Blog

So many of you have been generous and helped build this site that it is time to do some serious recognition of the people who have made it happen. A volunteer editorial board of members has sent me nominations for the most important people in the community and we are rolling out our first AFI Community Leaders.

These people can be identified by the "Red Dot" insignia on their pictures on the site. This first group have been members here for three years, in fact, Geri Wegner, was member #51, and she is still here explaining the business and shopping at the shows! Way to go, Geri.

One of the editors said:

    ...let me say that there are several who would be at the top every time.  They always respond.  They always give their opinion, not always agreeing but that is what makes reading those topics interesting.

And another said she made her choices because she liked, "their insight, conversation starting and willingness to show their vulnerability and strength as artists and businesspeople."

And the Leaders are:

• Larry Berman - joined March 2009 - always ready to answer, teach and learn, over 1600 discussions!
• Barry Bernstein - joined February 2009 - participated in 275 discussions, occasional blogger, our resident curmudgeon
• Geoff Coe - joined July 2009 - excellent reporting skills, over 50 blog posts
• Nels Johnson - joined January 2009 - his writing is one of the reasons to turn on your computer in the morning
• Linnea Lahlum - joined January 2009 - quietly helping and sharing in the discussions. Count on her for thoughtful questions and generous answers, over 400 discussions
• Munks - joined September 2009 - watch out when he shows up, straightforward, honest answers that can make you cry or laugh
• Jim Parker - joined January 2009 - friendly, useful reporting. Makes you want to be next to him at the next art fair; nearly 500 discussions
• Geri Wegner - joined in November 2008 - personally making the rounds of the Florida and Illinois shows and reporting back; probably has more friends in the business than anyone
• Diane Wright - joined July 2009 - practically a one woman welcoming committee on AFI, greeting the newbies and bringing them into the fold; over 400 discussions

Many thanks to all of you for their generosity. May your kindness return to you in the same beautiful way it was offered.

Every month we will be choosing a few people to add to this elite list. I'll be looking for your nominations. We all really appreciate those who contribute to this community and help the rest of us make sense of this peripatetic life. What makes you get up and visit this site? Who do you love?

June 16 & 17
Lathrup Village, Michigan
Hosted by: Lathrup Village community Foundation
Sat.: 11am-7pm, Sun.: 11am-5pm
50 Artists
Deadline: May 12

Imagine the sweet tastes of BBQ fresh off the grill, washed down with the best of Michigan beers.  Listen to sounds of live finger-snapping music while you stroll through a unique art fair.  Hear the laughter of children as they create their own crafts and are taken to the land of magic.

The art fair is situated in and around a lovely park setting that borders Southfield Road, taking advantage of the 50,000+ cars that pass through on any given day. 

Marketing: A comprehensive PR/marketing campaign inclusive of radio, print, and web along with sponsor support from Michigan First Credit Union, Oakland County Parks, City of Lathrup Village, C&G Newspapers, Southfield Parks and Rec, DTE Foundation, Copper Canyon Brewery, and more.

This year will feature an amateur BBQ cook-off, 7,000 S.F. of garden and landscape products and services, live music, activities designed to encourage kids to "get up and get moving", grilling demonstrations, expanded food court & mini pub, home of the $2 Michigan microbrew.

Our first rate hospitality is always a staple that includes:

• Staff who recognizes artists needs
• Friendly volunteers to help you unload and booth sit
• Continental breakfast each day
• Spacious booths 12x12 with ample aisles
• Reasonable fee-$155  

For more information and to download an application: www.summerinthevillage.comand click on the Artist link.

Or contact Maralee Rosemond at:  (248)557-2600, x 224   

Email: recreation@lathrupvillage.org 

*This fair was formerly known as the Lathrup Village Art Fair.

Well, it can't be all doom and gloom, so I thought I could amuse you all with a Tequila Report about Melbourne on the Florida east coast.

While doing a so-so show last weekend (actually I only made $100 less than last year, of course if I zeroed then, this would not be a good sales total, but I did not) at Melbourne I had time to eat and imbibe at two wonderful places there.  Neither will set your pocketbook back big time, but they do deliver a lot of bang for the buck.

Also before I tell you this, here is another gem there.

There is a patron of the arts who lives on Waverly Steet, one of the show venues, who opens her house up to all of us both days during the show.

She gives out free water,soda,beer, even wine.  She has free hot dogs and chips and cookies.  You can even use her air-conditioned bathroom.  She is a life-saver.  If you want to know more, stop and ask me when you see me at a show--I will probably tell you everything.

Back to the TR.

First place on my list is Matts Casbah located right on the main drag of the show on the corner of Waverly.  No, he is not the one giving out free hot dogs.

He always has a kick-ass band play on Saturday at a rollicking outdoor, roof-covered bar.  Drinks are cheap and plentiful.

He is a combo restaurant that serves exceptional sushi as well as fresh cooked seafood.  I had a

whole spicy Red Snapper encrusted with all kinds of yummies.  He does beef and chicken, and even vegetarian.

If you are adventurous try a Tuna Depth Charge.  You get three pieces for $6.50.  They are cut pieces of red tuna wrapped in edible seaweed with a habenaro paste slather on the top.  I managed to eat two of them before they flooded my eye glasses.  They got the taste and the heat.  The chef said they even put a hint of ghost peppers in there.  I would like to see Uncle Dick, photographer from Bonita, eat them with his ghost orchids.

Matts was so good we ate there two nites in a row, neither time cost me a lot and I walked out satiated.

Next, for a real drinking deal go to Duffys Sports Bar, located by the mall off Route 192.  The main drag.  When you see a Fridays restaurant on the west corner of the mall turn on that street.  next on your right is Chicos and right across the street is Duffys.

What I like about Duffys is that they do two-for-ones on all drinks--and I do mean all.  Double Grand Drunks, Patron, Makers Mark, Grey Goose it doesn't matter.  They give a decent pour and don't clip you on the price.  I got two Makers Mark Manhattens for $8.25, that is a good deal.

They have steaks, chicken wings and anything else you would expect at a sports bar.  They give top notch service.  Oh, they must have a gazillion LED TVs all tuned to any sports event going on.  We were exhausted after Friday night setup and hit them enroute to our hotel.  I hit them for after dinner drinks almost every night.  Boy did I sleep like a good lamb.

So there, screw all the doom and gloom. Go out and hoist one tonight to better, future art show sales.

My next Tequila Report will be from somewhere up north, I have almost six months to investigate good grubs and great victuals.

Hang in there lasses and laddies.  We will endure and prosper.  I mean what is our alternative?

I did the Fairfax Paragon show last fall and was not really happy with the results so I was hoping for better this spring.  And I did do better, a little more than double what I did in the fall and I came out just a little above average for shows in this area.  As usual I don’t get around much but the artists near me were happy with their sales. 

This is a fairly small show with around 120 artists held in an upscale outdoor mall.  Booths are on either side of the street with some booths also in a courtyard area.  Although some spots seemed better than others I don’t think there were any truly bad spots. The people seem to look very carefully before they buy.  Some came to my booth three times before they bought something and except for one small sale I didn’t sell anything before 2PM either day.

The weather on Saturday was pretty miserable, cold and cloudy, but it least it didn’t rain (much).  Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day and that was my best selling day.

Load in and out are fairly easy.  I was able to pull my van right up to my spot for both.

Paragon has no food booths (there are plenty of restaurants in the mall) and very subdued sponsor booths.  Artist parking is about ¼ mile away depending on your booth location and it is enforced. 

Most of the hotels in the area cater to business travelers for the many office buildings in the area so they don’t get many people on weekends.  Both times I have done the show I have been able to snag the Hilton on Priceline for a really good price.

I detest going to a show where the organizers don't come by the booth and introduce themselves. And, there are quiet a few of them.  It makes the whole thing so "dirty." Organizers organize, they are not in charge of results. Win, lose or draw, they do their best, at least have the guts to face your clients (the artists).

Well, that said. last week was Magic City, kudos to Eileen Kuntzman, she was everywhere, at the end of the show she even turned up to help my wife and I load out!!!!  

Wow

Congrats to Ellen Marshall for taking away a nice $850 award this past weekend at the Melbourne Art Festival in Melbourne, FL, and to these prizewinners:

More than 250 artists competed this year in nine categories.

Best of Show: Phil Parker, Flagler Beach.

Painting (Oils, Acrylic): First: Patrick Pierson*, Palm Springs; Second: Marta Crawford*, Edgewater; Third: Ummarid Eitharong, Orlando.

Painting (Watercolor): First: Lori Jenkins, Melbourne; Second: Michael Weber*, Port St. Lucie; Third: Terry Denson, St. Petersburg.

Graphics, Drawing, Painting 2D Mixed Media, Pastels: First: Jeff Eckert, Tampa; Second: Ellen Marshall, Ybor City; Third: Stephen Koury, Lakeland.

Sculpture: First: Nancy Cervenka, Gulfport; Second: David Figueroa, Sanford; Third: Charles Hazelaar, Cape Canaveral.

Digital Media: First: Marius Moore, Gulfport; Second: John Margerum*, Oviedo; Third: Laurie Coppedge, Jacksonville.

Jewelry: First: Carol Adams, Lake Worth; Second: Kristin Holeman, Fort Lauderdale;

Third: Pam Fox, Sarasota.

Clay: First: William Kidd, Miramar; Second: Katherine Mathisen, Ocoee;

Third: Glenn Woods, Palm Harbor.

Glass, Wood: First: Chuck Boux, St. Petersburg; Second: Bill and Jon Slade*, Jacksonville;

Third: Barrie Harding, Dunnellon.

Other Media: First: Garry Seidel, Davie; Second: Richard Auger, Summerfield; Third: John Moran, Gainesville

I know a bunch of you were at the show. How about a review? In particular, Jeremy Browne, made the trek from Canada. How did it go, Jeremy?

While working in my booth this past weekend at Southlake, a customer asked what the strangest thing was that I had ever seen at an art show.  My husband and I thought for a moment and concurred that it was something that occurred at a show in Austin, Texas, a couple of years ago.

I had a crowded booth and was completing a sale with a customer.  I glanced up while packaging up the purchase only to be shocked by a woman who had a certain upper body part completely exposed.  A million thoughts went through my mind at that moment.  How in the world could I alert her to her public display of a private body part without 15 other people suddenly becoming aware of the issue?  Well, I did nothing and prayed she would figure it out, or, at least move out of my booth.......

How about you all? I am sure that there is a story to top this one.....(In fact, I heard a rumor about a Park City flasher).....

Well, I have been vey quiet lately, in case you noticed, not many show blogs out of me.

My philosophy being, if I can't say a lot of good about a show,why tear it down with criticism.

This spring has been one of the worst for me in the last ten years.  And it is not just me.  I have talked to countless friends who do jewelry,ceramics, photos, paintings, etc.  They too, for the most part, are crying the blues.

Out of 14 shows I have had maybe three that I called a real success--where I made serious granola.  Most  barely paid expenses with a little left over.  Then three were absolute stinkers.

Here is my assessment on what is going on.  It is only that.  I have done shows for more than 30 years and now weathered at least three great recessions--this one being the worst--with no end in sight yet.

Our beloved middle class buyers out there are decimated in their spending of disposable income.

The rich and well-off still got it and are buying big expensive pieces.  The middle has down-sized their buying--think $50 and under.  The lower middle--they are just looking, they are not even buying pop corn or ice cream.

My sales of 16x20 framed photos, that readily sell at $160.00, are down 60 per cent.  That is a lot.  Even the matted sales at $80 are down 40 per cent.  Low end,$40 and under, are barely holding their own.

My large sales, $200-$500 have held their own with last year, with a slight increase in framed sales.  When I run into a couple decorating their walls of a new home, I have good sale.  There are just not enough of them for me and everybody else out there.

We are more and more standing around at shows twiddling our thumbs and subdueing yawns because there is no action in the booth.

The Bonita-Naples market is over-saturated.  I will probably pass on those shows on Fifth Avenue in downtown Naples.  The sales do not merit the 3 am setup and nearly $500 booth fee.

The patrons are jaded, they walk their dogs, and keep moving on.  It is hard to get them excited about anything other than an upturn in the stock market.

For artists doing originals only, like my wife Ellen, a pastelist, it is especially brutal.  Yeah, if you are in a biggie like Winter Park, you can make serious granola.  But how many Winter Parks are there?

Last weekend at Melbourne she got a nice big red second place ribbon worth $850.00.  How were her sales for the show--zero.

We asked the wonderful people at Bank of America who hold our mortgage if they would consider adding her ribbon to their corporate art collection and gives us a partial payment credit--they said, "Nada."

So I will suffer the crowds and heat at Fernandina this weekend and make a little bit of money--probably more like gas money to power the Ford van north to Saugatuck for the summer next week.

After East Lansing in late May comes the real "tell" Columbus Art festival in June.  Most years it produces steady, great sales. But this year, who knows?

It will be very curious summer, I can't wait.

     This was my 4th year for this show and I had a great feeling going into the weekend.  MCAC is a Friday - Sunday show.  The last couple of years has had terrible weather.  Last year was the tornado outbreak that rolled through the area just a couple of days before the show so people had much more to worry about than an art show.

     All that being said this year started out good.  Set up was on Thursday.  Set up in my location went great.  I was able to back right up to the booth spot and unload.  I was lucky because most artists had to dolly into the park to their site.  We set up the tent, all the walls and some of the art.  I am a glass artist and it was a little windy so we didn't set up all the glass until Friday morning.  We visited with some friends we see every year, some great artist.  Friday night went to Dreamland for the best ribs in America.  When in Birmingham or Tuscaloosa you have to go there.  Ribs and mac and cheese.  Stuffed myself.

     We finished setting up Friday morning.  It was a beautiful day although a little warm.  We waited for the crowds.  And waited.  The traffic flow was sparse but steady.  The judge came through.  A complaint I have with this show is they only have one judge.  I never go into a show expecting to win an award (and most of the time I don't) but when you only have one judge their taste is what wins.  The "Best of Show" award went to a good friend of mine Shadow May.  Well deserved.  He is a talented ceramist and just a good guy.  Some of the other awards were not what I would have deemed award worthy but that's just me.  That's why there should be more than one judge.  Friday turned out to be a fair day.  Friday night the show had an awards dinner.  It was pretty nice for a show dinner.  Lot's of good food and wine.

     Saturday morning was sunny, warm and full of expectations.  The day started out slow but finally the crowds showed.  Items priced between $75 and $150 seemed to sell well.  We did sell a couple of pricer items.  Overall Saturday was a good day.  You saw lots of bags and packages in peoples hands.  It did get hot but the crowds stuck it out.  Saturday and Sunday from noon till 4 was their Corks and Chefs event.  It is on the show site in a tent behind where our booth was set up.  You buy a ticket ($35 I think) and you get to sample food from 10 or so resturants from the area.  You get 7 chips and each chip buys you a small plate of whatever the resturant brought to sample.  Wine, beer and cold drinks were free.  I didn't drink anything but again I stuffed myself.  I spent the next hour setting in my chair trying to ward off a nap while my wife worked like crazy trying to keep up with the customers.

     Sunday was about like Saturday.  It got hot with little breeze.  Crowd was good and steady after the church crowd came out.  People were buying but again the medium priced objects.  I talked to several artists and most said they had a fair show.  I don't think but a few had great shows but I don't think very many had lousy shows either.

     Load out was hard.  It's one of those you have to be totally torn down before you can get a load out ticket from a wandering staffer.  Then you go pay your taxes and you get a pass to go get your vehicle.  The street behind us that we used to unload was where Corks and Chefs took place so we couldn't back up to our site.  We had to dolly out to another road down a bumpy, uneven sidewalk.  The staffers working traffic were easy to work with and let me park as close as possible. 

     I like Magic City.  I will apply again but as with most shows there are some things that I wish were different.  They had a NBA basketball court set up next to the Corks and Chefs tent directly behind us.  It was for young kids to come in and learn technique and play games.  All weekend we either were listening to loud music designed to bring in young people or we had to listen to a guy with a mic call the play by play of the games and basketball drills.  Several older people who came in my booth said they couldn't stand the loud music and said they were sorry but had to leave.  I'm not sure what the basketball drills had to do with an art show.  It was just loud and drew crowds of young kids who had no intention on buying art.  I would also try to get more than one judge to evaluate the art.  It's more fair to those who might not be the kind of art that the one judge liked.  All this being said MCAC is a good show.  It seems like you ramble about the things you didn't like and don't give credit to the hard work of the committee.  I do appreciate the hard work they put in to make Magic City a good show and hope to see them next year.

June 16 & 17

Evanston, Illinois

Custer's Last Stand Festival of the Arts 
Main Street Station Shopping District, Downtown Evanston
10 am to 9 pm daily

Deadline: May 15  

375 Artists  and craftspeople from across the nation come together every  year to  exhibit and sell paintings,  ceramics, pottery, photographs,  jewelry,  graphic arts, wearable art,  country and home craft, antiques  and  collectibles. They are joined by  150 local businesses and  commercial  exhibitors who put on an old  fashioned Sidewalk Sale. Over  30 food  vendors offer a full international menu featuring the old  favorites as  well as new fare. Showcases entertainment on three  different stages.

The Custer Fair attracts over 70,000 attendees.  It has been called, "The North Shore social event of the year."  This fair has been twice voted the best art fair by North Shore Magazine and it is an inaugural inductee into the Illinois Festival Hall of Fame.

The  Chicago Sun-Times says, "This 38 year-old fest of chompin', stompin',  and shoppin' isn't just any old street fair."

The Custer Fair is located  in the Evanston Main Street Station Shopping District.

E-mail: office@custerfair.com

I have been collecting various types of art for for over 30 years.  I collect glass, pottery and jewelry primarily, but in all those years, I have amassed a collection of probably all media.  I buy what I like, not worrying about investment value, usability or popularity.  These pieces are for me to enjoy and if others do, wonderful but my feelings are what count here.

Everyone has bought things that they wish they hadn't but  that is part of the process.  Things will look good in a booth but once you get them home, they just don't work.  That is when I wish that there was a return policy at art festivals!

We are fortunate enough to have homes in Miami and the Chicago Suburbs.  I have art in both places and while both places are totally different geographically, the styles of both homes are similar.  I like what I like so naturally I would be attracted to the same things in both locations.  The overlap of artists in both areas is far greater than I would have imagined.  (although who wouldn't want to be in Florida during the winter than Chicago?)

So what makes a successful piece?  Barring a total change in my taste (and that has happened)  I find that I have pieces that I love just as much now as I did when I first saw them.  When we arrived in Illinois this week, I sat on my couch and just looked at all the art work that was here and it was a visual feast.  I had forgotten a lot of the pieces I had here because I have enough to look at and enjoy in Miami.  When I look at a piece of pottery or put on a bracelet, I will have a visceral reaction to it.  I really enjoy what I have.  

Sure there are those people that want a picture to match their sofa or a pair of earrings to go with that new outfit but I think that most patrons buy instinctively and enjoy their pieces more as time goes on, at least I hope so.

So, if you wondered what happened to that piece that you sold, it is probably in a very happy home.

Bloomington, IL just completed the Spring Bloom Art Show. This one-day show is put together by the McLean County Art Center. This year, they needed to move the show to a different building on the edge of town and move the date. Those are 2 factors that could have affected the show. There were less artists available, because of more options in show for this weekend. But it did not seem to affect the attendance of the show, when it came to buyers.

This is the 3rd or year we have done the show. And it was a good year! Our sales were double from last year. Attendees are very friendly. The staff and volunteers from the Art Center are helpful and take good care of the artits. There is plenty of time to set up on either Friday or Saturday. Coffee and donuts are available on Saturday morning. Sandwiches and soda is available at noon time for artists at no additional costs.

Bloomington Spring Bloom is quickly becoming a tradition for us.

We all start wondering when to give a break to a show.

I apply four years ago to the South University section of the Ann Arbor show. I got in the show and did a grand total of 2000.00 the first year. After all the expenses that was not great but I consider a vacation week from my regular job. Also is the first time I did the show so it should get better.

I got an invite for next year(2010) and ask for what I consider a better spot. I end up making 1200.00. I was wondering if I should do the show or not but I got an invite again for 2011. In 2011 show came and end.  In the 2011 I only make 400.00  and one of the Captain during the show ask me if will come back next year and respond was I need to think about because I only make 400 during the show but I had a wonderful time.

Some reason or another I did get an invite I was told to reapply. After these three years I choose not to do it because it was insane to do it.

So the question when you decide to drop a show? Keep in mind (sales wise) to me a good 2 day local show 2000 to 3000 and 4000 to 5000 for an out town show.

I have been doing commission work for... well, it seems all my professional life as a costumer!  Most of my independent costume design work is done with a contract for a stipend to design and produce the costumes.  It was part of my job to figure out what was needed and to make it happen.  It's not much different than any commissioned art piece--I talk with the customer, find out what they need, and then make it happen.  Just one costume at a time...

Over the last couple of years, I've been doing a lot more commission work for individuals that want a specific variation on one of the products they've 

seen in my shop, or they are looking for a specific item and they can't really find it for sale on the market.  I've made 1980s ladies velour vests, wired lace ruffs, and vests for the groom in bridal parties.  I've been hired by friends for my costume construction skills, and even made capes for drag queens!

But my latest piece was made for a performer who completely fits my style:  a juggler in a cabaret act.

This client found the listing in my Etsy shop for my "Ringmaster Vest".  It was very earthy in tone, with a swallowtail back--a very unusual piece fit for a specific look or need.  But when you're looking for a costume for your act, my work can fit the bill...

He wanted to know if I could make him a similar vest in different colors.  I said I could, quoted him a price and made a listing on Etsy.  When he purchased it, I went to work.

I gathered fabrics that I thought were indicative of what he was thinking, scanned in a photograph of them, and sent him the update.   We had conversed about his situation and the style he desired over email previously, so I was pretty sure I was moving in the right direction.  After some feedback, I gave him a rendering using the fabrics I'd swatched so he could visualize the vest more specifically with a bit more of a guide rather than words...  With his okay, I started assembling the vest.

And here's the finished product! I had to modify the pattern I was already using for my Ringmaster vest to incorporate more fabric choices and make it a smaller size.  I also used rhinestones to enhance the fabric motifs and decorate the collar.  So it wasn't an exact duplicate of the Ringmaster vest by any means, and that took a bit of coordinating and adjusting, but in the end I think the piece is incredibly effective.

I may end up doing more commission work in the future, but I have to really evaluate the price structure.  I'm learning that I have a tendency to underestimate the time investment in my projects...  I guess I never really learned to get over my eyes being bigger than my stomach...  Which could be dangerous in the future, so I have to be diligent.

Do any of you do commission work?  Do you use a specific form/format/method/system for engaging in commission work with clients?  Do you have policies that facilitate the process for you?  Do you use contracts or rely upon email agreements?  Do you have set prices, or do they vary depending on parts of the artistic process?  I'd really be curious to know.  I have not found a formulaic "structure" for the process myself, but I don't ever make anything until they've paid me first.  I spend a lot of time going back and forth in discussion prior to even starting, but I think that's better than finding out after-the-fact that what you've made isn't what the client wanted.  Being a costumer, I find that the artistic side of the process isn't my problem--it's the business side!  Go figure!!  Haha!!

I plan on taking a "catalog" of my commissioned works and other costuming items with me to the fairs and festivals so potential clients can peruse possibilities.  Anything "outside the box" of my catalog would need to be hammered out, of course.  But I think it might be a good tool to have on hand to facilitate future sales and work.  We'll see if it's effective or not--I haven't done my first fair yet, so it's all theoretical at this point!

Until next time, Live Life With Relish!

In submitting photos along with a show application, would it be considered a "no-no" to submit a photo that has two different pieces in the same photo?  I have a photo that illustrates two different types of wooden carrier.  They are very much alike except one has a swinging-handle and a lid while the other has a fixed-handle with no lid and the interier is divided into sections.  In essence, they are two different versions of the same piece.  Since a juror only has a few seconds to look at the photo would it be too confusing and might it also give the appearance of trying to show a juror two pieces while only using one of your photo choices?  I think the photo is a nice illustration  of the two different versions but I'm wondering if I might cut my own throat by  submitting such a photo.  Would appreciate others' opinions.

Saturday - June 9
Jackson, Michigan
Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History
11am-7pm
Deadline: May 11

The Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History is pleased to issue a call for artists for our annual Ella Sharp Art & Wine Festival.  Now in its eighth year, the festival has become an eagerly anticipated event which features the best of local Michigan art, beer, wine, and music. Festival goers can enjoy live music and artist booths nestled on the grounds of the Ella Sharp Museum.

There is a $5 dollar entrance fee to this year's event, that includes gallery access, live entertainment, artist booths and opportunities for tastings.  
The Festival takes place within the courtyard of the museum's historic Hillside Farm Lane and surrounding grounds. There is no entrance fee to the event itself for guests wishing to peruse artists' booths and take in the live entertainment.

The goal of the Ella Sharp Art & Wine Festival is to showcase the many talented artists, musicians, wineries, Michigan breweries and local businesses available here in Michigan and to connect them with an appreciative audience.

In addition to artist booths, the Festival will offer

All proceeds from the festival benefit the museum and our educational department which runs such  programs as Pioneer Living and Arts Go to School.

The Ella Sharp Museum is situated in a beautiful 530 acre city park and includes five galleries, historical buildings, a museum, fine restaurant and a full season of events that are popular through- out the region. I live nearby, it is a beautiful place that brings fine cultural events to the community.

Sell Your Art!

Register on-line at: http://ellasharp.org/art_wine.html 

Here's the link to info on registering each selling location in California.

 You must register each location that you plan to sell in. It's as easy as a phone call, so don't fret. 

http://www.boe.ca.gov/news/pdf/l306.pdf

Welcome to our newest advertiser, Bumbley.com, where artist John Leben and his wife Marcia host a lovely online retail store, full of fine American-Made fine art and craft.

Maybe another income source for you? Click here now!