Blog

I will be participating in the upcoming Spring Green Arts and Crafts Fair, which usually draws a lot of people. Here is what I am sending by e-mail and posting on Facebook to invite people to come.

St Louis Jury Statistics revisited

I've always been an advocate for attending open juries because you can see how your jury images project and compare with your competitor's images. The only thing that's missing at an open jury is getting feedback on your images. Some shows offer what's called a mock or image evaluation jury where a few experienced jurors comment on the images while they are projected in front of a room filled with artists.

Cindy Lerick, the executive director of the St Louis Art Fair, goes out of the way to do everything possible to make applying to her show a learning experience for the artists. This year she released jury feedback and scoring statistics, including thumbnail images by medium category, for each artist that applied.

For the last few years, Cindy has offered a mock jury that takes place a few months before the application deadline for St Louis. Then she lets artists change their application images if they've improved them after getting feedback at the mock jury. I've been one of her mock jurors and have also presented a workshop on photographing artwork in conjunction with the mock jury. So when the jury statistics were released, I wondered if there was a way to figure out the actual value of the mock jury in that how many artists who attended, and then applied and were accepted into the show. Cindy sent me the statistics I asked for and I published an article about it. The numbers are significant. Here's the article I wrote about it:

http://bermangraphics.com/blog/feedback-from-the-jury/

Here's the statistics:

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

When your back is to the sea and you can feel a cool ocean breeze, life can't be too bad for an art show.  We wish we had 25 others on the ocean.

Well, I have done this one since 1985, off and on.  Had not been there for three years because of heart troubles.  This year was not one of my memorable ones, but it was for many others.

In the old days they used to give you spots along a snow fence that were 15-foot wide by six-foot deep.  Some people had three spots--45 feet long.

Nowadays you have a spiffy new boardwalk, concrete of course, with a metal rail to tie the rear of your booth to, and it is 10-foot deep and wide.

There is usually some room between booths to do a little extra wall hanging.  

There is room in front of your booth, across a wide boardwalk to stash inventory on carts or under your umbrella.  Overall, the mood is very mellow and beachy.

A lot of artists rent a room at a hotel right on the boardwalk, preferably not far from their booth.  Then you can park your van in the hotel lot and have a short hike to your booth with art.

Of course, hotel rates are never cheap for these locations, plan to pay $125 and up per night if you are lucky to snag one.  Old-timers have next year's reservations already set up.

This show is like a United Nations convention.

It gets lots of the Florida artists, looking to escape the summer heat down there and make money.  I see artists from out west as far away as Washington State and California.

Then there are plenty of midwesterners there--it is only a day and a half drive for most.

Then you got all  the locals and Atlantic coast artists.

It is like old home week, I probably know at least 100 artists there, some have been doing it as long as me.

It is a very mellow show.  With hotel rooms nearby, blenders are going all the time, and chilled wine and beers are the norm.  Nobody seems to be out of the sorts--unless they forgot there sunscreen.

It is a long show--four days.  Thank God the hours are reasonable with show ending most nights at six pm.

Funny thing about those hours.  I did a doozy on Friday night.

It rained late that afternoon, and everybody shut down before six pm. I shut down real quick and took a power nap in my hotel room.  I got up and went back and reopened my booth around 6:30.  Nobody else was open.  "Sly me," I am saying to myself.  "I got this whole beach crowd to myself."  Which was maybe 60 people walking around.  I sat there for about 30 minutes, no sales happening.  Then two artist friends, Patrick and Rona, strolled by.  They giggled and laughed at me.  Rona said,"Nels what are you doing open?  The show closed at six."  Dumb me, I thought it was open til 8 pm.  I figured the artists had enough with the rain and slim Friday sales.  I thought I was going to clean up.

Ironically, they left.  Immediately a young couple came in and spent $40.  I closed immediately  and spent it on sushi.

Gee, I guess I should read my show packet and know the hours.

You can set up up on Wednesday.  A lot of people start early while it is cool.  They have drive on program, so You can come on with vehicle and drop off stuff.

Also, at tear-down they are letting us drive on--that is a new thing that just started last year.

Still, most artists with hotel rooms nearby and vans in the lot, choose to dolly out.  Show ended at 5 pm and I was loaded via dolly by 6:15.

This year was off for a lot of us.  Mostly low-end sales with very few framed pieces being sold.

Still, a good number of artists posted big sales.  Ten of my friends on Facebook mentioned how they had had a killer show--and, this was in all mediums.

The crowds were thinner, you could tell by how uncrowded the boardwalk was at times.  Restaurants were not jammed like usual.

Personally, I think people are reluctant to spend much right now.

I did not have single person come in and say they were looking for a big piece to put over the bed or the fireplace.

"Be-backs" were few and far between.  The show runs almost 14 blocks long, so the length inhibits a lot of be-backs.

In the past years I could count on the military to buy at least 30 per cent of my show totals.  Today, they are deployed and their spending is almost nil.

This is still a fun show to do, and most people make some money.  It is just one of those shows you have to try for yourself to see if it works.

They buy mostly traditional work.  And, of course, they love sea-related imagery.

This is an expensive show to do, especially if you are staying at a hotel on the boardwalk.

With just a single booth, I figured my overhead was close to $1700 for the show.  And, I was not doing it extravagantly.

So far, this year is a soft year, I don't see the economy rebounding well at all.  Our biz is changing, and I think it is for the worst.

Well, I have this weekend off, so I can garden and lick my wounds and get ready for another day.

Later, gators.

This may really be the most simplistic business and marketing tool that has ever been conceived. The smile.  I just spent 3 pleasant days at a festival in Columbia, Maryland.  My sales were enough to cover my expenses so nothing exciting so why do I say 'pleasant days'?  Well....they were because I smiled most of the time I was there.  Yes there were the ying-yangs asking me where I found my canes, etc, etc, etc  but I smiled (ok laughed) at them and answered their sometimes silly questions.  I smile because it makes me feel good and even look better (which is a feat in itself) to potential buyers.   I know this is true because I like to stroll around and see other artists work and the ones that actually smiled at me (maybe a buyer) were much more attractive.  Since they were making eye contact and smiling at me I immediately felt welcome to enter their area and view their items.  The smile was present at only 8 of the 60 booths at the show.  Yes, yes, I know they probably smiled when they sold something but that is the Point.  You wil sell nothing if you scare the people away with a hang dog frown on your face.  It is a basic truth that people wil respond to a smile and walk away from a frown.  

Other than low sales (welcome to the real world economy) this was a great show,,Great bands non-stop for the entire show; nightly entertainment, kids on stilts (cute as buttons), professional street entertainers, and on and on.  I concentrated on these things and my wife of 40+ years and I smiled and when I did people came to me.  They didn't all buy but they walked in the door per-se.  

Smiling not only attracts people (don't over do it or they might think you finally cracked) it makes you feel good, lowers blood pressure, decreases anxiety attacks (brought on by stupid questions), increases your oxygen intake, relaxes your face muscles, and helps you to enjoy what is at hand and stop worrying about the things you can't control.  Its GOOD BUSINESS to. So SMILE at that next show and feel better.

August 15 & 16
Frankfort, Michigan
Market Square Park
Coordinated by the Frankfort-Elberta Chamber of Commerce
Fri. 4pm-8pm; Sat. 10am-5pm
180+ Artists
Deadline:  July 1

Where is Frankfort?  High on a bluff in the heart of Michigan's summer vacation land, the hidden gem of Northern Michigan on Lake Michigan and Betsie Bay.

  From the Chamber of Commerce:

The fair is in a beautiful park setting with up to 10,000 people in attendance.  It is one of the most popular art fairs in Northern Michigan.  The Chamber also hosts a few other fundraisers that day to help with the cost of putting on a fantastic event like this.

What's not to like?

• two days
• beautiful time of year for weather
• spacious booth spaces:  12x12
• great booth fee: $105 for both days!
• Jury fee $15

There is also fun for the whole family with all the downtown businesses as well as a collector car show 3 blocks away, among many other activities that day and great local food.  You might even want to fit in some salmon fishing! 

LATE APPLICATION FEE: Due to the numerous late applications in years past - we are applying a $25 late application fee for ALL applications received after May 1, 2014.

NEW!  Apply online our website:  www.frankfort-elberta.com/index.php?option=como 

For more questions contact:  Joanne Bartley, Executive Director, C of C at (231)352-7251
or fcofc@frankfort-elberta.com 

For more information about this tourism mecca: www.frankfort-elberta.com 

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

Find more opportunities for artists: www.CallsforArtists.com 

Just a few weeks ago, we shared with the art community The Huntington Beach Food, Art and Music Festival and we are very appreciative of the great responses to date. We are pleased to announce that the Huntington Beach Art Council is now an official partner of the event and will conduct the jury process as well as co brand the art festival. Many people have been asking questions and we felt it would be best to share the following:

First Year Event...Why Should you attend? - While this event is a first year program, our company has been producing events for many years and currently co-produces for others. We are not weekend warriors looking to place a nice and simple event in the community. We take what you do serious and want to provide the best forum to sell product to the right consumer. Over 1 million dollars in media is being spent across Radio, TV and Print to in all of Southern California. The long terms plan is to make this evergreen for years to come as well as expand our format to other cities.

Location? - We will be set up at Beach Blvd and beautiful Pacific Coast Highway adjacent to the Hyatt Hotel and away from all the younger surfing activities at the pier. Our focus is an upscale 35-54+ event and showcasing the most creative works to be seen all at the backdrop of the beach. September in SoCal will be 74 and sunny and no humidity. Where would you want to be?

What should I expect as an artist? - This event WILL NOT be a street fair filled with corn dogs, kettle corn and cheap jewelry. You will find great food, wine tasting from area vineyards, great music and of course the best artist the West has to showcase. The beach crowd will not be hanging with us. This event is for consumers looking to be entertained and to be out for a day of cultural stimulation.

I strongly encourage you to check us out and join us for this once a year happening that will be great.

  https://www.zapplication.org/event-info-public.php?fair_id=3474 ;

Thank you

Jay Freedman

President / Nfuse 360 Marketing

www.nfuse360.com

This is a long running show in Indianapolis that has been around since the mid 1950s. it's one of only two large shows in Indianapolis that doesn't charge a gate fee. It's in a revitalized neighborhood that is only sixteen blocks from Downtown. The show is ran by a small cohesive group of volunteers that have the operation down to a T.

Set up starts on Friday at 2:00PM, although I keep forgetting that many show up early, and when I pulled in at 2:00 about 1/3 or more of the 270 booths were already up or in progress. You pull up to the association tent and pick up your packet and booth assignment. The booth numbers are also posted on their web site several weeks in advance. Set up goes until 8:00 PM at which time security shuts down the street and asks everyone to leave. Security is provided by several teams of off duty city police officers in uniform who patrol on foot and in small 4-wheelers. 

This show is sort of unique since they are in an older neighborhood with narrower streets the booths have to jump the curb with 6 feet in the street and 4 feet back to the edge of the sidewalk. The rise is a bit of a pain as there is about a 2 inch drop in the street crown back to the first propanel, then a big jump back to the sidewalk. I used 4 2x4 blacks for the front of the tent to shim, 5 blocks at the second panel, 2 blocks at the last propanel, and the none on the back legs of the tent. Several years ago in another spot further south of my current location, I had to stack 2 concrete blocks out in the street to raise each leg level with the back, and use boards to set the tent and panels on. Since then the street has been repaved a couple times and the street level has raised.

Except for the artists along 18th Street going into Talbot, everyone has decent room behind them. The 18th Street section is very narrow, and the booths are backed up against a 4 foot tall brick wall on the north side of the street and the other side are backed up against some houses. For the other spaces along Talbot, the space for the tent itself is on the outside edge of the sidewalk. You can set inventory on the sidewalk and sit back there. Some leeway has to left for someone to walk through back there but some folks block the sidewalk anyway. I've long set up an awning that goes back to the sidewalk curb for shade as it usually gets hot on the street. The one thing that is expressly forbidden is to stack anything on the curb of the sidewalk or on the yards. 

I decided to wait until Saturday to hang work, and arrived early enough to take my time and also get a prime parking spot in a vacant lot about 25 feet away from me behind the sidewalk. The guy that owns the lot didn't collect on Saturday but came around on Sunday, and was charging $45 for both days. I figured having easy access to the van and being able to walk stuff to the van on tear down is worth it. 

Saturday started off pretty good with a surprise sale I wasn't sure was going to happen. I had taken a shot of some tulips in my living room a few weeks ago when the north light through the window was looking pretty good. Considering I was sitting in my recliner and was starting to watch some TV, when I noticed the light and shadows on the wall were looking good. I hate to admit it, but I pulled out the cell phone and took about a half dozen shots. They looked good later on the computer, and after some Photoshop work, I thought "Damn, that looks way better that I thought". I tried a gamble and printed a 20x30 canvas. It's way away from my other work, so it was placed on a center panel in the booth with the flip bin underneath it. It sold within the first two hours of the show. A few smaller flip bin pieces sold that day but it was slower than I expected for me after that.

The crowd started to thin out a little about 2:00 but was still fairly heavy as this shot shows. There is some competition for the customers with the Gay Pride Parade and Celebration earlier in the day, and they have a rather large show of their own at a downtown park. The crowd with the Mardi Gras beads were the ones at the other show earlier in the day. BTW, notice the shims under the front tent legs.

I forgot to bring my fans and it was pretty warm in the back, even in the shade. Somehow Talbot always says summer is now here, and some years it has been hot as blazes out on the street. We also escaped rain at tear down as that seems to be a tradition. The wind picked up and the clouds were dark, but no rain was predicted on the weather apps.

Sunday started slow for me, and I had picked up some small frames on Saturday night for some humor pieces I didn't have hanging on Saturday. When the tulips piece had sold, that opened up new space to hang more work so I hung ten of the  8.5x11 pieces and those did okay with another 4 of them moving. Some framed pieces sold  later in the afternoon and one be-backer did return. I still didn't have enough pieces under $100 that I needed for what seems to be the direction the season is going in, but it turned out okay in the end with enough late buyers in the afternoon to lift my spirits.

The crowd was fairly heavy all the way through the day, and I could see a lot of packages being carried. The painter across from scored well with a young couple buying a very large painting that looked to be either 4'x5' or just a bit smaller. I didn't hear any artists complaining about sales or even saying 'did okay" with that certain voice inflection that says "it sucked".

Tear down was fairly quick for most, and I didn't see any congestion with cars and vans getting in and out. My daughter and her family showed up at the end of the show to help us tear down and pack up. It's amazing what two extra sets of hands can do to speed things up. It felt funny to be packed up and pulling out after only an hour and 45 minutes, and seeing over half the show still there :-) From there the family took me out to Buca di Beppo for supper, which was a nice way to end the show.

Our 5th Birthday was our best with a record number of pledges and wonderful prizes for all of you who support our mission to enable artists to earn a living at the nation's art fairs.

Your pledge really makes a difference. Not only was the response great - the personal messages to me about how helpful our websites have been for you was a wonderful reward. Thank you. Some notes:

• The pledges came from just about every state which means that our art fair websites are popular across the country. Very interesting is that nearly half of them are NOT members on AFI but rather people who love attending art fairs and want us to keep the art fair news coming to them.
• About the prizes: After Jill McGannon won a free space from AFFPS.com and the show organizers, Randall Fox and Patrick Dennis, found out her husband was also an artist they gave him a booth also. Thanks, guys.
• Also, the free booth space at the Cloudland Canyon State Park in NW Georgia in Nov. 1 & 2, was won by Barbara Wood. She is unable to attend. If anyone reading this wants that space, let me know asap and you will be the winner.

The prizewinners were thrilled, especially the top winners Jill Banks who won Flourish.com's new black mesh panels and long time members Suzanne and Damon Krongold who won the SHOWOFF Canopy. 

Everyone who contributed will have our special Award image added to their page on AFI in recognition of their special status in our community. In addition they all win our AFI red bumper sticker for their art fair vehicle. Stick this on your bumper and everyone will know you are headed to an art fair and follow you there!

If your name is listed below please email me your mailing address so we can send the Red Dots out to you asap! Click here: info@artfaircalendar.com now.

Who do we thank?

Friends: Ellen Ljung, Barb Naas, Monika Green, Alan Anderson, Gail Lane and Brian Billings, Charmed Karma Jewelry, Kristin Ellis and Mary Jo Stockman, Chris Scott, Mendy Marks, Sharon Tesser, Josh Crow, Robert Stein, Marie DesJardins-Grussing, D. Heraty, Richard Goding, Linda Hamlin (who claims to be a starving artist but wants to support us anyway),

Susan Kennicott, Pam B. Johnson, Lindsay Designs, Kelly Weik, James Floyd and Lindsay Designs

Supporters: Marlene Lehman, John Leben, Patty McPhillips, Bonnie Eastwood, Michele Reynolds (for the 5th time!), John and Jin Powell, Delphine Welch, Kelly Flaherty, Catherine Stirling, Scott Pakulski, Jackie Rothstein, John Houle, Greg Little, Autumn Horizons, Judy Zeddies and Jacqueline Gomez.

Stephen Lawrence, Joanna Shipengrover, Anne Krafve-Nelson, Bruce Reinfeld, Anita Stein, B. H. Stauffer, WendyLea, Susan Hohman, Susan Zepeda, Susan Cherry, Kathleen Clausen, Mark Gardner, Jay McDougall, Linda and Steve Bean, Frederick Swarr, Kristin Collier, Richard Weber, John Jassy, Larry Smith, Jacquelyn Zajac and Bernadette Rogers.

Lonne Sterling, Sandra Schwarzbeck, Maryllis Wolfgang, Judith Levitt, Heidi Barron, Janice Armstrong, Shireen Cline, Robert Johnson, Janie Manaski, Charlie & Paula Shoulders, William Moore, Loren Fisher, Pat Finney (again!), Jane Shaffer, Jane Burke and Cynthia Conway, Gary Willcock, Christine Rodriguez and Carol Joy Shannon

Peter Nestler, Ann Light, Theresa Cox, Evan Reinheimer, Gerri Katz, Debbi Cooper, Lisa Fair, K.S. Funderburg, Say it Uniquely, Bill Moore, Susan Graham, Roy Odom, Patrick McGannon, Dick Dahlstrom, Virginia Cassaday, Pam O'Brien, Laurence Griffiths, Susan Schwarzwald, Linda Jump, Leonard Wilson, Jean Block, Dennis Kellogg, Gail Lane, Victoria Heisler

Marianne Caroselli, Lois Prettyman, Carol Wilson (last year's BIG winner, back for more), John Keeling, Colin Murray, John Lytikainen, Denise Rollings-Martin, Robert Osborne, Oscar Matos-Linares, Charlotte Burnett, Michael Heilman, Lakestone Jewelry, Melanie Feerst, Michelle Deiter, Tonya Rund and Lynda Chevrier

Carole Z. Williams, Barry Bernstein, Carol Knox, Jan Gussin, Colleen Williams, Colleen Williams, Chuck Bruce, Cindy Miceli, Cindy Cherrington, Deborah Fehrenbach, Sherrill Motes, Robert Wallis, Bobby Harr, Carol Larsen, Theresa DiGiglia, Map Art, Gloria Danvers and Kimberly Marshall.

Jim Parker, Jackie Hirsch, Medusa's Stones, Dave Hinde, Tamara Kelly, Deborah Block Krol, Judith Hearney, Alyx Morgan, Patricia Mohrenweiser, Maggie Zielinski, Karen Gelbard, Annette Piper, Allison Fox, Cynthia Reid, Robin Aronson, Simple Song Studio, Sue Kroll, Karen OHanlon and Patricia Venaleck.

Barbara Poole, Jacob DuChane, Karen O'Lone-Hahn, Josh Crow, Karen Tillinghast, Kimber Fiebiger, Chris Jones, Brian Miller, Jean Skipper, Debbie Stillman, Lorraine Lauer, Natalie Orange, Jean Heater, David, Turner, Julia Keil, Brian Bass, Barbara Wood and Ronna Katz.

Margie Luttrell, Jean S. Smith, Eileen Lovre, Joyce Diggs, Woody Smith, Elizabeth Tivol, Melissa Sturm, Tara Dalga, Jan Anderson, Pamela Eckert, Lucille Keller, Butterflies by Sally, Rose Marie Lanpher, Leann Christian, Pauline Haas-Vaughn, Beth Gumnick, Megan Horan, Allene Cassagnol, AmyRenee Cornelius and Mary Ann Einarson.

Roger Rimel, Bryan Ross, Donna Jadis, Jeff Owen, Daryl Cohen, Chris Mason, Kathy Besthorn, Lisa Berry, Heidi Mandich, Amy Fletcher, Art Eccentrics, Byrd Mountain Pottery, Robert Ross, Kay Cummins, Joyce McAdams, Olga Yevseyeva, Lisa Loudermilk and Chris Ritke

Brenda Nashawaty, Anne Schroeder, Carrie Jacobson, Starry Nights Beadworks, Pastora Designs, Current Enterprises, Lacey Rugby, Lindsay Designs, Wesley Lindberg, Elizabeth Kline, Nancy Koehler, Stephanie Gutzman, Cynthia Barrow, Ellender vanHully-Bronson and Cheryl Nugent.

Patrons: Kim Jernigan and Suzanne Krongold, Kay Gallagher, Pat Falk, Laurie Leonard, Bill and Stacy McLauchlan and Patty DeMaria, Jennifer Ivory, Dale Yakaites, Robert Caron, Gretchen Stanfill, Claire Renzetti, Debra Ehmann, Lucia Friedericy and Keith Wilkie, Gerald Mulka, Andrew Shea, Jill Banks, Joseph Kubis, Nancy Sher, Pamela Burgess and Leo Charette

Beverly O'Daniel, Melanie Rolfes, George Raab, Megan Martin, Louis Frederick and Jane Johnson, Randall Fox 

Angels: Richard Sherer and Ralph Sharp, Candiss Cole & Roger Footitt, Patti Paas

The Prize Donors:

Luke Block at Flourish.com, Janice Stockard at ArtDisplayCentral.com, Howard Alan at Howard Alan Events, Lida Arthaud of Pandache Scarves, Ross Graham at ACTIns.com, Larry Berman at BermanGraphics.com, Drew Mauch at the Catalina Art Association, Cindi Moser at Happifeet.com and Julie Cochrane at festivalnet.com.

Carolyn Edlund  from artsbusinessinstitute.com, Randall Fox and Patrick Dennis at AFFPS.com, Rich Horner from handturnedfountainpens.com, Ernie Kleven, Greg Lawler at the Art Fair Sourcebook, Katalin Luczay, www.seascapesandlandscapes.com, Christina Villa at Zapplication.org and Lynn McAleer who calls herself the "Wicked Stitch of the West."

Colin Murray of Art Works; Mark Rogers from Framedestination.com; Janet & Howard Rose from Rosesquared.com; Richard Rothbard from www.AmericanArtMarketing.com; Terry Peddle Corcoran at the NAIA; Shireen Kline of Fine Art on the Farm; Larry Sanders of www.juryimage.com; Scott Fox at expertwebsitereviews.com; Marlene Lehman at shipshewanaartfestival.com and Jack Stoddart from jamminathippiejacks.com.

Allan Teger, www.bodyscapes.com; Lynn Wettach at www.holidayartshows.com; the good folks at Zingermans.com; Tanya and Mark Veit at AAEGLass.com; Vince Pernicano at www.blueskyglass.com/soloroller; Nate Shelton at SunshineArtist.com; Harry Abell at  http://www.mountainartsandcraftcelebration.com; Marilyn Richey at www.jewelrywithapast.com; Andrea Mora at www.anderale.com and John Leben at www.LebenArt.com.

Kim Ray from www.kimcreations.com; Mrs. Sweetie at www.candlesweetie.com; Marlene Ilecki at Squareup.com/market/m-i-designs; Christieellen White at Tokyo Bags; Sue Lukas and Naturally She's Dreaming and Janice Armstrong from Willowrose Publishing.

See the prizes: http://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/pledgedrive.html

See all the prize winners here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/pledge-drive-winners-2014-the-top-twenty

Thank you everyone for your pledges and your kind words for our work. 

P.S. I've gotten several questions on "how do those people get those Red Dots" on their profile pictures? The people with the Red Dots are members who have been generous on the site commenting and helping others and providing help. Want to have one on your picture? Now you know the answer. The community looks forward to all of your helpful information.

There is so much to be said about the Allentown Festival in Buffalo, that I hate to lead with bad news. But I'm going to anyway.

We had a slasher. Our tent and the 6 booths near ours had cuts in the back wall and, as it turned out, all of the streets got hit. Wherever you were sheltered by big trees or architectural hiding spots, there were slashes. They were all abut 12 inches long at at eye height, so I assume the Pathetic Loser would slash enough to peek in and then go to the next one if the booth was empty. Most of them were, of course, but one artist left her vintage suitcases that she uses for display behind and the PL  took the slash all the way down and stole them. The police came and took info but what good was that, really? Unless you were going to try to get a whole new tent from your insurance company and good luck with that! It has been 25 years since the show had a serious theft issue, but for a lot of out of town folks it meant Buffalo is a dangerous city. I kept telling people this is my neighborhood and it is not dangerous. But the impression has been made and it will reinforced every time they see that cut. Stinks.

OK, enough with that. Saturday was cool and cloudy and  the crowd was small and the sales were good. Sunday was hot and sunny and perfect and you could barely walk down the street and sales were half of Saturday. I think people who come out on imperfect days are coming to buy things. Sunday is strollers and dog walking day for many, although I did see a lot of people carrying purchases. Most artists said that the show was about the same as last year when Saturday was a rainy day and Sunday made up for it.

Most of the work was really lovely although the "dye your own scarf" virus did infect the show. I brought it up to one of the volunteers who looked surprised and said they would look into it.

This was my transition show. I decided to bring only a few books and focus on my new mixed media work to see if I was on the right track. I think I am. I made about the same as last year and it is a medium I really enjoy. So that was a real high. It has made the shows fun again. Now I need to get ProPanels but by the time I can afford them I may be too old to do shows anymore.

I am a pacifist by nature, but if I run into that PL with a box cutter of my own, all bets are off. 

I talk big.

People always ask me what my favorite show to do is and up until now I never had a really difinitive answer.  After doing the Smoky Hill River Days Festival for the last four years I would have to say this one is truely the winner.  

I have been in the demo area which means I get to do five one hour demos through out the three day festival.  This I truely love to do- the interaction with the crowd is super fun and even tend to get buyers for the pieces I am making before they are even done! I usually demo non-stop at all the shows I do but for this one I end up creating several completed pieces.  And on top of this they have fabulous volunteers that will run my booth while I demo (and are great sales people too!)

Speaking of the volunteers they are AMAZING!  In my 22 years of doing shows I have met a lot of great volunteers but the volunteers they have in the demo area at Salina are spectacular!  On Saturday I ran out of pennies and on Sunday the volunteer that was running my booth during the demo brought me two rolls!  How thoughtful!  Plus they help you haul your work in on a golf cart and are there at your every beck and call.  Being a demo artist is a bit like being royality!

The whole town- and state- comes out for this show.  On paper it might not even look like a great art fair because it has so many other activities like music and kid's events but this seems to work for everyone because the people come for the whole 3 plus days (music starts on Thursday night) and this seems to give them time to do everything- including shopping.  Now this year my sales were mostly of $100 and under items but last year I had a few $200 sales- not high end over all but the quantity makes up for it and the people are just so interested in what I am doing.

I don't know how this show goes for the artists in the Art and Craft areas but for me it is fabulous.  This year we had some terrible winds on Saturday and I really felt for the artists in tents.  I was super lucky to be on the non-windy side of the picnic shelter and had at least one show this summer that I didn't have to deal with wind.  

I also want to point out that I heard that Karla Prickett that runs the show is retiring so I hope they can find someone to fill her shoes.  She was wonderful to work with and just fabulously organized.  She really cared about the artsits and worked extremly hard.

September 6 & 7   
Mundelein, Illinois 
Kracklauer Park in downtown Mundelein

10am-5pm
45 artists
Deadline: June 19

Mundelein Community Connection announces the 4th Annual Mundelein Fine Arts Festival, a juried art festival that will showcase the talents of 45 fine artists and craftspeople. The two day event will feature top-notch artists, local musicians and delicious food from local eateries.

In addition to professional artists, the festival will also highlight artwork by select students from Mundelein and Carmel Catholic High Schools.  Selected students from each school will earn a cash scholarship to help further his or her art career.

Mundelein is a village of 31,000 people located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. An extensive network of nearby highways allows easy access to a host of neighboring cities, as well as Chicago and southern Wisconsin.

Publicity:                   

• Online advertisement through e-blasts and Social Media         
• Major newspaper advertising and publicity          
• Electronic sign advertisement as well as a poster campaign throughout the region 
•          

Awards:          

• Cash prizes for Best of Show, Judge's Choice 2D and Judge's Choice 3D      
• Village of Mundelein Purchase Award        
• $500 Emerging Artist Award         
• Local Business Purchase Awards
•         

Location and Event Benefits and Amenities:             

• Easy load and unload, free parking           
• Complimentary breakfast Saturday and Sunday         
• Volunteer help for running lunches and booth sitting         
• Highly visible location          
• Tasty food from local vendors and restaurants
•             

Apply: www.mundeleincommunityconnection.org/mundelein-arts-festival.html 

For More Information:

        Terry Skriba, Executive Director of the Mundelein Community Connection

        (847)970-9235 or email: mundeleincc@tds.net   

        Learn more: www.mundeleincommunitycommection.org/mundelein-arts-festival.htm         

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Find more art fairs looking for artists:www.CallsforArtists.com

As a newb here I appreciate the reviews I've been able to read, so I'll add mine for Stone Arch Festival in Mpls. this past weekend. Keep in mind, this was my first-ever art fair, period, so my expectations were very basic. 

First, I had read previous reports that this show was not generally one filled with buyers, but you gotta start somewhere and I live just north of Mpls, so it seemed like a decent place to get baptized. 

Communication with artists was pretty good, with a number of emails going out about various details in the days before the event. This was all in addition to the Zapp app and their notifications. Check in was Friday; we were given a map which was good, although upside-down. Easy enough to find the check-in table, where we got our packets and basic directions to booth locations. Load times were staggered and I was able to pull up at the curb less than 100 ft from my tent spot. But then I arrived at 09:45 for a 10-2 set-up slot, so it seemed being early was a good thing. It did get crowded later, and parking on-street was tricky. Get there early for your slot.  

Artist parking was by permit (free) in a private lot four blocks from the show. They said no trailers, but I saw quite a few in the lot. I don't know what an out-of-towner would do about their trailer otherwise. 

You can be on grass, on concrete, or straddling a cobblestone path for this show, depending on your booth area. I broke screw-in stakes just trying to get them into the ground; others did too. Be prepared to bring tent weights for this show. It sits right on the Mississippi river walk very near downtown Mpls. 

Set-up went smoothly in great weather on Friday. Saturday was rainy and windy all day. A show in Excelsior MN on Saturday was shut down early due to weather. We got hit all day on and off. Some artists left early Saturday, and some shut down totally and bailed. There was maybe one hour of sunshine all day, but lots of rain and wind. Customers were there but they were few and far between. Still, some folks did make some sales. Some even said it was average. Considering attendance and conditions, that would be a moral victory. I sold nothing Saturday. The crowd was not a buying one and seemed heavy with young couples, some with little kids. 

Bear in mind that my work is photography of European scenes, with a unique process and look and color treatment. My lowest priced item is an 11x14 print for $40, and prices range up to $2500 for very large canvases. I have nothing under $40 and just one print bin of $40-$50 prints. Most of my offerings are canvases or framed prints in the $200-$300 range. In this day and age, it seems hard to get people to buy a photograph. I have a friend who owns a successful portrait studio and the idea of buying a print gets to be a harder and harder sell each year for his customers. Some photographers did make sales on Saturday but I'm pretty sure it was mostly matted prints under $30. Near me, there were jewelers making small sales all day long. The crowd that frequents this show seem to plenty comfortable buying low-priced items, but much less so as you approach $100 or more. There is also a prevailing mentality among the general public that with a "good camera" you can do anything. I'm sure that also gets in the way of encouraging folks to spend money on photographic prints.

The Sunday forecast was the same, but it was wrong! Sunday morning saw a little rain, but then the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. The crowds came out and the demographic clearly changed. Older couples, meaning those appearing to be 50-65 years old, made up the bulk. Still lots of families, but folks who seemed like they'd have money were clearly more evident on Sunday. 

I did make some sales but it was mostly my lower-priced prints. The artists around me did better by far than they had on Saturday, declaring Sunday to be average for them, but not enough to make up for Saturday. 

Tear-down and load-out was smooth, with instructions provided in advance and all parties seemed to cooperate. 

Also- free food and drink coupons were provided, and there were lounges just for artists. Booth sitters were said to be available too. I called my section coordinator on Saturday but it rolled to her voice mail, so I was not able to utilize the lounge or booth-sitting services. 

Overall I'd say my experience echoes what I had read in advance. This is not a big money show, but you can do ok if you have the right price point. It's in a very pleasant setting; lots of good music from multiple sound stages both days, and lots of good food from food trucks set up, and restaurants across the street from the main festival drag. It's a family-oriented festival as much as an art fair. 

Well… I was in The Excelsior MN show this weekend…emphasis on the WAS. Beautiful setting for a show, but unfortunately storms came through today--Saturday--with high winds. A decision was made to close the show after the first storm passed and more was expected late Sat. pm and more on Sunday. I'm sure it was a tough call, but safety was a concern. At least I had a chance to test my trimline and I had no problems at all. Unfortunately, some with EZ-UPs had a very wild ride. Felt sorry for a young couple across from me who were doing their first show with a tent, and it took multiple artists to help them hang on to things and keep the tent from becoming airborne. No stabars or much support other than weight on the legs. Saw a couple other tents take flight.

Other notes: The show is in a park setting by a lake and load in requires carting some distance across grass to booths. One way narrow road in.  Artists have load in times and they are adhered to. Scouts were there and carted artists' gear in/out for a fee. I would highly recommend it.

Parking for artists is non-existent near the site. Artists are asked to park at a grade school across town. Volunteers in vans provided shuttle service for artists and were very helpful under the circumstances.The art I saw was quality work and there were artists from all over. KC--Nebraska--Wis--Mn of course--gal next to me from California.  This a Minneapolis suburb and there is money there.

Would I go back? (I zeroed) Yes, but it's not the easiest show to do.--Despite tough load-in and parking situation, weather--there was great communication leading up to the show and many volunteers working hard to provide services. There is money there--high end art--didn't see art on a stick---I sensed that the few patrons who did come out until the real bad storms hit were there to buy and support the show and artists, but the rain and wind started a little after 10 a.m. start time and made the show a washout. I sensed this could be a pretty profitable show.

One sketchy situation. And maybe a huge problem for some. After we were told the show was canceled and load out began, an hour or more later, an  announcement came over a PA stating that artists could stay at their own risk--after many of us had already torn down. Some artists and food vendors ad apparently complained about the cancellation. I think that call was made after some  asked about getting some fees back. Soooooo…if you left…well you get the picture.

Dale Yakaites (Yak)---Photography

I won!  I won! 

I'm one of the lucky winners from the pledge drive.  Even better, I got something that I REALLY wanted.

A couple months back I learned that ZAPP was holding an art festival conference in late August.  Since my husband and I are planning to start selling our prints at art fairs next year (our business, MAS Artwork already has a website:  http://www.masartwork.com/), I knew it would be a very helpful conference to attend, as I hoped there would be many vendors there and we could hopefully find lots of ideas for our business.  However, we're taking a two-week vacation at the beginning of August, so I began debating whether or not we would be able to afford to go.  The cost of the conference (plus hotel and travel there and back) and additional time off from work were deterrents.

Then one day I opened an email from Art Festival Insiders about the pledge drive.  I knew I wanted to donate, because AFI has already helped us with our business.  We've found some great answers in the Discussions board, and some of the blogs have been chock-full of information.  We've gotten great tips on what to do and what not to do from many of the experienced artists here.

When I looked at the prize list and saw how many great prizes were available, I was even more determined to pledge.  And when I found out that a pass to the ZAPP conference was on the list, I couldn't open my pocketbook fast enough.

A few weeks later, I got the email from Connie saying that I was one of the lucky winners, and when she later told me that I'd won the pass to the conference, I was over the moon!  There will still be the hurdle of taking extra time off from work to contend with, but with the serendipitous events (from finding out about the conference to seeing it on the list of prizes) it's as if the Universe is saying "Go to this conference!"  And, when the Universe talks . . . I definitely listen.  :o)

I'm very excited to be able to attend the upcoming ZAPP Art Festival Conference.  And I hope to see some of you there.  My husband and I are growing more and more excited to start this new venture, and we're thrilled to be members of AFI.

Thanks so much!

September 20 & 21 
Park Forest, Illinois 
Downtown Park Forest
Presented by the Tall Grass Arts Association
10am-5pm
100 Artists
Deadline: June 28

The Park forest Art Fair is an outdoor fair held in the streets of Downtown Park Forest.  Known as an exceptionally artist-friendly show (especially emerging artists-friendly) because of its amenities for artists and reasonable registration fee, the fair features:

• $175 Registration fee
• $2,500 in cash awards and purchase prizes
• a complimentary breakfast on Saturday morning and a fabulous dinner party for the artists on Saturday evening after the close of the fair
• Overnight security on Saturday night, which includes conveniently located, locked storage space
• booth sitters are available as needed over the weekend

Artists who participate in the fair report their pleasure that fair attendees, traditionally, stop and chat with the artists.  One artist, who shows regularly through the Midwest region, reported that he sold more artworks on Saturday of the fair than he had sold in a single day at any other fair in which he participated.

The fair is promoted in the regional press (magazines and newspapers), social networking sites andadvertised on WFMT and WBBM radio during the morning rush hour. Musical entertainment is provided all day, both days, as well as a variety of food vendors.  There are many activities especially for children such as an art contest, tie dying, story times with art projects illustrating the story, painting murals, etc.

The Park Forest Art Fair is the second oldest juried fair in the  Chicagoland area.  It is a fine art fair that showcases artists who work in a variety of media. Over the years, artists have participated who travel from as far away as Canada and California.  Although the jurying deadline is June 28, jurying will take place on a monthly basis for applications received during the month so that artists can plan to add the fair to their schedules.

The application and information can be downloaded from:
www.tallgrassarts.org  

Approval through the jurying process also confers the status of Gallery Artist and permits artists to participate in the annual Tall Grass Gallery Artists Exhibit.

Note of interest:  The Village of Park Forest was built for the purpose of housing GI's returning from WWII.  Incorporated in 1949, less than 6 years later, it was home to an arts association that operated a gallery, school and art fair.  The arts association was followed a few years later by a symphony orchestra, classical chorale and resident, equity theater company-a very welcoming home for the arts and for creative people! 

Please  join us. 

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Find more art fairs for your 2014 art fair season in great places like Park Forest and many other special communities across the country:  www.CallsforArtists.com

Another learning experience for me.

I did this show because I was going to be nearby and could fit it into my schedule. It is held on a large field adjacent to the parking lot of the Navy/Marine Corp Memorial Stadium. Easy load in and load out as vans can drive right up to the tents with wide access aisles. No vendor amenities to speak of. They gave you water if you went to the show office and asked for it. Period.

There was a man directing you to your space when you pulled onto the lot. That was the only help provided.

Weather was fine with warm temps and lovely breeze off the Bay.

The merchandise was all over the map, 95% low-end crafty things, but also represented were vegetable home-delivery services and home insulation specialists! Several obvious Buy-Sell booths. Lots of food vendors. Really and truely not FINE art or craft at all. Only a small handful of serious high-end artistic crafts represented. My sales were terrible.

I would advise you to apply to this show and do it only if your price point is in the $20-$60 range. The buying public seemed very enthusiastic about the wine but not much else. No one in my vicinity made any sales to speak of.

Will never apply to this show again.

We're in Nashville, so Birmingham is only 3 hrs away. Has anyone done this show (Nov 1-2 this year), and does it attract fine art buyers? We sell only original paintings, most of them large (16x20s and up to 3'x6'). Any advice?