I know it wasn't all that long ago I asked you all to post a few well wishes for Nels Johnson, however, I am going to ask you to leave a few more for him again.   I hear Nels is off getting well and he could use a few more of our well wishes to help him over this last hurdle.  He has a laptop and can check in here everyday.  I am sure it will brighten his day knowing that we all care.  So, please send Nels your well wishes here.  Thank you.

Today was an unusual day in the Chicagoland area, there was an art festival that was simply that, an art festival.

And what a good festival it was.

The quality was very good, there was no more than one or two questionable booths and no one medium seemed to overwhelm.  Ok, I have one complaint, there wasn't enough blown glass.  

And what else wasn't at the show?  There was no NY Times salesman yelling at everyone walking by, no Verizon,  no window companies.  There wasn't any music, no food smells, just a lot of people walking around enjoying the art.  You could have a conversation with the artists without having to talk over outside interference.  

Getting back to the quality--I saw artists that I have seen at Coconut Grove, Port Clinton, Krasl and other shows. These artists were not slouches.  And, the most fun is seeing artists we rarely see or have never seen before.   The show itself is held in an affluent suburb west of Chicago.  I don't pay that much attention to bags but if crowded booths mean anything, people were buying.  

The artists we talked to were all very happy with how the festival was run.

My pARTner in crime and cousin, Audrey  and I do not usually venture south of Evanston so Geneva is out of our geographic comfort zone.  We got lost coming and going  (and I got some great clothes at great prices at the mall we turned around at) but it was definitely worth the trip.

A big thanks to Erin Melloy, the promoter for concentrating on the important thing--The Art.

Here's our latest podcast from July 26, where I spoke with three people who between them attend over 100 shows a year and buy at all of them! In addition, they take their friends who also collect the work they find at the shows. Listen to it here:

• Geri Wegner's favorite Christmas gift from her husband is a deposit to a special "art festival account"
• Ed Seidman says that going to an art fair is "like going to a museum with the difference that you can take home the art"
• Judie Seidman's critique of attractive art fair booths, suggests that an artist might emulate how goods are displayed in high end stores when designing a booth
• why they never enter a booth where the work looks manufactured

Listen and tell us what you think. What was most interesting to you?

Check out the rest of our podcasts by clicking on the "Radio" button on the toolbar at the top of the site.

  It has been a long time since I have someone ask if I can take less for an item. At the show I did last week, I had two people ask. One was actively looking at an item, and I felt she was more-or-less interested. The other one, however, just strolled by, slowed slightly, and asked, "Can you take less for these items?" having never picked up an item to even SEE THE PRICE. I have done shows for a long time, but I don't feel that I have a good response to this question. Any suggestions?

A tip for artists applying to the ACC shows

I forgot to put this in my last newsletter.

I'm going to post this in the jury forum also.

JAS has a different policy than ZAPP. Though they both allow you to change images in the application after submitting it, ZAPP makes you jump through hoops by contacting the show and asking them if they will set your application to incomplete or exception. JAS on the other hand, allows changes in your application right up until midnight (Pacific time) of the final closing date.

For example, ACC deadline is August 1st but there is a late deadline of August 8th. If you submit your application by August 1st, you can change your images without penalty up until August 8th.

I'm saying this because I'm currently working with an artist that needs her work rephotographed for the ACC application. She was nervous that the deadline was coming up Wednesday and it would cost a higher jury fee of she missed it.

No problem. I advised her to apply today using the images currently in her profile and that I would changed them after I photograph her work next week.

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

Last year I was thrilled to participate in some of the "bigger" shows, like AA Street Original, Madison on the Square, St. James Court, Krasl, among others.  I'm still a newbie, and the booth fees and travel expenses blew me away, but I wanted the exposure. Financially I did okay, and made about 5 to 8 times my booth fees.  But the travel and  long hours were exhausting and I felt I needed to step back and consider whether it was all really worth it or not.

This year I've pulled back and have been going to smallish local area shows within one or two hours drive from home.  These are advertised as "art fairs", run by local art guilds or ladies' groups or community organizations.  There are jewelers and painters as well as dip mix and "stuff on a stick".  The booth fees run from $50 to $100.  No hotel stay, not much gas, I take a lunch, set-up and tear-down are easy, the show staff is thrilled to have a "real artist" with a very nice display and sometimes give me an award which means no booth fee next year if I'll return.

Patrons walk around, don't see much they want, and come back to me to make what may be their only purchase at the show.  Good work still sells and I find that people do appreciate quality and want to buy from local artists.  My daughter calls it the "Big Fish in a Small Puddle" phenomenon.  I've been making an average of $2000 per show, with $100-$150 investment, and I'm home for supper.  Plus, many of these customers will make the trek to my holiday open house, which has grown steadily every year for four years.

For me the "big shows" just don't make sense anymore.  I think I'll be investing in growing my local market, rather than putting money into the pockets of show organizers and driving myself to exhaustion to try and get recognition.  My dog thinks I'm famous.   That's enough for me.  :)

This event takes place in Sequim (pronounced Skwim) which supposedly, if you buy into their marketing, is the sunniest place in Western WA. Yeah right!!! July 20-22 and we had rain on both Friday and Sunday with very gray skies on Saturday, but thankfully one day without rain. The best weather day??? Set up day on Thursday. However, that being said, after participating in this event in the rain, I can definitely see the potential this event has to offer if the weather were sunny. Western WA residents are used to the rain, after all, there is a reason we are the “Evergreen State”. However, rain in July and August? You can’t believe the complaints, grumpy attitudes and just general “grousing” we all participate in, artists, patrons, promoters, volunteers, it affects us all. Shouldn’t we be able to have at least 2 months a year without soggy conditions?? Guess not, for the second year in a row this was a soggy festival and chilly. Temps never really got above the low 70’s at best, many hours in the 50’s and low 60’s. Not typical summer weather. I’ve included a picture of the “lake” in our booth on Friday AM when we opened.

The Lavender festival attracts 500K visitors a year, many who are from out of state. Sequim is located on the Olympic Peninsula along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On clear, sunny days, you can see Vancouver Island across the strait. It’s a beautiful part of the state and attracts summer visitors who are escaping the heat as well visitors from Seattle who are looking for a fun weekend. The festival has gone through a bit of a change with a split a few years ago and now a separate “Art in the Park” event is being held. I’ve not heard many good reports from that event, most artists there did not fare as well as those of us at the Street Fair that is part of the Lavender Festival. That being said, there seems to be a general consensus that the split of the festival and now having 2 art shows on the same weekend has hurt everyone. Soggy weather didn’t help, but the new event has added other attractions such as a balloon festival and other events that are distracting from what used to be a weekend to attend the street fair and visit lavender farms. I think both shows are suffering from too many add on events that are detracting from the original purpose of the festival.

Load in was easy, all day Thursday, they published times by location. We were there early and our area was virtually empty, the show promoter told us we were more than welcome to load in early. I never really saw any traffic snarls during load in, we were able to leave our truck next to the booth for most of load in, our neighbors showed up when we were about 80% complete so we quickly got our truck out of the way. They also allowed us to park our travel trailer within site of our booth. YES, gotta love that convenience. It made for a very easy early afternoon trip to the trailer to brew more coffee for my husband and make some chai tea for me, and yes, it was chilly enough to make us appreciate having the extra warm beverages. Load out, well, that was another story, no oversight, lots of artists who pulled in well before they were packed up. It was raining during tear down which made it more difficult, we parked at the end of the street and dollied everything about ½ a block. However, we had a “lake” forming in the booth so tear down was challenging, trying to keep everything dry, but not being able to put anything on the ground in about 1/3 of our booth. Yuck, sloppy mess, yep, summer in Western WA.

Sales??? Well, I need to crunch the numbers to see if we do this one again, but they were decent. Friday in the rain was awful, didn’t even make booth ($375), Saturday was a good day, the “be backs” really helped end the day on a positive note. Sunday, about twice of Friday, well less than ½ of Saturday, in the rain. Our last 2 customers spent almost $400 near the end of the day which left us feeling a little better. Without those 2 customers it would have been a dismal day. This show replaced a local, very steady 2 day show for us with a $100 lower booth fee and $200 less in expenses and one where we can sleep in our own bed at home. So, we have to crunch the numbers to see if we decide to try this show again. On a sunny weekend I can definitely see more potential at this show than our local show, but 3 long days vs. 2 short days, hmm, will just have to think about this one some more.

BTW, restaurant recommendation?? Alderwood Bistro, within walking distance of where we parked, has a lovely outdoor garden where you can dine, everything is organic and you see the kitchen help coming out to cut fresh herbs, etc. Doesn’t get much fresher than that, the smoked salmon pizza? Yum!

Jewish Art Federation

Presents

Nelson V. Batin

333 S. 132^nd Street

Omaha, NE 

August 1st through 31^st

Please join us for a unique experience for your home and office. 

Nelson’s dedication allows him to find the reverence and joy in Mother Nature; whether it is in the quietness of a forest, the loveliness of springtime or the beauty of koi in a Hawaiian airport is captured to its fullest with his vivid gifts of color.

I've been getting the stink eye lately. But, I don't care.

If I am vigilant, I can stop people from photographing my work. At any given show, it is hundreds of times a day.

"Please Don't take Photos"

I step in front of them, I wave my hand in front of them, I yell. I can put up a sign, but that's futile.

These are not people who are going to buy my work. They just think it's cool. Great - but after you take the pic and leave the show - you don't know who the artist is. Also, it's stealing. I'm there to sell my work, if you take a photo, you are taking my image, and not paying for it. It's copyright infringement.

If I am vigilant, I can try to stop people from touching my original work - it's PAPER after all. Again, hundreds of times a day. Yes, some are framed behind glass, but most are not.

"Please Don't Touch"

They say "I have to" I say - no you don't. They say "I didn't" I say "yes you did." Stink Eye.

Why do people feel entitled to handle stuff they don't own?

I'm thinking of putting up stanchions - a nice velvet rope to stand behind.

I was surprised to see the poor reviews of the Ann Arbor Shows. My husband, Brian, just returned and did very well at the South University venue. This was his fifth year, I believe. He sold several large pieces and a few smaller ones. He did comment that many artists he'd met in AA in previous years did not come this year.

I have noticed at nearly all the shows, retailers and commercial sponsors are taking up more and more space each year, distracting from the artists' booths. I suggest separating the sponsors from the artists and clearly signing the different sections, so customers know when they enter the art zone, and when they are in the corporate/commercial zone. Sidewalk sales should be held at other times, so that the artists can have the spotlight.... and revenues.

Recap

It's a long show (four days) with Long hours (10am - 9pm). The booths are on the high end of what's typical these days for an outdoor art fair. To succeed at such an event your return on investment has to be higher than other shows. While the crowds were here, most weren't carrying bags - the hallmark of a great show; proof people are buying art! But they were wearing smiles and that's another hallmark of a good show. We could guess for hours why not a lot of artists did a bang up business at last weekend's A2Original Art Fair - and some did during their lulls in customers. Me included - though instead of spending a lot of time blaming the other shows, the economy and other extenuating factors I tried to focus on what I can do differently to improvewhat I have so it becomes even more irresistible! Which I've been doing since getting home!

The Original is A+

The Fair attendees had fun with my things This was the intention when I made this party vest! Isn't she so cute in it?

The Ann Arbor Original Art Fair is among the very oldest in the country. Around this core show though the event has grown in size to accomodate THREE MORE separate shows that run concurrently on the same four days surrounding the University of Michigan campus. There are those who will tell you that it has grown too large. As this year marked the first time I have ever participated in this event I'm not sure I can weigh in on that. I will say that I think I'll prioritize participating in smaller events that are just focused on fine art and fine craft because it makes the presentations much easier for the people walking through to understand. I can see how confusing it could be to the average attendee to walk past a booth selling sunglasses for $24.99 ("buy 1 get 2 more free") and then encounter my hand felted scarves, outfits and sculptures and wonder why they cost what they do.

Silver Living

I stayed at a neighborhood B+B and got to walk under this poetic arbor each morning.

Mind you, I got excellent feedback and did make some wonderful sales with people delighted with my work, so my time there was productive in this way. It was also a great opportunity for me to play around with the physical aspects of displaying my work throughout the booth; adjusting placement of items and noting the change in reactions turning passers by into browsers and even active shoppers. That was actually very fascinating and I think I got an entire course in the direct effects of visual merchandising which I will fine tuning for my next booth display at the Woodland Art Fair in Lexington KY August 18 & 19.

Fun People

These two fun lovers had some giggles trying on my wearables - I thought they looked adorable in them!

My work took in too many smiles to count, so many compliments and a whole lotta love. The reaction from the crowd ran the gamut from "Super cute!" to "Gorgeous!" ( see below for how I played around with eliciting each variety of exclamations by re-positioning pieces in the booth). Some really got into the spirit of the HappyArt presentation!

Best Coffee

If you should ever find yourself in Ann Arbor - for whatever reason - take your $4 and go get a cup of coffee from Comet. It's a little cafe located in an old style arcadebetween two buildings. You can only get there on foot. It's worth it to seek it out. I LOVE great coffee and this joe rocked!

Odd Moment

For me, probably the oddest moment in the 4 day duration of the A2 show was when the show's Executive Director asked me, in all seriousness, (and I'm paraphrasing here - but this is the true gist) "How on earth do you talk people into buying your things that are this colorful?".  She was wondering if anyone was buying my art and if so, what on earth for!  This was the show's Executive Director! The woman in charge of the artsiest part of the 4-show event! I was dumbfounded.

I just stood there looking at her and smiled. It's honestly the only way I could think of to answer her in the moment. Quite frankly, even with the benefit of these past 5 days I don't have much more I can add to that answer, lol. I don't talk anybody into anything! I offer what I have and enlighten when I'm invited to do so. I answer questions, explain the process and help folks understand what's involved with the creation of what I make. So maybe it's telling that the show's chief of staff may have lost some of the vision about what the show is actually about: Fine Art and Fine Craft. Creative work that probably creates trends rather than follows them.

Fun Kids

A friend , Michael Crumb, from my former go at the art fair circuit (in the 90's) stopped by with one of his new projects (his son Michael Crumb X2!) - and the photographer from Detroit Free Press caught the action!

Here's the other side to this view (we got press!)

University Town

This is a university town and has some delightful quirks.

I could spend some more days here. Ann Arbor is a delightful place! I enjoyed the people. I had a blast laughing with my fellow artists, my tribe. I felt welcomed and at home here. Will I come back? To be honest I think I need to spend some time looking into shows that are closer to home, and working on improving my online offerings first. I think I'll also prioritize well focused shows that are just about fine art and fine craft too. I work so hard at this - I want to give my pieces the very best chance they have to connect with people. The work deserves that.

I will be attending my very first juried art festival as a vendor in September. The venue

is supplying the booth rental, but I still need either mesh panels or grids. I would much

rather rent right now, since I don't know how often, or even if, I will do this again. If

anyone in the Philadelphia area knows of a place that does this, I would appreciate it.

Even if there is an online company that rents. Thanks!

October 18-20

44th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
Thur. - Sat.: 8am-5pm
325 Artists booths
Deadline: July 31

The Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival is known for the highest quality, fully juried, art and craft work.  Since 1969 the Bella Vista Arts and Crafts festival has been steadily growing in size and reputation!  Nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks, our exhibitors say: "This is the friendliest and best organized arts & crafts event I attend!"

Crystal Bridges Museum has spotlighted many of our artisans!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find more events for your 2012 season at www.CallsforArtists.com       

I have searched the site for discussion of this topic but can't find any.  I do Mixed Media 2D collage paintings.  I am planning to purchase a Show Off tent soon.  I prefer the look of ProPanels for display but have been advised that the Show Off canvas display walls are easier to put up.  There is possibility that I may have to do some shows alone.  What are your thoughts on the ProPanels vs. the canvas panels?  Does art show as well on the canvas?  Does it really make a difference?  I am considering the light gray canvas, as close to ProPanels gray as possible.  Do the colored canvas walls perform equally with white for display? 

The 53rd Annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Announces 2012 Award Winners
 
Ann Arbor, MI – The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, which took place July 18 - July 21, 2012, presented awards of excellence and originality to ten artists. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, which is one of four concurrent fairs held each July in downtown Ann Arbor, is located on East Washington, Ingalls Mall and North University. After a rigorous day of on-site jurying on Wednesday, ten awards were presented on Thursday morning to the following Street Art Fair artists:

• Chris Beck, Dalton, GA, Metalsmithing
• Brandon Holschuh, Concord Township, OH, Jewelry
• Andy Smith*, Marshville, NC, Clay
• Raymond Papka, Versailles, KY, Mixed Media
• Cali Hobgood*, Urbana, IL, Photography
• Melissa Finelli, Boston, MA, Jewelry
• Beth Bojarski, Milwaukee, WI, Painting
• E. Douglas Wunder, Kutztown, PA, Jewelry
• Matthew Naftzger, Hannibal, MO, Metalsmithing
• Chia Haruta, Hanover, MI, Printmaking

Geoffrey Harris (Digital Art) was named the 2013 Featured Artist. His original art work will be featured on the Street Art Fair’s poster and merchandise next year.

2:40 PM Saturday

Well, I made a public commitment to return to Long Beach Island Center for the Arts & Sciences in my  2011 review of this show, when it was 104 degrees on Saturday and no one in their right mind ventured out to an art show on white hot sandy gravel. So here I was again, hoping that the nearly perfect show weather this year would bring out the buying crowds.  And sadly, they did not.  Attendance was very light at this show Saturday, under perfect show weather: cool, overcast, just a bit breezy, and low humidity.  Sunday was sunnier but still pleasant, and most of the folks flocked to the beach, not to the show.

Setup was scheduled for Friday 5-8 PM, and (if you needed it) 7-10 AM on Saturday.  Like most exhibitors I planned to do so on Friday, but a nasty storm with high winds and heavy rain developed offshore on Thursday night and stalled there, putting nearly all artists into Saturday-morning-setup mode. 

Which is a problem at this show.  It's a small venue with a twisting show layout and limited access.  (Those of you who have done shows on Sanibel know exactly the kind of layout I'm talking about.)  So the dance-with-chaos began not long after sunrise.  Luckily, nearly everyone at this show has lots of experience under their belts.  Some dollied from the street or from their closest available spot in the traffic queue; some waited patiently, opting to unload later than planned.  Most observed the show directive to unload first, then park.  As for me, with a 7 AM arrival I am usually unloading in front of my spot no later than 7:20; with this show it was nearly 8:30 before I snapped the first poles on my Trimline into place.  I made quick introductions to my neighbors (both of whom were great) and let them know that I'd be in "catchup mode" and not chatty until I got back on schedule.  Somehow I got ready on time, ready for customers that were slow to materialize. 

Promoters Nancy and Barbara Boroff of Renaissance Craftables don't stick to the usual 10-5 show script--the show hours were 10-6 Sat./9-4 Sunday-- but I can't say there was any advantage gained. The place was nearly vacant by 4 PM on Saturday, and despite the exhortation in the show literature to "show up on time, people come early" on Sunday, there were few folks browsing the show before 11:30. 

Last year, despite the light turnout, I sold my more expensive images--canvas Gallery Wraps--to nearly everyone, giving me my highest revenue-per-customer tallies outside of Naples.  This year, the odds evened out: I sold only two smaller, slightly damaged ones at a significant discount.  A few matted 16x20s went out the door, along with a smattering of 11x14s.  But although I had a crowded booth for two fleeting occasions late in the day on Sunday and no less than five folks had extended conversations about my wall canvases, none walked out with a package under their arm.  All I had to show for the late-day rally were several oh-so-sincere promises that I'd hear back this week after they'd measured their walls. 

Ummm...We'll see.  I know only that, at the end of a disappointing three-show swing up along the Jersey shore and a raft of hotel bills to pay, I had perhaps a bit too much focus on helping them buy what I had on display, rather than helping them order something larger, later.  My bad. It happens.  But for now, I'm back in Florida for two weeks, trying to figure out how, and if, I'll tweak the product mix for my two-month swing to Delaware and Virginia that starts next month.

As for this show, I'm not certain if I'll return.  A couple of things disturbed me besides the light turnout.

*  Worried about a recurrence of hot weather this year, I had contacted Marcy Boroff before I left Florida to double-check on their policy about using a generator (with which I can power two large fans or even a portable A/C unit).  No, she told me politely, but she said she was working on being able to offer me free electricity as long as I had a 100-foot extension cord.  To her credit, she followed up next day to let me know that electricity would be available.  So I left the generator home.

Imagine my surprise when one of the other exhibitors ran a generator all day on Sunday, without anything being said.

* The show has a policy that you have to show up by a certain time on Saturday for setup, or lose your spot.  And you must promise to exhibit all hours of the show.  So imagine my surprise, again, when an exhibitor across from me not only showed up just before noon on Saturday, but actually was accompanied by two of the show volunteers, hauling in her merchandise and tent on their golf cart.  "Wow, I didn't know valet service was available," my neighbor Glenn commented to me.

On Sunday morning, she didn't arrive until about 11:15, claiming to her neighbors that she didn't get much sleep, and "you wouldn't want me to be cranky."  So far as I and my neighbors know, nothing was ever said.  

I have two Big Suggestions for show directors:

* Don't have more rules than are absolutely necessary

* Having communicated the one that ARE necessary, enforce 'em!  

I've only done this show for two years, but judging from comments I heard from long-time exhibitors, it has slipped badly in recent years: more and more buy/sell, fewer fine artists, over-representation of low-end jewelry, clothing, bracelets, and photography.  I like the Boroffs, but I wish they'd resist the temptation to look the other way when the rules aren't followed and the standards slip.  Artists notice these things, and so does the buying public.

I haven't gone to as many shows this summer because the weather has been too hot  and the house is getting full.

I have been to four Amdur shows and three independent shows.  I wanted to go to at least two independent shows before I reported on the Amdur shows  to get a fairer perspective.

Arlington Heights, IL  (AA show)  It was good, not great.  Some questionable booths but not too many.  Lots of good artists and happily, a few I hadn't seen before.  

Festival of Fine Craft (AA show)  This used to be one of my top five shows.  As a fine craft collector, this show is a highlight of my summer.  Used to be run by the The Art Center of Highland Park, IL but they asked Amy to manage it this year.  I was a little worried that the spirit of the show would change but this year at least, it was pretty much the same as it has been.  Over the years, there has been a decline in some of the media but it is still a nice show.  Credit to Amy for running two shows the same weekend and there were still lots of green shirts at both shows.  

Monument Square (Racine, WI)  This used to be a little gem but hasn't been quite as good the past few years.  This year, the show date changed and it was smaller and very disappointing.  Heard there was a date conflict with the Lakefront site but don't understand how a festival that has been the same weekend for over 20 years wasn't inked in for the same weekend as usual this year.  Cannot recommend this unless you love Kringle and want to go to Racine to get some)

Milwaukee Lakefront Festival of Art (ind)-I already wrote about this show and it still is good year after year.

Botanic Garden (AA)  I only went to this show because I got in for free ($20 per car) and I wanted to meet Michelle Wermuth.    Meeting Michelle was the highlight of the show.   

Krasl, Art on the Bluff (ind)  I already wrote about this one also and will go  back next year.   While not all artists had a good show, the way the artists were treated made it so pleasant.  I can often tell how an artist is doing when I go into a booth and most were happy. 

Buffalo Grove Art Festival  (AA)  Worst AA show I have ever been to.  A lot of the artists I used to see there weren't there this year and their replacements weren't equal to what has been there in the past.  There are always some good artists at every show and this was no exception but over all, it was a major disappointment.  Even if the art was not Buy/Sell, a lot of it looked that way.  Considering the heat on Saturday, there was a good crowd and parking wasn't easy to find.  This show takes place in bland shopping center but the show has been here for so many years that the stores are not relevant and don't affect the crowds. If a rising tide lifts all boats, then a lowering tide sinks all boats.  Well, the "bad" art  booths sunk the "good" art booths.  The overall feel of the show was not one of high quality.  I should have followed my instinct and stayed home.

The next few weeks have some of my favorite shows and I am really looking forward to those.

This is my review of the recent Cain Park art festival. It was my first time at this show and did a comprehensive research before decididng to apply. This review will be similar to the one left by Parker as most of what he said was as close to perfect as this year went.

LOAD IN AND OUT:

Unfortunately I was one that did not get enough space to park behind my booth. But the majority of artist did, so they park, unload and setup without having to move thier car, I had to move but parked about a 2mins walk to my booth.

For those that have to replenish their display this made it very easy.

Load out was very organised and timely. I moved my car in as most artist just had to breakup and load thier car right behind the booth.

SALES:

FRIDAY: Show started at 3pm and this was the only free admission day, the crowd was plentifull but not too heavy. Sales was not super but steady enough to go home happy. Not too many people did well but I saw alot of small ticket item bieng carried around.

SATURDAY: Now we are talking, I crowd was a bit light but expected since there was a $5 fee to get in for adults. This kind of weaved out the window shoppers and casual walkers. I saw a lot of big items being moved around and more original smiles in the faces of artists. I was able to move a big ticket item, a skyline of Detroit that I had planned to take to Ann Arbor after Cain Park. I priced it for $6000 to compesate for not having it to draw the crowd in Ann Arbor if it sold. IT DID. Sales for me turned out to be great on sat, a few of my other big items sold and I went back to the hotel very happy.

SUNDAY: Started as sarturday but a few hours in came the rain that lasted for about an hour. It did put things to a halt but as soon as it stopped, the crowd did come out. Sales were good, matched my saturday sales Detroit excluded. Also saw a lot of bigger items selling from other artists.

CONCLUSION: I mostly go to shows to make some money but it sure does feel good when you are treated with respect and strong organisation. This show had it all, helpers are everywhere and they repeatedly ask if you need help sometimes too much. The director speaks through the speakers encouraging shopper to not hold back on buying art and expresses it in a fun and exciting way while relating his message. A buyer made up her mind to buy a $400 art after hearing a message from the director. I will try to get into this show next year, as with all shows not everyone did well but I did see a lot of sold items moving out. Without my major sale I would have done well enough to reapply. I like this show and the feeling I got from being around people that really appreciate you as an artist and also show this appreciation by making a purchase. This is my experience I am certain others have similar or a different take on this show.

Bless

Harrison Otalor

It all depends on how it is done.  Collage artists recycle, its part of the meshing of textures and patterns.  One thing I have been doing lately that I personally think is OK and feel free to fill me in if you see any horrible red flags going up.  I combine the labels from craft beer bottles (sometimes wine bottles as well)  with hand made papers, ripped and painted and formed into the shape of whatever glass that particular type of beer would be served in.  If you are familiar with it, you could probably figure what type and brand it is, but its not like I put the label on and framed it, it was used in combination with my papers for color and line and contrast and well-- a little humor...  I think it would be worse if I started photocopying the labels.  This is the real deal, I pay the company for each and every label I use.  The money I charge is for my labor in making the art.  I don't believe there can be a black and white rule here.  The artist needs to know that the focal point has to be their own creation.  I do not think that you can totally outlaw taking something already existing and working into it and making it something else.  That too can be art, if you start getting too exclusive than I can write off 25% of booths at most art fairs as "no no's if  that's the case...  I am not saying there are not sleazy people/artists out there that take the lazy way out, no doubt but please don't  group hard working collage artist with them just because we utilize recycled materials sometimes.  Thanks ;)