Hey, kids...
I've been out of the biz for a number of years, but got an itch to get on the road again.
But, I sold my tent, pro-panel walls, etc... a few years back.
I only applied to 2 shows, and only got into 1 so far. I'm just putting my toe in the water, and don't know if I'll be getting back to this again, part or full time.
And now, I'm stuck without a tent, pro-panels, etc.. I'm a 2-D artist, so I need walls to display work on.
Any recommendations for renting? I'm in Richmond, VA.
Anyone who follows this site knows we are fans of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and many, many of the members have "urban legend" stories to tell about their participation there. AND after the last 15 months the great news is that artists were on the streets of that city this week, July 15-17. Crossing our collective fingers for successful days for all involved.
We (AFI) hope that the changes made this year (three days only; three shows only, resulting in a smaller footprint and fewer artists) brought out the buyers and the our business has finally turned a corner.
OMG -- 4 inches of rain on Friday! Were there any folks shopping? Did the artists close their booths? A great quote from Vasil Ivanov, a glass maker, "What are we made of sugar?"
More about the rainy day: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/07/
Did it look like this?
Or did it look like this?
Were you there? We are anxious to hear reports.
August 24 - 28
September 24 - 26
Few things are more infuriating to a creative person than hitting a roadblock. However, every artist or crafter—regardless of experience—will hit these frustrating stopping points. The good news is that there are always things you can do to overcome creative roadblocks. Here are a few ideas to help you find the inspiration for your next piece or to get through a project.
One of the best places to find inspiration is in nature. There are woodlands, forests, mountains, beaches, and deserts all across the United States, each with unique and inspiring beauty. But there’s more than aesthetic beauty to be found out in the wild.
Nature is a great place for introspection and an escape from the hustle of everyday life. In fact, you should leave your technology and all distractions behind. If you truly immerse yourself in them, each of these landscapes have a way of rejuvenating a person's mind, bringing a new perspective and increasing creativity.
While everyone can benefit from continuing to learn about new subjects, artists and crafters can especially benefit from studying new things. If you’ve hit a block in your creative process, try finding a new topic to focus on. You could do it by simply reading a new book or self-teaching through online sources.
When you open up your mind to new subjects, you often find that they relate to the things you already knew. Many times when you start comparing your new knowledge with things you already knew, you will find that it gets the creative juices flowing again and your mental block disappears.
Music is an exceptionally powerful tool. Everyone has songs that bring back memories, makes them sad, motivates them, and even inspires them. Next time you find yourself stuck on a project or unable to make progress, consider incorporating music into your creative process.
Remember, it doesn’t matter what genre of music you listen to. All that matters is that it helps motivate or inspire you. Sometimes you can just turn on some tunes while you work to get motivated, but other times it’s helpful to sit down, meditate, and just change what you are doing for a moment.
Many times when you think of taking a break, you think of removing yourself from a situation that is causing you too much stress. However, taking a break can also be a useful creative tool. This is especially true if you’ve been bogged down with a project for quite a while.
All you really need to do is get up and leave what you’re working on for 20 to 30 minutes. You could take a walk, go to lunch, or go get coffee; anything that takes your mind off of your project. When you return to your project, you’ll most likely find that working out a solution isn’t so difficult anymore.
Occasionally, breaking through a creative block takes drastic measures. You might even need to change the location where you are working or maybe the layout of your work space. Changing your environment could be as simple as getting rid of clutter or as complex as rearranging your entire space to allow for things like more natural light, open space, or less stress.
If your art or craft allows for it, see if there are other places that you can take your work for a day or two. One way you could do this is through networking with friends who have similar work supplies and tools. See if you can use their work space or maybe collaborate with them on a project.
Finally, getting through a creative block often comes with experience. If you’re an artist or crafter who has found something that helps you persevere through a creative block, share your tips in the comments with those who might struggle to break free.
August 7 & 8
TestimonialsFebruary 5th & 6th, 2022
Downtown Fort Myers, FL
200+ Artists
Option to participate in Opening Night: February 4th, 2022
Deadline: September 10, 2021
Apply now at ZAPPlication.org More information ArtFestFortMyers.com
We are beyond excited for ArtFest Fort Myers 2022! ArtFest Fort Myers is coming back as you knew us pre-COVID, 200+ artists with a great layout overlooking beautiful Downtown Fort Myers alongside the riverfront and yacht basin. A FREE, non-gated event for all members of the Southwest Florida community to come shop your artwork.
There is so much pent-up demand for art festivals and making homes ever more beautiful. Move.org names Fort Myers as a top market for first-time homebuyers, which is tied to an estimated 31% of existing home sales. There is such a desire for art to fill attendees’ hearts and enhance home is at an all-time high in Fort Myers.
How do we promote for you?
All advertising messages and media will be targeted to bring art buyers to you! Drawing in art lovers, experienced and new collectors and educated buyers, who are year-round residents and those visiting Southwest Florida during the peak of season, is our primary goal.
$175,000 Marketing Campaign targeted to art buyers from Marco Island to Sarasota to West Palm Beach and beyond. We are getting the word out about your fabulous art work via TV, radio, digital billboards, glossy magazines, theater/symphony programs, our website, eVites, and year-round Facebook, with paid ads and organic postings. We know the importance of online advertising and having a social media presence. Social media works best when artists & art festivals work together.
HOW DO WE ASSIST WITH ARTIST SUCCESS?
Multiple resources to help rebuild your business to create more revenue streams. We have also partnered with experts to bring you video trainings on the power of video, Images for Jury and Websites, and much more. There are opportunities for artists to participate in Artist-based promotions leading up to the festival. Please feel free to be in touch with any questions. We love talking with artists and we want you to succeed in all aspects of your art business.
At ArtFest Fort Myers, you will find:
· a very loyal base of VIP’s, patrons and sponsors who wait all year to purchase art at our festival.
· upscale dining areas, including shaded table seating & ample food/beverage options, encouraging buyers to stay longer and shop more.
· on-site arts related activities to keep the patrons engaged while they decide on more art purchases (high school art competition, children’s art yard, high school sidewalk chalk competition and more)
HOW DO WE TAKE CARE OF ARTISTS?
· Oversized booth spaces – 3 feet between booths & ample storage space behind
· Easy Friday Set-up with scheduled staggered drive-up access beginning at 8:30a
· Artists' Hospitality includes daily complimentary continental breakfast, water, and private indoor restrooms
· Dedicated Artist Ambassadors and Booth Sitters
· Discounted hotel rates at area hotels & Luminary Hotel & Co. in the heart of the festival with including covered parking with special artists rates.
· Reserved free artist parking with complimentary trolly transportation
· Professional 24-hour security
BE A PART OF ARTFEST FORT MYERS:
· Apply from May 14th – September 10, 2021 at ZAPPlication.org
· Visit our festival website ArtFestFortMyers.com. The Info for Artist page provides artist specific information including hotels, set-up, jury success & many other helpful tips.
· Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram where we feature festival artists and engage patrons year-round
Apply Now: ZAPPlication.org
Questions: Erin.Jackson@ArtFestFortMyers.com
Erin Jackson, Community Engagement Manager
1375 Jackson Street, Suite 401
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239)768-3602
Des Moines ArtsFestival—the nuts and bolts
This info will be helpful when considering applying for the show.
A few salient facts.
This is a biggie show. Well respected,hard to get in, but a real money-maker.
Many artists do well over $10K.
This year there were 152 artist spaces. Roughly, 1200 people juried for it back in 2019. The 2020 was cancelled,COVID, and we were rolled over to this year.
It is a three day show (Friday-Sunday) with long hours— Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm. Sunday 11-5pm.
Setup is on Thursday, they give you four hours before you have to move a van.
They give you electric. You need it, especially after 8pm. Bring fans for you and your patrons.
Booths are on paved city streets in downtown. You have sculpture park behind booths on one side and tall business buildings on the other.
It can be nasty windy, take heed. No staking allowed only weights.
Some booths are able to tie off parking meters.
They had five foot spacing between booths,who knows, next year.
Corner booths have wide open space between the next booth.
At teardown,booths must be on the ground before they issue a pass.
Exception. Corner booths are allowed to drive and park headin. So you
do not have to have all on the ground.
There is generous storage behind all booths.
The show does not do fine art categories.
Generous prize money with an auto invite.
Great artist breakfest on Sunday morn.
They constantly bring around water and snacks.
Good variety of food trucks. I hit the Jamaican truck both days.
Crowd is pretty civil, no assholes.
They love art.
They buy pretty much conservatively. It is the Midwest.
The show director, Steven King, is one of the best in the country.
If you have an issue. You can call him.
That pretty well sums up the show.
I am going to Appleton,Wisconsin for a show at the end of the month.
Wish I had info like this to prepare for the show.
But people seem to be pretty close mouthed about giving out show info.
Later,Gators.
What kind of insurance do you need as an artist or craftsman? How do you get coverage to sell at events? Learn all about it in this video!
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).
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:
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:
You can learn more about how you can open a Facebook shop here.
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:
Learn more about how to create a group here.
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:
Tip: You can learn how to take advantage of Instagram stories here.
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:
Learn more about different types of giveaways here.
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!
August 21 & 22
October 1, 2, & 3
"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."
August 28 & 29
Our 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.
"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."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.
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.
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.
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.
I have been invited to the Anna Marie Gardens Art Festival (which I have never done) and also to Neptune on the same weekend (which I have done) I am debating about doing the Anna Marie Gardens instead of Neptune, can anyone comment on this? I make fine silver jewelry.
September 24 - 26
Ferndale, Michigan
Friday 3pm-7:30pm
Saturday 10am-7:30pm
Sunday 11am-6pm
100 artists
Deadline: June 25
October 1, 2, & 3"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."