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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!

Its all about not wanting, its all about using what we got.

Recently a fellow artist asked about a show in ATL (my hometown), unfortunately he asked too late. My response is that the private company that puts on the show has hit or miss attendance, and the time to ask about a show is BEFORE you apply.

That said, another drop of wisdom fell from my beleaguered brain...some promoters can get people to a show once. Typically they often stage more shows in the same area, relying on the same social and in some cases traditional media to attract essentially the same folks to an event. The problem is, that if someone comes to a new event and purchases a piece of art, how likely are they going to come back and purchase again? It seems true collectors are already attached to established shows. Folks that wake up on Saturday and "need" something for over the couch, well they are really hit and miss...unless it is an established event. 

I'm just saying, how sustainable are these shows that are popping up like mushrooms after the rain?

Ok, So I have been using the same lighting for the last four years and it's ok as standards go except that the Dick Blick fixtures take the old style light bulbs only and I am feeling guilty about using them and not being more energy efficient.

I am ready to move up and after combing this blog for past posts that might help...I came up pretty empty ( I'm sorry Connie...I looked ...really).Plus, I know there must be some new and better things on the market. I don't have the 900. needed to go with my ProPanel set-up. So is there anything that looks as slick in a bit lower price range? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I hope this isn't too redundant a post...I imagine someone does this post every year but I honestly didn't get much info from past blogs. Thanks in advance.

October 3, 4 & 5
Louisville, Kentucky
Deadline: April 15

The St. James Court Art Show is held in the heart of historic Old Louisville, which boasts the largest collection of Victorian homes in the country. Historic Old Louisville is an elegant backdrop for the display of fine arts and crafts.

In its 58th year, the unique cooperation between five neighborhood associations and a church create the 3.5 square block St. James Court Art Show. Patrons walk seamlessly from one section to another.
 
Each of the 6 sections juries their own artists. Artists may apply to more than one section but once a booth fee has been accepted, an artist is committed to that particular section.

Information regarding the application deadlines (March 31 - April 15), characteristics of each section, artist amenities, parking, etc. can be found on our web site: http://www.stjamescourtartshow.com/artists-corner/
 
The 2014 Art Show will be held October 3, 4 & 5. This autumn tradition draws 200,000 visitors every year who come to purchase handcrafted items directly from the hands that crafted them. Artists from seventeen medium categories are represented. Proceeds from the show fund various local charities, art scholarships and preservation of this historic neighborhood.
 
The St. James Court Art Show is always held the first full weekend in October from 10:00  a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
 
For more information on how to apply, visit our website: www.stjamescourtartshow.com

We invite your application and hope we'll be meeting you in Louisville this October. Inquiries are welcome.

Marguerite Esrock

Executive Director

St. James Court Art Show

mesrock@gmail.com 

Congratulations to these members of ArtFairInsiders.com who make this online community the face of the art fair business for artists! Your votes from the blogs and private emails to me have been counted and the winners are:

Member of the Year: Larry Berman
Prompt, efficient, strategic answers to questions. Larry is the backbone of the site helping newcomers and veterans with the nuances of jury preparation: booth display, image quality and presentation and application tips.

Most Generous & Helpful: Elle Heiligenstein

"As a beginner rookie, Elle Heiligenstein has done more for my confidence than anyone. She possesses all of the qualities you mention." I miss her presence.

Runner up: Jim Parker

Other finalists: Robert Wallis, Larry Berman, Nels Johnson, Geoff Coe, Jim Parker

"Nels and Geoff are always available to provide helpful hints."
"Everybody."

Best 2013 Post: "St. Louis Art Fair Mock Jury & Image Workshop 2013, Part 1", Robert Wallis

Runner up: A tie - Nels Johnson's "Why we do Art Shows (besides the money)- - Englewood, FL - - Its a Goodie" and Nels' 3 Part Series "The Grand Scheme Finally Revealed -- Everybody Gets Rich, Even Barry Bernstein"

Best Discussion: Booth Shots to show examples to newbies

Started by Shannon Blosser-Salisbury - 21,423 views and 13 pages of comments

Other favorites in general:

• Show reviews & jury/booth displays
• Discussions on jurying
• Questions about individual shows which helps me with making choices

Judges' Choice: All a Newbie Needs to Know ... And More

Jim Parker - a useful digest with great links to give new artists a headstart in the business

Runners up:

• Ouch - the ZERO show, Mary Johnston. This candid post explores the why we choose the shows we do and the sometimes discouraging results. It resonated with many artists. The resulting discussion is worth reading.
• Erica Wagner, a newcomer to the business, posted about "A Rough Weekend in the Burbs." Her experience was universal for artists and the discussion was full of good advice as veterans weighed in.

Which member's commentary do you always read?

Nels Johnson

Runners up: Geoff Coe, Larry Berman

• I always want to read Nels' Post they are always well written and informative. He always seems to be right on on most post.
• I read them all. I read all of them. I read all of the blogs.

Which Member You Would Most like to Meet: Nels Johnson

"I would love to meet the trifecta: Nels, Barry and Geoff...I feel like I know them already. I have learned so much information from them."

"I'd love to sit down and share some beers with Nels."

Other finalists: Annette Piper, Richard Sherer, Barry Bernstein, Scott Pakulski, Melanie Rolfes

In case you missed it, John Leben brought a film crew to an art fair in 1984 and produced a documentary about our business that is a real treat to watch:

Does all of this talk get results? A few highlights:

• Karen Holtkamp reported in on how some show organizers improved their show as a result of reading comments on AFI: The Promoter Responds
• Gregg Rasmusson reported in on the effect of exposure in social media on Buy/Sell: Good news on the buy/sell front
• Rachelle Meagher reported on overzealous volunteers at a show and the show directors commented back on AFI to thank her for the info: Upset at the entry of Naples National 2013
• Nels Johnson protests the limited edition rule for photography at a show and the show director responds on AFI and changes the rule: An open letter to the director of the Virginia Beach...

By keeping AFI open for all to read (artists and show directors) the show organizers receive the feedback they need to understand the artists' needs and improve their shows.

Why did you join ArtFairInsiders.com?

• Because I became a member of the clan....it has been worth it although the initiation is a bitch.
• For the show poop
• To get more familiar with the art fair community as I start my business, to learn from others' mistakes, and to be a part of a good thing!
• To meet girls.
• The helpful posts with many ideas, the comments to the posts. It seems as though everyone is ready to participate in discussions and the comments are from experienced art show participants
• I LOVE being a part of the art circuit and I am so glad that AFI has come in to bring us together!
• I love keeping up with what my art fair neighbors are doing. Also enjoy the insider humor.

• to find better shows and find out the honest truth about ones I'm interested in doing! :D

I know this site is helpful to many of you, for which I am grateful. Consider as you are discussing the art fair business who is reading the site. Over and over I hear from art fair directors how the information you share on the site is affecting how they put together their events and they are reading, learning and changing their shows to make them places where artists want to be. You may not notice it but, bit by bit, you are changing this marketplace by your participation.

Many people keep this site alive and full of information, in addition to the people mentioned above thanks to Pat Finney who helps behind the scenes, Scott Pakulski, Oscar Matos Linares,  Alison Thomas, Bill McLauchlan, Linnea Lahlum, Geri Wegner, Greg Little, Brian Billings, Carrie Jacobson, Suzanne Ens and so many more, including everyone who participated in the Secret Santa project.

Thank you to my assistants, Jacki Bilsborrow who participates at AFI and keeps ArtFairCalendar.com up to date, Sabrina Aughenbaugh who puts together the calls for artists and Tina Towell who keeps the discussion flowing.

Many thanks to all of you who have made this community flourish, not only those listed above but to all of you who taken the time to care, comment and share with one another.  Thanks for all your support to one another in this exciting art fair business. Community is what makes us strong.

May 2014 bring you all the blessings you deserve. See you at the show! Connie