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This was my first summer show.

I am writing two blogs about it.

This one will be about my insights and observations.

My second will be about the nuts and bolts of the show.

covering layouts,booths,storage,etc.

This will be valuable info for those of you considering doing the show.

So, on with the show.

This was held on the last weekend of June.

Because of COVID it was cancelled in 2020. Accepted artists were auto in for 2021.  There was no jury for this year.

This was my fourth time doing it. They have always been killer shows for me, and this year was the best.

By killer I mean in excess of $8K.

And this happened despite being rained on six times in five hours on Saturday.

This is a major show for artists in the Midwest.  I put it right up there with Saint Louis and Kansas City Plaza or Old Town.

It is hard to get into. You are up against great talent in every media and it is a small show—under 200 artists.

Steven King is the director and he is very savvy and fair with artists.  He listens. And you can actually call the man when you have an issue.

Good luck doing that with most other show directors at the biggy shows.

At first he was not sure it could happen in June because of COVID.

But he pulled it off.

He has a monster volunteer force who helps in every way.

It is a three day show with a Thursday setup. Long hours, too long.

Friday and Saturday the show closes at 10pm, opens at 11am.

This sucks for two reasons.

One, most sales stop after 8pm. Then we just twiddle our thumbs while the crowds drink beer and socializes.

Second.  All the restaurants close their kitchens at 10. So artists have no food options except to bring your own or eat show food. Jamaican chicken curry rice gets old after two days in a row.

Honestly, Steven, that is my only criticism of this show. Otherwise it rolls on perfectly.

Pretty much every artist makes mucho dinero.

This year there was no option to stay as a guest in a patron’s home because of Covid.

I booked a hotel five blocks from the show and got in on Wednesday nite.

I was the first in line for checkin on Thursday morn.

I was setup by noon and retired to the hotel where I took a three hour nap. I was exhausted. Do not get old and do shows,they will kill you.

Since this was going to be the only nite I could eat dinner out (except after teardown Sunday) I Googled restaurants and found a great fresh seafood restaurant right by my hotel called Splash.

It has been there 22 years.  It is owned by a DesMoines resident who lives in Key West part of the year.  He has fresh seafood flown in from Hawaii and Key West daily. This includes shrimp and oysters.

Everything was delish.  It was not super expensive but well worth it.

Friday: First day of show

Beautiful day got muggier in the afternoon.

People were out in force.  Lots of “Good Shoes” people wearing great outfits.

I sold a $400 framed photograph a half hour before show opening.

It went like that the rest of the day. Sold a mix of metal photos in the $500 range along with four $175 framed photos. Sold lots out of the browse bin.

It is a savvy buying crowd. They respect new, different work— in all media.

All day I saw large framed pieces go by me along with pricey sculptures and glass.

The Des Moines crowd is very respectful of the artists. And they love it when I tell them what a unique show it is.

Twice that day I had people buy a piece for $40 then give me $50 and tell me to keep the change.  That does not often happen.

They came around with water and snacks all day.  And, they had ample booth sitters.

A lot of artists told me it was their first show Post-Covid.

There were lots of smiling faces as they watched Art go trucking out of their booths.

Spacing at the show was ample. All booths had five foot between each other.

I had a corner that was wide enough for two vans to go head in.

Everyone had ample storage space behind.

The only negative about the booths was the fact we were setup on a crowned paved road.  So when it rained we had a three inch river flowing thru.  You had to keep stuff off the ground near the curb.

Luckily, we had no problems with that.  Saturday was another story.

By 8pm the crowd dwindled and it was very few sales happening.

People were happy to be out, without masks, and vibing with their friends while drinking.

BTW, I am still talking about Friday.

At 10pm, I was long gone.  My favorite motto in the art show biz is “Take the money and run.”

I had a modest double Manhatten at the hotel, Knob Creek 100 proof bourbon stirred, not shaken.

I slept like a rock.

Saturday—Very,very wet day, still made money.

We all knew the forecast was for heavy rain.

We just did not expect to get six bands in five hours.

You know the routine.  Over the boxes behind.

Drop the side tarps and sometimes the front too.

Set your back awning at an angle to avoid excess water buildup.

Put on your rubber duckies while the river runs thru.

Then roll all the tarps back up.

Dry off the rain on the art.

Shed the rain gear because it gets humid real fast.

Take a brief breath, make a few sales, then Wham, repeat the whole routine five more times.

Ah yes, don’t we artists live the glamorous life.

By six the rain was finally past, but so were sales.

Lots of young people walking, no art in hands, just drinks.

I made mostly Lowend sales out of browsebins in the $30-60 range.

My neighbor, a respected glass artist, made some Lowend sales.

Saturday ended up being the poorest day for sales.

But we had nice weather ahead for Sunday.

Sunday, Sunday—What a fun day

I finally awoke that morn to glorious bright blue sky with almost chilling breezes.  No predicted rain.

The show put on a delicious breakfest along with awards.  Made everybody forget about Saturday.

I, and others, were looking for a big finish.

Here are some demographics to consider about Des Moines.

It is the Capitol city of Iowa.

It is a college town, lots of young people.

It is a strong city for corporations in the medical,insurance and food industries.

People tend to be pretty conservative in art tastes, yet I saw a lot of new, inventive art go by my booth.

They dress smartly and are very polite.

Most do not try to lowball you.

Thank God, they do not constantly use their cellphones to take pictures of your work without first asking permission.

They love their show and come out in numbers.

So Sunday sales started out just like Friday.

Sold a big piece right at the getgo and continued that way the whole day.

Weather stayed perfect and I ended up with my biggest total sales that day.

Teardown was easy-pezie, was out in 90 minutes.

The return home on Monday was a nightmare, but that is a tale for another day.

So that is my story.  I will write another blog about the nuts and bolts of the show.

Stay tuned.

Later, Gators.

Aloha, Nels (did my very first show in Hawaii by a waterfall in 1974, never have lost the Aloha Spirit).

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How Vendors Use Facebook and Instagram to Boost Sales

HOW ARTISTS USE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM TO BOOST SALES

Did you know that about three-quarters of Facebook users and approximately six out of ten Instagram users visit these platforms at least once a day? With so many active users, every artist should take advantage of these platforms to advertise their products right now to current and potential customers.

Social media marketing is a great way to organically reach your audience and build your brand, but only if you do it right. To help you get started, we’ve provided a few tips and tricks. Be sure to implement these social media tactics to increase your chances of boosting sales with new and potential customers. Don’t forget to add insurance to your overall strategy.

Here’s how you can get started:

OPEN A FACEBOOK SHOP

Did you know Facebook has 2.23 billion monthly active users? This platform is a great way to showcase your product line and customers can purchase products directly from your Facebook Shop site.

If you have an online shop, you can promote your next event by:

  • Creating an online announcement banner
  • Posting your event information

You can learn more about how you can open a Facebook shop here.

CREATE AN EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK GROUP

Creating your own Facebook group dedicated to your business gives you an opportunity to engage with your customers, nurture your relationships, share company news, and launch exclusive promotions. Since the majority of Facebook users visit the site at least once per day, it’s a great platform to share things related to your business and give them the chance to shop exclusive flash sales and more.

Use your Facebook group to promote your next event by:

  • Posting sneak peek pictures of products you will be selling
  • Sharing your event information to your followers
  • Posting a coupon code that your followers can use at the event

Learn more about how to create a group here.

SAVE YOUR INSTAGRAM STORIES

Instagram stories are discoverable to people not currently following you. A story will last for 24 hours and by using the hashtag feature within stories, you can reach new people in your niche and increase your brand exposure. Save your stories as a highlight on your profile and categorize them by new products, sales, and more!

Use your Instagram story feature to promote your next event by:

  • Sharing your product line-up
  • Featuring your booth set-up and decor
  • Featuring your booth’s location to make it easier for visitors to find you

Tip: You can learn how to take advantage of Instagram stories here.

HOST A GIVEAWAY

Whether it’s a free product from your shop or a popular store gift card, this tactic is a great way to increase online exposure, build your following, and gain new customers.

Giveaway tips:

  • Create urgency: Create a short window of time, so people are quick to respond.
  • Set rules and expectations: Do you want them to tag friends in the comments? Like or follow your page? It’s up to you! Make sure your audience is aware of the rules and that the rules you set are in accordance with the platform’s guidelines.
  • Announce the winner: Don’t leave your audience hanging! Announce the winner in a comment or edit the post. If you want to create a consolation prize, you can offer something valuable like free shipping or a temporary promotion code.

Learn more about different types of giveaways here.

CREATE FEAR OF MISSING OUT

Fear of missing out is a very real thing in customers. You can start out by hosting a flash sale for your products and adding a coupon for free shipping or 10% off their next purchase. You may also want to try limited releases or exclusive items to get customers to want to buy quickly. With the help of social media, you can post sneak peeks of product packages you’re mailing to your customers and generate buzz within your customer base.

With a strong social media marketing strategy, you’ll be able to nurture current customer relationships, engage with potential customers, and turn those connections into sales. Social media is also a relatively inexpensive and effective way to form your brand and tailor your company’s image.

If you aren’t active on social media, make sure to implement these tactics and re-engage with users following your platforms. Last but not least, add insurance to your overall business strategy. It is better to have peace of mind than to experience the financial strain of a lawsuit. Learn more about ACT liability insurance here.

Which social media tip will you try out today? Let us know in the comments!

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Call for Artists: 68th Greeley Park Art Show

NashuaAugust 21 & 22
Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua Area Artists Association
Greeley Park
Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm
60+ Artists
Deadline: July 1

Application fee: $25   Booth fee: $180

This is the 68th year of Greeley Park Art Show. 60+ artists and craftsmen attract thousands of visitors during it's two-day show with extensive media coverage. We have two art competitions with awards given in multiple categories and awarded that day. One is the adult competition show Aug 21st and the EAST (Emerging Art Student Talent) ages 6 to18 on Aug 22nd and award of 2 scholarships. International and nationally known artists, many having demos at their booth.
Nashua show
This art show originated over 60 years ago and has grown and flourished throughout that time. Year after year, as thousands of art show patrons return, many others discover Nashua and the NAAA for the first time. For everyone who comes, it is an experience they will never forget: a chance to mingle with their fellow artists and art lovers, experience local art and support a local artist, and to enjoy good, old-fashioned fun!
Read more…

Call for Artists: St. James Court Art Show

Lousiville KYOctober 1, 2, & 3
Louisville, Kentucky
Historic Old Louisville
Friday & Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
650 Artists
Deadline varies based on Section

Application fee: Varies based on Section

Booth fee: Varies based on Section

The St. James Court Art Show is held in the beautiful neighborhood of Historic Old Louisville, just south of Central Park on St. James Court, Belgravia Court, Magnolia Avenue, Third Street and Fourth Street. Old Louisville has been named "One of the Great Places of America" by the American Planning Association, and it boasts the largest contiguous collection of Victorian mansions in the United States. Old Louisville is approximately 3 miles south of downtown Louisville and just 3 blocks north of The University of Louisville. During the show, all streets within the event perimeter are closed to vehicular traffic.
Louisville fountain
Consistently ranked as one of the top fine art and craft shows in the country, the St. James Court Art Show attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually from all across the nation who come to purchase unique handcrafted items directly from the hands that crafted them. We take great pride in the focus and importance we place on our participating artists. Our team works hard year-round to ensure that the show remains to the level of expectations that our artists and guests deserve. A total of $10,000 in awards is presented by the jurors to be awarded to artists where excellence is determined.

Held annually on the first full weekend of October, the St. James Court Art Show has been running continuously since 1957. There are six sections of the art show. Each section is responsible for its own exhibit space/exhibitors, which total approximately 650 artists spread over four blocks. The St. James Court Art Show is produced by a consortium of neighborhood groups.
 
Louisville crowd"I LOVE the Saint James Court Art show. Tucked in among the historic brick homes, the location couldn't be more picturesque. You drive right to your booth for load-in and out. Boxed lunch, water, snacks, booth sitters, and a fantastic awards party round out the amenities. The crowds come in droves, and they come to spend."

"St. James has consistently been one of my best shows for over 20 years. The organization, advertising and treatment of artists is stellar."

"Out of all of the shows that I traveled to, this was the only show where I could see myself potentially selling pieces for $10,000+. Any other show, I would have been hesitant to have any price tag over a few thousand. My second year, I am only doing three shows. St James made that cut. One of my top shows that I hope to do every year."
 
The St. James Court Art Show exists
to connect our artists with art enthusiasts. 
 
Read more…
edafb2af-b575-433e-bdad-bc6f551cc1e8.jpgAugust 28 & 29
York, Pennsylvania
The Heritage Rail Trail
Saturday & Sunday 10am-7pm
100 Artists
Deadline: June 30

Application fee: $25   Booth fee: $175

Created more than 30 years ago by area artists who wanted to display their work along the Codorus Creek in historic Downtown York, Yorkfest has grown into a fine arts festival weekend, showcasing the works of 100 artists from around the country to affluent art lovers from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Central Pennsylvania.
York
Several cash prizes are awarded, including Best in Show, Award of Excellence, Best New Artist, (6) Awards of Distinction, and a People's Choice. 
 
York artistOur show features advance-show advertising in large markets surrounding our community (including: Harrisburg, Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Lancaster); plus a really cool festival t-shirt and complimentary refreshments throughout the weekend, included in the booth fee.
 
"This is my best show of the year."
"I look forward to attending YorkFest and I am so happy that it is being brought back this year!"

Bringing People Together Through
Arts and Entertainment
 
 
 
Read more…
9193505900?profile=originalSeptember 25 & 26
Madison, Indiana
Downtown Madison Historic District
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
225 Artists
Deadline: June 30
Application fee: $25    Booth fee: $300
Madison Chautauqua will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Come and enjoy this momentous occasion with us! The festival is held in beautiful, downtown Madison, a nationally recognized historic district nestled in the Ohio River Valley.
Madison IN show
We feature fine art and crafts that are handmade and individually designed by artists that have been juried into the show. All Chautauqua artists are on hand to discuss their process and their inspiration. The Madison Chautauqua is considered Southern Indiana's premier festival for paintings, photography, sculpture, weaving, folk art, wood, baskets, clay, glass, paper, leather, and so much more. Madison Chautauqua artists come from all over the nation to this exceptional event.

Madison IN show 2"Excellent security, excellent set up process, the volunteers were wonderful. Huge turnout on Saturday. Madison is such a lovely town, the river and architecture lent charm to the show. I'd definitely do this show again."


 

The Madison Chautauqua Festival of the Art never fails to deliver an unforgettable weekend that you will want to return to again and again.
 

Contact: Kara Hinze info@madisonchautauqua.com
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The Art of Reopening

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Anticipation and excitement are at an all time high as events are slowly returning and businesses are beginning to reopen. Yet after more than a year of uncertainty, you may be feeling lost in your creativity. You are not alone—many artists, crafters, and tradesmen are unsure of how to navigate “the new normal” our society is embracing. 

Instead of seeing this time of change and adaptation as limiting, see it as your opportunity to rediscover, reconnect, rebuild, and refocus as an artist.

Rediscover: Ignite Your Inspiration

Creating is what you do, so when you lack inspiration it can feel devastating. Even the best artists and crafters hit roadblocks in their creativity. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture of your business. Setting goals can often inspire you to start working toward them. You can also create a mood board for your business or an upcoming project. Gather images, color swatches, graphics, quotes, and more that inspire and speak to the bigger picture.

Making a change in your creative process can help you discover new ways to bring your vision to life. Try learning a different technique or working with a new medium. You may be surprised at where your creativity takes you when you are given a different set of tools to work with.

Inspiration and new perspective often comes from working with another person. Phone a friend and plan a time to collaborate on projects together. Come prepared with some ideas or projects you need help with. Share your goals for the piece and be open to any new ideas they may have.

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Reconnect: Find a Show

With summer in full swing and the holiday season approaching, now is the time to start signing up for events. However, the way you operate may be slightly different than years past due to COVID-19. Fewer spots may be available to accommodate social distancing, products may be unavailable to sample, and contactless payment (no cash or check transactions) may be required. It is important to read all of the guidelines when signing up for an event, or double checking with the show managers. 

In order to attend an event, you will need to purchase artist insurance. Whether you are an artist, crafter, or tradesman, show managers will require a Certificate of Insurance before you can participate. Consider ACT Insurance, who offers top-rated coverage for both annual and show policy insurance for artists.

Annual Policy—$265

  • General Liability Insurance
  • Product Liability Insurance
  • Business Personal Property Insurance (equipment, supplies, & inventory) 
  • Personal & Advertising Injury

Show Policy—$49

  • Coverage options including 1-3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or up to 90 days
  • General Liability Insurance

Already purchased an Annual Policy? Be sure to renew your policy each year to ensure you stay eligible to attend events!

Some events may require you to have additional certification or permits, such as a sales tax license or a permit to sell in that particular area. These requirements most likely are listed on your application to register. If you are traveling to an event, make sure you are complying with local, county, and state laws. 

Another important part of event insurance is having additional insureds. Many event organizers will require they be added as an additional insured, meaning they are added to your policy. In the case of accidental bodily injury or property damage caused by you, your booth, products, or employees, both your business and the show organizers may be protected from claims.

Consider attending an event with another artist. This allows you to reach a new audience and make connections with other businesses in your area or field of expertise. It also gives you the chance to attend a distant event and cut down on travel costs. 

Rebuild: Try a New Look

If you feel like your business needs some refreshing, try a rebrand. This could be refreshing your logo, updating your branding color, or changing your packaging. Sometimes a small change can have a big impact on how your business is perceived.

Before attending an event, take a moment to reevaluate your booth display. Maybe you have new products to share or you want to guide a customer through in a certain way. How you set up a display influences how likely someone is to make a purchase. Do you have clear signage? Is your brand well-represented? Is there something enticing that draws a potential customer in? Try having a friend or family member look at your display and give you feedback.

Take a look at some of your favorite pieces or best selling items. They resonate with you and your customers for a reason! Try redesigning a popular product in a new way. This gives previous customers a reason to buy from you again, increasing your sales. Consider adapting a piece for a holiday, season, sports team, or major event.

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Refocus: Make Your Business More Social

Is your business on social media? If not, there is a huge market and opportunity for you to do sales in a new way. Instagram is a great platform to start on because of the visual aspect. If you focus more on local sales, Facebook Marketplace is valuable in connecting you with your community. Both offer unique sellers tools available to allow individuals to communicate with and buy from you directly through the app. This could extend your reach to individuals before, during, and after your event.  

Growing your following on social media can sometimes be tricky. Just posting photos or links is not enough to engage most users online. Video content is growing in popularity and peaks interest in your brand. Try taking a behind the scenes video of your workspace or sharing a timelapse of your work process. Instagram Stories has engagement features that allow viewers to vote on polls, submit questions to you, and react to posts. These allow you to better connect with your audience and offer the chance to cross promote your work with other businesses. 

Looking to increase foot traffic at an upcoming event? Share that you will be there on your social media. This informs followers of the event and inspires them to attend. You can even have customers mention a social media post to receive a discount.

Take Time to Reflect

Even if your business never “closed,” this time of reopening allows you to reassess where your business is at. Will you take the opportunity to return to in-person business transactions? Or maybe you want to start taking your previously all online business to in-person events. Regardless of how you currently operate, riding the waves of change has likely impacted your business and the way you create. 

So go ahead and ask yourself, “How am I going to reopen?”

Planning on attending an upcoming event? ACT Insurance offers insurance for artists and crafters, as well as a wide variety of other trades. Find the right insurance for festivals today.

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Call for Artists: Funky Ferndale Art Fair

Integrity Ferndale

September 24 - 26
Ferndale, Michigan
Friday 3pm-7:30pm
Saturday 10am-7:30pm  
Sunday 11am-6pm
100 artists
Deadline: June 25

Application fee: $25; Booth fees start at $355

Best for non-traditional work in all mediums, under $750, jewelry and fiber. 
Ferndale show
This fair attracts both traditional art fair lovers and those that did not realize that they love fine art.  We focus on work that is a bit less traditional, art that invites conversation.  Don't be mistaken though, it is a juried fine art fair.  Work must be of the highest quality and made by the artist.  Check the website to see last year's art to see how your work fits in.
 
Fashionable Ferndale's downtown is a thriving business community with distinctive boutiques and bistros. The lively atmosphere attracts young upwardly mobile professionals. This show is designed to provide a showcase for artists that have work that appeals to that group. As Detroit continues its comeback Ferndale becomes an even more desirable area.
 
A healthy advertising budget along with extensive marketing and news coverage brings out the art lovers.  
 
 

Mark Loeb, Integrity Shows President, has been producing and consulting with events since 1982 in metro Detroit. In addition to Integrity events, he consults with art fair and event organizers.

Intentional events for extraordinary results: https://www.integrityshows.com/
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Call for Artists: St. James Court Art Show

Lousiville KYOctober 1, 2, & 3
Louisville, Kentucky
Historic Old Louisville
Friday & Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
650 Artists
Deadline varies based on Section

Application fee: Varies based on Section

Booth fee: Varies based on Section

The St. James Court Art Show is held in the beautiful neighborhood of Historic Old Louisville, just south of Central Park on St. James Court, Belgravia Court, Magnolia Avenue, Third Street and Fourth Street. Old Louisville has been named "One of the Great Places of America" by the American Planning Association, and it boasts the largest contiguous collection of Victorian mansions in the United States. Old Louisville is approximately 3 miles south of downtown Louisville and just 3 blocks north of The University of Louisville. During the show, all streets within the event perimeter are closed to vehicular traffic.
Louisville fountain
Consistently ranked as one of the top fine art and craft shows in the country, the St. James Court Art Show attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually from all across the nation who come to purchase unique handcrafted items directly from the hands that crafted them. We take great pride in the focus and importance we place on our participating artists. Our team works hard year-round to ensure that the show remains to the level of expectations that our artists and guests deserve. A total of $10,000 in awards is presented by the jurors to be awarded to artists where excellence is determined.

Held annually on the first full weekend of October, the St. James Court Art Show has been running continuously since 1957. There are six sections of the art show. Each section is responsible for its own exhibit space/exhibitors, which total approximately 650 artists spread over four blocks. The St. James Court Art Show is produced by a consortium of neighborhood groups.
 
Louisville crowd"I LOVE the Saint James Court Art show. Tucked in among the historic brick homes, the location couldn't be more picturesque. You drive right to your booth for load-in and out. Boxed lunch, water, snacks, booth sitters, and a fantastic awards party round out the amenities. The crowds come in droves, and they come to spend."

"St. James has consistently been one of my best shows for over 20 years. The organization, advertising and treatment of artists is stellar."

"Out of all of the shows that I traveled to, this was the only show where I could see myself potentially selling pieces for $10,000+. Any other show, I would have been hesitant to have any price tag over a few thousand. My second year, I am only doing three shows. St James made that cut. One of my top shows that I hope to do every year."
 
The St. James Court Art Show exists
to connect our artists with art enthusiasts. 
 
Read more…

What Is An Additional Insured?

As an artist or crafter, you’ve put a lot of effort into making certain that you are prepared for the shows you attend. However, dealing with other vendors and even your potential customers can cause a lot of frustration once you're there. Make sure you're prepared mentally by checking out our list of five things at fairs that drive artists and crafters crazy:

1) OVERLY CHATTY NEIGHBORS

Fairs, shows, and festivals are intended to be a gathering place where you can meet new people, network, sell your goods, and just have fun. Often you see many of the same vendors from one fair to the next. With that being said, some vendors at fairs just don’t know how much talking is too much.

Most of the time you’ve gone through an application process and paid to be there, so you want to be sure you make the most of the opportunity. However, it’s frustrating when there is a “chatty kathy” who sells homemade honey at the booth next to you and she keeps distracting you. Trying to politely excuse yourself so you can engage a potential customer before they move past your booth can be a struggle.

2) CUSTOMERS WHO LIKE BARGAINING

This might be one of the worst things about selling at a fair. For some reason people think that just because you’re in a temporary location instead of a brick-and-mortar store that they should get a discount.

outdoor fair

After putting in hours making a quality product, designing your booth, and getting ready for the show, it’s quite offensive when people come to your booth and expect you to drop your price. Odds are you’ve put a lot of thought into your pricing. You may think to yourself, “how would you like it if I asked you to lower your salary or pay for your job?”

3) THE PRICE EXCLAIMERS

You know this type of shopper like the back of your hand. They are the ones who come in and start to check the price tags on everything, or worse, bombard you with questions about how much things cost. They always seem to think that your competitively priced products are way too expensive, and they let you know it with a big sigh. Or they scoff, exclaiming that, “It costs what?! I could get it cheaper at Walmart.”

It makes you feel like saying: “No, my unique handmade items are higher quality and therefore a little more expensive than any mass produced “Walmart fall apart” product. Second, if you don’t like the price, feel free to move along.” It's no real loss to you since shoppers like these clearly don’t appreciate the time, effort, and quality materials that go into the making of your products.

4) UNRULY CHILDREN

When customers engage with your products, you get excited, but the same can’t be said when their children run rampant in your booth. A child has the uncanny ability to turn everything you’ve worked so hard to create into a pile of rubble.

Is it really too much to ask for a parent to monitor their children? If they are not up to the task of watching their child and shopping at the same time, perhaps it would be best for them to find a babysitter before the show or at least bring backup to help while they shop.

5) THE PICTURE TAKERS

While it’s true that there are many fascinating things that are created and brought to art shows and craft fairs, some people cross the line from appreciation to just plain rude. Many times this happens when someone brings a camera or pulls out their phone and just starts snapping photos.

Sure, you understand that sometimes people want input from their friends or family before they buy, but that’s not what these people are doing. These picture takers are the ones who are only there to take a massive amount of pictures and post of your work on social media or to copy your ideas for their own gain. Again, move along people.

6) FAKE CUSTOMERS

If you’re like most artists and crafters, you probably showcase your work and engage with your customers on social media. While this has the potential to drive your business and increase sales, it has also created the “craft/art show groupie.”

This is a tricky group of people. They act like (and sometimes even make you think that) they are real customers. They explain how they are your most loyal of followers on your social media or website and that they are excited to see you there. They may even engage you in the sales process by asking you about the items in your booth and telling you how great each item is. But, in the end, they lose interest and never purchase.

SHARE WITH US YOUR STORIES!

It is true that art and craft fairs and festivals should be enjoyed. However, as an artist or crafter who vends at these events, it would be nice if you could just focus your attention on those who are genuinely interested in it and serious about buying. What are some of the biggest pet peeves you've experienced while selling at a festival? Share them with us in the comments!

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Catnip is Not Art

Can you come up with a better headline? Or perhaps we can use mine as the entire bottom line on the recent A.B. Dow Museum Summer Art Fair 2021 in Midland, Mich. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, at least for me. It was my second-worst art fair in seven years of doing shows. Here’s my short summary: The good, the bad, and the yucky.

The Good: Relatively low booth fee. Relatively easy load-in/load-out. Plenty of free water which was great when the temps were 90+. Some artists told me they had ok sales (though I didn’t see a lot of art being carried out). Traffic was decent on Saturday but seemed down by at least half on Sunday. The local newspaper described the crowd as "in the hundreds."

The Bad: It was billed as a “premiere fine art and fine craft fair.” It was not. There were some good artists there, to be sure. A fantastic ceramic tile artist and very nice pottery. Some great painters and paper artists. But the organizers also allowed in very questionable vendors and didn’t follow their own guidelines. One vendor was selling dog bandanas, for example. Another selling baby clothes. There was one booth selling bird houses with prefabricated plastic solar-panel tops and the bottoms looking like they had been dragged through a bedazzle factory. And the kicker? Stuck between a drift-wood artist and acrylic spin artist was an entire booth simply selling catnip. Catnip is not art. Keep in mind this was a juried show with a $40 fee. 

I’m not sure which art category catnip falls into. I was in Mixed Media. Perhaps catnip is Mixed Greens? The guidelines clearly say no prefab parts but on my quick survey walk, there were multiple vendors using obvious prefab mass production pieces and some blatant buy/resale. One vendor took two pieces of prefab, drilled a hole in one, and simply glued them together. Those are show killers for artists.

I’ve done this fair in the past and done ok, sometimes better than ok. It’s close to home so there are no extra expenses. And I love the arts and theater the Museum brings to the community throughout the year. It's a tremendous asset for a small city. But even with that, I’m staying away until they come up with a show that supports artists better. It’s hard enough to get buyers to pay for art in the hundreds of dollars. But when the show’s price point is eroded by $15 and $20 items (did I mention the booth selling deer antler chews for dogs?), it makes for a miserable weekend and a miserable way to support artists. It appears they let in everyone who applied – and that’s never a good sign on a show’s trajectory. Some shows improve over time; some slip. This one has slipped over the edge into the category of “I wouldn’t do again even if it were free.” I know the pandemic has made it difficult for some organizers to restart their shows, but this one sacrificed on quality which is the death knell of any serious art fair. They used to have more than 100 vendors, they struggled to get 80 this year (and far fewer on the art side of the ledger). 

Oh, almost forgot The Yucky: To put the "icing" on a really bad, hot, no-sale weekend, a seagull pooped on my hat just as I finished breaking down. It was THE most fitting ending to an art fair I’ve ever had.


How about you? What were you doing this weekend? 

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September 3, 4, & 5
Salina, Kansas
Deadline: June 15

Salina
We invite you to exhibit your work at Salina's Smoky Hill River Festival! This highly anticipated multi-disciplinary Festival of the Arts retains its reputation as one of the Midwest's most extraordinary cultural events. Historic Oakdale Park provides the perfect setting for a myriad of musical performances, booths full of juried art and crafts for sale, art installations, and offers enriching opportunities for exchange between artists and the community.

This year's Fine Art & Craft Show's exhibiting dates are Friday, September 3rd - Sunday, September 5th, over Labor Day Weekend.

For a limited time, we have a unique opportunity for artists to apply free of charge to the show. Click HERE to apply. 
  
Applications and booth fees are due June 15, 2021.

Perks for all Artists:
  • Free reserved parking
  • Free artist dedicated/secure WiFi
  • Catered onsite Artist/Patron Premiere Party
  • $50,000 spent on local and regional marketing of the show through print, TV, radio, and web
  • Website listing included a color image of work and a live link to the artist's website
  • Artist's Breakfast
  • Set-up & tear-down assistance
  • Beverages and booth sitting provided throughout the weekend
  • Excellent show committee and organization
  • 24-hour security
General Facts:
  • Combined show sales average over $400,000
  • Combined gate totals average over 60,000
  • Over 128 exhibiting artists
  • Onsite Merit & Purchase Awards $11,700 Total

For more information, visit https://www.riverfestival.com/ or email us at sah@salina.org.
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Call for Artists: Mundelein Arts Festival

MundeleinSeptember 11 & 12
Mundelein, Illinois
Presented by Mundelein Community Connection
Kracklauer Park
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
45 Artists
Deadline: June 15
 
Application fee: $25   Booth fee: $130
 
Mundelein Community Connection announces the 10th Annual Mundelein Fine Arts Festival, a juried art festival that will showcase the talents of 45 fine artists and craftspeople. Mundelein is a suburb of Chicago with a population of 31,587. An extensive network of nearby highways allows easy access to a host of neighboring cities, as well as Chicago and southern Wisconsin.

Mundelein 2019
A committee of well-known judges will award cash prizes for Best of Show, as well as awards for Best in Category. The Village of Mundelein will select a Purchase for the Village. The Kirk Players, a local community theatre, will award a $500 emerging artist award. And local businesses will be invited to select purchase awards.
  • Mundelein boothComplimentary breakfast will be provided to participating artists by McDonald's, located next to the art fair
  • Complimentary water
  • Volunteer help to booth sit and get lunch
  • Food is available from festival food vendors as well as area restaurants
  • Information Booth to guide visitors to artists' tents
  • A Mundelein Fine Arts Festival program brochure that lists each artist, media and artist location will be provided
Mundelein award"While it was an honor to win the award, the Mundelein Arts Festival was a great show from a management standpoint. You run a very efficient operation and everyone is very nice and helpful. That makes it much easier and more pleasurable for the exhibitors. All in all, it was a great experience." 
Frank Muci, 2019 participating artist
 

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Downesrs GroveSeptember 11 & 12
Downers Grove, Illinois
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
50-100 Artists
Deadline: June 11

Application fee: $30   Booth fee: $225

The Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival will be celebrating 44 years this fall The festival is held in the middle of award winning, historic, Downtown Downers Grove which is located 22 miles from Chicago's loop. Direct access to the BNSF rail line brings patrons from around the region and the City of Chicago to the festival. Downtown Downers Grove has added just over 260 high-end residential units recently, in addition to the residential units already present.

The festival is currently scheduled to be held in the middle of Main Street. Boutiques, cafes and a children's art area will complement the high caliber of art that will be present at the show. Downers Grove has a population just under 50,000 and was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top 10 Friendliest Towns in America. The show is a community favorite and we are happy to be bringing Fine Art back this fall after a year off due to Covid-19.
Downers Grove boothDowners Grove show











Artists Amenities:
  • Complimentary bottled water for artists
  • Complimentary coffee and donuts on Saturday and Sunday mornings, pending Covid-19 guidelines
  • Indoor bathroom
  • Booth sitting
  • Overnight Security
  • Free parking
  • Artists retain all proceeds
  • Coordinated loading and unloading
  • Strong volunteer support
Apply: 
juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=1822
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Call for Artists: Funky Ferndale Art Fair

9193505652?profile=originalSeptember 24 - 26
Ferndale, Michigan
Downtown Ferndale
Friday 3pm-7:30pm
Saturday 10am-7:30pm 
Sunday 11am-6pm
100 artists
Deadline: June 25


Application fee: $25; Booth fees start at $355

Best for non-traditional work in all mediums, under $750, jewelry and fiber. 
9193505475?profile=original
This fair attracts both traditional art fair lovers and those that did not realize that they love fine art.  We focus on work that is a bit less traditional, art that invites conversation.  Don't be mistaken though, it is a juried fine art fair.  Work must be of the highest quality and made by the artist.  Check the website to see last year's art to see how your work fits in.
 
Fashionable Ferndale's downtown is a thriving business community with distinctive boutiques and bistros. The lively atmosphere attracts young upwardly mobile professionals. This show is designed to provide a showcase for artists that have work that appeals to that group. As Detroit continues its comeback Ferndale becomes an even more desirable area.
 
A healthy advertising budget along with extensive marketing and news coverage brings out the art lovers.  
 

Mark Loeb, Integrity Shows President, has been producing and consulting with events since 1982 in metro Detroit. In addition to producing five events, he consults with art fair and event organizers.

Intentional events for extraordinary results:
 www.integrityshows.com
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Attending shows, festivals, markets, fairs, and other events throughout the year to sell your work means exposing your business to liabilities multiple times a year. As an artist, crafter, or tradesmen, you need to have the necessary coverage in place to protect against third-party liability claims that may come your way.

At ACT, we’re well-versed in the most common claims that occur at art events and want to talk about those along with something you’ll likely need to do to extend a layer of protection to your show promoter--listing an additional insured (AI).

WHAT IS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED?

In an insurance policy, an additional insured is anyone other than the policyholder who is covered by the insurance policy. Coverage may be limited to a single event or it could last for the policy's lifetime. Who you list as an additional insured on your art fair insurance policy will depend on whether or not the event promoter requires you to list them. By listing them as an AI, you extend your policy’s coverage to them in the case of a liability claim.

WHY DO I NEED TO LIST AN AI?

The main reason you’d be asked to list an additional insured on your art festival insurance policy would be to meet contract requirements. Event hosts and promoters often require their vendors to be insured because it ensures protection for their vendors and gives them peace of mind to continue running the show. In a lawsuit, the claimant will sometimes try to reach into deeper pockets by naming everyone they can think as being at fault. By listing an additional insured, the listed entity is also covered by your policy.

When an accident occurs that results in property damage or bodily injury, there is always room for a lawsuit. Check out some of our recent claims to get an idea of how things could affect you and your AI:

  • During an art show, an insured had high winds pick up their tent and hit and scratch a trailer. The trailer owner decided to sue the tent renter and the event promoter to pay for the damage.
  • Another insured’s tent blew over into a neighboring tent causing thousands of dollars in damage to their product. They list you and the event host as liable for the damage.
  • An insured’s inventory tipped over and caused damage to a passing truck during their art fair setup. The truck owner sues you, the neighboring tents and your additional insured to pay for damages.

Without having your event promoter or host listed an additional insured, you leave them open to risk. The same goes for promoters who don’t require insured vendors—they leave themselves open risk. With art fair insurance, you and your additional insured could be protected against similar claims and not have to worry about paying for your legal fees on your own.

HOW MANY ADDITIONAL INSUREDS CAN I LIST?

ACT allows unlimited additional insureds on your policy. This means that if you travel from one market to another where the event promoters require you list them as an AI, then you can add each additional insured as needed.

DOES IT COST TO LIST ADDITIONAL INSUREDS?

No. You only need to pay for your policy premium. ACT currently offers an event-based policy for 1-90 days of consecutive coverage and an annual policy for those looking for more long-term coverage. Additional insureds do not cost extra.

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LouisvilleOctober 1, 2, & 3
Louisville, Kentucky
In the heart of historic Old Louisville
Friday & Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
150 Artists
Deadline: June 15

Application fee: $30   Booth fee: $550

St James remains a true grassroots non-profit art show, fueled by passionate volunteers for the benefit of the community. The show is held in the heart of historic Old Louisville, which boasts the largest collection of Victorian homes in the country. Old Louisville is an elegant backdrop for this display of fine arts and contemporary crafts drawing patrons from all over the region. A destination art show attracting 200,000+ visitors annually!

Louisville crowd

In the spirit of a non-profit, we recognize our artists as our partners and part of our mission. We make every effort to keep costs down and we are very proud to have kept our artist fees as low as possible. We don't have the expensive porta potties or gourmet vip tents, but our resident-volunteers will treat you as respected, valued guests. Our host teams visit artists daily offering snacks, water, help with booth sitting and information. We deliver free lunch on Friday, host a reception Saturday night, offer complimentary beer tickets, and present Best of Show awards.

LouisvilleYou will have full show information ahead of time and your emails will be responded to. A 65 year tradition also boasts very loyal patrons. Ranked by Sunshine Artist in top 200 for sales for over a decade, including many years #1 or #2.

Testimonials
"I have nothing but praise for the efficient and well-done organization of this event. Set-up, load-out, great volunteers - the best!"
"Yours is the most organized show we have been to".
"Volunteers, hosts, everyone is great."
"Your group is wonderful. We are completely taken care of here more than any other show."

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=9200

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Art Fair Summer 2021 - Part III

Well, in this year of surprises the OTHER shoe has dropped! There will be an Ann Arbor Art Fair this summer. Surprised? Well, so am I. It seems COVID is actually waning and we've learned that being outdoors is a safe place to be. Yesterday the directors of the the collective of three events that comprise the Ann Arbor Art Fair announced "welcome to Ann Arbor". Learn more here, and here. We thank you Governor Whitmer. 

8871856298?profile=original

And even more good news about Ann Arbor is there are some changes:

1. There will not be 4 art fairs running concurrently, there will be 3. This was announced earlier. The South University Art Fair went out of business. The Guild of Artists and Artisans has picked up some of their real estate on East University, but the huge sprawl is over.

2. The show will be 3 days long, not 4! Instead of Thursday-Saturday (which it was for many years), instead of (in more recent years) from Friday-Sunday it will be held on Thursday-Saturday, this year on July 15-17. 

Why is this good? Buyers will not be exhausted by the expanse and maybe will be able to see all of it (?), the quality will be higher because there will no longer be 1200 artists, and for artists the high overhead for being present will be diminished -- which we're hoping means better profits. Right?

What else this week? Another shocker:

Sausalito Art Festival canceled over relocation of homeless camp. Yep! You read that correctly. Here's the rest of the story: https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/sausalito-art-festival-2021-canceled

Wyandotte (MI) officials reverse decision and will host their 60th annual art fair. Most artists and crafters attend both shows, so one show impacts the other. The Ann Arbor fair organizers recently changed course, and when that ... learn more

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