Blog

Many thanks to Alice Moulton and Carolyn Bird from the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival for joining me on yesterday's podcast where the two veteran show organizers of this fine all volunteer run event filled me in on some insider info about the show. Did you know that their offices are in a train car that sits on the tracks that run through Winter Park? I wonder if any other show has such an interesting setup.

On to the news! Using Random.org Alice and Carolyn drew the names and here is the list, including some very familiar names:

1. Geri Wegner

2. Barry Bernstein

3. Richard Sherer

4. Victoria Heisler

5. Greg Little

6. Christine Rodriguez

7. Candiss Cole

8. John Kennington

9. Andrew Shea

10. Jan Gussin

11. Lucy Clark

12. Delpfine Welch

13. Susan Cherry

14. Bobby Harr

15. Kathy Clausen

16. Jacqueline Bradley

17. Mike Leedom

18. Joanna McCoy

19. Teresa Haag

20. Joyce McAdams

21. Mary Perkins

22. Patricia Plasko

23. Miguel Wong

24. Lorrie Dallek

25. Barb Machulis

26. Stephanie Gutzman

27. John Powell

28. Angela Howard

29. Jim Morton

30. Tara Dalga

31. Jerry Maschinot

32. Br. Xavier Pankovits

33. Chuck Bruce

34. Michelle Bende

35. Carol Joy Shannon

36. Dale Yakaites

37. Alison Fox

38. Greer Peters

39. Dave Hinde

40. Francine Schwartz

41. Melanie Cech

42. Noma Freeman

43. Lynn Fisher

44. Maryllis Wolfgang

45. Jane Burke

& we still haven't heard from one of last week's winners, Roberta Starbird.

Thank you and congratulations to each! You may recognize many of them as they have been participants on AFI for some time.

The first 20 winners have already chosen their prizes, you know that TrimLine is long gone, but there are still plenty left. The procedure to claim your prizes is:

• visit the discussion at this link: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/available-prizes-in-the-next-5-28-prize-drawing
• choose your top 4 prizes
• send me those choices: info@artfaircalendar.com
• I'll make arrangements for fulfillment

Which, of course, also means that if you haven't pledged yet you have more time to help us support our websites. We really appreciate each and every pledge, no matter the size.

Three Rivers Art Festival - my local show

I'll be walking the show both periods. This year for some strange reason they are not offering my services as an award, something I've done for the last three years. But I'll be down there doing booth pictures and discussing jury images with interested artists. I also carry an iPad to show examples of the work I do with artist's images.

If anyone is interested in speaking with me or needs a booth shot, give me a call. 412-401-8100

I also rent my gray Pro Panels each year. So far this year they are only rented for the second period, so if anyone needs them first period, give me a call.

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

Celebrity guests from the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival join Connie Mettler of to share art fair stories and draw the names of the winners of the rest of the prizes for the Birthday Party Pledge Drive on Tuesday afternoon at 3 pm ET.

Will they call out your name? Did you contribute to our pledge drive?

Have our websites

• helped you avoid a bad show?
• found you a deal on our classifieds?
• made a friend either online or as a result of your presence on this site?
• helped you find a good show?
• taught you things to avoid in this crazy business?
• taught you where to find credit card solutions, the best tents, insurance, display equipment?
• lessened the isolation of your studio?
• given you something to laugh about and share with others?

Will you be the winner of these artful prizes?

It is another summer season in the Chicagoland area.  Amy Amdur kicks it off with her festival in Barrington.  

The good and the bad about an Amdur festival is that you see a lot of the same artists at all of her shows.  I say good and bad because if you like that artist, you get a lot of chances to see them but it also means you don't get to see as wide a variety of artists at her festivals.  

I did find a new jewelry artist who makes very unique necklaces, some at very reasonable prices, so there went my plan to not buy jewelry.  Fortunately for me (but not the artist) I forgot to stop back at another booth with amazing jewelry at great prices that I saw when we first got there.  

Amy usually has signs indicating there is an art festival but we didn't see any on the way and since I am an on-line newsreader, I don't know if there was an ad in the Tribune like there has been in the past but there was an ok crowd during a cool, cloudy morning on Saturday.  Didn't really see any packages but it was early.

There was some questionable art and an orphan booth area.  95% of the artists are on two streets that intersect.  Mixed with a few sponsor booths were a few artists and they were to the left off one of the cross streets.  The metal sculptor with the big animals was at the corner kind of hiding all those booths.  These spots were definitely not getting the traffic that the other areas were.  They seemed to be new artists to the show but I can't say for sure that they all were.

Amy is usually very particular about how the booths look but there is one jeweler that shows up at a lot of her shows with a booth full of what looks like junk jewelry. The booth looks like a flea market, visually crowded with way too much stuff on card tables.  But, she buys a double booth to show all this stuff.  As usual, money talks.

The candle people were there as well as a painter's rep  who shows up at a multitude of Amy's shows representing an artist who lives on the east coast who had booths at 3 other shows this weekend.  

And so it begins.......

I'm new to this fair life. in fact my first away game is this 8th and 9th of June. I signed up to AFI about 15 minutes ago but I've been reading all I can about the do's and don'ts for about 6 months. So i've bought the van and set it up for light camping. I've purchased a dome tent with a few bells and whistles and set it up in the barn driveway... Need more practice there. I've made the weights out of PVC filled with concrete.  I have the stock of watercolors and the bins to put them in... and amazingly me and the all of it seems to fit. My question is if you cannot back up to your site and unload the tent

and especially the tent bones how do you get them from A to B that last 100 yards or so? The bins are easy, stacked on a two wheeler but the bones weigh a ton and and don't seem to want to be corralled with bungy's or cord or ratchet straps.        

October 12 & 13  
Sedona, Arizona
On the campus of Sedona Red Rock High School
126 Artist Booths
Deadline: June 7
Jury: June 8
Invitations: June 15

We invite you to apply to the 23rd annual Sedona Arts Festival.  A favorite in the Southwest, the festival showcases 126 juried artists, the Gourmet Gallery, the Guest Gallery (featuring an international guest artist) and KidZone, as well as music, great food, and raffle prizes.  Fall is "high season" in Sedona and both tourists and locals support the festival, its artists, and its mission to financially contribute to arts education in our community.

We cater to our visiting artists, providing:

• load/unload assistance
• booth sitting
• refreshments
• and premium restroom facilities exclusive for artists.

In 2012, we completed a total redesign of our field layout, reducing the number of artists from 144 to 126.  Our field is now set up with 100 quad spaces, providing artists with a corner booth location no matter where they are located on the field!  We have 26 booth available at a reduced cost on the perimeter of the field of artists.  The  response to our redesign was enthusiastic and artists sales were UP over the previous year!

Our organization produces a premier, annual fine arts festival which promotes awareness of the arts, supports artists, and builds community in the greater Sedona area.  We financially support art programs and provide scholarships for our youth.   

Our annual festival is a fundraiser for our giving programs.  Since its inception in 1989, the Sedona Arts Festival has donated nearly $300,000 to area art programs and art students.

The festival itself has grown in size and reputation over the past 20 years.  It has become a destination arts festival, known for the quality of art and first class treatment of both its artists and attendees.  With 126 nationally known artists displaying their work surrounded by red rock splendor, there is no better place to spend an October weekend than Sedona.

Applications available at: www.Zapplication.org  

Complete information about the festival can be found on our website: www.sedonaartsfestival.org  

Please feel free to call for more information.  We are happy to answer all your questions and hope you'll join us in one of the most spectacular locations in the Country!

Lori Reinhart-Executive Director

director@sedonaartsfestival.org 

(928)204-9456 

Many thanks to all the people who sent support to our Pledge Drive. We drew the first 20 names in a podcast yesterday and here are the winners:

1. Carol Wilson
2. Jacquelyne Zajac
3. Ralph Sharp
4. Robert Wallis
5. Tim Longwell
6. Joyce Wathen
7. Bonnie Eastwood
8. Elle Heiligenstein
9. Suzanne Ens
10. Megan Martin
11. Renee Snell
12. Judy Zeddies
13. Margaret Park
14. Sue Shefts
15. Roberta Starbird
16. Jane Miller
17. Jenny Henley
18. Susan Hohman
19. Ann Light
20. Mary Meehan

Congratulations to each! You may recognize many of them as they have been participants on AFI for some time.

The procedure to claim your prizes is to visit the Prize Page, choose your top 4 prizes and send me those choices: info@artfaircalendar.com, and I'll make arrangements for fulfillment. While many people had their eye on the top prize (the Trimline canopy) after that has been chosen each person may have a different idea of which prize suits them best.

Please let me hear from you before the next podcast so I can set your prizes aside.

There are many more prizes than 20. On Tuesday, May 28, at 3 pm ET, Alice Moulton and Carolyn Bird from the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival will be joining me on a new podcast. Carolyn and Alice will share some info about their all volunteer run event and then draw the names of the next segment of winners. Hope you'll join us then to hear your name called.

Which, of course, also means that if you haven't pledged yet you have more time to help us support our websites. We really appreciate each and every pledge, no matter the size.

THURSDAY - MAY 23 - 6 PM ET - Call in at 805-243-1338

Do you love our art fair related websites where you can

• find a show to attend
• get the inside scoop about an art fair
• stay in touch with the ups and downs of our industry
• get support for your business
• or just have a good laugh?

You are not alone! As we celebrate our 4th birthday there are nearly 10,000 members and our SEO is soaring. Thank you for making this happen.

Today's show is hosted by Connie Mettler and Internet marketing author Scott Fox. They have two missions:

1. Scott will give you 5 quick and easy tips helpful especially for artists for marketing your work online and Connie will share 5 quick and easy tips for marketing your work at the shows
    
2. Draw the names of the winners in the pledge drive
    

This will be live and we hope you will be listening to see if you are the winner of the great prizes that our friends have donated to our pledge drive, worth 1000's of $$.

Check out the prize page here: www.artfaircalendar.com/pledge-drive

AND we welcome your phone calls! 805-243-1338. Tell us your art fair stories and ask your questions. We'll have answers. We'd love to hear from you as we celebrate and shamelessly promote our art fair websites ;)

Oscar's candid post, "The Only Thing I Ask You God", struck a note with many readers last month. If you haven't read it yet -- do it now, and then look forward to meeting Oscar at a show one day. 

Congratulations, Oscar, the members have voted your story as Post of the Month! Thank you for telling this story here.

The great thing about Art Fairs is standing in your booth for eight hours and having the opportunity to visit with people. Now this may sound like tooth extraction to some of you but I love to talk to people... random strangers at that. It might be about the weather or even better about art or, best of all, my art! Nothing defines your philosophy and message of your art more than explaining it 30 or 40 times a day. And in these days of automated tellers, self checkout at stores and self-service gas stations when do people even talk to each other anymore? It's a leisurely setting, people are relaxed and not in a hurry and it makes for pleasant conversations. It's human contact. With all of our online lives and busy schedules it's a wonderful respite from our self-imposed isolation.

Well guys, I might not be the right person to write this review because it was my first time at Broad Ripple, in fact my first time doing a big Mid West show, if you don't count Paducah, Kentucky a few years back, when I was just starting out. Set up was easy and the organizers from the art center were on hand to help direct you to your area ( Yea Kile), which was color coded. This was a massive show, spread out in all directions. I lucked up and could drive my car right in front of my booth, but many were among the trees and gardens and had to dolly in quite a ways. It was scorching hot on Friday for set up and although I got  there early, and had some water, I was on the verge of heat stroke a few hours later and had to leave everything and get in my car for a Gatoraid run. It came on fast, headache, stomach-dizzy, word to the wise, always bring a cooler and if it doesn't look like rain in the forecast bring your EasyUp instead of your Crafthut! Dang Crafthut, a love /hate relationship at best, but it did help with the storm on Friday night (once I got the thing up- it was only my second time and I was by myself).

The doors opened on Saturday morning, the weather was cooperating and the crowds zoomed in, I think everyone thought it was going to rain later in the day and came early. Sales were good and I saw many people buying and packages going past. It wasn't as hot as the day before and it sprinkled a bit but the crowds kept coming. After three o'clock the crowds kind of died off but I heard it was a Pacer's game and well, that made sense, since they are in the playoffs. I had lots of small sales and a few medium priced work sold but nothing big on Saturday. People were great, interested and many cash sales-people came to buy.

Sunday was a beautiful day- a bit hot, not too much breeze but that didn't stop the crowds from coming. So many people said they would come back but I couldn't imagine that they could find me again, the show was so spread out and big, but they did and I had some really good big sales in the afternoon. It was busy all day. I never got to the other end of the show, to see the layout and artists, I would have liked to, but it was too busy to leave, I think most were in the same boat, nice problem to have.There were booth sitters galore but who wants to leave when people are buying. Load-out was easy, breakdown, and then a tag to get your car into the grounds to pick up. The tent going down was a lot easier that going up-why is that? All in all I was pleased with the professionalism of Broad Ripple, it was a first class show, smooth as silk, great crowds, great venue, lots of advertising and people came to buy. It was my first Mid West show but it certainly won't be my last....in two weeks Summerfair Cincinnati- Woo Hoo!

Odds in the recent Powerball lottery were 1 in 175.2M! 

Odds in winning a prize in the Birthday Party Pledge Drive are more like 1 in 3! You not only help support this website that helps you in your art fair business you are really likely to be saying soon, "Wow! I won. I never win anything!."

Some of the Prizes:

• a fabulous new TrimLine canopy from our friends at Flourish
• 20 free booth spaces from Paragon Art Festivals, Howard Alan Events, Amdur Productions, Rose Squared, ArtWorks, AFFPS (8 shows in Atlanta), Holiday Art Shows (4), American Art Marketing (2), Boulderbrook; paid jury fee from Broad Ripple (3)
• Art Fair Sourcebook (2)
• Gift cards - Amazon, Frame Destinations, Binders Art Supplies in Atlanta
• Consulting:  Larry Berman, Connie Mettler, Scott Fox (consulting on websites), Patrick Dennis
• Art supplies: frames, canvas wraps, slide & negative scanner
• Subscriptions & E-course: from ArtsyHome.com's site, a marketing course for artists from the Arts Business Institute, festival network online membership
• Donations from artists:  leather messenger bag, Honduran rosewood fountain pen, pottery, oil painting, mixed media, jewelry, knitwear, wood bowl, sculpture, photography from Allan Teger, an etsy.com shopping spree, glass, more ...

Please help support our mission to bring patrons to the art fairs - so you can continue in the lifestyle you love. Click here to learn more.

We'll be drawing names during a podcast on Thursday (May 23) at 6 pm ET. Hope you'll be listening!

Spent the previous weekend in lovely Prescott, AZ (pronounced Press-kit) at the 35th Annual Arts Guild show. The show is located on the lawns around the courthouse in the center of town. People know that it is an annual event and being the first show of the summer season it seems there isn't art show fatique. But that isn't the reason for writing this post. As if there aren't enough shows in AZ these days for promoters to promote it seems that there was another promoter promoting a show adjacent to this one! I mean kitty corner from this show! I've seen this other promoters shows when I've done shows in Carefree, AZ and they were down the road a bit but this is ridiculous! When I was participating in the Sonoran Arts League Show in March there were two other shows taking place no more than a mile away from each other!

The larger issue here, and we've probably all acknowledged it at one time or another, is the proliferation of shows that are taking place! Paragon is on the move, Amy Amdur has a show in just about every corner of the Chicagoland area on any given weekend, Howard Alan must own Florida by now and has had a presence in the Colorado high country for a number of years as-well-as trying to make in-roads at Lake Tahoe and Park City for a couple of years. I did his Park City incarnation one year as I wasn't invited to the Kimball show that year, it was behind a shopping center, I mean REALLY BEHIND, apparently it wasn't a good gamble as I don't see it on his calendar anymore. Now the same people that bring you the Rio Grande shows in Albuquerque are making a play for another show in the Denver area, lets see, that makes at least 6 shows in the same market! Jim Delutes did such a good job of resurrecting the Downtown Denver show at the Pavilions that they decided to kick him out and do their own show on the very same weekend (ArtStir) and just a few blocks away!

Now I read a blog about how all these shows are diluting the market for fine art (craft) and we all want to vilify promoters for their shameful gluttony but, artists share responsibility for this land grab as-well-as the promoters they want to string up. Truth be told, if artists weren't so willing to run to the latest and (presumably) greatest show on earth there would be less shows and less dilution of the bottom line.

As I think about this issue I recall the Ken Burns PBS production on the Dust Bowl. In addition to changing their tilling style so that they were tilling the soil less deep, farmers were also planting many more acres. Then, when the price of their crops went too low to make a decent living wage their answer was to plant more acres! Guess they never heard of supply and demand. In the end when the rains dried up with an extended drought and tilling the soil went on unabated the land gave out and blew away. In fact there are still areas of South East Colorado that have not recovered from the ravages of the dust bowl era. Seems to me there is a lesson in this. Those that ignore their history are doomed to repeat it, no matter what business their in. So who's responsible for the bottom line becoming smaller? Probably all of us, promoters and artists alike. I let you draw your own conclusions as to how to answer this dilemma for yourself. But it seems to me that not applying for these newcomers in an already diluted market might make the most sense. Or, as has been suggested, if a show does not support you, don't support it. I was wait listed for the Downtown Denver show this year and I didn't plan on applying to ArtStir, the next startup in an already diluted market, instead I'm attending a small show in New Mexico in a market without any other shows. But that, as they say, is another story.

For most it was a weekend for a decent paycheck with no scary things going on -- whoops, I forgot to mention this report in from my friend fiber artist, Sandy Moran who was at the Tulsa Mayfest:

Most of the stock was salvageable, though the tent was twisted and upside down across the street, pretty much destroyed on its maiden voyage.  And it was so pretty and clean, too! The first time I've lost a tent in 41 years of doing this!

The staff at Mayfest and other artists were wonderful in helping pick up the mess from Saturday night's storm.  The festival ended up closing early on Sunday because of threatening hail and tornadoes.

After seeing the horrible aftermath of tornado damage in our own Granbury, TX, and the next day in OK CIty, I feel very grateful and humbled.  This is nothing in comparison, just a lot of time to spend on restoring stock and ordering new equipment.  It's not our lives or our homes.  Thanks to all our artist family--show staff, volunteers, and fellow artists--who cared for me.

P.S.  Y'all will love this: the cameraman who was interviewing me on Sunday morning pointed out that I looked somewhat despondent as I was hauling dripping jackets to the car.  You'll notice my response wasn't included in the broadcast.

More about that storm: http://www.newson6.com/story/22292893/mayfest-blue-dome-festivals-closing-early#.UZocprjdyvc.email

Anyone watching the show reviews on this site and making plans for next year, here are some news stories about some of the bigger shows that took place last weekend, besides Reston (reported on by Elle H.), E. Lansing (reported on by John Leben) and Belleville. We're still waiting to hear if anyone was there ;)

Indianapolis' favorite, hosted by the Indianapolis Art Center, the Broad Ripple Art Fair in one of Indy's hippest neighborhoods: http://www.ibj.com/lou-harrys-ae-2013-05-19-notes-from-the-broad-ripple-art-fair-hilty-on-stage-parking-garage-art-etc/PARAMS/post/41444

A bunch of AFI-ers were there. How was it?

Springfield, IL's, 52nd Old Capitol Art Fair - heck this show is almost as old as the Old Capitol. The show is held on the grounds surrounding the Old Capitol building (where Lincoln served and Obama declared his quest for the Presidency): The weekend's beautiful meant "Old Capital draws record crowds!"  http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x776192136/Old-Capitol-Art-Fair-draws-record-crowds

And the prizewinners were:

First place: Jill Bedford, $1,500

Second place: Maria Bedford, $1,300

Third place: Robert Trisko and Ian Lieberman, $1,000

Best new artist: J.D. Nolan, $750

Children’s tent

First place: Lou Zale, $500

Second place: Jay Thomson, $400

Third place: Steven Martin, $300

We did this show many times. It is full of the old timers and many AFI-ers were there also. You know who I am talking about -- how about a report?

Howard Alan Events hosted one of their coolest shows in the Kansas City Power & Light District (the 6th Annual) - and kept the show going despite storm warnings. Whether to stay or to go was a concern for artists, the brave did prevail!  http://www.theolathenews.com/2013/05/19/1939697/art-show-at-power-light-district.html

Hush, don't tell anyone about this sweet small show in Marion, IA, Marion Arts Festival. Yep AFI-ers were there too -- learn its secrets: http://hooplanow.com/2013/05/16/marion-arts-festival-its-art/

The 29th Annual Stockley Gardens art festival in Norfolk, VA, hosted 150 artists. Can anyone tell us more about this well-established event? http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/many-attend-stockley-gardens-art-festival

For all those participating in the St. James art festival I've arranged a discounted hotal rate of $59 ($30 off normal rate) at the Sleep Inn on Preston Hwy. The hotel has recently been renovated all rooms have fridge& micro, breakfast, free parking, it's safe, clean and only 3 miles from show site. If interested call the hotel directly at 1-502-368-9597 and ask for the artist rate. Last year the hotel sold out very quickly so if you're interested make you reservations now.

Hi Friends.....here is my review of Reston...

I arrived Friday morning to a very well organized check in and nice volunteers.  This show is one of the most impeccably organized shows I have ever been to.  There are about 220 artists in the show and they have the check in and set up down to a science. The show is on the streets of the Reston Town Center, an affluent shopping and office area.  I drove up to my booth and unloaded and set up.  I met my neighbors, all of whom were very nice people, professional and fun. 

Friday evening the show opened at 5pm and ran until 8pm.  Weather was good and the crowd was good.  I sold a decenet amount of my small pieces Friday night, no standard size pieces.

Saturday we had rain and cool weather.  This show is definitely affected by the weather.  Crowds were light all day.  Sales were slow and I was lucky.  I managed to finish Saturday at the break even point with the addition of Friday night's sales.  I was greatful to have covered costs, but very surprised to have only done that, after what was billed as a major show with great sales.  Those around me were not as fortunate by the end of Saturday.  Two of my neighbors were still at zero. 

Artist amenities....the show has a great amount of volunteers who booth sit and are willing to help you in any way they can.  I was impressed with the number of volunteers, their willingness to help and they were all very friendly.  Security was evident and professional.  Continental breakfast offered each day as well as water delivered to the booth.  Free t-shirt at check in.  These were the only amenities. 

Sunday came with better weather and the crowds were light until about 1pm.  All of a sudden, all hell broke loose and the buying crowd was there with vigor.  I sold a lot on Sunday and ended up making a nice paycheck profit.  Not my best show of the year, but a profit that made the drive worth it.  My one neighbor did about 5K in an hour with photography, my other neighbor did nothing and the other neighbor who had been at zero sold a small amount of work that still did not cover booth fee. 

I was approached by a producer (identity and legitimacy verified) from ESPN's show Pardon The Interruption.  They chose my work for their set.  They would like a piece every six weeks to sit over the shoulder of one of the anchors.  This blew my mind and I am so happy they chose me.  There is no money involved, they will be borrowing each piece, but the exposure is priceless.  If you are interested the show is on ESPN Monday-Friday evenings and the first piece is Juggles The Juggler.  I will be sending them a sports themed piece again next month and so on.

Load out was just as organized as load in, we were not able to drive up to the booth until 5pm, one hour after closing at 4pm, due to pedestrian safety and the police needed time to clear the streets.  Wanting to get on the road as soon as I could, I chose to dolly out to the van which was parked in the artist lot a block and a half away.  I got everything loaded up and done in about 90 minutes.  I didn't mind dollying out, for me it is a good workout!  I said good bye to my neighbors and hit the road!

Overall, the show is professionally ran, organized and juried quite well.  There were some fabulous artists there, no buy/sell and no questionable work.  I made a decent paycheck profit and my work was picked up by ESPN.  I will apply again and if accepted, do the show.  I will expect average sales at this show. 

I am off next weekend!!!!!!!!! I will be at Summerfair in Cincinnatti, OH in two weeks.  I will review that show two weeks from today.  Stay tuned and thanks for reading!!!!

Saturday  

The weather was GREAT for this show on May 18 & 19 in the home town of Michigan State University. Spartans were everywhere. So was construction. It was a bit confusing finding our way into the art fair grounds because of all the street closings and construction on the main drag, but once we found our way in for Friday set-up, things went pretty smoothly. We took our time setting up on the street between 1 and 5pm Friday. Our biggest problem was the drastic tilt of the street making setting up the tent evenly a bit of an engineering problem. The terrible condition of the street, itself, was an issue as well. there was a big pothole toward the back of the booth that I nearly sprained my ankle in while setting up. I kept tripping in the thing. I had visions of patrons sprawling on the pavement when the art fair got underway with lawsuits as a result. We solved the problem (kind of) borrowing a piece of old plywood from the friends we were staying with in nearby Okemos. I put it under our grey rug over the hole and duct taped all around it. A few people still tripped on the plywood, but it pretty much solved the problem.

We had exhibited at the East Lansing Art Fair many times in the p[ast, and usually set up in the parking lot, but construction around town forces the committee to reconfigure the show and spread it out on local streets. We were worried about whether people would come out because it was hard to get into town. But the crowds did come... especially on Saturday. The show organizers had remote parking and lots of shuttle busses to bring patrons into the art fair.

Our sales were great on Saturday. We far surpassed last years Saturday sales and then far surpassed last year's total sales. We had visions of some great sales totals if Sunday was anywhere near as good as Saturday. But it didn't happen. Our Sunday sales were dismal, amounting to less than half of what we sold on Sunday last year. It always amazes me how an art fair crowd can be so different from one day to the next. There was great karma and buying energy on Saturday, but nothing on Sunday.

Packing up was pretty easy. I had moved my trailer on Saturday evening from the trailer parking lot (which was a good six blocks from my booth) and snuck it into a car parking garage less than a block away from the booth. I knew trailers were not allowed in that lot, but I took a chance. Unfortunately, I found a parking ticket on my trailer on Sunday evening when I went to retrieve it. While I was breaking down the booth one of the volunteers overheard me telling Marcia about the ticket. She told us that the Art Fair would take care of any parking tickets that us artists collected. I happily turned over the parking ticket to her, and thanked her. Nice policy.

All in all, we sold over $1000 more this year than we did last year, so it was a good show... especially since our travel expenses were so low. Travel was less than 2 hours from home and we stayed with friends instead of a hotel. It could have been a GREAT show if sales on Sunday came through but I'm happy. 

September 21 & 22  
Durham, North Carolina
Downtown Durham
Presented by the Durham Arts Council
Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 11am-5pm
135 visual artist exhibitors
Deadline: May 31

CenterFest is a competitive, juried festival attracting high-quality fine art and fine crafts.  In it's 39th year, CenterFest is the longest running outdoor juried arts festival in North Carolina.  Located in Durham's lively downtown district, the event is a favorite among visual artists, performing artists and visitors.

Durham's recent Creative Vitality Index score indicates Durham has grown to be a top creative community in the U.S.  In 2012, after extensive community planning, CenterFest relocated from the Central Park District to the City Center, aligning the festival with the new spirit of our entrepreneurial city.

CenterFest 2013 will leverage the extraordinary assets of the downtown district, including culinary arts components, exciting entertainment and historic districts, and a cutting edge creative community, to highlight the high quality of the visual artists and the sophistication of the creative class demographic.  The festival will feature 65 performing acts, locally sourced food vendors and a creative community expo. 

Durham has just been proclaimed the "Tastiest Town in the South" by Southern Living Magazine and the downtown district features many of the restaurants that helped earn that title. 

Our expanded marketing campaign includes support from:

• the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau
• the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Durham, Inc. 
• and radio, television and regional newspaper sponsors will continue to build an audience from a strong and growing regional market.  

Annual attendance at the Festival is over 24,000 guests.  A special VIP Breakfast for targeted art buyers and the Citizen's Choice Award will be featured again this year.

Artist Amenities:

• Easy Load in/load out  
• Free parking
• 24 hour security
• Discounted rates at sponsor hotel
• 1 complimentary breakfast and lunch per booth per day
• Booth sitting
• Merit awards totaling $2,500
• Artists and images listed and linked on CenterFest website
• Friendly and supportive staff

For more info:  www.centerfest.durhamarts.org  

Application:  www.Zapplication.org/event-info-public.php?fair_id=2404 

E-mail: Centerfest@durhamarts.org 

Phone: (919)560-2722 

Saturdays and Sundays May 25 thru Sept 2 2013

Art on the Star aspires to meet this desire of the tourist by offering direct dealings with the artist in a art fair atmosphere on a regular basis throughout the summer--much like a farmer's market. Also, it intends to give the artist a chance to show and sell their work in a art hot spot area at minimal cost ($25 per day for 10x10 space and no commissions). Artists can come for Saturday or Sunday or both. Payment is due before set up.

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From Connie: Lots of artists live in this area. Do you have an open weekend and live nearby? This might work nicely for the convenience and the opportunity to catch the summer crowd who loves this area of the Michigan shoreline. I've been on this route in the summer. People cruising along on vacation, checking out the antique shops and galleries. The owner of the property is an artist and wants to help you cash in on these beautiful summer days. Can't beat the price!

www.mirkosevicart.com