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My most recent podcast "Let's Start an Art Fair" was full of great information for anyone who is starting  an art fair and those of you who are continually working to improve and grow the event you already have in place.

Rae Marie Schneider and Kim House started the St. John's River Festival of the Arts in Sanford, FL, in 2012 and just as they got really busy the tragic murder of Trayvon Martin exploded all over the news. They had to work on damage control to make people believe their community was a safe place for an event. You'll also learn their grassroots organizing and why they are really looking forward to year two.

Dennis Gorg is a known event organizer in St. Louis and June 1 & 2 will see his inaugural Midtown Taste ART FAIR. His expertise is pretty obvious as he speaks and discusses why sometimes a festival (that includes music, restaurants, children's activities) is the best answer to promote and sell art, never losing the focus that the art comes first.

Tim Reilly is stepping deep into the water promoting a fine art festival in his town of Madison, GA, The Cotton South Fine Arts Festival. He shares his ideas of how an art fair can really stretch start up dollars with one's connections throughout his city and ideas for supporting artists so they can afford to spend the weekend at his show.

A few tips along the way:

• by having components for income besides booth fees can help support an event and keep expenses low
• don't be afraid to innovate, develop new media channels (really work the social media)
• listen to the artists, they probably know more about events than you do
• utilize your local contacts and connections even those that seem unrelated to your specific goals
• let local hotels know about your show so out-of-towners can attend

Lots more right here: Let's Start an Art Fair

July 21  
Neenah, Wisconsin
Riverside Park
10am-4pm
75-90 Artists
Deadline March 31

The 39th Annual Bergstrom-Mahler Museum Arts Festival hosts fine artists in a beautifully wooded lakeside park with music, food and family-friendly fun.  The festival is a much anticipated Fox Cities tradition strongly supported by residents.

Looking for a show for this particular date? This is a lovely time of the year to spend a day in Wisconsin. Neenah is near Appleton and just north of Milwaukee.  Click here for location.

• Jury Fee: $20, Entry Fee: $100.
• Total Cash Value of Prizes/Awards: $1,600.00.
• Free admission.
• Music and dance for entertainment.
• General types of work acceptable for this event are: Fine art, High-Quality fine craft, limited edition/handmade prints, offset lithograph prints and photography.

       
More info: www.bergstrom-mahlermuseum.com
Application: www.bergstrom-mahlermuseum.com

Contact info:
Kelly Stoll, Visitor & Customer Services Coordinator
Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
165 North Park Avenue
Neenah, WI  54956-2994
(920)751-5658 Ex: 303
E-mail: stoll@bergstrom-mahlermuseum.com

Congratulations to Robert Wallis whose discussion "St. Louis Art Fair Mock Jury and Image Workshop 2013, Part 1" was chosen by the members to receive this month's award. 

As you can see from the video Robert really knows how to navigate tricky terrain and get to the finish in style. If there is anything anyone wants to know about preparing images for jurying and how a mock jury is run, please see Robert's discussion, plus don't miss Parts 2 and 3.

Admitted to our Hall of Fame this month for their generous participating and sharing on the site are our newest featured members. Many thanks to the members who make this website work so well for so many. The members have voted and the following people have been chosen as the most generous and friendly and appreciated for their constructive contributions:

Elle Heiligenstein - Elle's friendliness has permeated AFI since she joined. I'm thinking she is going to have lots of friends before she even does her first big show. In her first six months on the site she has participated in nearly 160 discussions and brought a lot of helpful strategic info to many.

Richard Sherer - Dick joined the site in July 2012 and has been a great source of lots of down to earth business information in addition to teaching us a lot about the saddle business and Colorado art shows. He has participated in nearly 300 discussions adding his own brand of good sense and community sharing..

Robert Wallis - member since July 2010. Sometimes he can't decide if he is the teacher or the learner. He indefatigably searches out answers and shares his answers generously. When you

see his name you know his info will be substantive. 

Members who have made extensive contributions to AFI can be identified by the Red AFI symbol on their photos.

Thanks to these three from all of us. You have been chosen by the community to receive this award.

Asking for Booth Image Reviews

If you are asking about having your booth image reviewed, please start a thread on the forum specific to that topic. Thanks.

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/categories/booth-examples-and-reviews/listForCategory

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

  Photo by Kim Fulwiler

                                               OUR HERO!!

  I can't describe the thrill of being able to announce that RC Fulwiler, the Chuck Yeager of photography,  has broken the CANVAS barrier by taking a first place award for photography at the Fairhope, Alabama show last weekend.  The reason I’m reporting this is that I know RC, like most other photographers, is too modest to brag.  This, however, is a report that needs reporting.      

   Guys and gals with photography on canvas at the shows know all about the glass ceiling when it comes to awards.  Although it’s not official policy, photographers who show on canvas have not been eligible for  those  awards.  It’s simply been a tacit policy among art show judges.  A photographer  can get awards for digital  fotos on aluminum, titanium, bronze, pewter, and maybe even particle board if the subject matter is right.

     But canvas?  Noooo.  

     Until now.  

Way to go, Rich.  One thing about awards, however.  When you get one, sales suck, don't they?    

The BBC is pleased to invite fine artists and fine crafts people to apply to their 2013 Spring Fine Art and Fine Craft Show.  This annual event is eagerly looked forward to by the whole tri-state area. 

What to expect:

• This show draws over 15,000 attendees.  
• We have wonderful, professional fine artist and fine crafters, plus a gourmet food section.  
• In addition we have live music.  The food and music sections are separate from the exhibitors so that people can have a wonderful meal and dance, and is far enough away to only enhance the shopping experience and adds a wonderful background ambiance.  
• This is the first year we are listing the show nationally to encourage exhibitors from outside the tri-state area to participate.

Application: www.entrythingy.com
For more info: www.bbcblockassociation.com

March 21, 2 pm ET

Thought I'd give my 2 cents to this festival being a newbie to the show. IMy booth was right at the end of the chamber part and the beginning of the Arts center show, yes there is two different events butted up to each other. Very interesting talking to artist on both sides you seem to get a lot of different reasons for why who has choosen the show their in. I still didn't see the difference other than the way the booth layout was. On the chamber side all the artist had a corner so that was pretty cool not to have to pay a extra fee for that.

Loadin you had to wait until 6 the police cleared the streets from 5 until you could bring your vehicle in to unload. In theory one was to unload move your vehicle and then setup no body did that but you had plenty of space to setup.

It's a 3 day event on Friday lots of artist I talked to did very well I DID NOT, but it was the local or returning vendors that seemed to do well. I made the same amount all three days I did cover my expenses and put a few dollars in my pocket. I didn't see many folks carrying big paintings around or a lot of bags, the wood carver and potter to my right had a very good show both took in several thousand. I sold a lot of matted small prints nothing over $100.00 no orginals thought a few times I had one in the bag only to fall short. Crowds on all three days were pretty large with that said it left a few of us 2D artist scratching our heads why the low sells compared to the amount of people. There was enough interest in my work and with the amount of print sold I'll give this one another try. The Chamber of Fairhope are extremely friendly plus the fact it's a pretty nice area of Alabama to be in anyway. It does have a award dinner on Friday night "VERY GOOD" I may add.

Load out was about the same as loadin with no help I was out and on the road in about a hour.

If you do get into this event and not done the show before you'll have to purchase a business license to display your work, it's cost $32.00 on top of your application and booth fee. Food for thought.

Later, Mike

http://www.mikebrownstudio.com/

August 10 & 11  
Shelby Township, Michigan
Shelby Township Municipal Grounds
Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. 10am-4pm
Deadline: April 1

Since its humble beginning in 1983 the Shelby Township Art Fair has become an annual event that many look forward to visiting.  It has grown to be a favorite for those looking for a great family outing and a wonderful venue to find that special piece for their home or themselves.  The Shelby Township Art Fair Committee invites artists from near and far and Michigan based businesses to exhibit at its 30th Annual Art Fair.

ARTISTS and FINE CRAFTERS that create works in paint, wood, glass, clay, metal, photography, jewelry, fibers, and more are being sought to exhibit. This is a juried fair where buy/sell products are not permitted.

MICHIGAN-BASED BUSINESSES that make items for visitors to purchase and take with them are invited to apply to exhibit and sell their products in the area designated for Michigan Made Products. This was a new feature at the Art Fair in 2012 that was met with very positive feedback from the participating businesses and by the visitors to the fair.

Artist & Michigan Made Products Vendor Features:

• Juried fair limited to 100 artists and 30 Michigan based businesses
• Spacious grassy 15'x15' exhibit areas
• Reasonable jury/booth fees-Artists $10/$140- MI Made $10/$50
• Sponsor provided cash awards for juried art
• Friendly, helpful, organized staff; easy load-in & load-out
• Free parking available close to exhibit areas; overnight security on grounds
• Attendance was approximately 10,000 in 2012
• No commission taken on sales-artists and vendors are responsible for their own 6% sales tax
• Advertising in local and regional publications, on-line, through social media, television and radio announcements, e-mail and Node blasts, flyers, banners and signs throughout the community, and through other promotional venues

APPLICATIONS:  www.shelbytwp.org/departments 

Questions or concerns regarding support of the Art Fair can be addressed by contacting Committee Secretary Pam Reinhardt at the Shelby Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Department by phone at (586)731-0300 or (586)803-2087, or via e-mail at preinhardt@shelbytwp.org

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

Find even more art fairs looking for artists: www.CallsforArtists.com

August 30-September 2 

Royal Oak, Michigan 

Downtown Streets
145 Artists 

Deadline: March 31  

 

We  invite you to apply to Ford Arts, Beats & Eats in downtown Royal Oak, MI, on Labor Day weekend.  As we  light up the candles for our 16th birthday, the event  promises to be an exciting one, celebrating the end of summer in metro  Detroit.     

Happy buyers at ABE

 

We play host to over 400,000 visitors who come to enjoy the  amazing diversity of art, music and food in a cool urban setting.  Ford  Arts, Beats & Eats is held in Oakland County, which is the  third-wealthiest county in the nation, containing cities such as  Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Rochester.

 

The 145 artists chosen to participate come from across the country to join our celebration. Being an art fair artist is a demanding business.  A  professional staff awaits your arrival and we look

People love this festival

forward to welcoming  you with perks such as:

• vigorous friendly volunteers
• drive to your booth for set up and take down  
• cash awards
• free food tickets   
• personal attention to particular  needs. Tell us what you need, we're here to serve.

          

Based  on the feedback of our artists, many changes were made after the 2011  festival.  We revised the layout and reduced the number of artists,  among other enhancements, leading to positive reviews and more  consistent sales in 2012.

  

Our  promotion, guaranteed by generous media sponsor support, is considered  among the best of art festivals nationwide.  You cannot be in the  metropolitan Detroit area on Labor Day weekend without seeing specials  about the arts activities on television, hearing artists' interviews on  numerous radio stations and seeing comprehensive feature articles in the  press, directed solely to the juried fine arts show.    

Barry Bernstein & collector at ABE

We  know you are aware of the challenging economic times throughout the  nation and in Michigan, but we want to reassure you that we are committed to meeting your needs and bringing you the audience you deserve.  Our many thanks to the fine artists who have helped keep this vibrant festival going.  We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing our Sweet 16th celebration with you.

   Questions? lisa@artsbeatseats.com

            or  donna@artsbeatseats.com  

Does anyone have any experience with the Art and Book Fair being held in Wichita, KS May 11-12? It's billed as the "fifty-fourth annual" this year so it seem stable enough and "will focus on the presentation of high quality arts and crafts". Here's a link to their page: http://wichitaartmuseum.org/artBookFair.html

Any opinions or comments?

The 2^nd annual Detroit River ArtScape, with more than $15,000 in cash awards, will be held on the Detroit riverfront, June 14-23, 2013, culminating with the very successful Detroit River Days festival, June 21-23.  

• In its second year, 15 artists will be selected to showcase their large, weather-worthy pieces, and win cash prizes of more than $15,000.
• The purpose of the event is to promote arts and culture in Detroit and to showcase the Detroit riverfront.
• The attraction is intended to raise the already renowned quality of programming and culture at River Days, as well as to promote the Arts to the Metro Detroit community and specifically to the 100,000 plus people who attend the River Days festival.

The 15 finalists of the Detroit River ArtScape competition will be invited by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy to display their selected large, prize-winning artwork, before and during the River Days Festival.  These award winners will have the additional opportunity to be selected for the People’s Choice First Prize Award of $2,000. No fee to exhibit, $20 application fee.

Learn more: www.juriedartservices.com

PLEASE NOTE:

1) In my response of 3 hours ago I need to correct a detail I incorrectly mentioned there - that the helpful response to my problem came from Woodforest National Bank (1-800-327-0093) not 1st NB, who acts as their agent - no wonder they were surprisingly pleasant!  

2) If you have a wireless terminal there is a $35 reconnect fee each time, when using it "seasonally" as explained in my earlier post. Make sure to discuss all these angles with Customer Support... after 3 calls to different people on different days there may be a clear picture & consistency of facts? Apply these to your situation regarding months you need to process cards & whether you have wireless or not. Hopefully we do not all come out on the losing end...

I have the good fortune of choosing between theses two shows.  I have never done either.  I have B&W Photography with the subject matter primarily focusing on  rural Appalachia.  Any input would greatly be appreciated.

March 23 & 24

Deland, Florida 

Highlights:

• Long history of excellent community support
• $5,600 in cash awards; $1,500 Best in Show, plus Spectator Awards voted on by showgoers
• Limited to 95 Fine arts and crafts exhibitors  and 77 traditional artists and crafters   
• No application/jury fee; Booth Fees: Fine art and craft: $150 ($135 to Jan. 1, 2012);Traditional art and craft: $125 ($110 to Jan. 1, 2012)   
• Artists amenities: restrooms, continental breakfast, reserved on-site parking, booth sitters, 24 hour security
• Estimated attendance: 10,000+
• Extensive advertising and marketing: television, radio, newspapers, magazines
• Friday setup; Short dolly or carry in to booth space
• DOAF has adopted the Atlanta/Maitland Scoring System. Artists work will be judged on their Originality, Presentation & Execution. Artwork no longer leaves the artists booth.  

For more details, downloadable artist's prospectus and application visit: www.DelandOutdoorArtFest.com

"Hearsay" - drawing by C. L. Cunningham

Anticipation runs high for artists as they head into the nation's top art shows. It is "show time!" All the studio work and creative time is about to be unveiled and shared. C.L. Cunningham says she likens it to a fine dinner party. The show organizers, the volunteers, the sponsors, everyone comes together to establish the atmosphere, set the table, polish the silver, extend the invitations and then the artists present the banquet! 

Cunningham's mixed media drawings are a mix of 28 materials that include watercolor, pastel, india ink, gouache, iridescent pastel, crushed and pulverized glass and school chalk applied to handmade watercolor paper. Her retro imagery is a slice of life, catching the light and shadow that enraptures the viewer and brings her collectors asking for more.

Learn more about C. L. Cunningham and her work: www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/featured-artist.html

Meet her March 15-17 at the Winter Park (Florida) Sidewalk Art Festival, www.wpsaf.org.

Have you seen Zapps new look? Essentially it contains all the old gizmos with a new look (not bad overall) plus a few more new tricks. I just reviewed an application I was holding on to and found when you go to arrange your images they have a new "drag and drop" feature. It takes some maneuvering to get the images to split if you want to drag an image in between two others. Just like the "old" Zapp, if you go back to review an application your image order is all scrambled up so check carefully!

How about check-out!

Did yah Notice 3. where it says, "click the "Checkout" button"? I challenge you to find a "checkout button" it isn't there. You have to click the "Review Cart" button which then takes you to the usual window with the Paypal option, etc. I sent off a quick note about this issue to them and they got back to me immediately saying, "We appreciate you bringing this issue to our attention. We are in the process of correcting this." I appreciate their responsiveness!

Finally, although my initial look was only superficial, when you review "My Zapplications" I don't know if it's my old eyes or just a bad choice of colors. I remember when I was in Graphic Design school one of the cardinal rules about type style and color was "if you can't read it, it isn't functional". No problem with the type style probably just Helvetica but the light green for a heading? Not my first choice for readability.

Okay, so I've started the ball rolling...any other oops or applause?