This was a first-year show put on by Bill Kenney and his crew at Paragon and I decided to do the show because it was at home and because I've heard only good things about Paragon.  I have to say I was very impressed.  It was a small show with around 50-60 exhibitors and was held in an up-scall mall in far North Dallas.  The exhibitors were top-notch and I didn't notice a one that was selling inferior work.  This little show turned out to be one of the best shows I've had this year.  It started rather slow but by Sunday afternoon the crowd had grown larger and prople were beginning to buy as we all like to see them do.  I think this show has a lot of potential and is one that we're going to see grow and become more popular as time goes by.  I think it's in the right place at the right time and I think we'll be hearing more about the Dallas Fine Arts Show.  The area needs another good show and I think this may be it.  I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else shares my opinion.

Wednesday, November 21, 12 noon ET

In a business full of taking chances the first big challenge an artist has is to make the jury cut at the shows. After all, if you can't get into the show you aren't in business. I'll be speaking with

• Mo Riley, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair: Mo came to the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (the original one) about 3 years ago from the Detroit Festival of the arts. She inherited a complex jury system that has over a dozen jurors from various media who attend on consecutive days, breaking the jurying down into small pieces.

• Lyn Sedlak-Ford, Board Member Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR: one of a group of 14 artists who started this show 17 years ago. There are 3 left of the original group. We'll talk about how an artist's organization chooses a jury and what they expect from their jurors.

• Jerry Allen Gilmore, juror for many of the nation's best art fairs: with an MFA in painting and drawing he has had a career both as an artist, exhibiting internationally, and as an arts administrator in Colorado. Currently he is concentrating on curatorial projects, artist portfolio reviews, jurying for regional and national art institutions and on his own artwork.

We'll talk about:

• how to choose a jury, qualifications, diversity, experience

• demands on the jury

• how they showcase the applications

• jury instruction
• different kinds of jurying

Do you have questions you'd like me to ask? Please add them below.

We'll also be taking questions from callers at this #(805) 243-1338

Hi all, I had the pleasure of witnessing the afternoon jurying for Artisphere yesterday.  I won't go into all the details as much has been written about the process but will share a couple of observations.  I especially wanted to view the photography category, my media, and was astounded by the quality of the category.  There were 87 entries and last year i believe 9 were chosen for the category.  My immediate thought was "How is it possible to consistantly get into shows with so much quality work being submitted?"  This IMHO was also true in the jewelry category.  Having seen this,  I feel even more so that getting into top shows is quite a challenge and a bit of a crapshoot (of course).  I feel that when I don't get in, I will never again feel I've been slighted.  I could have easily selected 40 or so from that group. Perhaps many more.

The other big revelation was that I noticed that the jurors were not scoring.  I asked about that during a break and was told that the jury at Artisphere gets the images well in advance of the show to view at his/her leisure.  I asked if to their knowledge most other shows let the jurors have them in advance and was told that Columbus and another show that they consulted with did it this way.  It's good to know that the work is seen more than the 5 second group overview  and 10-15 second  viewing with artists statement.

I also noticed that Artists who used their full artists statement had a better chance of being viewed  longer than very short statements, but that may be inconsecuential  in light of the judges studying the images in advance.

Kathy Czopek's report on her recent attendance at a business conference on "How to Apply" in St. Louis is full of good information. One of the presenters at the meeting was Laura Miller, operations director of the St. Louis Art Fair. I attended that show in September. Here are some booth images to illustrate the information that Laura shared at the workshop:

Painting by Daniela Ovtcharov

Jewelry booth Ronald & Leigh Linton

Who can even see the booth for the crowd? Woodworker, Matthew Hatala on the left

Nice portable booth, easy to ship - jewelry by C. Hoffnagle

Porcelain by Robert Hessler

Amy Arnold, fiber sculpture

Ceramics by Nathan Grubich & Amanda St. Hilaire-Grubich

Glass by Sam Stang

Jewelry by Jonathan Rutledge

This is not the booth shot Robert Longyear would have sent it in, but wanted you to see the add'l tie downs and lights on the very nice panels which set off his work

Jeweler Matthew Naftzger's work is constructed from found elements, as is his booth, distressed metal cases and wall hangings reinforce the recycled element of his work

Two people who contribute a lot to AFI:

Artist David Bjurstrom

& Photographer Mark MacKinnon

Sorry, no photo of John Leben's booth, as it was blown to bits!

So, I met with my accountant today.  I mentioned that I started doing art shows in neighboring states.  He says that if I go into another state I need to file a tax return in that state, because I made income there.  Are all of you filing income tax returns in every state you do a show or how do you handle this?  Seriously, it is hard enough to make any money without having to pay my tax guy to do additional work! I'm having a tough time with this one.

So, I've been talking to someone in the travel industry -- with the hope of providing everyone going on his tours to get a piece of jewelry. 

Now he said that instead of just him, he will speak to the umbrella organization in which many of his tours (and others) first go to and perhaps we can do a pin or a pendant for all those going on these tours.  Wow - that would be great!

But now the dilemma.  If they want a commission piece - not one already in the collection - how does one charge for that?  And then they 'own the piece?  Or would I get a 'royalty' for each piece? If we made the piece, then we could price.  I wouldn't want the piece to go overseas ... and yet, if it's commissioned and sold to them, then i don't have any rights to that piece any more - do I?  I just looked up the umbrella organization - there's about 37,000 young people participating in this specific tour a year. 

Please help guide me.  If we get to the next step -- just talking - I want to come to the table in strength and knowledge.  Thanks in advance. 

Anyone at Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Gaithersburg, MD?  We're booth 15.

Karen Cooper's recent blog post, Running with the Bambi's, makes the point that you don't look back, you continue to learn and experiment.

Staying on top of all things "art fair" and not looking back is one of my mantras too, so last week I spent a day in Ann Arbor, MI, attending the Arts & Cultural Tourism Marketing Forum presented by the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Ann Arbor Arts Alliance at the historic Michigan Theatre.

The AA CVB sees travel and tourism as part of economic development and do direct marketing to bring visitors to town to stay overnight not only for university and sports activities, but also for cultural activities.

They have had wonderful growth in recent years. They "fill more beds" (CVB talk for hotel room sales) more consistently than any city in the U.S. except for Las Vegas! Their statistics showed a solid drop off in sales (beds) in 2009, and earlier in the century when Michigan really got blasted by the tech bubble busting and the auto company problems, so that Michigan and Ann Arbor were the first into the economic collapse and then because of their marketing and the attractiveness of the area they were the first out.

Take a look at their website: http://www.visitannarbor.org/

and this video:

Art fairs is one of the main tabs on the home page. Then look at their great presentation of the art fairs. Kudos to Mary Kerr from the CVB and Ken Yarsevich of the Pure Michigan campaign, bringing tourist and buyers to the state.

Why am I posting this here? All you show organizers who are visiting the site please take a good look and copy some of these good examples.

Is your CVB doing some of these things? Can anyone give us some more good examples?

I am a printmaker. I create relief prints; mostly lino-cuts on hand-made paper and directly water-colored. I print everything myself on an old Charles Brand etching press. I do not sell reproductions. Here is a letter I got from the Gasparilla show:

"I've reviewed your application and have noticed that your booth photo includes a bin for displaying reproductions of your work. In accordance with our Festival Rules, you must answer 'yes' to the application question regarding selling reproductions at the Festival if you plan to do so. I've marked your application "Incomplete" so that you may login and change your answer to that question as necessary. Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions."


Ashly Anderson
2013 Festival Co-Chair
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

This was sent a day before the deadline for jurying and went into my spam folder. I did not see it for 3 weeks. I have called and emailed numerous times but no one has bothered to email me back or call. I am hurt, frustrated and feel like I have been accused of lying because of ignorance about the art of original printmaking (plus I want my jury fee back!). What is my art community's take on this?

I just read an article about artists who have their works used in movie and TV productions...and getting paid well for it.

Background scenery, plot points, interior design, atmosphere, etc. 

In fact, it said "The demand for background art is so great, in fact, that middleman firms have sprung up to help connect artists with filmmakers."

I always think that finding new ways to sell (or in this case "rent") their works is worth looking into.

Here's the link if you're interested (and who wouldn't be!)

Artists find profitable niche: renting their work to movie makers

Some artists are turning a tidy profit by renting their work to movie makers as set decoration.

Did anyone do the new Paragon show in Fort Worth this past weekend?  I was just wondering how the show was.  I was unable to do it but I am doing the one in Dallas next weekend.  I was able to go down on Saturday and walked the show for a little while and it looked sort of scary i.e. no patrons.  I would guess there were around 50 artists and I did see some nice work.  But, seemed like the buyers were very scarce.  I was able to talk with a couple of people and they said they weren't doing much.  It did look like the load in/out would have been easy.  Trailers were parked very near the tents.

I'm just trying to get a feel for what we might expect in Dallas because those I talked with were planning to do it as well.  I hope you did well in Fort Worth and, hopefully, Dallas will be even better.  I'd like to see those two shows catch on and grow into something lucrative. 

I have recently been invited to see the jury process for the first time.

This may sound crazy, but what do I do, I am interested in seeing this.

This will be my first real jury show.

I know it will be educational for me as well.

What about dress, is there a dress code to this kind of thing?

Will other artists(not the judges)be there too?

Can I talk to them afterward?

What do I do when I get there?

I guess I am a little nervous.

June 21-23  
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Art Museum
180 Artists
Deadline: Nov. 20

Join us for the Lakefront Festival of Arts in our magnificent setting at the Milwaukee Art Museum.  The award-winning, nationally-recognized festival takes place inside the museum's spectacular Santiago Calatrava-designed building addition, as well as on the adjoining outdoor museum grounds. LFOA is a gated festival that attracts 30,000 patrons enjoying the festival rain or shine indoors AND outdoors!  LFOA is a fund raiser for the Milwaukee Art Museum's Art Acquisition and Exhibition Fund presented by Friends of Arts.

The Lakefront Festival of Arts media coverage includes developing an aggressive public relations and marketing campaign each year, including:

• targeting a number of online and print publications
• TV, radio and social media vehicles within Southeastern Wisconsin, Madison, Green Bay and Northern Chicago markets.
• The festival receives onsite coverage from every major news station, as well as onsite live radio broadcasting.

A total of $10,500 in awards are presented each year! Ten awards of $1,000 each are given where excellence is determined by the jurors.  These artists are automatically invited back to LFOA for the next year.

Jurors also select Honorable Mention award winners, all of whom are automatically invited back.

A single $500 Sculpture Garden Award will be presented to (1) artist participating in the Sculpture Garden  that has been chosen by a unique sculpture judge the weekend of the festival.

Artist's Benefits: 

• Cash awards, Artist breakfast, booth sitters, electricity, guest housing, Museum admission, program image, 24 hour security

LFOA Special Features include:

• Fiber Art Fashion Show on the LFOA main stage, highlighting unique fashions created by LFOA artists
• Sculpture Garden-An outdoor Sculpture Garden will be professionally designed and installed to showcase outdoor and large scale work. We encourage artists, not limited to sculptors, to apply and take advantage of this distinctive festival feature.
• An online Silent Auction-Featuring numerous works of art donated  by talented LFOA exhibiting artists.  Bidding is open to the public, and is online prior to the festival weekend, offering art lovers a chance to bid from home or in person.  The silent auction provides the public with a highlight overview of the festival artists.

Learn more: http://lfoa.mam.org/

Artists interested in obtaining an online application for the 2013 festival, please follow link: www.zapplication.org/public_fair_preview.php?fair_id=2271

Thank you for your interest in our festival, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.  Best of luck to you in all your future artistic endeavors!

Krista Renfrew-Festival Director, lfoa@mam.org 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find more fine art fairs for your 2013 season: www.CallsforArtists.com

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Estero (FL) Fine Art Show on October 27 & 28, at Miromar Outlets!

$500 Purchase Awards

1. Patricia de Leon Alfonso, Painting - pictured
2. Su Griggs, Clay 

$100 Awards of Excellence

1. Mauro Pozzobonelli, Sculpture 
2. Rosario Garcia, Jewelry – Precious 
3. Herion Park, Fiber 
4. Kurt Ruby, Metal 
5. Luciano Duse, Photography 

The Estero Fine Art Show is a production of Hot Works

Do you sell your 2D art on notecards?  I highly recommend it.  I think that art show patrons like to support the art that they appreciate, even if it is a small way.  Greeting card carousels are not expensive and card sales have made the difference from a miserable show and a decent one for me.  I print my cards myself, but would love to find an economical volume printer.

I wrote in my blog about the evolution of custom pencil portrait cards.  I cracked myself up writing it, I hope it makes you smile if you have time to read it!

http://www.pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-card-wars.html

That's probably the last time I'll write in my blog until the new year.  Tis the season!

Love to all

Hello, Everyone:

We just accepted an invitation to Mt. Dora, February 2013.  Any input regarding space requests?  We cannot be near food or music and would like a quiet space in shade (sun issues), etc.  Who wouldn't?  If someone has suggestions we would greatly appreciate it since we have never been there before.  Any input would be wonderful to reduce our stress! 

Thanks in advance.

February 16 & 17

(Altamonte Springs is about halfway between Orlando and Sanford)         

FREE ADMISSION Art & Music  festival will feature 130 artist displays of jewelry, glass, fine  crafts, mosaics, paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture available  for purchase.

The juried art & chalk art displays will be  judged for $8,850 in cash prizes & ribbons. The festival will also  include children's activities, street chalk painting, festival foods,  music & street performers.

WHAT: Fine Art and Fine Craft Festival
WHERE: Cranes Roost Park, Uptown Altamonte, Altamonte Springs, Florida
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, February 16-17

Show hours: Saturday 10 am - 6 pm / Sunday 10am - 5pm

 
NOTEWORTHY:

• Limited to 130 carefully juried artists from across the USA
• Over $8,850 in cash awards
• Drive up load-in and load-out at; free adjacent parking
• Sunday morning artist brunch
• Highest household buying income in the region
• Major advertising and promotion: newspaper, radio, social media
• World-class entertainment/high public attendance
• Children's and family activities
• Abundant, affordable accommodations and restaurants