Blog

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 5 PM ET

Most artists have made their peace with the digital upload systems, www.Zapplication.org, www.JuriedArtServices.com and www.EntryThingy.com. If you want to participate in the better shows you sign up and upload your images for the jury. 

But how did this get started and what is the relationship of the individual artist or individual art fair with these systems?

Here are our experts:

• photographer Larry Oliverson who was instrumental in introducing the concept of online applications to the art fair business by bringing artists, art fairs and Westaf (the agency which provides ZAPP) together
• painter Kathleen Eaton who is an artist member of the ZAPP Oversight Committee and is writing a book about the history of art fairs. During the past two years she has juried two shows that used the ZAPP system
• Leah Charney, Manager of ZAPP®. She oversees the ZAPP product and the 350+ clients, 570+ events and more than 60,000 active artists that use the system

These guests have a long history with the organization and can provide both historical data as well as current operating information.

We'll discuss the myths and truths about:

• how Zapp has changed the art fair business
• Zapp's relationship with the shows
• best practices on preparing your application and making digital systems work for you
• what an "artist advisor" does

Zapp is going to be around for a long time and understanding its processes and using it to its fullest is advantageous to everyone in the art fair business. 

Call into the show: (805) 243-1338.

Leave your questions in the comments below and I'll include them in the podcast.

For more details on how ZAPP uses artists to advise and develop their system:

HowZAPPworkswithartists.rtf

ArtBirmingham, the perennial favorite once known as the Birmingham Fine Art Festival, returned to Shain Park in downtown Birmingham, Michigan for the second season since the park was redone in 2011. The show is run by The Guild, by artists, for artists, and generally they did a fine job. Put on in conjunction with the Birmingham/Bloomfield Art Center, this show attracts well-heeled buyers from Birmingham, West Bloomfield and the surrounding communities.

Setup on Friday afternoon and evening is well-orchestrated and orderly. The folks in the middle of the park and near the bandshell get to come in first and then the folks on the surrounding streets. The layout is open, and somewhat spread out, so it's pretty easy to drive to your space (if you're on the street), or dolly if you're in the park.

Saturday morning was chilly, as predicted, and cloudy. It got up to about 58 degrees or so, and people did come out. Last year's show was moved to the weekend of Memorial Day, and attendance suffered as a result. This year, the show got moved back to Mother's Day weekend, largely due to the efforts of Annie VanGelderen, President of the BBAC, and Max Clayton, Director of the Guild. And the turnout seemed to reinforce that good decision.

I saw quite a few packages walking by, and a couple larger 2-D pieces wrapped in black plastic. But it was a tad cold, colder than normal for spring in Michigan. Frankly, I was surprised to see as many people as there were on Saturday. I sold a few pieces, one to a previous collector, and had some good conversations with others, considering a purchase. Others I talked to didn't do as well.

Sunday was a different story. With temps predicted to rise only to the mid-forties, and 50 being a far-off dream, Mother's Day turned up a much sparser crowd. The sun was out in the morning, and made brief appearances all afternoon. But overnight the wind had picked up, and took out at least four booths that I counted. One glass artist near the fountain had left work on shelves overnight, and much of it bit the dust during the evening hours. Another clay artist lost a shelf full of work with a loud crash heard round the world. Several artists packed up and left early, expecting the worst, or having tents unable to withstand the predicted 40mph wind gusts. And it was cold. Did I say it was cold? At opening, it was around 40 degrees. Brr, chilly.

By noon, there were people walking the streets. Many of them walked quickly, only stopping at the booths they wanted to see. A $20 bill blew down the street, and I trapped it under my foot. (If you lost a twenty, contact me off-line with the serial number, and I will return it to you). Sales for me were pretty slim. Had lots of browsers, but it was too damn cold to do much but shiver. Then it started to sleet. Nice round white pellets of graupel. We took down some of the art in the front of the booth, as it was getting peppered by the wind and the sleet. The snow stopped quickly, though, and the sun came out again. A few more people trickled in, but generally nobody bought in our neck of the woods. My booth was on Martin Street, at the corner of Bates, near a new four-story condo, and got the full effect of those forty mile an hour wind blasts. It was a struggle keeping the tent on the ground, even with 75 pound weights on each corner. The wind was blowing straight into the tent. We left the back door open to vent the pressure, and that helped some. It was a bit like sailing a 40 yacht on Lake St. Clair in a gale. We kept trimming the sails, and turning the boat, to keep from capsizing. The sun went away, and it sleeted again, briefly. We did the shiver dance. A few patrons blew by the booth. As the afternoon wore on, we wished for an end to the deep-freeze. At three o'clock Max Clayton came by, and said, "Only two more hours!" Thanks, Max!

Saw a few friends. Barry Bernstein dropped by. His new work is captivating. He said he tried Nels' trick of running out into the street, and holding patrons hostage till they produced a platinum Amex card, but that didn't seem to work. Doug Remien was there, with his beautiful nature landscapes. Bruce Reinfeld, another photographer, was kitty corner from me, and didn't seem to have the trouble with the wind. Stephen Huyser-Honig was down the street with another double, showing photographs of Michigan in the lee of the condo, and didn't have the wind issues either. My advice? Stay away from booth 030 if you are accepted into the show! Elissa Brown stopped by and introduced herself. She had on the most marvelous blue hat. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to see her mixed-media work. Next time, perhaps. The inspiration for the headline came from Elissa's blog, though.

All in all, the show was a success for many. The weather definitely played a role, but I heard from several artists that they had good sales. Our sales were up from last year. Others did not fare as well. It did seem to prove the point that bad weather won't keep the serious buyers away, but it did keep the traffic down. The dog walkers were definitely there though. Lots of dogs. And a few strollers. Would I go back? Yes. It's local for me, and traditionally the start of the Michigan show season. There are buyers to be found, and the buy/sell seems to have been eliminated from years past. It's a nice venue, parking is within a couple of blocks, and there are many fine restaurants in the area. With the support of the artist community, this show could once again become the jewel that it was years ago. Certainly the venue is lovely, and the move back to Mother's Day marks the start of spring and the show season in Michigan.

After pack-up, we celebrated the warmth with painter Diane Sicheneder and her husband Gary with tremendous margaritas and mole enchiladas at Miguels in Rochester. Two pitchers of margaritas later, we rolled home and into our warm beds.

August 25    
Littleton, Colorado (Denver Metro area)
Sunday, 10am-4pm
125 Artists
Deadline: May 28

Since its inaugural show in 2012, the Affordable Arts Festival (AAF) has created quite a buzz in both the art community and the art buyers in the Denver area.  With 115 artists from more than a dozen states attending the event last year the artists and buyers immediately found out how much fun it can be to have such a buying frenzy at an arts festival. 

Why the frenzy?  Because every piece of art is priced at $100 or less.  We invite you to get the whole story on our website or see the feature article about the show in the March 2013 Sunshine Artist Magazine: www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=146315

The Festival benefits the Arapahoe Community College foundation. 

AAF has partnered with the Arapahoe Community college to host the show on their campus and in return the proceeds from the admission fees ($5) go to support students, especially their art school.

And then, consider these items:

• Over 60,000 vehicles drive by the show location daily and the show is advertised on 2 LED screens on that street for weeks leading up to the event
• With TV (CBS4 is a sponsor), radio and print ads plus extensive PR, social media, online promotions and more than $30,000 in total advertising this is a well publicized event
• The director, Jim Delutes, a former art show artist and the director of the successful Downtown Denver Arts Festival brings his expertise to this event.
• Application fee is $25-Booth fee is $195 (15x15 booth space) and you have the option to set up on Saturday. 

Application is available on: www.Zapplication.org  

Get more information and see our galleries of last year's artists at: www.AffordableArtsFestival.com

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

Find even more art fairs for 2013: www.CallsforArtists.com

Jim Delutes-   Director (303)330-8237

I am in a few shows which have judging for art awards in a central building. I don t know how to choose what to drop off. My largest work? Most expensive? Least likely to sell in my booth? My personal favorite? Most popular with buyers? It seems like a tough decision about what is likely to win and what isn t in my booth. Open to all ideas. Thanks. Sharon

Hi Friends...I am fresh out of the van and home from Tupelo.  Here is my review of the show...

I arrived Friday afternoon and checked in at the information tent with nice staff.  I had been assigned a booth on the very end of a row (bonus corner booth), so I was able to pull up right next to my space, unload and set up. 

After set up, I went to my hotel and freshened up for the GumBall.  The Gumball is a preview party for artists and patrons.  If you donated a piece to the silent auction, admission was free.  I donated a piece as did Robert Wallis, so we went together.  Gumball is a classy event with free food, very good food btw, and a cash bar.  The silent auction was impressive.  There were many good pieces there and people were bidding.  I was glad to see my piece sell for a good amount and Robert's did too.  Robert and I had a great time chatting and having dinner and cocktails.  He told some great stories. 

Saturday the show started at 9am and the weather was fair.  It had rained the night before, and was still a bit drizzly, but cleared to a nice day.  The crowd came as did the buyers.  I would say they had a good crowd and good buying energy for reasonably-moderately priced art.  On Saturday, I covered all expenses and moved into profit.  There were some artists though, that had sold little to nothing on Saturday.  I heard a lot of people say that last year was better for them. 

Saturday evening was the artists award dinner with a nice meal and free wine/beer.  The show gave out 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards in all categories with cash prizes for each and one best of show with a $1500 purchase award.  I have to say I thought this was generous to do all three awards per category and have money for each and have a nice artist made trophy for each.  I get the feeling that whatever this show makes on jury fees and booth fees goes right back into it for artist amenities and awards.  I would like to congratulate fellow AFI member Suzanne Ens for winning First Place in fiber!!!  It was well deserved, her work is amazing!!!!!

Sunday the show began at 10:30 am and the crowds were not there until about 2pm and even then they were very light.  I do not know if Mother's Day had anything to do with that or not, but this is a very church going community and nothing seems to happen until afternoon there anyway.  I had only one sale on Sunday and there was a significant shift in clientele from Saturday.  This crowd was much older, many more families and 99% lookers.  Typical Sunday for many shows.     

Load out was just as easy as load in and I had the whole thing packed up and was pulling out in about an hour.  I ended the show with a very modest paycheck profit.  I was very impressed with the hospitality this show offers.  Free dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, The Salvation Army served free hot breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings for artists and water was passed around several times.  I think the awards were very generous and I found the staff to be very friendy.  I liked this show.  This was not a very big money maker and I will keep it in the maybe category for the future, but I still thought it was a nice show and I liked it.  There was a lot of good work there and some very nice artists.  One caution for those that have higher end work (over $500.00), I heard many artists with these price points were doing little to no sales.  There were a few artists that zeroed at this show, sadly that happens sometimes, I have been there too and it sucks.  Overall, I give this show a B+, they did everything right and the only thing keeping it from an A in my mind is low sales, but I am grateful for the little profit I did make. 

I will be doing The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Fair in Reston, VA this coming weekend.  Due to the very long drive for me I will probably be posting that review next Tuesday.  Stay tuned........   

No one would have guessed when we started our first art fair website nearly 10 years ago that they'd expand to five! That we'd have over 40,000 nationwide subscribers and have top Google ratings! If you're online and you love art fairs, you found your way to one of our sites and we thank you!

Have our sites and newsletters helped you

• find a new art fair in your community?
• taken you to an art fair when you are traveling and need your "art fix?"
• meet an incredible artist?
• enabled you to make your home and office a place of amazement full of wonderful one of a kind objets?
• helped you earn a living as an artist
• make some new friends?

Learn more about how you can support our art fair websites and win prizes too:   

P.S. besides this site with all its helpful information that I know you love (I see the "page views"), the prizes this year are really generous, from some of your favorite shows, artists, consultants -- and we're doing two special podcasts. The first one will be "Everything You Want to Know About Zapplication" on Wednesday May 15.

Well, the smell of Jasmine is in the air, the citrus blossoms are in full regalia and it is time to head north for the summer--for the next five months.

So maybe, there is time to look back and reflect on the site of art shows in Florida this year of 2013.

I can tell ya one thing, there is a hell of a difference from doing my last two shows in Texas and doing one in Florida right now in Lakeland--as we all kindly call it the  "Bake by the Lake."

There are infinite light years of distance from the buying public in Texas versus Lakeland--and that is putting it very kindly.

The guy next to me who gets in shows with his wooden cabinets and then proceeds to sell $20 bread-cutting saws all day is making a mint.  The faux flower people in the imported clay vases are selling a mint.  The rest of us suck.

 Here is a serious look at Florida.  I have only done shows here for 38 years, so what do I really know?

First off, it is really tough to make a living selling art--especially 2-D art in Florida right now.

So, before all you get off the thread, notice I said "2-D."

Reason number one.

Housing industry still sucks big time.  Without many people buying or building new homes, there is a limited market to sell 2-d art to.

This means all us talented artists are striving to sell to a very limited number of buyers.  And, they are very limited.

Two.

Way too many art shows in Florida.  Diluted base.  Nobody is really excited, because they will just see you are another of your ilk the following weekend.  Makes it very hard to close on good sales.

Three.

Way too many talented artists and craftspersons for this limited market.

Prognosis.  Til, building industry and home sales pick up, slim pickings for us.

Oh yeah.

  Let us couple that with the greediest increase in booth and jury fees we have ever seen in or lifetime.

Shows are making moneys while artists sink further into debt.

Not a great future in Florida.

Sorry folks, as you know I just tell it like it is.

Aloha, Nels.

Hello everyone.  I've been reading these wonderful post for a couple months now.  BTW, not only are you good artists but good writers as well! I guess I'm a part time artist.  I work in the day to support my art (and the household) and have only been able to enter local arts and crafts shows in the Houston area.  I've never applied to the large Houston art shows as really, I"m not there yet as an artist.  I haven't been able to dedicate enough time to it. 

Anyway, I'm a glass fuser.  Started with dichroic glass jewelry but have rencently moved into larger pieces.  Art panels, not any plates and bowls.  I'm "painting with glass frit powder". 

My question to you as seasoned artists, if the display enhances your art and actually becomes part of the art (glass panel in my case), but I did NOT make the display, is it my art?  Can I be judged into a show if I did not design or make the display?  Here is my example.  There are black iron display frames that hold the glass on a table top.  You probably have all seen them.  They are inconspicuous and functional.  Now, say this type of stand had vines with leaves cut out of metal and it kind of "grew up the sides" so to speak partially framing your glass.  It enhances a muted abstract glass panel with more design elements.  To be clear, what if it were not just leafy vines partially up the sides and on the bottom.  What if this stand also came in a coi fish design, a single standing crain, or even a large animal and these designs were right in the middle of the display stand which is holding your glass?  It actually becomes part of the art.  The fish against blue muted glass are swimming in water, a bear against muted green glass is in a forrest.  So this stand becomes part of the glass panel overall appearance.

What do you think?  Am I just enhancing someone elses art by making glass that the display holds?  Would it matter if the design is bold and "in your face" like a big standing bear or swimming fish that is right in the forfront of your glass or a more acceptable design of vines and leaves in the outer perimeter of your glass which is less of an addition to your glass?  If I designed the display stand but didn't make it would that be more acceptable?

Without pictures, I know it might be hard to imagine.  I like the concept.  I don't want to just be the backdrop to the display stand but I like the beauty of the partial framing.

I will check back after work for responses.  Thanks for your feed back.

Come on folks -- this is quick and easy. Let's reward the great folks who add such useful and entertaining content to this site. Where would we be without them? 

April's nominees are:

• Mary G. Holland's discussion, "Are Better Craft Shows Fizzling Out?" - April 3
• Gayle Weiss' 2 part blog post, "An Open Letter to the Jury, Part I" (April 9) and "An Open Letter to the Jury, Part II" - April 10
• Alan Anderson's blog post, "The Truth About Credit Card Processing" - April 17
• Oscar Matos Linares' blog post, "The Only Think I Ask You God" - April 28

We are always looking for nominations for featured members, people who really make this site a "must visit" site for art fair artists. You can give thanks to your favorite in the survey below.

Deadline for voting: May 16 - 10 pm

Click here to take survey

Thank you Mary, Gayle, Alan and Oscar and everyone else who contributed this month. Devoted to keeping AFI alive and well -- Connie and all the rest of you who make the community live! 

I live in rural Maine and a large portion of my photographic work is available during the summer tourist
season at art fairs and art exhibits.

Along with all of the benefits of country living I quickly learned to live without
some of the benefits of New York. One of these is that high speed Internet
(cable or DSL) is not available everywhere. I use a wireless Internet service
(not to be confused with satellite Internet).

Wireless services have restrictions on the amount of upload/download gigabytes
you are allowed in a given month. Even though I pay for a larger package it does
not increase the speed of the service I receive.

It is essential that I be able to receive software on disk or I am penalized
either having to buy additional gigs or suffer a slow down equal to a dial up
service. The last Photoshop upgrade would have taken six hours to download so I
had to buy a disk. Of course I can always use the free time (midnight to 6am).

Though I do not expect an exception or solution, I am letting Adobe know
that all users of their software are not equal.

Don't know how many of you may have seen this, in today's Zapper email. While there is still an application fee, if you get accepted, your booth fee is waved? To top if off, the jewelry category is closed, so they must have had plenty of people apply for that. AND the event is only 1 month away.

Why are they doing this? my thoughts are that they obviously aren't getting enough vendors applying in categories other than jewelry. They also highlight last years sales, and they surmise that people this year will be looking to replace art lost to the storm.

I still support the boycott of jury fees. That plus that fact that this is totally out of my area. Even so, I would love to hear any experiences from this event. I am curious to see how this event turns out.

So tell me what you think? How do you feel about your jury fee not being reimbursed if you get turned down? Do you think this is a good strategy to lure in more artists? Is it all just a ploy to get more people to apply, and they already have the show filled? If you are attending, have you rx'ed your booth fee back already?

Soooo many questions....:)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jersey Shore Fine Art Festival 2013 - Barnegatt, New Jersey
DEADLINE: 5/15/2013
Jury Fee: $30.00
Event Dates: 6/8/2013 - 6/9/2013
Jewelry category is CLOSED.
The Jersey Shore Fine Art Festival returns for its fifth year to the Ethel Jacobson field on Long Beach Island (LBI).  This event has the largest advertising schedule of any Paragon event. The event is sponsored by Gannett Newspapers and their affiliates. 

As you all know, the Northeastern United States was brutalized by Tropical Storm Sandy in October. Specifically, Long Beach Island was severely hit and suffered damage. However, as of this writing the estimate from our hosts is more than 85% of the island is up and running. Those of you that have done shows post-hurricane realize that insurance settlements for lost and damaged possessions often leads to extensive redecorating that involves the purchase of new artwork.

Given these extraordinary circumstances, Paragon is making a similarly extraordinary offer.  The application deadline is being extended and most importantly

 IF YOU ARE JURIED INTO THE EVENT - YOUR BOOTH FEE WILL BE FREE

Single or doubles, both will be free.  The only cost will be $50 for those requesting corner booths.  Both corner and double booths will be assigned on a first-come basis determined by the date payment is received for the corner or the request is received for a double booth.

We have contacted our media sponsors and they are fully behind this concept and will be increasing their support of the event.  Further, the Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Long Beach Island is reaching out to all their local media contacts and news media contacts out of New York City. This is becoming a regional effort to bring attention and support for the event to help the artists and the community of Long Beach Island.

Come join us.

2012 AVERAGE SALES:   $2585 (47 artists reporting)

What an exciting adventure...and its only just begun. I ve done my first show in 2013 and that was the fabulous Cherokee Triangle Show. Louisville is a great city. People were out in rainboots and umbrellas. The weather looked lousy all weekend but we never were drenched. In addition to my used walls and used tent Ive now acquired a used trailer. I felt like my booth looked good. People said lovely things and spent money...an excellent combination. The trailer broke when we pulled into the driveway on the trip home. If its going to happen there is no better place : ) . I am getting mail with acceptances for shows this fall.(thank you Larry berman photo guru) . I need a new booth photo..I guess that is the pattern. I am extremely encouraged. I ll be at the Wyoming Ohio show next. Would love to meet some afi contributors. Happy trails fellow artists. May the sunshine, large crowds and full wallets be with you. Sharon

So with great anticipation we took the plunge into the art festival pool this past weekend in Fernandina Beach as part of the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.  Here is our top ten lessons learned.

10. Although it may seem like a good idea to pack your canopy weights in the front of the trailer for weight distribution for traveling, if you are setting up in rain and high winds you do not want to have to unload the whole trailer in the rain to get to the weights, especially when your wife is precariously perched on the canopy to keep it on the ground. If you decide to leave the art fair business you could rent your tent out as a parasail.

9. Overkill on your tent weights is a good idea. I had made two 32-34# for each leg By the second day of your tent staying put, when others are taking flight or collapsing, some people will think you are some kind of tent guru, especially if they were not there to watch you bumbling through the initial set up.

8. If you have a five page list of things you just had to have for your first show, you will spend a lot of time looking for stuff when setting up in a storm. You will get very wet while doing this. It did not take us a minute over five hours to set up our display. (We did receive many compliments regarding the finished product, thanks to much good advice from folks on AFI.)

7. Being a Good Samaritan comes at a price. If you move you vehicle and trailer to help another person leave the show as a result of their canopy actually turning into a parasail prior to the show, you may look for a place to put your truck and trailer for an hour or more. Especially when a few inconsiderate %$%#@&$&! will leave their cars, trucks or RV’s anywhere. (I moved my truck because some idiot had parked in the middle of the street so these poor folks could not pass to leave).  I don’t regret the decision, but I did lose an hour.

6. Do not take the connecting pins to your knock-down display panels when you leave for an hour to move the truck. By all means, do not insist to your wife that you do not have the same connectors in your pocket, which may result in her having to look through the same five pages of stuff referred to in lesson 8.

5. You cannot use too much tent sealer. However, you can use too little. Fortunately, we only had a couple of leaks that were manageable.

4. The 12 volt marine battery powered electrical system with 12V LED spotlights and 12V fans worked great. We did not have to use the fans till the sun came out on Sunday, but we had plenty of power from two marine batteries. We only used about 20% of our available power and we did not have to worry about the 12V system in the rain. This proves the old saying that even a blind squirrel finds the acorn sometimes.

3. The ability to understand different dialects is crucial in large festivals. For example I had to translate the interesting language of drunkenese, when the young party-goer slurred to my wife and  I that he had been in one of her paintings all day and he just had to hug the artist, which fortunately was not me. If necessary, I would have rescued her once I was able to stop laughing.

2. The artists, the host organization representatives, Island Art Association representatives, the volunteers, and the patrons, were friendly and helpful. We met many nice and interesting people.  The lesson is that these are great people to hang out with for a weekend.

1. Although all the oohs and ahhs and compliments as to the quality of the art cannot be deposited in a bank, the positive encouragement was priceless especially when it came from other artists. We only sold one small painting but the experience and confidence we gained learning to deal with difficult weather,  how to improve our set up and marketing will pay off in the future. Sherry nearly ran out of business cards. We will be much more confident with our next show in Roanoke, Virginia. We threw ourselves in the pool and we didn’t drown.

So it was a slow day at the First Saturday Arts Market. We only sold a couple of prints... the director of the show confirmed that it was lees than the usual traffic and sales. But is was great weather and good live music and we had a ball. Sales would be nice but what the hell. I realized that's not why I am here. Why are we doing this then? Here's the top ten reasons why:
1.) I love to draw. That's why I do this. It's therapy It calms and invigorates me. I feel like I get better with each one I do.
2.) And what am I going to do with all those drawings? I love to share them with other people, other artists.
3.) After years of working trade show booths and networking I love to meet and talk to people.
4.) I love to people watch and art fairs are a great show. Sometimes I wonder what is on display... the art or those viewing it.
5.) Bev and I have, after all these years, found something we love to DO together other than just BEING together. Yeah indy movies and antiquing are fun but THIS is an adventure.
6.) We love off-beat road trips and always thought that would be a great retirement but we aren't campers, we aren't gonna roll in a Winnebago and we wondered how we could afford the hotels and travel. What the hell... now it's all tax deductible!
7.) People can spend a lot of money on their hobbies. They buy boats, buy expensive golf clubs and pay outrageous greens fees. Well this is our hobby and who knows... we might sell something and maybe even make a living at it... others do. 
8.) For years I did commercial art for clients who would change or reject it with little or no knowledge or basis for their opinions. I swore I would someday do art for art's sake. And do exactly what I thought was right. See commercial art is all about money. You get paid for it so it can be used to manipulate other people to give your client their money. I ain't gonna do that any more.
9.) I am creating something unique and original. I take paper and pencil and give birth to something that didn't exist before and will never be done by anybody else quite the same way.
10.) See number 1.
That's why we're here.

Can anyone add any insight to this show? Its June 14th and 15th. (Friday/Sat) draws about 20,000 but also includes a 5k race along with arts and crafts. Its according to the promoter most people return and she only has a couple booth spaces left. its about an 8 hr. drive for me so would love to know if its worth it. Thanks.

Oh I DO love this art festival.  The park setting is absolutely beautiful.  The selection of artists is well done with great variety and quality.  The committee is friendly and helpful.  The volunteers are always at the ready and checked on us frequently.  There is a wonderful dinner on Saturday evening with awarding of the ribbons and prizes.  There was a steady stream of patrons both days and I saw a good number of purchases large and small in their hands.  Saturday we sold small prints mostly – but a lot of them.  The price of my small prints was admittedly VERY reasonable.  I am discontinuing the 8x10 so priced to sell and sell they did.  We did make a couple of good sales at closing time, when most of the other artists had already closed their doors.  It’s never over until it is over.  Sunday was one of those picture perfect days.  It was sunny and 70’s and slight breeze.  One of those days that make you glad to be alive.  We sold several canvases and a couple of the larger ones.  Again, we made sale of a large canvas just at closing time.  And the best part is of the 20 some photographers I took a ribbon and some prize money.  YEAH.  Interesting (and scary) that the artist is responsible for selecting the piece that is judged.  I selected one of my new prints where I went outside my comfort zone.  It is the only piece that is obviously manipulated in Photoshop.  It is very different than anything else in my “gallery”.  Apparently a good choice.  Overall a very nice weekend at a wonderful art festival.

This was the first year for what promise to be an outstanding annual event.  First year shows are always tough, both for the promoters/organizers and also for the artists willing to take a chance on a new event.

Originally we were going to do Rockville’s Memorial Day Festival (which was great for us last year) but when I never got the application information I contacted the town and discovered that the city had dropped the art fair component from the weekend event.  (There is a really big hole in the ground where a huge building is going up that may have required they downsize the festival somewhat.)

Based on our success in this market last year, we decided to try the A-RTS Festival.  The folks who do Bethesda Row put it on.  They obviously have a lot of experience putting on quality events and it showed.

Rockville Town Square is a very successful mixed-use community.  There are lots of restaurant, office space, and condo/apartments.  This is a DC bedroom community and there is a lot of money in the area.

The show was spread over several street connected by either another street or by the town square.  We were on a street that did not connect directly to any of the others with artist tents but the white canopies were clearly visible through the square.  I was a little worried but it turned out not to be the “Death Valley” that was described in the post on the Sanford show.

Load-in started at 4:30 AM on Saturday morning – yuck.  The street we were on was too narrow for both vans and tents so it was a dolly-in/out event.  One of the show sponsors (a local grocery store) opened up their parking lot and it was a fairly short roll over level ground to our spot.  Others on our street would have had a little further to go.  On other streets, there was room to drive in.

It was pretty chilly in the morning but we were blessed with sun – good for the art and good for our thin-blooded Florida bodies.

The crowd was not huge over the course of the two days but it was steady.  We had a decent weekend and we were pleased.  The best part for us was that Staci’s canvas mounted work did well enough that we have decided to phase out what had been her low price point bread-and-butter functional décor items (more craft than art). 

Breakfast was provided on Sunday morning and our block captain was great in checking regularly to see if we needed anything.  Booth sitting was readily available if needed.

The negatives.  There was really only one.  Some of the music was too loud at our location (it was probably fine elsewhere in the show but the stage was pretty close to our booth). 

The director was well aware of the issue, had the amps turned down and assured everyone in our vicinity that acts to be booked in future festivals will not be problematic.  I believe her.  (Having said that, I’m not sure why any music is needed other that perhaps some art exhibit friendly all-acoustic string stuff.  If patrons are listening to a band, they aren’t looking at art.)

Overall we were very pleased with this first year event.  We will certainly apply again next year and I would expect even bigger crowds given that it will be Year 2.  At least one AFI’er got a well-deserved Best in Category ribbon.  Here’s the list:

Best in Show - Samuel Yao (Decorative Fiber)

Best in Category 
Ceramics - Peter Saenger
Digital - Edward Loedding
Drawing - Benjamin Frey
Decorative Fiber - John Gunther
Wearable Fiber - Kim Potter
Glass - Henry Levine
Graphics - Grant Silverstein
Jewelry - Teddi Fine
Metalwork - Ron Stinson
Mixed Media 2D - Sandhi Schimmel Gold
Mixed Media 3D - Douglas Durkee
Painting - Richard Toft
Photography - David Cieslikowski
Sculpture - Charles Strain
Wood - David O'Neil

We were looking forward to going back to Darien, GA.  It is a quaint little community with a really nice (good food) restaurant/bar right on the river where the shrimp boats dock.  The Art in the Park is just outside the gates of the Blessing of the Fleet festival.  The Art in the Park had about 25 real artists, enjoyable music and set up is around a fountain under a canopy of live oaks.  Delightful.    We arrived and as soon as we opened the doors our car was inundated with no-see-ums.  They attacked as if they had not eaten all year and were making a feast of us from head to toe.  We quickly grabbed the hats and insect spray but the nasty bugs were insatiable and highly resistant to our repeated sprayings.  Being the ever-determined artists we set up and made ready to sell our little hearts out.  There were no crowds.  There was a steady flow of browsers.  It appeared they were mostly on their way to the Blessing of the Fleet for the marshmallow guns and many varieties of bead stringers and BS.  Sunday was about the same but add the pleasure of rain starting about 1 hour before break-down.  We got home about midnight and unloaded everything and hung tent to dry. In the final analysis we did sell a couple of the larger canvas prints and a number of 8x10 prints.  We came out just barely covering expenses.  I love Darien but I think I will go as a vacationer.