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For the last 3 years, I have been averaging 30+ art festivals a year between Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin.  Before that I was averaging about 20 a year.  I do a lot of buying.  I  am fortunate to have a summer home in Illinois and a Winter home in Florida.  I must have art in my homes or they are not homes.  

The two homes are filled pretty close to capacity.  At the same time, the art festivals are starting to look alike or fall down in quality.  To keep the good ones fresher looking in my tiny brain, I have decided to cut out the festivals that I don't think need my attendance.  

Fountain Square Art Festival used to be run by Amy Amdur.  It was a really nice festival.  Evanston is like a mini-Chicago.  This show had price points all over the place but the quality was generally good.  Don't remember exactly when Amy stopped running the show but in the last 4 years, it has gone down in overall quality.  You used to be able to find fun little things at reasonable prices to go along with the good quality artists at higher price points.   Well the fun little things are now gone and so are most of the good artists.  Some of my favorite jewelers were there but that is about it. (and I see them at other shows)

My cousin, who is my partner in "crime"  agrees.  This weekend already has Highland Park Fine Crafts and Amy Amdur's Arlington Heights show so rather than running ourselves ragged, we have decided that Evanston can be scratched off our list. 

Well, I'm packed and ready to head down toward the Windy City way and my first Promenade of Art in Arlington Heights, Illinois. I'm excited, I can tell you.

Altthough this past Tuesday, Mukwonago had such high winds, hail and lighting that it shattered the boys plexiglass basketball hoop(good thing it fell to the right. Dan's antique refurbished 1963 Fury was to the left! Whew.) And it split our largest tree right down the middle......that was the one my oldest tried to saw down when he was a toddler! I thought it had nine lives....guess only two. Willow, my sober Maltese, and I were under the heavy computer desk in the basement. Too many tornadoes that are not in Kansas to suit me!

Anyway, if Connie asks, that's were I will be.

And I'll keep you posted.

Course, I'm no Nels....so don't expect a raconteur.

I'll do my best.

Anyone else going?

Hi Everyone.. This is my first blog... Its nice seeing many of my artist friends here...

Would anyone be interested in renting their pro Panels for the Beaver Creek and Frisco show... in august..I need to fly instead of driving and Pro Panels dont fly too easily....lol..

Safe travels to everyone...=).

I just want to say to Connie and all who particpate on this site that while I have disappeared for a month or two I am in love with this site all over again.  The content is great!  I love seeing booth shots and detailed reviews of art fairs.  The month of May was hectic - shows each weekend and no time to really catch up doing stock.  All the fairs were in Maryland and have to say Maryland is a good state to be in as my sales are better than last years totals.  

The "story" I have to share pertains to my dad.  I was lucky that I didn't have any fairs for June as my dad, who has been in poor health for 9 years took a turn for the worse - the month I didn't have fairs.  That month being June.  He passed away two weeks ago and just have to say that despite it being a hard thing to go through I am relieved he isn't suffering and didn't happen when in the middle of doing an art fair.  I was doing a great show - Wine in the Woods in Columbia, MD when I had the awful thought - what if I get "the call" in the middle of the fair".  I didn't but the thought scared me to death....  My dad was an avid photographer and taught me a lot about taking photographs, framing and appreciate art in general.  He, in return, was one of my biggest fans.  On that note, has anyone here had to deal with running a business on top of dealing with the death of a loved one?  Right now I am playing catch up as I do not have any fairs in July or August (but not ruling out August entirely) meanwhile helping my mom deal with, well paperwork and such.  I am guessing I should go by the old addage - Just do it - get the work done so it is out of the way and move on to more creative fun work.  So, does anyone have any stories or advice for me with regard to this topic?  My next show, the Maryland Seafood Festival,  is in early Sept. and going to be my biggest show ever which I think, providing the weather will be good, could be a great pay day for me.  My focus is taking the time now to get my ducks in a row so I can do a good job at that show.  Just an FYI in case people are wondering.   I hope all are having good shows and continue to have good shows.  I plan on checking in more often now.  :-)  - Michelle

P.S.  I now have a lot of his work, would it be a good idea to do a "private show" exhibiting his work?  Has anyone done anything like that before - like an open house, or showing at a library or something along that line?  I have only sold my items at art fairs, so this also is new territory 

Labor Day Weekend, September 2 - 4

St. Louis, Missouri

35th Annual Fall Art Fair at Queeny Park

sponsored by the Greater St. Louis Art Association

Queeny Park in West St. Louis County

120 artists

Deadline: July 5  

11 Important Facts:

• Our 35th Annual Fall Art fair
• Limited to approximately 120 artists
• This is an AIR-CONDITIONED INDOOR ART FAIR. You don't need to worry about the weather, tents or security.
• Jury/Booth Fees ($25/$200);  FREE ELECTRICITY available for every booth at no additional charge)
• Cash awards totaling $4,500
• Booth sitters, 24-HOUR SECURITY. Rest easy knowing your booth is safely locked up at night.
• Excellent marketing campaign, including newspaper, magazine, television and radio advertising, internet and e-mail promotion
• Promotional postcards, business cards and coupons are provided free to exhibiting artists.
• Live music throughout the art fair
• Wine Tasting Friday and Saturday Evenings
• Interactive art program on Sunday afternoon to encourage families with youngsters to meet the artists

For more than thirty five years the Greater St. Louis Art Association (http://www.gslaa.or) has been providing opportunities for the public to see and purchase original works of fine art and fine craft directly from the artists who create them.

Every year we produce two juried art shows (Spring and Labor Day Weekend).  Artists in all media are encouraged to apply. These shows feature juried local, regional and national artists' original work. From the pool of artists applying, about 120 artists from all over the US and Canada are invited to exhibit. These artists are selected by a professional jury process in eleven distinct media categories.

Both shows are presented in the indoor, air-conditioned setting of the Greensfelder Recreation Complex at Queeny Park in west St. Louis County. Food and refreshments are available on-site, parking for the public and artists is free.  Live music playing during wine tasting and peak attendance.  During Sunday afternoon, an interactive children's art education program encourages families with youngsters to meet and talk with artists and learn about their work.

For detailed information and to apply go to:

http://www.gslaa.org/GSL_festivals.htm 

You may also contact:

Vic Barr, GSLAA President, 314 997-1181 vicbarr@sbcglobal.net 

After all my booth fees I didn't have funds to create a professional website. I asked the web wizards if there was a good free site. Thank you Jim for recommending weebly.com. Looks pretty decent, don't you think??

Excuse my sentences or miss spellings, I have to ask my husband to help me to correct it. English is not my 1st language,just learned it 10 years ago, but you can check it out in the meantime at : www.carlabank.com

hope this helps more artist that need a site, it was so easy to make.

After a number of weeks playing out the string in the Sunshine State with craft fairs (with mostly small to mid-sized, sweltering crowds) and a "play weekend" at my college reunion with fun that would do Nels proud--not that I'm going to blog about any of THAT!-- I've finally arrived in the Northeast for the summer. 

First up: Art's Alive in Ocean City, MD, a show that I visited last year at the end of a "shooting vacation" in the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia peninsula.  It's a modest-sized show--fewer than 100 artists--in a pretty setting, a wide-open, well-maintained city park with wide walkways weaving through athletic fields and a lagoon. But, as several show veterans warned me last year, sales results are heavily influenced by the weather, and that seemed to be the case this year. 

Setup was anytime after noon on Friday, or early morning on Saturday.  And although nearly all artists opted for the day-before option--a logical choice given the show's early 9 a.m. start--in hindsight there were a few that wished they had waited.  The reason?  A series of strong thunderstorms blew in at 9 pm Friday, and a small but violent downburst, with 50 mph gusts followed about three hours later, toppling not only a few E-Z Ups but even a Craft Hut.  Troupers all, the artists affected did what they could to salvage the day on Saturday: Several were selling al fresco from under beach umbrellas in the near-record heat , another--shades of the Sixties!--leaned their work against a chain link fence.  But with rain in the forecast for Sunday, all of them left at the end of Day One, I was told.

Show director John Sullivan said that his security crew immediately responded when the storm hit, gathering work and supplies that had been scattered by the winds.  But none of the artists said they got a phone call, and all were shocked when they arrived and saw the damage. I suspect we haven't heard the last about that. . .

And for the crowds?  If not for the absence of palm trees, I would have thought I was back in Florida.  Perhaps due to the 93-degree heat on Saturday, crowds were sparse all day.  I had a few buyers of my Florida wildlife photography but all cash, and all small.  Sunday featured moderate rain to start the morning, but temps were 15 degrees cooler. By 11 a.m. or so the rains let up, and a few more folks came to visit.  Crowds in the afternoon were up slightly, compared with Saturday.  And for me, anyway, they were buying: in contrast with Day One, NO sales in cash, and all over $150. Go figure. Disappointingly,  both of my neighbors were 'way down from Saturday, and generally other artists I spoke with reported that this was an off year.

In addition to the weather, theories abounded:  This is the time of year when vacation home owners typically come down for long weekends or vacations before the July 4-Labor Day rental season commences.  And yet there are lots of vacation homes down here that are in foreclosure and/or undergoing "short sales" (I stayed for the weekend with a Realtor who specializes in them, so I know this for certain).  Then, too, Saturday is "flip day," when one weekly rental ends and another begins.  First-day arrivees, the theory goes, won't spend Day One at an art festival when it's searingly hot and the beaches beckon.

The quality of work was, in my view, fairly middle-of-the-road.  Lots of beach-themed 2-D, as you might expect, some very nice functional art--glass bowls, pottery, and such--and about 30% jewelry.  The show seemed to have a lot of photography, too, which I'm told is pretty common in Northeast shows. (I'll be up here all summer, so we'll see!)

I can't let this review go without huge kudos for the artist amenities.  Although personally, I never consider them when opting whether or not to apply to a show, the fact remains that you can't do them better than the folks in Ocean City.  The Saturday night artist party was in a large, air-conditioned room--how great is THAT, given the heat?-- and featured catered hors d'oueuvres, veggie trays, wine, beer, and sodas.  Artist awards ($500) were given to the top winners in each category.  Volunteers offered booth-sitting throughout the weekend.  In what had to be an art-show first for me, I returned from a 20-minute lunch break to find that a be-back had actually returned and promised the booth-sitter that they'd return to purchase one of my $350 canvases.  And they did!  (So what's the protocol here?  Does she get a tip?)

Anyway, it was that kind of weekend.  I was happy that Day 2 sales saved my weekend, and I learned that many homeowners here also have homes in Florida (and some of them had seen me before).  So that's good news.  I'll plan on doing this show again next year, based on my personal results, but I'll be hoping for better weather, an improving economy, bigger crowds, and--as they say along the harbor--that a rising tide will float all boats. 

It's been a topsy turvy year, didn't get into 2 out of the 4 shows we normally start the year with, but had terrific sales at the 2 we got into, way above last year so we were doing okay.  May shows had one way up, one way down.  Our first June show was a horrible disappointment and then we went into our show this past weekend absolutely, 100% sure this was the last time we were EVER doing this street fair.  On the drive there to set up, as we were grumbling about being forced to fight heavy traffic on a Friday night to get there for our load in time, we were so happy to think that it was our last time for this event. 

LOL, we had the best show we've had in 5 years of doing that show including selling a couple of very unique "one of a kind" pieces.   2 out of our 3 best sales of the entire weekend came in the last hour of the show, once again proving that it's not over until it's over!!  We laughed about it on the way home, still thinking we are sticking to our resolution to never do this show again but it was nice to end it on a high note!! 

Then we had a friend ask us today, are you sure you're not doing that show again?? Just wondering how many others have had second thoughts after swearing off a particular show or event. 

Allentown Art Festival, Buffalo, NY  June 11 & 12. 450 exhibitors on downtown streets, 54th year.

We set up for the weekend on Friday night. Just the canopy and shelves because we knew we'd be there at 6am Saturday to grab one of the parking spots right behind our booth. It was our first outdoor show of the season and even though we were sure we had everything, we were missing the tie downs for the weights we attach to each leg of the rig. Since we live just blocks away, Russell was going to run home to get them, but our neighbor, a sweet faced man with a shaved head and newly sunburned cheeks offered an extra set he just happened to have. Really nice guy. He told us that he and another guy are partners in their pottery business but he was here alone because the other guy's wife, a paraplegic, was running a high temp and he had to stay behind in Albany to tend to her and their kids.

Next day we were all there early, setting up in the early morning dampness, catching up with friends, hunting down coffee. The usual. People started to make their way down the streets and it seemed like it would be an uneventful, fun day.

Then the committee came around. They come to each booth, check your ID, make sure the person who applied is the person in the booth and they punch a hole in your exhibitor permit to indicate you have passed inspection. They were very nice to me, we joked, I got punched, they left.

A few minutes later, I hear our neighbor talking on his cell phone, telling his partner that his only recourse was to pack it all up and there was nothing else he could do. Uh oh. Was he being tossed? The committee woman agreed to talk to the guy and she paced the street in front of his booth, listening, responding, shaking her head. There was nothing she could do. Rules were there for a reason.

It seems that the show only allows one name per app, even if you create as a team, and it was the absent partner's name that had been submitted. No excuses, no extenuating circumstances. Pack it up.

Since the roads were closed, our neighbor wrapped up the pieces slowly, taking his time, commiserating with his fellow exhibitors, sitting in his truck, wrapping some more. It was a sad and odd dance. I felt really bad for him because I knew what the situation was, and even though I usually applaud the tough rules of this show it felt like a bad decision.

Over the course of the afternoon, others weighed in and, surprisingly, few were sympathetic. That is probably because we are all, for the most part, protective of this rapidly vanishing art show world and have grudging respect for the show "gestapo" that keeps it clean.

I was chided for being naive, that the partner was probably at a show in Chicago or Pittsburgh. And that even if he wasn't, you had to bring the hammer down on this guy because the next guy could be a fraud. I pulled out my app and, sure enough, the first rule, in bold caps, was one person per app, applicant must be present.

Since I am always ready to whine about the quality of some of the work allowed in these fairs, I should be able to see the wisdom and determination behind these rules. It takes a lot to put together a show of good work. The potter wasn't the only one ousted that day. 15 "jewelers" were also kicked to the curb for offenses ranging from selling imports to making work from kits.

We know the reality, how tough it is to get into good shows. We know how many rules we need to follow.

And now I know what happens when you don't.

It was neat I had this weekend off after three shows in a row.  Actually, I lucked out this summer, I have one weekend off every month for the five months I am in Saugatuck.  Late October, I return home to Ybor City in Tampa.

This works out well, because I have some big shows ahead, which means I gotta grind out long hours in the studio producing work, which also means less time on the golf course.  There is always time for a Titos martini.

So Sunday morning Ellen and I were enjoying bagels and reading the paper.  I could hear a lot of commotion in our rear tree off the porch.  Let me explain.

We have two japanese Lilac trees that have grown to almost 30-feet now, right next to our screen porch.  A family of cardinals come here every year and produce a litter.  We also have robins nailing the worms.  We have orioles too, although Brooks Robinson no longer travels with them.  Anyways back to the cardinals.

I noticed mom and pop flitting in and out of the branches, so I took a closer look.

Ah hah!  Up on a bare branch about 15-feet off the ground was a newbie, fresh out of the nest.  he had all those furry little feathers and that big yellow beak.  He was stone-cold-silent sitting on the branch.  He was so small, just a little furry ball, you hardly could see anything on him that resembled a wing.

Well, we went back to bagels and Maureen Dowd, my favorite editorial columnist.  I checked on the bird.  He had moved outward to a branch on the edge of the tree.  Both mom and pop kept flitting around him, probably encouraging him.  Probably saying something like, "OK junior its time to "Bird Up' you either fly now or no more worms for you."

The little guy continued to huddle, and then ever so slowly, I watched him evolve. He shook a leg one way, then another the other way.  He moved his head, and then his whole body shook.

Then the magic happened. He took off that branch without losing a single inch in altitude.  He flapped those almost non-existent wings furiously.  We could have made a great creme bulee from the speed of his wings.  It was incredible.  He flew 30-feet across to a higher Norwegian Spruce branch and made a good landing.

Mom and pop were right there with him.  They were probably saying, "OK junior, you are the "Bird"--now we gotta tell you about Bill the Cat."

To watch this little creature, against all odds, make this giant leap of faith.  It was awesome.  It inspired me the whole day.  I even told Fulwiler about it over dinner later that night.

If those little guys can do it, then us guys in our shiny vans and caravan tents can do it.

Fly away, Jose!

Aloha, Nels.  I got Des Moines, Boston Mills and Krasl all in a row.  I am cranking, but I wanted to make time to share this extraordinary moment with you.

I recently have been accepted into the 48th Annual Sidewalk Arts Festival in Sioux Falls, SD.  Looking for any info on how sales were in the last couple years?  Is it worth the $225 booth fee  for a one day show?  Per day that seems high.

Thanks

Jedd

TIMES:  Friday, June 24 - 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

       Saturday, June 25 - 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fireworks at 10 p.m.

        Sunday, June 26 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WHERE: Western Gateway Park, Downtown Des Moines

• Juried Art Fair, 185 artists 
• Emerging Iowa Artists Program
• Jazz & Wine Pavilion 
• Performing Arts Stages & live music 
• Over 30 Interactive Arts Activities
• Interrobang Film Festival presented by Nationwide
• Des Moines Center's Interactive Sculpture Activity

    ArtFest Midwest 'The Other Art Show'

June 25-26

Iowa State Fairgrounds

Indoors at the air conditioned Varied Industries Bldg.

240 Artists  

Free admission
Affordable, Alternative Show 

Saturday: 10am - 6pm 

Sunday: 10am - 5pm

We have had the extreme pleasure of exhibiting with Howard and Janet Rose (Rosesquared) for 30 years. On May 14-15 this year, we did the 25th annual Fine Arts and Crafts at Verona Park, Verona NJ. Despite the iffy weather and the economic ups and downs, it was our best Verona show ever!

We do 30 shows a year on average and, hands down, they are the best promoters we work with. They are fair, vigilant and helpful under all circumstances. They actually DO promote their show the way they say they will and are always looking for new ways to make them a success for all their exhibitors. Never have we done a show with them that they didn't walk by many times during the show and always check in to see how we fared each time. (I am sure you have all done shows that were not well attended or a buying crowd and the promoters magically become invisible. If it rains, they are instantly sending the troops (their sons and friends) around with straw or mulch to distribute in trouble spots. Unusual that exhibitors don't have to beg for such a thing.

Anyway, this weekend was Brookdale Park and, as always, the crowds turned out and bought consistently. The mediums were well balanced and the food was actually tasty as an additional perk. We had a sunny weeknd for a change despite the torrential rain on Friday during setup.

Many thanks to the Roses for all their efforts and support. It takes artists to understand best how to be great promoters.

June 17-19 the Milwaukee Art Museum hosted the the Lakefront Art Festival on the museum grounds fronting Lake Michigan. It is a lovely venue and one of the top art fairs in the country attracting applications from artists coast to coast.

From Journal-Sentinel online, reported by Mary Louise Schumacher:

Nine artists and one artist team, including three artists from Wisconsin, won top awards at the Lakefront Festival of Arts on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum this weekend.

Jurors chose them from among a field of 179 artists.

The winners included:

Jill Bedford of Dousman for photography.

Theodore Gall of Ojai, Calif., for sculpture.

Daiga Henson and Sarmite Svilis of East Windsor, N.J., for wearable fiber art.

Ning Lee of Livingston, N.J., for painting.

Joe Limpert of River Falls for glass.

George Raab of Millbrook, Ontario, for printmaking.

Julie Seymour of Hill Point for jewelry.

Klaus Spies of Asheville, N.C., for jewelry.

Justin Teilhet of Yellow Springs, Ohio, for ceramics.

Zhou Yu of Yardley, Pa., for painting.

The winning artists each receive $1,000 and a commemorative piece of art. They also are invited to return to the festival for three years without being juried in.

Michael Imes of Pewaukee won the sculpture garden award for his work in ceramics. It included a $500 prize.

Several artists also received honorable mentions. They include:

Gene Brown of Urbandale, Iowa, for mixed-media work.

John Charbonneau of Santa Fe, N.M., for digital work.

Peter Flanary of Mineral Point for sculpture.

Matthew Hatala of Danielsville, Ga., for wood.

William Kidd of Miramar, Fla., for ceramics.

Kelly Marshall of Minneapolis for fiber art.

Jennifer McCurdy of Vineyard Haven, Mass., for ceramics.

Thomas Meyers of Hancock, N.H., for pastel drawing.

Larry Oliverson of Sullivan for photography.

Elaine Unzicker of Ojai, Calif., for metal works.

Here are some photos: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/multimedia/photos/124138004.html?page=1

The jurors were:

Susan Aurinko,a Chicago artist (photography) who curates the Chicago Artists' Coalition Gallery.

Robert Barnum, an artist (murals, oils, watercolors and metal) and educator from Mecosta, Mich.

Stephanie Wiles, the John G.W. Cowles director of the Allen Memorial Art Museum in Oberlin, Ohio.

The Lakefront Festival of Arts is presented by the Friends of Art, a support group of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Proceeds benefit the museum's acquisitions fund. The event continues at the art museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14 at the gate or $8 for museum members with valid membership cards. Children under 16 are admitted free with a paying adult.

October 8 & 9

 
Portage is proud to offer a wonderful weekend venue of juried art showings, wine and cheese tasting, and music, all under one roof.  The Harvest Festival is open to art in all media.  Much as the city itself is a melting pot and crossroads, we wish our show to reflect that milieu. Portage is easily accessible from all areas of Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

The juried art portion of the festival will be held in air-conditioned comfort of the 9000 square foot Oakwood grand Hall at Woodland Park, and the wine and cheese tasting will be held up an easy flight of stairs in our elegant reception room, Sycamore Hall.  And when we need a break from all the activity, we offer the Magnolia Room, a cozy spot for refreshment and relaxation, with the gentle sounds of live music.

For our artists, we will be hosting an after-hours reception with appetizers and offering of libations and spirits, including the wine from our visiting vintners.  Local dignitaries will be invited to meet and mingle with our artisan guests.

Please put this event, the Portage Harvest Festival, October 8-9 at the top of your fall calendar.  Come, relax, and enjoy the talent, creativity and virtuosity of art as you've not experienced it before.

Important Dates:

• A secure building/police monitored alarm system
• Booth sitters
• Set up on Friday 10am-6pm or Sat. morning
• Advertised to entire northwest Indiana and region area
• Coffee & doughnuts Sat. and Sun. mornings
• After hours reception on Sat.
• Box lunches available for a nominal fee

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ae-0619-kogan-20110619,0,3457192.story

Rick Kogan writes "slice of life" columns for the Chicago Tribune.

What size sign (banner) would you use for the front outside of a 10' x 10' canopy?

It will hang above the entrance.

Currently I'm looking at 8 x 2.5 feet. Wondering if I should go with 8 x 2 feet.

I started writing a blog about "Tells" - the way you determine how a customer's behavior will or won't lead to a sale - click on the link to read, and please add yours!

I hope you'll add your observations!