Blog

April 11-14
Downtown Fort Worth

 

Friday night at Main St.

What else you'll find:

The truth, I do not anything or what it takes to put an art fair. Art fair are becoming more festivals. Artists see promoters like the villains of the story. Artist complain that promoters over saturate the market. Artists complain that promoters do not follow the rules that they establish. Artists get angry of other artists because they do shows of so call “bad promoters”. Artist had find out that is better to skip a show than talking to the promoters. Artists that complain to promoters are in the risk of getting black list. Artist wonder why shows are more pack with buyers. According to the artist that the job of the promoters. Artists complain that promoters should not charge for people to get in to see the artists. Artists believe that we are reason why people come to the art fair they should get a cut from the gate fee. Artists complain that the shows have more artist what the show can support. Artists do not offer help to other artists or solutions because they are afraid of the promoter black list them. Why they are afraid because they will be force to do a show where sales will weaker. A weaker event means less income.  

Artists complain and complain and complain.

Times had change and artist need to deal with the changes.

The sad thing is that artist are not help each other. Artist are survival mode.

The truth is Amy Amdur provide a will ago a tip about maximizing sales. I believe even some you hate her she provide very basic points that we should do. The hope is that you will bring people that like your work in the past. Before you give away your business card away ask the person to sign your mailing list or email list. Scott Fishman told me once that the people you really need to work is the people that sign the list that did not purchase from you. So why you want to do all that? Simple answer just in case the promoter does bring enough people to the show that purchase your work. The only time you need the promoter to work magic is when you go to an area for the first time. After that is a combo thing.

Nobody really knows how advertise. We are becoming a mobil society and social media.

Some shows do not charge gate fees and other do. I really do not care about it but promoters need to figure out a balance. Attendance usually will tell you if you charging to much. So far I really do not know if anyone considering that. The truth is there are hidden fees that artist do not know. The choices could rise the booth fee to the artist or add note artist or increase traffic through gate  or all before but who knows it may be just greed. Then again like any other owner, promoters do not see the need to explain.

The shows are becoming more festivals because we need place to enjoy life and be SAFE with the people you love. If that is the case why you need sale beer or worst. Why music needs to be loud that you can not ear yourself speaking. If you ask why there so many shows in the area. It did not matter before because everybody was expending money they do not have but did you ask why we have to many shows. Wow really, you do not know. Zapplication sometimes received 5 times more application for a show. Promoters gave us an alternative. That how Powderhorn and Loring park started. So when you tell me that the market has to many shows look at yourself fellow artist because you ask for it.

At the end we create the problems. If you do not like shut up and move on. Let the artist that willing to work with problems and turn things around. Now promoters you may have all the power now but things change.

We’ve exhibited in this coastal Tampa area venue four times in seven years and this year was our worst ever despite last year being our best ever. The show is located in a quaint historic neighborhood in a fenced park along Spring Bayou providing a beautiful setting for any outdoor event. Gate admission is $5 and attendees are given a coupon ticket to redeem for a free canned soft drink or bottled water. And there were plenty of patrons afoot, or so it seemed, with several loyal fans reminding us that they love the art they got from us once upon a time. We made some new customers and fans as well, which is encouraging, and one woman loved us so much she I-phoned nearly everything in the booth. 

Setup was easy in our perfect booth location on the cul-de-sac at show center since we could unload right by our booth. Others exhibiting along park walkways had to dolly in and out. Weather was ideal to a few degrees warm, so patrons enjoyed plenty of beer and self-dipped ice cream bars to die for. Other artists around us indicated sales were o.k. to good. Quality of art seemed a bit inconsistent, but there was plenty of fine work exhibited. Load-out can get chaotic in the cul-de-sac as it has in the past, but this year all ran pretty smoothly. I never get in a hurry leaving a show, anyway.

Parking is on neighborhood streets and early Friday committee members were roping off more NO PARKING areas than we've seen in the past. There's still plenty for artists since we get there so early as it is. Some residents have large yards and charge $5 or $10 for parking, and we paid one for a perfect spot in total dark shade next to his old boat and lawnmowers. Perfect!  

The show did not provide any water for artists whatsoever. Since our booth is located at show center and very near the INFO booth, I went over and asked a gentleman volunteer there if the bottled water he was restocking into the two large ice-filled tubs at my feet was for artists, and he said, “NO.” Coffee and muffinettes were provided early each day and were gone before opening the show. The show held an artist party Saturday after closing the show, but we didn't attend. Our neighbor said he enjoyed it, though.

We’ve won awards the other three times we showed here, but this year we failed to impress. Les Slesnick and Jinsong Kim judged the show. I noticed the 2D/3D TOP AWARD ribbons were smaller and less fancy than those presented in previous years. Winners who got a balloon delivered to their booth by some committee members accompanied by the judges early Sunday morning knew they needed to attend the awards ceremony at 11:00 to find out exactly which prize they would be getting. And it went like this, er, uh, in opposite order, of course:

BEST OF SHOW $3,000

Jonathon Stopper - Jewelry

2D TOP AWARDS $1,000

Kerin Connolly - Photography

Ben Essenberg - Acrylic/Oil

Paul Stevens - Photography

Teri & Rachelle Meager - Acrylic/Oil

3D TOP AWARDS

John Mascoll - Wood

Rocky Bridges - Mixed Media

Beth Garcia - Sculpture

Sandra Brewster - Glass

AWARD OF DISTINCTION $500

Bruce Nawrocke - Acrylic/Oil

Sharon Scalise - Jewelry

Melissa Menzer - Mixed Media

Holly Ham brick - Mixed Media

Ralph Rankin - Digital

Bonnie Eastwood - Mixed Media

Marilyn Vaillancourt - Jewelry

Dennis Debon - Glass

AWARD OF MERIT $300

Hernie Vann - Acrylic/Oil

Peggy Miller - Jewelry

Rollin Karg - Glass

Nicholas Toth - Metal

Li Wang - Acrylic/Oil

Jeff Eckert - Graphics/Drawing

Kevin Liang - Acrylic/Oil

Douglas Adams - Ceramics

AWARD OF APPRECIATION $250

Jon Smith - Acrylic/Oil

Joyce Slate - Jewelry

Lynn Hardest - Jewelry

Mina Heuslin - Ceramics

This past weekend started the in town Atlanta shows with the Festival on Ponce. Spring is always busy. I had 11 shows in twelve weeks but cut it down to 9, still might kill me but a bit more manageable I hope. This is the first one and it started with a bang.

This festival is in its third year. I have done it all three years. First year Jimmy Carter and secret service visited my booth:) No they didn't buy anything from me. I have written two other detailed reviews on booths, load in and out already so if you want more details just do a search, but I will keep this review a little shorter on these things.

The setting is in a long narrow park with one side being Ponce De Leon, a busy road and on the other side a small neighborhood road.  The festival can be seen by the passing traffic.  Load in is on Friday all day.  Some spots need to dolly in, others just have to walk their stuff across a small street.  Not too bad but you can't drive up right to your spot.  Still it is a pretty easy load in.  There are only 125 artist and parking is relatively easy.  Most artists are considerate of eachother and we make it all work. In my spot I was able to set up my 15 foot double trim and another 10 foot trim behind, so needless to say most of us have lots of space.  I was set up and out in a couple hours.  Not bad for basically setting up 3 booths.   

Saturday the weather was beautiful.  Plenty of sun and temps in the high 60s. The neighborhood is very family, mainly 30-40s with kids.  A weathy, educated and established neighborhood.  You don't really look at the shoes and purses at this show, but the strollers and sports wear to get an idea about the patrons.  It is one of those rare shows when a couple with three young kids (who can see the bouncey houses) and a dog walk into your booth with the parents and the parents are still ready to spend a couple thousand on a piece. 

Sales started for me at 10:05 am on Saturday.  They were strong all day.  The crowds didn't get strong until after noon, but then stayed steady.  They have amazing acoustical live music through out the show.  I usually am not a fan of musical entertainment at art shows but at this one it works. Actually I requested to be near the music because it is played at the perfect level to not interfere with the booths and the patrons all come and picnic around the music.  Third pic is of the patrons listening to the music around my monster set up. That way the adults can shop while the kids run and enjoy the grassy area.   Most of the people I talked to were happy with Saturday sales. 

Sunday called for rain, all day rain.  It was chilly and wet.  I wound up putting my tear down clothes on underneath my show clothes for warmth.  I was told I was the prettiest homeless lady they had seen in years:) The rain stayed away for most of the day.  People started to come in the early afternoon.  Not as many picnickers but a decent crowd considering the weather. Sales started for me at 1pm.  That is my usual for an Atlanta show, main sales start after 1pm on Sunday.  So I was thrilled that I had strong sales on both Saturday and Sunday.  At 3:30ish they told the artists that rain was coming.  Nothing dangerous but it would b wet so if you wanted you could start packing up.  Last year I was selling strong in the rain so I wanted to stay.  But by 4pm the shoppers were almost nonexistent. So I strted t slowly packup.  Since everyone had left the streets were clear and we could bring our cars in near our booths.  I was able to pack up the art dry and then all the tents easily with out getting very wet.  I was driving out around 5pm. 

I was in a pod of 5 booths.  4 of us had great shows.  One was not happy.  The other artists I know were happy.  The jewlers were hot and cold on the show.  I loaded many cars that had multiple works by different artists.  Most of the buyers that I encountered were buying multiple items. 

Since this was my third year, and the shows third year,  I am happy to see the show continues to be a good one and keeps getting stronger.   Another plus to this show that was repeated over and over by patrons, was that they preferred Ponce because it was more civilized place to shop for art compared to the circus that Piedmont Park could be.   I really like how they have an area for the crafts in one section and the art in another.  The show is small, only 125 artists and some of them craft.  It works for me.  I also really love the music venue.  It works.  Even the kid area is separate but easily accessible.  The bouncy houses and face painting and kid craft area is NOT mixed in with the art.  Even the food trucks that come are high end.  No funnel cakes.  Last year there was a fancy coffee truck, missed having that this year but you cant have everything:) 

This is why I hire a professional photographer......

I just had to post this.  I had a photographer over yesterday to take some updated photos of my products when Jonesy (the dog) decided he had to get in on the action.  Without missing a beat Kevin (the photographer) quickly snapped a few photos.  I could have attempted to get a photo like this for months and never gotten close.  You can see some of my products in the background – this will make a great conversation piece at shows.

Thanks Kevin!

September 13 & 14
Atlanta, Georgia
Historic Piedmont Park
Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-5pm
200 Artists
Deadline: April 21  

Set in historic Piedmont Park, this autumn festival of excellence in the arts is an event dedicated to bringing together outstanding artists from across the country with the large and enthusiastic art buying community of the Atlanta area.      

The  Atlanta Arts Festival is produced by a highly qualified staff and  strong volunteer pool, both with multiple years of event production and  promotion in the City of Atlanta.  This annual September event is committed to delivering a quality experience for both artist and patron! 

Eddie Myers, 2013 poster winner, "United"

Items of Interest:

• Held in Piedmont Park
• Juried show; artists selected by a panel of experts
• Limited number of participants to increase sales
• $7,500 in award money
• Artists retain all proceeds from their sales
• Commemorative poster image will be selected from a show participant
• Ranked in the 100 Best Fine Art & Design Shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine, September 2012

Artist Amenities:

• Artist hospitality providing continental breakfast & refreshments
• Booth sitting
• Load-in/load-out at booth space
• Free parking (parking information will be forthcoming in artist acceptance packet and/or check-in packet)
• 24 hour security patrols
• Discounted rates at participating hotels

For more info:  www.AtlantaArtsFestival.com

        

(770)941-9660 (office)

(866)519-2918 (fax)

Are there any artist communities in Michigan?, Home studios, whole house galleries ? artist co-operatives, We just got home from Jerome AZ, Prescott AZ and Sedona AZ and want to know if anything like these communities this exist in Michigan.

Thank You.

Just read this terrific article at Alyson Stanfield's Art Biz Blog: "The Truth about Why Nobody Came to Your Art Show"

Like everything else in life, it gets down to you. You want others to do the work of bringing them, you assume they will, but not always, baby. Here is why they didn't show up:

1. You didn't tell them about it. (you thought the show would do the promo)
2. You told your list about it, but didn't cover your bases. (maybe they didn't read it, maybe they were distracted)
3. You were afraid to send email reminders. (this is a tricky one, it seems I'm always self-promoting, and it is a little embarrassing to be continually asking, however ...)
4. You let your list get cold. (oh, oh, you didn't continue to share your "story" and believe me, artists have great stories, and your people drifted away)

Alyson writes a very helpful blog. So go take a look at it and get some ideas on building your own personal fan base. Then come back here and tell me how inspired you are now!

And here is the good news, if we all pay attention to our personal fans and they come to the show they say they already have enough of my work, then they buy from you! and your fans buy from me ...

"a weekend of  music and art on the Minneapolis Riverfront"

June 14 & 15

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Altamonte Springs, FL - March 29 & 30, 2014 - Uptown Art Expo

Best of Show - John Margerum, Digital (John, on the right)
Award of Excellence - Gregory Jones, Mixed Media
Award of Excellence - Christian Nevin, Jewelry
Judges Choice - Dave Bruner, Printmaking
Judges Choice - Russ Schmidt, Glass
Award of Distinction - Robert Lawarre, Ceramics
Award of Distinction - Robert Goodlett, Painting
Award of Distinction - Robert Amoruso, Photography
Award of Distinction - Archie Vandermast, Sculpture
Award of Distinction - Kate Carney, Painting
Award of Distinction - Julie Anstaett, Jewelry
Award of Distinction - Jeffrey Matter, Sculpture
Award of Distinction - Gianfianco Tomassetti, Printmaking
Award of Distinction - Zhiyjong Ye, Painting
Award of Distinction - Benjamin Peterson, Sculpture

This event is in its 3rd or 4th year, and its organizer Jim Barton keeps searching for the "good weather date." This year he almost got it perfect. From Jim:

The festival started on Saturday with the reports that a big front was crossing the state, we were hoping for the best as the festival was filling up but my 1pm we were under a tornado warnings and potential of wind gusts of 70mph. The park closed the festival as the front was to pass us and with a possibility to reopen at 5pm and run to 9-10pm.

(printmaker Dave Bruner)

We had Mindi Abair set to perform as our headliner show, the storm was a blast of water but the artists survived but not our stage and band set up it was soaked. I had to rent more band equipment in order for them to even perform.

The sun came out at 5:30pm, and it turned into a beautiful spring evening in Central Florida our concert was a success. In the future the ability to communication to all your exhibitors is something I need to look at as many were wondering the when we would or if we would reopen my phone email and text was on fire from all sources. We did broadcast over the pa system that plays throughout the park that the Expo would reopen when weather conditions would improve.

I also did place posts on the website and Facebook as in the field those were the only options.  Those who came back on Saturday had a nice evening. Sunday was beautiful, and it showed all the artists the true potential of the show. I guess I will have to go for round 4 to secure that perfect weekend.

November 21-23
Winston-Salem, NC
Benton Convention Center
Patron’s Preview:
   Friday, 5:30 – 9:00
Saturday 10:00 – 6:00
Sunday 12:00 – 5:00

Presented by Piedmont Craftsmen
125 exhibiting artists
Deadline April 16
notification by May 8

Piedmont Craftsmen is a Juried Fine Craft Guild that has represented and supported Fine Craft Artists since 1963.  Artists jurying for Piedmont Craftsmen's Fair are applying for lifetime membership in a Guild with a year-round gallery in downtown Winston-Salem, and strong Exhibition and Education programs.  Artists accepted to the show are evaluated by a standards committee for invitation as Exhibiting Members.

• Piedmont Craftsmen's Fair averages 125 Exhibitors in all the major fine craft media, including clay, fiber, jewelry, metals, glass, mixed media (2-D and 3-D), fine printmaking, photography, and wood.
• The event is promoted to and attended by an audience that includes Charlotte and Raleigh as well as North Carolina's Piedmont Triad. Fair visitors also come from South Carolina and southern Virginia.
• Promotions include print advertising (newspaper and glossy monthlies), radio, direct mail, billboards, social media; television, national, statewide and regional news releases to print and broadcast media; valued at roughly $80,000.
• Artist Amenities include booth sitting, Saturday night craftsmen's social event, artist rates at several hotels, loading dock managers, 2 Preview Party guest passes.

Booth fee:  starts at $625 for a 10x10 booth, includes pipe and drape and electricity.  50% due with contract, balance by September 19.

Reported Exhibitor sales at the Fair over the past several years have averaged over $3,200.

Piedmont Craftsmen has a large and loyal customer base for our annual Fair and our Year-Round Gallery in the heart of Winston-Salem's Downtown Arts District.

The Gallery/Shop, which only sells work by juried exhibiting members, welcomed more than 17,000 visitors in 2013, and has averaged more than $200,000 in sales over the past four years.

Piedmont Craftsmen has an active community education program, including long and short term artist residencies in the public schools, and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and the Sawtooth School for Visual Art.

Our Fair Exhibitors and members say:

• Good treatment of the artists...helpful set up and breakdown...You all do a fantastic job...
• The annual Fair is outstanding and could be in any large city anywhere in the world...
• They will do whatever they can to help you as an artist because they are there to help artists...one of the top galleries in the southeast...
• they get my "Good Housekeeping seal of approval for craft artists...
• a history of attracting top craftsmen who continue evolving...

More information at www.piedmontcraftsmen.org

Application at zapplication.org

Email questions to members@piedmontcraftsmen.org, or call 336-725-1516 and ask to speak with Deb Britton, Fair and Membership Manager.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Well, the Bayou City Art Fair is now over and it is my time to do my best at writing a review. This is not about the controversy discussed in other forums because that has been overdone and is past news. This is about the time from load in to load out and all that I experienced during the time in between.

Carol and I arrived Wednesday afternoon and had a scheduled load in time at 10am Thursday morning. This gave us time to get to Houston and go to the artist check in on Wednesday ...better than trying to deal with the traffic to check in early Thursday prior to load in.

Thursday morning we arrived at the park and drove right in and unloaded the van with no problem. Hardly anyone there at that time. The weather forecasts were predicting rain and thunderstorms but they never happened while we were in the park.

After setting up we had lunch, went to a movie, went to a shopping mall and then had a late dinner before relaxicating back at the apartment. The weather on TV kept predicting more rain and thunderstorms for Friday but fortunately they never happened. It was overcast and chilly most of Friday morning up until around 1 or 2 pm and the crowds were extremely sparse.  It was the slowest Friday I can remember.

This did give me a chance to walk around the park and visit with some artist friends and check out the additional tents along the back loop. I am not aware of how many artists signed up at the last minute to take advantage of the reject specials...but there was a lot of room available.   I did see quite a few empty spaces...I don't know if they were supposed to be tents there of just open space. It seemed like there were more rented tents than last time....you know the tents with the big pointed tops, scalloped overhangs and the big jugs used for weights that no artist is likely to carry along with them.

Most people I talked with said their sales were nonexistent or weak on Friday.

 Fortunately for us a good customer from 2 years ago came by..he said he came there just to see us... and made a nice purchase...I also received a commission from a new customer that said he had seen my work on the TV station that morning...I didn't even know it was on TV...but thank you TV station...! So Friday made our day even though it was a very empty park.

Saturday's crowds were much better and the weather was beautiful all day long.  I don't have any idea how sales were for others because I rarely left my tent during the day except to go to the portapisser. I did see a few people carrying flat packages wrapped up, so obviously some paintings/photography were selling. People were also walking by carrying the Birdhouses on a copper pole...so I believe the birdhouse guy did just fine.

Sunday was also a beautiful weather day and the crowds were out and steady. Many people said this was the first weekend in a while that the weather was so nice...and they were definitely out to walk in the park, if nothing else.  If I could pay the bills with compliments I could retire.

We made some nice sales but the last time we did the show two years ago we had even better sales. As with any show some are better than others financially. We didn't make a bundle but we didn't do bad after expenses. I stopped by one of the local hardwood lumber yards Monday morning before heading back to Prairieville and recycled some of the money I made

I sure hope everyone else had  good sales and experiences..

The volunteer staff was always walking around and there was no shortage of water, sodas or snacks.  One judge came by our tent Friday morning for a minute. I am not sure if there were other judges...couldn't tell ya. I am not sure who won the awards or when it was announced.

Load out was much easier than I expected. We originally planned to pack up everything and then go have a relaxed dinner prior to coming back around 10pm to load up the van. After all was packed up I noticed it was not a traffic jam, so I got my van and easily drove right up to where my booth was and loaded her up with still enough daylight to see . We were outa there by 7:45...  

La Quinta, CA - Report from Kathleen Hughes at La Quinta:

Attached to this email is our list of winners and some images of artists at the show. Weather was ideal in the low to mid 80’s and to date over $3 million in art sales! (Last year we were thrilled with $2.7 which finalized in June with post festival sales at $2.8) I believe that the quality of art was the highest we have ever had with many artists coming from mid-west and east coast. Our audience includes the equestrian crowd due to the HITS horse show being run at the same time as well as tennis patrons from the BNP Paribas Open. In fact some artists saw the benefit of taking a cab on Saturday night and watching Roger Federer play and win.

BEST OF SHOW:   David Bjurstrom / Drawing 

BEST OF CATEGORY:

Ceramics - Barbara Sebastian

Fiber - Louise Valentine

Glass - John Blackwell

Jewelry - Thomas McGurrin

Mixed Media - Lorra Lee Rose

Painting - Alice Hernandez-Ganoa

Photography - Mike Woodward

Sculpture - Kim Obrzut

Wood Mark - Doolittle

Jeweler Isabelle Prosellico at LQAF

AWARDS OF MERIT:

Ceramics - Emmanuel Maldanado

Fiber - Hetty & Norman Metzger

Glass - Bob Kliss

Jewelry - Sally Craig

Mixed Media - Denny Wainscott

Painting - Donny Hahn

Printmaking - Stephen Harmston

Sculpture - Ralph Prata

Best of Show winner - David Bjurstrom

CITY OF LA QUINTA PURCHASE AWARD:

Kinne Design Studio, Sculpture 

Sean Gillespie, Sculpture

Congrats to them, some old friends and some newer ones, and definitely many of them on our members list.

Learn more about this festival: http://www.lqaf.com/cultural-events/la-quinta-arts-festival/

Also, I stumbled across this wordpress blog written by a customer at the show which will give you even more flavor of this event: http://mikaarts.com/wordpress/la-quinta-art-show/

(I reviewed this show last year and Nels Johnson gave an entertaining recap of the local restaurants here. 
Not much has changed, so I'm keeping this one short!)

Englewood, FL's unofficial nickname might as well be: "The town that Time--and US 41--Forgot."  It's a sleepy, Old Florida-style hamlet nearly 20 miles west of the highway that serves, from Tampa to downtown Naples--as Southwest Florida's main retail drag.  But as far as the locals are concerned, that 20 mile stretch might as well be 20 years.  For this is a show like art shows used to be, run by  Rotarians know how to put on a community event.

Easy setup, starting at 5 PM Friday.  Two-minute check in--tops. Pull up to your booth, unload and set up.  Pull behind your booth on a grassy lot if you can.  Otherwise, unload next to your space, park when you can, and we'll trust you to make things easy for the next van pulling in. 

Dearborn Street--along which this show stretches for maybe five casual blocks--is chock-full of small businesses and a few mom n' pop eateries with live music. It stays closed all weekend so the visitors, who come from the surrounding towns, including the moneyed but laid back Gasparilla and Rotunda, can browse the show (beer in hand if they want).  What makes it a happy occurrence from the artists' perspective is: they come to buy. 

They're far enough from the glut of shows in Sarasota and points south that this event doesn't represent just another jaded, same ol' art show weekend for them.  It's a community event, run by local Rotarians with a commitment to keep it that way.  So they look forward to the show and they hit it early.  Despite a threatening weather forecast for rain all day Saturday, the rains held off until 2 PM or so, and the crowds were decent until skies darkened after lunch.  A little rain was tolerated, and tent flaps stayed open until the first crack of lightning around 2:15 sent everyone scurrying for shelter.  A few artists stayed around and attended the Rotary's artist dinner and award presentation, but most headed home, hoping that at least the forecast for sunny skies on Sunday would be accurate.

It was.  Crowds again browsed the show before the opening bell (in contrast to so many shows I've done this winter, where no one shows up until noontime, and maybe not even then...after all, there's another next week).  And although Saturday's sales were decent considering the weather, Sunday's were just off the charts: I sold six or seven canvases, including my biggest pieces, making this easily my best show of the season.  Nearly everyone I spoke with in the 2-D arena had at least a decent show, regardless of price point, though a high-end potter near me lamented at check-in that there were a dozen other potters in the show.  His fears proved to be well-founded; he nearly zeroed, but he was a real gentleman as he discussed it at load-out.  He and his work were both classy, and he deserved better. 

Several patrons mentioned to me that the quality work seemed to be concentrated on the east end of the show, and that the other end was primarily manufactured work or very cheaply made.  I'd like to hear others' take on this; I don't know if the Rotarians do that intentionally or not.  Other than that, though, no complaints.  This was a relaxing and very profitable show, with low booth fee and stress level, and a 4 PM close time that made the commute back to Fort Myers a snap. 

American Craft Council, American Craft Endeavors, American Craft Marketing, American Craft Expo ... who owns the name "American Craft"?

This recent letter was forwarded to me by Richard Rothbard:

Dear Mr. Rothbard:

As you are well aware, our client, the American Craft Council, has repeatedly objected to your unauthorized use of its registered mark AMERICAN CRAFT. Based on your prior representations, our client had considered this matter closed and resolved. Specifically, on June 1, 2012 (among other issues), you agreed that you would cease using the combination "AMERICAN CRAFT" in a title for your shows. In connection with your New York City show, although the American Craft Council permitted use in 2012, you agreed that you would cease use of the name AMERICAN CRAFT SHOW NYC or NYC AMERICAN CRAFT SHOW after the 2012 show and, thereafter (2013 and onward) agreed to use the name "NYC (or New York City) Craft Show" or similar title not using the combination "AMERICAN CRAFT".

Thereafter, after we had notified you on January 11, 2013, that your continued use of AMERICAN CRAFT SHOW NYC and AMERICAN CRAFTSHOW CONNECTICUT constituted continuing infringement, you again represented (on January 18, 2013) that you would comply with our client’s demand to stop use of AMERICAN CRAFT.

We now have been advised by the American Craft Council that you are again flaunting their trademark rights. Specifically, your August 2014 show in NYC is entitled "American Craft Market Wholesale Show NYC". Our client advises that you were passing out the attached brochure at its recent Baltimore show and further infringing use is shown at http://americancraftmarket.com/

On behalf of our client, we demand that this title be changed immediately to one that does not include the term AMERICAN CRAFT. Moreover, you are to cease immediately with any use of any title that includes AMERICAN CRAFT, including but not limited to use on promotional materials (such as the attached brochure) or on any website.

In the absence of your prompt compliance, the American Craft Council is prepared to institute litigation without further notice. Based on the above history, there is little doubt that a court would find that your continuous disregard of the American Craft Council’s trademark rights is willful and, potentially, could subject you to punitive damages if this matter were to be litigated.

We await your immediate response.

Without prejudice.

Geez, doesn't it make you glad that you are a simple craftsperson, artist, minding your own business? 

$2000+ booth fees -- how does an artist show a profit and want to come back next year? Mixed Media/Photographer Mikel Robinson and his wife Christina share their strategies. A lot of information in only 2 1/2 minutes.

My wife and I have done this smaller show four times in the last six years and this time it was the BEST EVER. In fact it was our BEST EVER show in this area and we've done Great Gulf Coast and Art in the Park twice as well. We've always featured well in awards here, and this year we rocketed back to the top by winning Best of Show ($1,000). Sales have been good some years and poor the others, but this time they were well above average for us since we sold two originals along with a good number of unmatted/unframed repros. I always love it when customers buy our repros in bunches like bananas, which is what several of them did do. And we also sold some of the higher end repros to boot.

Since this venue is held in the Gulf Breeze High School parking lot, setup doesn't begin until after school hours at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Artists are assigned to one of the 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 unloading time slots by the committee. It's usually pretty easy, really. But this year weather created some havoc during setup.

Weather was perfect for the show hours, but really a mess during setup since a cold front (music to my Wyoming ears) pushed a major thunderstorm through Pensacola area all day Friday and into very early Saturday morning. We didn't install artwork until 6:00 a.m. Saturday since the storms throughout the night were horrific. Explosive thunder kept us awake all night long. But as predicted by forecast, the rain stopped at sunrise and the clouds moved out of the area leaving the rest of the weekend in perfect performance. Today was absolutely stunningly beautiful with temps only in the lower 70's and humidity lower as well.

Awards deliver slightly smaller purses than other bigger Florida venues and are not given in categories. Judge was Carrie Ann Baade, a Florida State University at Tallahassee Professor of Art who presented 21 awards totaling $7,000 and hugged every recipient. Awards were presented during the catered Italian food Saturday evening dinner (I had the vegetarian eggplant whatever with salad, good bread, and super cheesecake and it was wonderful).

Breakdown of awards are as follows:

Award of Honor at $200

Melanie Miller - Jewelry

Tom Grow - Ceramics/Pottery

Alisha Dubois - Sculpture

Henry Warner - Mixed Media

Mike Venghaus - Jewelry

Mary Kay Samouce - Jewelry

Michael Young - Wood

Meredith Hartsfield  - Glass

Award of Distinction at $300

Larry Allen - Ceramics/Pottery

Douglas Brandow - Jewelry

Michael Jasinski - Photography

George Elliott - Photography

Staci McLaughlan - Fiber & Leather

Peter Rujuwa - Sculpture

Michael Fagan - Mixed Media

Michael Demaline - Wood

Award of Excellence at $500

Jake Asuit - Mixed Media

Marcia Moritz - Mixed Media

Doug Odom - Oils & Acrylics

Celeste North - Glass

Best of Show at $1,000

AB Word & Barrie Lynn Bryant - Graphics (pastel)

This must be my week to rant.  There must be a huge proliferation of newbies at all the shows I do, because it seems like 75% of them have never heard that you are to UNLOAD your vehicle, PARK your vehicle, THEN set up your tent and stuff.  This is the 'rule' at 99% of shows, so unless there is a proliferation or rude, lazy or stupid vendors, they must be new, correct?  Same goes for load-out.  Great promoters are controlling load-out by not letting the vehicles in to the show grounds until they have verified that the tent is down, and all is packed up.  Of course, if it is raining, the tent goes up and then put everything under, and the opposite at load out.  That is the only exception.  The other peeve is the guys that show up late, are still allowed to set up while the show is open.  Just plain ridiculous.  If you are not there on time, you don't get to participate that day.  If Promoters would enforce this, it would stop.   I don't want to hear about traffic, car trouble, or getting lost.  All excuses, and none worth messing up the show.  Plan.  Expect Traffic.  Buy a GPS.  Get to the show the day before if needed.  Just don't hurt my sales by setting up while I am trying to sell.  It's unprofessional and inconsiderate.  Ok, now you can all throw rocks at me, but it's not really hard to follow the rules.  Of course, you would have to read them and give a d$#n.

I need some guidance, y'all.  We are in the Jewelry Category, we make "Ear Pin" style earrings.  There is a team of people in Florida, that operate under 3 different names, interchangeable, selling the same exact products, attempting to book the better shows with 3 booths, not telling the promoter that they are related, and block any other "Ear Pins" from getting in the shows.  So far, it has not stopped us, but we have had shows with all 3 of them there 'competing' with us.  Some of these folks are saying disparaging things about us to our customers, and I am at a loss.  Is this 'normal' behavior in our industry?  A large percentage of their products are hand-crafted in South America, which should not be acceptable.  They tell customers (in person and online) that they use 'gold', not disclosing that it is gold-filled.

Any ideas on what, if anything, we should do?   Do I tell the promoters about it?  Do I include an artist statement that simply outlines what we DON'T do and let them put 2 and 2 together?  I am considering taking our show schedule off of our website, even though our customers rely on it to find us.  HELP!