qualify?).  Just a very artist friendly show that really appreciates the artist's.

In my opinion, this is a show to watch.  If you are interested watch their website for updates and information: http://www.mtlebopartnership.org/mt-lebanon-arts-initiative/

As some of you may remember, I won the full pass to the ZAPP Art Festival Conference from this year's pledge drive.  Well, it's been a long time coming, but I'm finally able to sit down and write about my experience there.

I flew from Oakland to Portland on Thursday morning and got to the Benson Hotel about ten minutes into the first session and quickly jumped from one session to the next, hoping to find topics that would help me learn how to make my art festival experience great and professional.

To be perfectly honest, I was a little disappointed at first to find out that the main sessions were geared more toward art fair promoters.  I think I had been expecting this conference to be more like a convention; where art fair promoters and advertisers had booths where would-be artists could learn all the ins and outs of art fairs, have some questions answered, and learn how to improve their business.  But thankfully there were some afternoon break out sessions at the conference that focused on the artists and how we could improve our experiences.

One of the break out sessions that I found incredibly helpful was the Public Portfolio Critique.  My husband and I submitted our art and mock booth photo in the hopes of getting some feedback on our stuff, and YAY, we were one of the artists they chose to judge!  But I also learned a great deal from their comments on the other artists' images.  It was very cool to be sitting in on a mock jury, to get an idea of where they're coming from, what they're looking for, and how to improve my chances to be selected for a show.

And then there were the lunches.  I normally find a spot out of the way to sit and eat (whether from fear or a need for solitude, I'm not sure), but on both days people came to join me and I'm so glad they did!  I met some wonderful people during those lunches, and have some good contacts now; some fellow artists and a couple promoters, one even in my local area!

I also got to meet Connie!  While sitting in the back of the room at Eve Connell's session about effective interpersonal communication, I got introduced to Kelly Smith Cassidy who was also sitting in the back row.  When Kelly heard my name, she said that Connie had been looking for me.  That was a nice feeling, and I made sure to go meet her after the session.  She's just as warm and friendly in person as she seems on her podcasts and in the comments and blogs she writes here on AFI.

I was unable to stay for the festival afterward--as I had to get home and spend the weekend with my husband and his daughter--but I know I'll be looking at the festivals I walk very differently now.

Thank you, again, Connie and AFI for this wonderful opportunity!  And hopefully I'll see you all around at art fairs very soon.

Hey everyone, just looking to get any info on this show since it will be my first time doing an ACC show. I have been juried into the Retail Only section for Mixed Media. What should I expect upon arrive, and set up ect ect, things like that. Thanks for any info that you can provide!

Steven

Results just in from the Grand Rapids, MI, marathon Art Prize (Sept. 24-Oct. 12) - over $500,000 in awards

Public Vote and Juried Awards: 
Two grand prizes worth $400,000 and eight category awards worth $160,000. Half decided by public vote, and half decided by a jury of art experts.

Since its inception the public (you and me) have gotten the chance to choose who gets the $$$. But, jurors got their noses out of joint, not liking the choices that the "public" made, so this year they brought in jurors to pass out the Jury Choice along with the Public Choice.

Amazingly, the public and the jurors agreed! Who knew that could happen? We do, don't we? We're out there jurying and meeting the public -- sometimes big bucks ensue, sometimes not.

The big winner of ArtPrize 2014 is Anila Quayyum Agha, whose installation "Intersections" nabbed the Public Grand Prize and shared the Juried Grand Prize, for a total of $300,000. Anila is currently an associate professor of drawing at the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. $300,000 is a pretty nice addition to an associate professor's salary. Clicking on this link will take you to photos of "Intersections" in the exhibition space. 

But wait a minute, although member John Leben did not win, someone who has been in this business forever was a $20,000 prize winner for winning the public vote for Best 3D work, for his resin sculpture "Reciprocity" - Marc Sijan!

Sijan said he felt shock when his name was called from the ArtPrize Awards stage for his sculpture, a very personal representation of him carrying his aging father. He said he wanted to use the money to create more art, but implied that he may give some to charity.

“My heart was pounding,” he said. “(The sculpture is) about unconditional love. It’s payback, to carry my dad like he carried me.”

Congratulations, Marc!

See all the winners here:http://www.mlive.com/artprize/index.ssf/2014/10/artprize_awards_201...

I just finish a set of seven shows in a row. Instead of making a review about the shows I found myself wondering about another issue.

I was doing a festival at Lincoln Nebraska. My rule is not talk about politics. After the first day I was wondering why my neighbor was giving weird looks all day long. I look around and it is weird to be the only color person in the area. Some how he mention to me “ a cowboy will always be a cowboy, a red neck will be red neck, a black will always be a slave and …… He is not pro Obama neither believe that none of parties care about the country. His view are very right wing. His good bye to me was good luck with your hand outs. I told him hand outs what you mean with that.

I explain to people if you was born in Puerto Rico you are an American Citizen. It is weird that people put all hispanic as criminals or untrusted people. It is hard for me to explain to friends that I got a mini van because when I was driving a cargo van I was getting pull over all the time I head south. It does not make any sense to travel the country in fear because of your color of skin. It is bad to explain to people why I do not do shows or hate traveling in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, North and South Carolina and Arizona. This are the same reason why I do not pull over to fill up the tank if I do not see the gas station from the highway. There is reason why my wallet it located at the visor compartment while traveling cross country. Younger color people live in denial.

Are you are aware that all serial criminals are white.

When you listen to the news it makes me wonder why it this long for nation to start noticing all these things.

When see how many show artists are hispanic or color think I only can think of 8 that are friends and can all assume there is no more 50 of us in the circuit. This one more of thing that I think when I am selecting my art shows and traveling in this great Country.

I wonder as I finish the small statement if my sales will be better if I was not hispanic or look black?

Hi guys....I juried into the retail section of ACC Baltimore and they sent me a map of the arena and asked me where I want to be, apparently when you send in your payment (ouch, ouch, ouch) you get a choice. Has anyone done the retail section before or just knows the layout of the place to recommend why is a good spot there? All of those places have dead spots and it's hard to know just looking at a huge map ( the show is a monster it seems). Grateful that this website is a plethora of information and that someone might know. Thanks in advance.

February 21 & 22
Key West, Florida
Whitehead and Caroline Streets
10am-5pm daily
approximately 100 exhibitors
Deadline: October 15

This nationally recognized event attracts fine artists from across the country to this beautiful historic area of Key West.  Exhibitors include painters, sculptors, photographers, collage artists and other nonfunctional fine art.  Reports from the 2014 show exhibitors were positive and they were pleased with the number of buyers.

Since we are celebrating our 50th Annual we have planned a special advertising section in the local paper that will include a two page spread with artist names and maps sponsored by local businesses.  

Exhibitors will set up along Whitehead Street from Greene Street to Eaton, and on Caroline Street through the famous Presidential Gates into the beautiful Truman Annex.  Set among historical attractions such as Audubon House, the Little White House and Mel Fisher Museum, the City of Key West closes two blocks of Whitehead Street and another block of Caroline Street to vehicle traffic for the show. 

Visitors (local residents, tourists and browsers from cruise ships) leisurely visit the beautiful displays of fine arts from the selected artists. Tropical themes are abundant here, but contemporary and traditional styles make something for everyone!

The show is sponsored by the Key West Art Center, Key West's oldest gallery, and was originally held to raise money for the renovation of the building at 301 Front Street.  

The first show was held on the sidewalk on Front Street, near the current gallery and artists used clothespins to attach their work to the fence in front of the old Custom's House.  Since then the show has been held annually and grown from just local artists and now includes exhibitors from across the country and Canada.

Make this a "working vacation" by joining us for a few days in Paradise for an art fair you will fondly remember.

Learn more: http://www.keywestartcenter.com/festival.html

For more information: Lois Songer (305)294-1243; KWArtshow@earthlink.net

Click here for: 2015 Application     Click here for: 2015 Prospectus

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Find more shows for your 2015 schedule: www.CallsforArtists.com

2nd Annual ArtFairCalendar.com Survey 

In 2013 thousands of art fair lovers and artists nationwide completed our 1st survey telling us what their "must attend" art fairs are and why. See those results here.

The purpose of the survey is to find the "best" shows and publicize them via press releases to encourage "art fair tourism," then to spread the word about the best ones to bring buyers to the shows.

Will you help us again? Which are 2014's Best?

Due to artist demand we have two surveys this year and encourage you to take the survey and then to pass the survey on to your email lists and friends.

• Patrons & Art Fairs link: www.surveymonkey.com
• Artists link: www.surveymonkey.com
  
  

PLEASE SHARE THIS SURVEY. Its findings will only be as relevant as the number of responses received.

1) Forward it to your friends.
2) Post the link on your Facebook page (see those little "share" buttons beneath this post?)
3) Send the info out to your subscribers and friends in an email.
4) Link to it on your website.

Deadline: October 21, 6 pm ET. Winners announced on November 1.

G3 Studios - a small woodworking business in Northern, MI  is asking for your vote for a chance to win $150k from Chase. We need 250 votes for a chance to win. Do it because, you can, you want to support another artist.... Just do it!  All votes are greatly appreciated. Vote here!

I just found out about The Festival Of Trees, held by the Junior League of Duluth, Minnesota.  I believe it is too late to enter, as it is held in November at the DECC.  I can't wait to check it out for next year!

I am still really a puppy to all of this - November 8 marks my one year of showing. I do the art shows, I do the arts and crafts shows... I do it all to try to really figure out my niche. With the fine art shows pretty much over for the season, I am embarking on the crafting circuit (this is a pretty special circuit... I never realized the seedy underbelly of the crafting circuit until I stood toe to toe with it. - another blog post, I am certain)

My question is this.... While I am fine art reproductionist (on furniture and cigar boxes and, well, guitars) I am feeling a little pressure to have a few "holiday" specific pieces for upcoming shows, more to ensure a sale rather than anything else. At these arts and crafts shows I am competing for attention with so many holiday geared vendors. Granted, I am keeping the cigar boxes to the holiday stuff, and the larger more unique pieces to the fine art repros... but have I jumped the shark here? Have I succumbed to mass appeal, rather than to my own convictions? Simply because I want to ensure booth space to me made? Ugh...

February 4-8, 2015
Tubac, Arizona 
Historic art colony of Tubac
10am-5pm daily
175 artists
Deadline: October 20

• 56th annual event
• Jury/Booth fees:  $35/$600 (corner: additional $75). Double booths available at additional charge.  (additional jury fee of $15 for 2nd and 3rd medium)
• Estimated attendance: 60,000
• Setup Tuesday, day before
• Drive-up to all booths
• Horse Drawn trolleys
• Volunteer booth-sitters
• No Commission charged
• Welcome Party
• Invitational Artists jurors will select their choice for the top 10% of artists who exhibit each year and those will be invited to participate in the next year's show with their application fee waived and will receive awards ribbon and first choice of booth location
• Load-in guides/greeters

The Chamber advertises this festival in newspapers throughout the state, runs TV ads, radio spots, a digital billboard, online calendars, our website and through social media.  An event program listing all artists will be available at the festival. 

The annual Festival of the Arts is Arizona's longest running arts festival, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year.  The event is held concurrently with Tucson's internationally reowned Germ & Mineral Show which brings visitors from around the World.  

Many Tucson guests come to the festival seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of the Gem & Mineral show.  The Tubac Chamber of Commerce, our volunteers, Village merchants and residents work together to create a welcoming atmosphere for our visiting artists.

 

What they're saying about us:

"Very nice, always enjoy the show.  Gets better every year.  I love showing my work there."

"The finest juried (art/artisan) art festival...Seek no further!"

Please apply directly thru Zapplication (note artists will continue to submit their booth fees directly to event producer at time of application but will submit the jury fee thru ZAPP.)

www.Zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=3380 

 

Notification: November 21, 2014

For more details visit: www.tubacaz.com ;

Email inquires to:  assistance@tubacaz.com

 

You may also contact:  Angela Kirkner Executive Director  (520)398-2704

Well, this show gets a lot of press.  

I read a great post on Facebook that had about 30 plus comments.  Some good, mostly bad.

Facebook is thin, you never get a lot of meat.

I am gonna give ya the whole feast, and dessert too.

No Papys, since a 23-year old Papys is now getting $85 per shot in Louisville restaurants. Pleez!

FIRST A LITTLE HISTORY

I first met my wife, Ellen Marshall, at this show more than 18 years ago.  So I have a romantic angle to it.  Hard to let go of the show.

May have too.  Read on.

At one time, every important artist out there did St. James, hereafter referred to as SJ.

The crowds came and bought, impressive sales numbers were made in all media.

Sadly, those days are a distant memory for most of us.

I have done the show for 20-plus years.  I am on the court in a great spot.  Next to my wife--very important.  I get fresh kisses by the hour.  We have our backs to the SJ mansions.  Plenty of storage room.  We have electricity  (Most do not).  A neighbor lets us use her bathroom.  She feeds us soup, sandwiches, even beer.  We get in very easily and setup.  Teardown is a piece of cake too.

So what's not to like about the show.

It always comes down to dollars spent versus dollars earned.

SJ gets a big "F" in my book.  The dinero is longer there, for what it costs.

In the old days this was a solid show, $4K plus every year.

Sadly, that does not happen any more.

OK.  A LITTLE MEAT ABOUT THE SHOW

SJ Court is only one of five art fairs run at this location.  Altogether, you have more than 750 exhibitors.  Just like Ann Arbor.

The Court show has exhibitors on both sides of the two streets on the mall.  The mall has two rows of artists.  Newbies get put here.  They do not always get the whole crowd.  It is a rite of passage.  You get on the mall, at least one time, and then hope for a better spot after that.  I was on the mall, once.

There are artists on a show called Belgravia Court.  This is a narrow strip of artists, tightly packed in back to back.  Just off the court on the south end.  It is considered a prime show to be in, along with the court.

One street over, to the east of the court is Fourth Street.  This show has artists packed in on both curbs of the street.

Then, another street to the east is Third Street.  There are two shows, one north, one south that have artists setup off the street facing the sidewalk.

Then there is an old church along Magnolia, which has their show with artists around its parking lot.  Then, there is  a scab show under an old filling station on Hill Street.

Lots of competition for limited spending by the attendees.

In the Court show there are lots of corner booths, double booths.  Most artists have ample storage behind.  Many have some room to hang on at least one side wall.

LETS NOW LOOK AT THE SALES SIDE OF THIS SHOW

First, I am a photographer.  I have very colorful images, many are tropical, many are humorous, some are hand-colored.  After 40 years in the biz, I have many friends in all media who do this show.  I  walk all the shows every morn.  I get reports from folks.  What is hot, what is not.

Also, when people come into my booth, I greet them, tell them about the work.  My nose is not in a book or on a IPhone.

I am a closer.  Give me an opening, and I will make sure you go home with one of my pieces, been doing 36 shows per year, for 40 years--and, making a living at it.

For most of us, this show is sliding into oblivion.

Yeah, about 10 per cent of all exhibitors make some serious money there.  The rest of us are struggling to make $3K now.  This used to be a $5K show for years, and then I saw it starting to slide ever downward the last five years.

A LITTLE MATH LESSON ABOUT SALES.

Lets just say you did $3K there.  Sounds decent for a three-day  show now.

Remember, $3K is now the old $5K.

Trouble is, the $3K does not buy you $5K of anything.

Back to the math.

Show fee is $550 for the booth, plus the jury fee.

If you live a five hour drive away (Like me) or longer, then you are looking at a  $200 plus gas bill.

Lodging.  Show is three days, plus a day before setup.  Many of us come in the night before the setup--especially depending on your Thursday set up time.  First ones, go in at 9 am, then next group (me) goes in at noon, then final group goes in at 3 pm. So you can have 4-5 nites of hotel bills.  I stayed at a Sleep Inn with a great rate--with taxes it came to $69 per nite, or nearly $350 for the five days.

Food, gonna run ya $40 per day easily--so there is another $200 gone.

You gotta replace that $3K of inventory you sold.

You are losing six per cent back for sales tax.  The another 2-3 per cent on the MCV processing fees.

All  told, when you add it all up, you clear about $1200-$1400 for the show.  And you were away 4-5 days.

Not a great return on your money.

That is why this show no longer really works for most of us trying to earn a living out there.

For the booth fee charged, there should be a far better return on your money.

Sadly there is not.  And, I do not see it improving in the near future.

SO, NELS, TELL US ABOUT THE FRICKING SHOW, I CAN NOT HOLD MY BREATH MUCH LONGER.

Thought you would never ask.

This year we had very cold weather two of the three days.  I think it affected crowd turnout.

Friday, we lucked out.  It was supposed to rain most of the day--never happened.  Crowds were thin.

Saturday, we had clear skies, winds, and a high of about 58 degrees.  Brrrrr!

Sunday, we had clouds, some wind, and it got into the low 60's.  Brrr!

Crowds were thin compared to years past.

Not a lot of good shoes people attending.

Forget about be-backs.  You got one shot at them.

Most of the crowds there could be called the "Walking Zombies."

They walked enmasse down the middle of the street, never looking into a booth.

A sorry state of affairs.

When they did come in, they bought very lowend.  Most of them  did not have lot of moola on them.

Louisville tends to be very Southern, very traditional and very conservative in their art taste.

Sadly, lots of art on the stick going buy.  Who juried these shows?

I saw very few gallery wraps go by me on any given day.  Mostly little matted pieces in bags.

I just do not see the quality people there anymore.

I also do not see a lot of the great circuit artists there any more.  They have written this show off.

IN CONCLUSION

Hey, you pay your $550 and takes your chances.

If you are a part-timer, then maybe a $3K return is ok with you.

If you live nearby, it is probably OK.

For the rest of us who try to make living out there--it is very questionable whether we should continue to do this show.

Bottom line.  The pie is being sliced way too thin.  There are not enough buyers out there for all the competition.

That said, Louisville is a wonderful town to be in, in the early fall.

I just don't know if I will be partaking of it anymore.

Who wrote the best post on AFI in September Thrilling, informative, helpful, thought provoking, etc.?

Let's award them and thank them for their contributions:

• "First time at Penrod in Indianapolis" - Matt Estrada - 9/7/2014
• "St. Louis, The Perfect Show or We Partied Like It's 1999"- Barry Bernstein - 9/13/2014
• "A modest proposal" - Reid Watts - 9/18/2014
• "Alexandria and Arlington, VA art shows" - Melanie Rolfes - 9/25/2014

As a follow up to my article about how to photograph your booth, I've put together a selection of booth image examples from different mediums:
http://bermangraphics.com/blog/clean-booth-pictures-for-jurying/

Sorry but I only have permission to post the pictures to my web site, not AFI.

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