Blog

August 16 & 17
Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by: Pennsylvania Chautauqua
265 Artists
Deadline: April 1

Artist fees: $25.00 application fee
                 $350.00 per 10'x12' booth space
Admission: $10 per person, children 12yr and under free

In mid-August as many as 18,000 festival-goers will plan on enjoying a weekend of art, crafts, entertainment and gourmet food in Mount Gretna, PA.

Every year, during the third weekend of August, this community of some 700 homes and cottages suddenly springs to life, welcoming 264 artists chosen through juried competition and 20,000 visitors who-by their presence acknowledge the role that art plays in their homes, hearts, and lives.

Every year, as thousands of art show patrons return, many others discover Mount Gretna for the first time.  For everyone who comes, it is a return to an earlier era: a time when neighbors greeted neighbors from their front porches, when going for ice cream meant going for a stroll rather than getting into an automobile, and when life itself pulsed at a rocking chair pace.

For more info: www.mtgretnaarts.com
Apply: www.Zapplication.org
Email: mtgretnaart@comcast.net, or call 717-964-3270

CLICK HERE -- To view the Artworks of participating artists for our three 2014 Festivals.

The third and final installment of Barry Witt's Bonita Springs National wrapped up yesterday.  A beautiful, cloud-free weekend with a fine stable of artists at a show where (in delightful contrast to what we find so many other places) A-R-T is the focus, not the music, the munchies, or the dog-walkers.

And yet...attendance was moderate on Saturday and--perhaps due to the aftereffects of the Insidious Daylight Time Change--lighter still on Sunday, with a two-hour mid-afternoon burst of energy salvaging the show for me and for many of my neighbors.  I wound up with about $500 more in the till than I did at the so-disappointing Naples National two weeks earlier: Another paycheck show, at a venue where, based on past experience, I expected much better. 

There was some grumbling in the ranks about how great this show had been when it was held at the Promenade, an upscale venue just off heavily-trafficked US 41 that, like much of the art show business, fell on hard times when the recession hit in 2009.  The former crown jewel of high-end Bonita shopping fell victim to poor management, which raised its rents to loyal small-business tenants as anchor stores abandoned it for the trendy Coconut Point mall not far away.  In the end, it was home to the Bonita Springs Art League and little else, and was sold at a bargain-basement price to a new management group, which promises to revitalize it (about which, more later).

This year, Witt moved the Bonita Springs National to Riverside Park, a city-managed facility that is only a few miles away by automobile but light-years away in perceived swank and reputation.  The park--and the show-- lies along Old 41 Road and the "downtown historic area" of Bonita Springs, home to mom-and-pop businesses, ethnic restaurants, and the Everglades Wonder Gardens, an aging tourist attraction of bygone days that recently shuttered its doors and was purchased by a Florida photographer who--stop me if you've heard this before--promises to revitalize it. 

For those of you who don't frequent shows in SW Florida, Barry holds three Nationals each year, second week of each month, January through March.  I did not apply to the January show, figuring that a new venue would have some kinks to work out.  That turned out to be the case, but give Barry credit for listening to artists and making quick adjustments--some that very weekend, others by the time the February show rolled around. 

The February installment is a relatively new addition, and although it had a superb art roster it butts heads directly with Howard Alan's Coconut Point show. Attendance, accordingly, was quite a bit lighter than I'd expected it to be, as were sales.  Although some artists I spoke with did well, overall, show veterans definitely noticed a downturn.  Nonetheless, the show garnered high marks for a smooth check-in procedure, lots of friendly, knowledgeable volunteers/boothsitters, an easy Friday load-in (drive-to-your-booth convenience, at least if you were located on the street and not in the park.  I am not sure if park artists could drive in or not), and ample parking. 

I didn't notice any tweaks to layout or procedures at the March show, so I assume the kinks had been worked out.  I had exactly the same booth location as in the February show--helpful, since at the National you don't get booth assignments until you check in, so any notification you do to past customers is necessarily last-minute. (The show does provide a detailed, relatively easy to read map and artist roster, however. But more than one patron and artist commented that some directional signs--"booths 145-193 thisaway"--would be appreciated.) 

Crowds were moderate on Saturday, but--after 90 minutes or so of the "browse mode" I've come to expect as early arrivals stroll the show to see what's available, I began noticing quite a few packages being carried about, including some pretty large 2-D work.   We were optimistic if a bit drowsy from the switch to Daylight Time as we opened up on Day Two.  But the crowds were thin indeed--late in arriving and definitely not in a buying mood once they came.  In my area of Old 41, there was a welcome burst of buying energy between about 1 and 3 PM, which saved the show for many of us. I was reasonably satisfied with both shows I did; they were certainly profitable enough to warrant a return in 2015. Yet, the consensus among those artists with a much longer track record at this show than I have seemed to be: "Not quite what it was." 




****

So what's the verdict on the change of venue?  It would be easy to draw a conclusion, as many artists feared, that the move from The Promenade to the park would be the beginning of the end for this show.  But that would be short-sighted, in my view, and flat-out wrong.  Let's take a look at a few of the concerns that were expressed when the move was announced:

* "The park is in a bad part of town."  Truth is, it's a lovely park, well-used, well-maintained, with lots of restrooms, a refurbished amphitheatre, and even its own wi-fi.  It hosts a regular run of community events; there's fine security at the show, and  even a Sheriff's Office substation right on the grounds.  There was a lot of (well-marked) patron parking on site and along nearby residential streets.  (A few patrons--just a few--complained that there should be even more.)
Does it bother the golf-course and yacht club set that this area of Bonita is a working class, ethnically diverse community?  That's a question I can't answer.  One of my show neighbors, an artist from multi-cultural Miami, shook her head in bewilderment as she considered the issue.  "Those folks should just get over it," she said.

At any rate, it might be too early to make a call on this one.  There was certainly money around--my average sale was, in fact, up considerably from the last time I did the show.  I did not consistently ask my customers if they had come to the show before, and that's my fault. (I did, however, mail my mailing list, and I saw about the usual number of repeat customers: so either my past customers aren't 'good-shoes people' or the venue wasn't a deterrent.)  Perhaps some of you who did the show, and DID ask, could weigh in below. 

* There's a bigger reason, though, why I think this show will not only survive the change in venue, but emerge bigger than ever.  And that's because there are changes--big changes--comin' to River City Bonita.  

Bonita Springs and its neighbor to the north, Estero are on the verge of a boomlet the likes of which Southwest Florida hasn't seen since the late '90s.  Last year Hertz Corporation--yes, the rental-car folks--stunned the business world by announcing that by mid-2015, they will locate their corporate headquarters in Estero, bringing about 700 jobs to the area at an average salary, it is said, of close to $100K.  (And it isn't a pipe dream: groundbreaking has already happened near Coconut Point Mall, and key corporate personnel are already relocating to a temporary building in North Naples.) That's some serious moolah. And its impact won't be just those 700 salaries, but also, in many cases, jobs for their spouses, and--here's where we artists come in--new homes that have to be furnished and decorated. 

Beyond that, you can bet that a whole host of service businesses will spring up in its wake.  There are other changes afoot, too--things having to do with tax codes and annexations and zoning--that I only partially understand.  But I've lived in expansionary times in big cities several times in my life, and I've seen this play out before.  

Taking an even WIDER view of our industry as it pertains to SW Florida: What might this mean, not just for Bonita Springs National, but for the glut of shows in the area?  The  oft-expressed downside of "too many shows" doesn't quite tell the whole story.  It's also been a problem of not enough money to spread around.  To the extent that economic expansion solves that problem, that could be good news. 

Surely, show promoters are taking notice. It's too early to tell, and I don't want to speculate in print (or whatever the heck the cyberspace equivalent of "print" is),  but I suspect there will be a few adjustments in the market before next year's Florida show season rolls around. 

 

Hello everyone, I'm new to AFI, but not to the arts community. I live in Chicago and have been housing arts for over 10 years. During show season, I have accommodated up to 6 guests in a 3bdrm condo. I'm going to list in the AFI classifieds. I'd like some input on what YOU would be looking for in terms of temporary housing during a show. Type of accommodations? Price? Ammenities that are important? Thanks for your help. I hope to meet some of you soon.

Hi

I just added the store to the website. Everything I do is limited by homestead.com who is my web provider and do not plan to change. I running a test that will last until Jan 2015. If you guys can take a look and see if anything jumps at you like totally wrong please let me know. I plan to run next a email marketing so any input is appreciated.

The website is: www.lpstudios.net

Thanks

August 9 & 10
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Downtown Milwaukee
10am-5pm
135 Artists
Deadline: March 17

The Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council proudly presents the 40^th annual Morning Glory Fine Crafts Fair on August 9-10, 2014. Join this group of talented craftspeople dedicated to the art of fine craft. The Fair has been popular with artists and patrons for 39 years and features 135 fine crafts artists exhibiting in ceramics, digital, enamel, fiber, glass, jewelry-metal, jewelry-non-metal, leather, metal, handmade paper, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood and 3-D mixed media.

Morning Glory is held in downtown Milwaukee on the grounds of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, alongside the Milwaukee River, and the adjoining Red Arrow Park. Morning Glory includes many amenities for artists:

• Friday afternoon set-up
• Overnight booth security
• Parking in a covered lot available
• Booth sitters
• Over $3,000 in prizes
• On-site caterer/food service with an indoor hospitality area
• Saturday and Sunday continental breakfasts, including complimentary Starbucks coffee both mornings
• Saturday evening reception and awards presentation
• World's greatest volunteers!

What last year's artists said about us:

Morning Glory also includes many amenities for our patrons:

• Sally Bright at Morning Glory

  Outstanding exhibition and sale of jury-selected fine crafts from throughout the country, sure to please the most discriminating patrons
• Opportunity to meet the artists and learn firsthand the personal story of what's behind the artwork
• Ample, nearby parking
• Free admission to Morning Glory
• Delicious food available on site
• All while enjoying a relaxing setting in the shadow of the Marcus Center, designed by noted Chicago architect Harry Weese 

Application deadline is Monday, March 17.
Visit www.zapplication.org to apply.

Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair - you know you've always wanted to try this one! Make 2014 the year you join us, in this our 40^th year.

Questions? Need further info? Contact bethhoffman@wi.rr.com, 262-894-0038

Today I am putting forward my ideas on marketing and what the options are in the Art world.  I have worked in a retail environment for most of my life.  It is seldom pretty, always competitive, and will spit the ignorant out in a second.  Whether artists realize it (and some do not) this is the place they will be when they choose to sell their artwork.  Creating your paintings, photos, macramé (do they do that anymore?), and whatever else we create is usually fun, or at least should be.  Aunt Molly comes over and see’s what you are doing and says: “Golly Bubba you should sell those Possum socks, they are beautiful”.  The light goes on and Bubba is doomed, UNLESS he is savvy to what he will be getting into.

First Bubba obviously needs more critique and I do not mean a Jury that may or may not actually look at his work before they send him that happy acceptance message that asks for the $10000.00 booth fee up front.  Rain…too bad ‘no refunds’.

Bubba needs to find people 1. He does not know, people who may not like him, and some one of knowledge that will jury his stuff knowing that the fee they are getting does not get bigger for BS.

So now Bubba finally somewhat understands if Aunt Molly was almost right.  Let’s say that Bubba gets great reviews and is surrounded by happy bubbles that are blurring his vision.

NOW the work begins.  Bubba being goes to the local ‘Flea Market’ (it wasn’t his fault, they called it an Art Festival and served beer) only to find out that the only thing selling was watermelons.  Well we have all been there one Way or another and that didn’t stop us so Bubba will persevere.  Starring eyes will do that to us all.

Bubba now decides that he needs a higher class clientele and settle on a $10.00/square foot booth at the local ‘Art Festival’ *seems as if I am repeating myself) and settles in for 2 days in which he almost broke even. Not bad.  Of course if he doesn’t count his time, food, and backache from sleeping under the truck ($10.99 for Ibuprofen at Walmart) for 3 nights. 

So…Now the local Auto body shop sees Bubba stuff and offers to display them next to the coffee machine in the lobby for a 60 percent.  Bubba is ecstatic, he goes there all the time and knows they are busy and they luckily did not ask for some kind of contract (Bubba can’t write).  Bubba of course never hears from them again except and being slightly ‘memory deficient’ just forgets the whole thing.

Now, the panacea of all who would sell retail….THE INTERNET.   I will now get somewhat serious.  Somewhat that is.  Unfortunately the very things that make the internet great also make it a nightmare for those who choose to sell un-necessary goods there.  Artwork is mostly beautiful, inspiring, and desired, but seldom considered a necessity. 

You have access to Zillions but those Zillions must sort through Zillions to find just you.  The search engines make it and even harder task now because of the prevalence of Spam and other nasty things.  Though I used to be very well versed in HTML and inner workings of website with just a couple of years away from it I was amazed at how behind I am.  Web crawlers, Markup, sitemaps, bots, OMG when does it end.   So if you have not the slightest idea of what I just said leave it to the obvious that making your own site is probably an exercise in futility.

Of course there are the great people who for a few bucks will set you up with a site of your own.  The few bucks can become morer (yes there is no such word I made it up because it fit) rather quickly when you add shopping carts, etc.  Now you have a site that looks more like the local grocery than an “artist’s site”.

The ugly fact is that marketing your artwork is exceedingly difficult and often disappointing. Ask JC Penny, Kmart, and others going down the pipe.   But that is why you should Enjoy what you are doing.  Art for art’s sake.   I do online sales but do not get excited about it and I am versed in web management, the price I pay is thus reasonable. Even so; I use it more as a way to organize myself and my sticks than any real hope to sell out.

 I hear you all out there yelling PORTFOLIO, PORTFOLIO,   yes I hear you but then we get back to the zillions thing.  But by all means post a Portfolio so those who care can see your work can without coming over and drinking your beer..

 WE then get back to shows.  Shows can be fun and rewarding, you get to meet fellow artists, and hopefully sell a few things.  But you must find the ones who are truly interested in you and promoting art and not making and easy 250000.00 on a weekend.  They are there, you just have to be patient and look. Never go to shows that allow anything other than artist made goods and for the shows that add 100.00 a day for electricity; Boycott their butts and next year we will not have to deal with them. 

Got long winded there.  Sorry

Mark M

ArtFest Fort Myers - February 1 & 2

May 17 & 18
Riverside, Illinois
Saturday, 10 - 5; Sunday, 10 - 4
100 exhibitors max
Deadline: March 15

Jury Fee: $35
Booth Fee (10x10): $300

RAW - Riverside Arts Weekend is pleased to present our 7th year of fine art in the heart of our National Historic Landmark community in Riverside, IL. The festival compliments this beautiful Frederick Law Olmsted designed historic community by bringing fine art patrons, music, children's art activities and performing arts to a crescendo for an amazing weekend.

This juried fine art festival is held between the river and beautiful Guthrie Park in the historic village of Riverside.  All artists are juried and emphasis is placed on accommodating ARTISTS!

RAW is a not for profit organization committed to the arts. Riverside Arts Weekend is sponsored and supported by the Village of Riverside, the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, community businesses and art patrons.

At D & W Events we recognize the Chicago area is inundated with art festivals.  Most are NOT fine art/craft, artists present with original work.  Our goal is to present high quality festivals with artists' original work ONLY and an equalized quantity of media.

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info-public.php?fair
Learn more: www.dwevents.org/raw

September 5-7
Clayton, Missouri
Fine Art & Craft Festival
Business district of Clayton in Saint Louis, MO
Friday 5 pm-10 pm
Saturday 11 am-10 pm; Sunday 11 am-5 pm
181 Artists
Deadline: March 20

Fact Sheet:

• Website: culturalfestivals.com 
  
• Avg. Sales: $7500 (based on 2013 post event survey)
  
  
• Jury Images:  4 Images of work plus one booth image
  
  
• Viewed:  simultaneously with images horizontally across the screen (booth image is last image in the row)
  
  
• Jurors:  The jury panel is made up of arts professionals, peer jurors, and local buyer/collector (all paid) for a total of 5 jurors.
  
  
• Scoring:  yes, no, maybe
• Jury/Application Fee:  $40 non refundable
• Booth Space Fee: $625 and $725
• Cash Awards:  Up to $21,000
• Booth Space:  10'x10' with 2' buffer all around
• Electric:  500 watts provided free, no generators
• Produced by:  Cultural Festivals 501(c) 3 Non-profit corp.
• Artist Presence: Required
• Reproductions:  Not allowed
• No. of Applicants in 2013:  1305
• No. of Exhibitors from Jury Pool:  150
• No. of Exhibitors Exempt from Jury:  31
• Security:  24-Hour
• Parking:  Free/Reserved

In addition to the amazing visual art exhibition, the festival will feature live performing arts ensembles on three stages, the Creative Castle featuring educational art projects for children, street performers and fifteen of St. Louis' most delectable restaurants.

Matthew Hatala's booth. Too full at St. Louis?

For more information contact:

Cindy Lerick

President & Executive Director

Cultural Festivals

phone: 314-863-4485
Learn more:  CulturalFestivals.com 

Apply: www.Zapplication.org

June 28 & 29

Duluth, Minnesota 

Park Point Recreation Area

Presented by:  

The Park Point Community Club

and The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation

10am-5pm

120 Exhibitors

Deadline:  March 15

For 44 years the Park Point Community Club has hosted The Park Point Art Fair at the Park Point Recreation Area on the last full weekend in June.  Park Point is a premiere and unique setting.  It has the distinction of being the largest freshwater badmouth bar in the world.   

The Art Fair has grown to capacity to include 120 artists from across the region and nation who exhibit their award-winning work in a premiere and festive setting.  The community shows its commitment to the event by hosting a free appreciation dinner for the artists and volunteers.

Volunteers greet attendees and provide booth sitting services and set-up assistance to artists.  Artists are awarded for excellence based on a review on site by art professionals.  The Club awards a total of $1,300 to artists in seven categories as well as a Best of Show.

Achievements:  The Park Point Art Fair is a 2013 recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board's Festival Support Grant.

Attendance: 10,000 annually

Mission: 

The Park Point Art Fair exists to showcase professionally juried artists in a  stunning natural environment, while attendees will find a focus on the visual artists their experience is enhanced with music, demonstrations and interactive art making opportunities.  We serve the local and regional community-culturally, economically and socially.

Apply:  www.zapplication.org/event-info-public.php?fair_id=3098 

More information: www.parkpointartfair.org 

E-mail:  coordinator@parkpointartfair.org  

Yes, I agree as I was there too, in front of the river in a beautiful spot(#2).  I did have to level my display cabinets, as there was a rain drain behind my booth.   I could not have asked for a nicer location.  I can see if there were a bad rainstorm or high winds, it could be difficult on the river front, but our weather was absolutly perfect both days.  We were scheduled in on Friday at 10:30 and for 7 PM load out and we were  exactly on schedule.  They were very organized in our area.

The only negative comment is that the judge came running by with someone punching holes in our booth signs for him.  He did not slow down, stop, or look in mine or either of my neighbors tents.  I spoke with others who had the same comments.  When we pay about $500 to be there it does seem only fair to expect a 30 second glance.

My sales were great, the best ever!  Unlike the east coast of Florida, no one was arguing prices with me.  I was also approached by show chairs from some of the other shows on the west side of the state.  I hope to be able to do more in that area. 

All in all it was a great experience and I would love to participate again.

How about some comments from others who were there?

Although I've done a few indoor shows near where I live -- Nashville -- I just now took the leap, bought a tent, and applied to a bunch of the bigger outdoor art shows around the country.  I read all the reviews on here before applying to the fairs, and they were very helpful.  

I just have a few questions, though, if you don't mind helping me out:

What are your particular favorite shows?  

Where have you sold the most?  

My art is on the pop/contemporary end of the spectrum.  My website is BrianNash.net.  I noticed that a lot of the art fairs skew towards abstract and traditional paintings; are there any shows that attract people more interested in pop art? or at least where they don't shun pop art?  (I fear, for instance, that fairs in the more conservative states like Texas would be a bad fit for me.  True?!?)

Any feedback and comments would be most appreciative.

I've only been painting for three years, and am looking forward to the art fair adventure!!

Thank you!

Brian

Artists had no clue that the survey they received from Nancy Vince and Wholesalecrafts.com in January would lead to the rug being pulled out from under them. In what appears to be a continuing arms race between the mainstay and the upstart, Wholesalecrafts.com recently announced the addition of ACRE Philadelphia next February. What they didn't announce at the close of their 4th show in Orlando in January is that the deal included closing the Orlando show, despite having a number of artists sign up and pay fees for 2015.

It is understood that there are no guarantees in this world, but this abrupt course change tells me that Wholesalecrafts cannot be counted on to help build a solid relationship between artists and buyers. 

http://www.acreorlando.com/

Let's give these people a round of applause. They keep the discussion flowing on the site, keep you coming back for more, teach you a lot, give you some good laughs, etc. It's a COMMUNITY! Woo hoo!

Which one did you like the best?

• Kathy Oda's Show Review: St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival 2/4
• Barry Bernstein's tour de force 3 Part Series: Barry Goes Back to College-Life in the Twilight Zone 2/10
• Nels Johnson's nostalgia trip across Florida: Artigras: Some New & Old Thoughts for 2014  2/20
• Mary Johnston's Florida vacation that included 2 shows: Boca Raton Museum Show & Sanibel 2/24 

Click here to take survey

Deadline: March 11 - 6 pm

When Staci and I decided to try a Naples show this year I first talked to Florida West Coaster Geoff Coe.  

We’ve run into Geoff at a number of shows and he has seen the bright colors that permeate Staci’s work.  While cautioning that of course there were no guarantees, he suggested that Mercato might be the best fit.  The crowd is just as moneyed as the other Naples venues but it is younger (relatively speaking) and probably more interested in bright contemporary and abstract work that at the other Naples locations.

Geoff was absolutely right.  Unfortunately, the attendance at the show was way, way down (according to a number of repeat exhibitors that I spoke to.  Of those who did attend on Saturday (the best day), there was real buying interest but sadly even with some enthusiastic buyers, there weren’t enough to go around.

If the crowd had been of normal size, I think most would have had a great show.  As it was, while the painter on one side of us probably did $4K, the painter on the other side had to rely on a previous customer’s repeat purchase to make expenses.   Most of the bags we saw were from the high-end retailers that make-up the Mercato shopping plaza.

What went wrong?  At least 10 locals we spoke to said they had no idea there was a show this weekend.  They had seen no signs, billboards, or TV ads.  When the crowd is small and what I would call “coincidental”, there is not enough to go around even if they are the “right” people.  Where did our booth fee go???

Repeat exhibitors described wistfully the elbow-to-elbow throngs that have characterized Mercato in the recent past.  We could have had a great show if they were there.  As it was, we didn’t make mediocre.  Geoff had it right – this was our crowd; sadly, “crowd” is a misnomer.

Details

Weather - Perfect!

Venue – upscale shopping plaza with many restaurants, movie theaters, shops

Easy set-up starting at 3AM.  We showed up at 5AM and parked in our space to unload.

Teardown was easy too.  We parked fairly near the booth and rolled it out over flat terrain.

Good storage behind the tent. 

Artist parking was in a big field behind the venue and a fairly short walk.

Artist amenities were okay. – Coffee/muffins in the morning and access to the volunteer center bathroom.  (There were also clean public restrooms throughout the venue.)

Booth sitters aplenty and very friendly volunteer group.

Quality of the art was excellent – a lot of work that we would love to have on our walls (if we had walls that is).  Very contemporary with just a touch of the traditional Florida beachy stuff

Looking West - Midday Sunday

Looking East - Midday Sunday

Our Space