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If you have some time over the next few days and want to take advantage of upping your knowledge of earning a living as an artist, here are our best podcasts to help you on your way.
(As an aside, these podcasts can be found online anywhere podcasts are hosted, including ArtFairRadio.com, Apple Podcasts -- download any time.)
- Can a Website Contribute to Art Sales? Our newest podcast and just about my favorite ever, inspiring and so helpful. Five artists, with prices from $15 to $8000, talk about their experience selling online. They are so smart, business-savvy and motivated to make the business work for them. By the end you will be inspired.
- How Artists Can Apply for Economic Relief -- ArtFest Fort Myers under Executive Director Sharon McAllister's leadership, is using their website to act as a clearinghouse to help artists interpret and access the financial services under the CARES Act. Sharon is joined by accountant John Brodie of Comprehensive Accounting in metro Detroit.
- 10 Reasons You Didn't Get in the Art Fair -- show directors from the St. Louis Art Fair, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the St. James Court Art Show speak from experience
- How We Bring Buyers to our Art Fairs -- Patty Gregory of Belleville's Art in the Square and Christi Salamonie of the La Quinta Art Festivals share their tactics
- 10 Tips to Use Now for Artists and Show Directors -- Do you have questions about using the Internet to further your career or better position your art fair online? Anything Internet, Scott can answer and point you in the right direction. Concerned about your jury imaging, booth design, visual appeal, digital help? Larry is the expert.
- Who is Buying at the Shows and Why-- the art fair buyers tell us what brings them to the art fairs and what they buy
- Is Anyone Here Earning a Living? -- We speak with art fair artists who actually pay the bills and make a living. Are there people like that? This is a very practical nuts and bolts discussion of entrepreneurship. Creating art and earning a living with it are two separate endeavors.
- My First Art Fair - Zero or Hero? -- A panel of beginner and experienced artists from various media discuss their "first time."
- The No Mistake Art Fair Career - 10 tips from Larry Berman and Bruce Baker: we talk about nailing getting into the show and then how to make sure when you get there that your work sells.
- Online Marketing for Artists 101: an oldie, but goodie because good advice never changes.
and for when times change: Selling Art Face to Face -- Ever hear, "I'll think about it? " Gain confidence and learn what to DO and SAY when they say they need to think about it! Listen to find out what to do next including solid tips to take to your next show.
That's the tip of the iceberg. Fine 80 more helpful episodes always available to you at ArtFairRadio.com
They are all pick up in Palatine, IL.
LIVE PODCAST: THURS., MAY 21, 1 PM EASTERN TIME
Can a website bring you sales of your fine art or craft? Five artists join in a roundtable talk about their experiences. Their work ranges from small items (hand made soaps and associated products to $5000+ oil paintings.) Your work undoubtedly will fit into this continuum. Some of our guests:
- Kathleen Eaton, www.eatonart.com
- Cat Tesla, www.artbycat.com
- Stephanie Wheat, www.rebellionbags.com
Barbara Bloom, https://imagesinbloom.com
- Lucy Kelly, www.belmonili.com
We invite your comments below AND we'll open our phones to your questions also. (805) 243-1338
Harry is finally ready to sell his well-equiped studio. Contact us at mackie-designs@comcast.net. He also has casting materials.
Available in Palatine, IL.
September 18 - 20
Saint Charles, Missouri
North Main Street, Old Town St. Charles
Friday 4pm-9pm, Saturday 11am-9pm,
Saint Charles, Missouri
North Main Street, Old Town St. Charles
Friday 4pm-9pm, Saturday 11am-9pm,
& Sunday 11am-5pm
100 Artists
Deadline: May 29
Deadline: May 29
Application fee: $35 Booth fee: $315-$630
On scenic, historic North Main Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, nestled on the banks of the Missouri River just 30 minutes west of downtown Saint Louis. The quaint community, founded in 1769, is home to more than 100 shops, restaurants and cafes in a preserved, historic district. This festival is located outside along the closed-off North Main Street.
We present a professional exhibition to show case the local and regional artists, while also stimulating and educating the community. The Mosaics Fine Art Festival has an interesting diversity of artwork produced by a mix of emerging, mid-career and established artists in all media.
Artist Amenities
"I love it. Its a great way for young artist to venture into the art world. It has various artist w different cultures and mediums. This is also an amazing bonding experience for a family. AFTER Viewing different art u can do hands on projects in the kids zone and go get a cheap tasty bite within a 5 min walk." - Ashley Trapp
"This is one of my favorite events of the year. Artists and artisans cover a wide array of media: Painters, photographers, ceramics, wood, stone, metal work, mixed media, art jewelry, leather-work, glass, and all! Not only is the variety of arts so full, but this is one of the largest Art Fairs for a large radius of several hours driving time." - Ted Meyer
Marketing
We work with a local Marketing firm to coordinate press releases, media interviews, print advertising and calendar listings, as well as billboard advertising closer to the event. We also give out postcards and posters for local businesses to display, supply postcard art for artists to print and send to their customer lists, and we promote the festival through local businesses and organizations that help us to sponsor it.
We work with a local Marketing firm to coordinate press releases, media interviews, print advertising and calendar listings, as well as billboard advertising closer to the event. We also give out postcards and posters for local businesses to display, supply postcard art for artists to print and send to their customer lists, and we promote the festival through local businesses and organizations that help us to sponsor it.
Artist Amenities
- Complimentary Friday and Saturday night artist dinner delivered to booths
- Booth sitters and helpful volunteer staff
- Water delivered to artist booths all weekend long
- Vehicle street access for setup and tear down under the direction of festival staff
- Assistance with load in/load out before and after the festival
- Free electricity
- Overnight security on Friday and Saturday night
Testimonials
"I have attended the Mosaics-Missouri Festival for the Arts for many years, I think it's one of the coolest art festivals in the state. This year I am and exhibitor! I never dreamed that I would be IN this show, But I made it through jury I'm so excited and grateful to be included in the company 100 amazing artists!" - Maggie Biesiada-Lowe
"I have attended the Mosaics-Missouri Festival for the Arts for many years, I think it's one of the coolest art festivals in the state. This year I am and exhibitor! I never dreamed that I would be IN this show, But I made it through jury I'm so excited and grateful to be included in the company 100 amazing artists!" - Maggie Biesiada-Lowe
"I love it. Its a great way for young artist to venture into the art world. It has various artist w different cultures and mediums. This is also an amazing bonding experience for a family. AFTER Viewing different art u can do hands on projects in the kids zone and go get a cheap tasty bite within a 5 min walk." - Ashley Trapp
"This is one of my favorite events of the year. Artists and artisans cover a wide array of media: Painters, photographers, ceramics, wood, stone, metal work, mixed media, art jewelry, leather-work, glass, and all! Not only is the variety of arts so full, but this is one of the largest Art Fairs for a large radius of several hours driving time." - Ted Meyer
More information: https://stcharlesmosaics.org/
Contact: Denise Wulff, mosaicsartfest@gmail.com,
(314) 277-9554
Contact: Denise Wulff, mosaicsartfest@gmail.com,
(314) 277-9554
So, whether or not we may be ready, different places are loosening the shelter in place restrictions. Not sure when art fairs will be happening for sure or not, but I'm starting to think about how it will work when customers are actually looking for jewelry again at art fairs. Has anyone had any thoughts about how to protect ourselves and customers? Do you think it's going to be possible? I'm still having a hard time accepting that I'm "elderly" and "high risk! LOL Seriously, how will we handle it? I live in Indianapolis where we have a bunch of Covid cases. How do we handle it when we go to another area where their Covid cases are either many more, or many fewer. I'm apprehensive, no lying, and feel some responsibility to try to keep from exposing others as well as protecting myself. Anyone else having these thoughts?
Online Seminar: Tuesday, May 19 at 1 pm ET
From Mark:
"We are adding an online session that I believe many people will be interested in, how to shoot video to create a studio tour for social media. We will go over how best to use your phone camera to create simple video and then a few simple free ways of editing.
Those that are in our shows and submit their finished videos to me will have them used on our web sites and on our social media to promote their participation.
To insure these videos are shown we are also starting a new website - www.artiststudiotour.com that will have artist videos with links to their sales sites."
Learn more and sign up: https://is.gd/shootvideo
Thurs., May 14, 1 pm ET - Part IV of our website building help
Scott Fox, a financial and self-help author, specializing in entrepreneurship and startup company advice joins us to answer questions about SEO (search engine optimization) and why it makes a difference to you and your website. He is the author of 3 best-selling books, including Click Millionaires: Work Less, Live More with an Internet Lifestyle Business You Love, full of easy to follow direction on how you can use the Internet to build a sustainable business.
Scott has been my mentor in building my art fair websites. His step by step, no nonsense, non-techie style is meant for you.
**This is a question and answer podcast. If you have a specific question, we can help you right away. If we don't receive your questions, we can't help you.
We want to hear from you. You will be able to call in, but to insure your question is answered please add it in the comments below.
September 18-20
Ferndale, Michigan
Fri. 3pm-7pm; Sat. 10am-7pm; Sun. 11am-6pm
100 artists
Deadline: May 17
Application fee: $25; Booth fees start at $355
Best for non-traditional work in all mediums, under $750, jewelry and fiber.
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. We average 40,000 shoppers attending over the weekend. You are required to have liability insurance. If you don't have a policy we can help you obtain it at $39 for the event.
Produced by Mark Loeb of Integrity Shows. Mark is a well-connected show organizer, recognized throughout metro Detroit. Mark and his team have been organizing, consulting and operating successful events since 1982.
Integrity Shows uses a three-year jury system. Artists are guaranteed a space for 3 years provided they apply by the deadline and abide by the show rules. We adjust the size of the show accordingly to assure that half the spaces are available in any given year.Fun events, seriously.
Learn more: www.FunkyFerndaleArtFair.com
Contact: mark@integrityshows.com
Website Checkup - 2 pm ET
Web designer Franklin Piuck and ArtFairInsiders.com will be hosting a ZOOM webinar on Tues., May 5 at 2 pm ET. The topic of discussion will be critiquing websites and answering artists questions about web design, SEO and all the attendant options.
If you haven't participated in a ZOOM meeting yet, it is a visual meeting, like Facetime or Skype, where you click into the site and appear on screen. We can see one another and chat about the topic. You must contact Frank ahead of time with your interest in participating so he can add you to the invitation list.
1. Contact Frank: fpiuck@cyberhenge.com
2. If you are interested in adding your site to the critique also alert him to that and send him the link.
There is a limit to the number of participants. We have room for 25 more at this time.
August 1 & 2
Chesterton, Indiana
Presented By: Chesterton Art Center
Saturday 10-5 & Sunday 10-4
110 Fine Artists
Deadline: May 15
Notification Date: May 25
Application Fee: $30 Booth Fee: $240 and up
This is the 62nd year for the Chesterton Art Fair, which draws art lovers from all over the Midwest, always the first full weekend in August. The fair will be held in beautiful Dogwood Park, close to Interstates I-80 (Indiana Toll Road) and I-94, making it an easy drive for our many Chicago and Illinois suburbs visitors, as well as those from across Indiana and Michigan.
- Dogwood Park is accessible to all. Plentiful disability parking is at the front gates, and all parking is close.
- Artists may stay in RV's at the location of the fair. There are many hotel choices nearby.
- Flat ground, shade trees, a huge covered shelter, and a new permanent restroom building are some of the park amenities.
- Within a few miles of the magnificent Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan beaches.
- Lovely downtown area, unique dining and shopping and also the well known fast food options near the expressways.
- Complimentary continental breakfast for the artists Saturday and Sunday morning.
This is a very well-attended fair. The fact that we are in our 62nd
year speaks to the caliber the of the art, the management of the fair, and the number of artists who return every year. We treat you as our honored guests and go out of our way to make you comfortable and happy. We know that being on the road is tiresome and hard work. We have many volunteers who love working with our artists, as well as helping our guests who attend the fair. This is a much-loved event in our community, and the community comes out to help!
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Cappi Phillips, Mosaic
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We will be inviting new food vendors as well as the much-loved regulars and will offer some new art activities for children. We also feature local musicians throughout the day in a specific area of the park. The music is gentle, strolling background music, conducive to perusing, shopping, and talking with the artists.
Marketing:
We market far and wide using social media, print media, direct mail, radio, and web-based advertising.
Testimonials:
- "It has become a yearly tradition!"- Karen
- "An excellent Art Fair to attend. Our first year there and we'll be back."-Randy
- "So much amazing artwork to see. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. The artists are fun to talk to also. Very impressive!" -Zandra
Jurors are selected for their experience and expertise in a specific media and understanding of that media. A diversity of backgrounds and skills is sought, including artists and educators.
Proceeds from the fair support the Chesterton Art Center, a not-for-profit arts organization. We host 12 + gallery shows throughout the year, and art classes for all age groups. Members can display and sell their work from our Member's Gallery. We also have an Artisan Gift shop featuring handmade creations in a variety of mediums.
Contact: Wendy Marciniak, gallery@chestertonart.com
Should you bother creating/updating/promoting your art online?
Look what I just found:
- The Louvre in Paris says its web traffic has gone from 40,000 visitors a day to 400,000 a day since the museum closed to visitors due to the Coronavirus. The website offers videos and virtual reality experiences here.
Okay, that's the Louvre ... but what about all the shows that are offering virtual art shows? Artists are also. Will they come? Will they buy?
Crossing our fingers here.
This is some promo we've done to encourage virtual shopping for art: https://conta.cc/3c1mwm9
What do you think? What are you doing?
September 12 & 13
Louisville, Kentucky
Waterfront Park, Big Four Bridge Lawn
200 Artists
Saturday 10am-7pm & Sunday 10am-5pm
Deadline: May 10
Notification date: May 20
Application fee: $25 Booth fee: $425-$650
Such was the overall success of the Festival, that Louisville's Convention & Visitors Bureau presented the Rose Award to the Festival for creating a NEW event that is bringing so much commerce to Louisville! Louisville's Festival is known for it's 200 juried artists, EZ in-out access, spacious booth layouts and many artist amenities. With a proven multi-media campaign we will produce record crowds again in 2020!
Artist Amenities and Benefits
Free artist parking; 24-hour security- Booth sitters; water delivery
- Light breakfast on Saturday and Sunday
- Negotiated discounts at nearby hotels
- Trolley Service to participating downtown hotels and surrounding downtown area
- Juried prize awards totaling $5,000
- E-Z In/Out access directly to booths
- 24-hour security on festival grounds
- Artists and their works promoted on the Big Four Festival website and Facebook page
Louisville Loves the Arts!
More information: https://bigfourbridgeartsfestival.com/
Contact: Lou Nunnelley, b4b@twc.com, (502) 435-7602
Contact: Lou Nunnelley, b4b@twc.com, (502) 435-7602
LIVE - THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2 PM ET
A well functioning website can change your life. It is the art fair that never closes. It can reconnect you with a former collector of your art and expose it to a worldwide audience. It opens the door very wide to new opportunities and has the potential to change your life.
Did you hire a designer to create your site and now it is complete? Or maybe you did it yourself and it is nagging at you for attention again. Facing the fact that a website is never finished is one of the less pleasant facts of life. If you want your site to do its job (market/sell your art) then that requires regular refinements and updates, and sometimes a drastic overhaul.
This podcast focuses on examining your existing website. Some of the topics:
Is your site up to date?
- What are the standards you need to meet?
- Should you modify it to match the current design style?
- Does your site fit your marketing plan?
- Is it geared to your target customers?
- How big should it be?
- Should it be a store?
- How often should you update?
- How often should you revise it?
- Are you collecting email addresses?
- Getting Traffic
- What you need to know about Google
- Using Social Media
- Q & A
Our guest is veteran web designer Franklin Piuck, Cyberhenge.com, Web Design for the Arts and Small Business. Frank's own interests and contacts have caused him to develop a customer base largely involved in fine arts, designer crafts, and specialized antiques and collectibles. (Reach Frank directly: fpiuck@cyberhenge.com, 973-616-6162)
Please note: on Tuesday, May 5 at 2 pm, Franklin Piuck is going to host a webinar where we will further explore your questions about your website. If you wish to be a participant in the webinar, we need to have your email address ahead of time so you can receive an invitation to participate. Please send to me: info@artfaircalendar.com
We really want your input on this podcast. Please put comments and questions in the box below.
60968236059__3B75065A-278D-40FA-B88E-A9D3839365F1.MOVthis is a test real one coming as soon as I master video.
A potential way to start art shows on a limited basis. A drive by art show. Artists set their tents up either in the street facing the center of the street (if the street is wide enough) or on the sidewalk facing the street. Then potential customers slowly drive by stopping to ask questions or purchasing what they see.
Lots of issues and need of discussions.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
September 19 & 20
Park Forest, Illinois
The Village Green and along Main Street
Presented by Tall Grass Arts Association
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
80 Artists
Deadline: May 8
Application fee: $35 Booth fee: $175
The Park Forest Art Fair is the second oldest, continuously juried fine art fair in the Chicagoland region. This fall, ArtFairCalendar.com conducted its 9th annual "Best Art Fair in America" survey and the Park Forest Art Fair was voted one of the Top 5 Small Town Art Fairs in the country.
The fair features 80+ artists exhibiting in a range of media from painting, pastels, print-making and photography to glass, ceramics, fiber, jewelry and wood. Several of the artists have exhibited continuously for nearly four decades. Other, newer artists, are returning from as far away as Florida and California. A long-standing tradition at the Park Forest art fair, one that is loved by all of the artists, is that fair-attendees stop and chat with the artists.
Testimonials:
- "I had the pleasure to be an artist at the Park Forest Art Fair put on
by the wonderful volunteers of the Tall Grass Arts Association. This show was an artist's dream - the volunteers take such good care of the artists from making sure we had water all day long and booth sitters for bathroom breaks. On top of that, we had bagels, juice, coffee and yogurt both mornings and to top it off the volunteers put on a wonderful dinner Saturday night. But I have to say the thing that impressed me the most is this show runs like a well-oiled machine and it's all done with volunteers and donations, not some big promoter. In closing I have to give this art fair an A+ and I would recommend it to anyone that likes being treated like a guest. I also have to thank the people from Park Forest and surrounding areas for coming out to see the show." Janet Hubbard, Oak Creek, WI
- "Thank you for your many many many efforts. It really is a wonderful show. I've done plenty of shows in the city and affluent north suburbs but none of them can compare to the ease, loyalty and support that the Park Forest Art Fair offers. I have always said it feels like coming home." Jennifer Meyer, Lansing, IL
- "We were so happy with our sales this year, we were practically giddy! Having a great show at Park Forest really made our summer!! Thank you for all you do!" The Pottery Boys, Blue Island, IL
There is a music fest on Saturday hosted by the village of Park Forest
. It features musical groups such as the Neal Alger Quartet and the Raices Latin Jazz Quartet featuring Latin Grammy nominated percussionist Ruben Alvarez. On Sunday, fest favorites, the folk music duo Patchouli, will perform.
. It features musical groups such as the Neal Alger Quartet and the Raices Latin Jazz Quartet featuring Latin Grammy nominated percussionist Ruben Alvarez. On Sunday, fest favorites, the folk music duo Patchouli, will perform.Along the sidewalk in front of the Tall Grass Gallery, the "Kids Art Alley" includes many art activities for young children such as the traditional art contest, castle building, face painting and photograms.
A food court offers many selections from hot dogs, barbeque and Nachos to pound cakes.
The Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery will be open during the fair and will be featuring the Annual Gallery Artists' Exhibit. The gallery and art fair are open to the public, free of charge.
Learn more and apply: http://www.tallgrassarts.org/
Contact: Janet Muchnik - jmuchnik@sbcglobal.net
Shows have been reaching out to us and refunding booth fees. Thank you, but that's our money. If you're anything like me, your main concern is about future shows when things begin to get back to normal, say in August or September and beyond.
My biggest artist expense right now is jury fees! Some shows are deferring deadlines and/or jury fees, but still want their "cash cows" ponying up! Why not roll the clock back and lower or get rid of them?
When I started doing shows in 1981, there was no such thing as a jury fee. Then as time went by, I remember a $5 jury fee. Then the flood gate opened and it has never stopped. Can anyone really justify a $50 fee just to see if you can beat-out two or three hundred other artists in your category? And then, often finding out you failed? At that point, it is just lost money and no longer "seed money".
Having just filed my 2019 tax return, I can report that I did 40 shows and spent $2,200 just on jury fees.
If the shows really want to help us, what do you think the first step could be?
THURS., APRIL 23, 3 PM ET
Part 1 of 2 episodes:
Time is up. Get online or get out. We find ourselves comfortable right where we are. We’d rather suffer a little than try new things.
(4/21/20) - there is an artist's work that I've always loved and decided to go shopping today to check it out and perhaps buy a piece. Yes, there was a website, but not updated since 2018, and no way to make that purchase.
Is this you? Is it time to finally get this done?
If you have never built a site before today is the day. This podcast will get you started with the basics and will sort out the options that have been holding you back.
Our guest is veteran web designer Franklin Piuck, Cyberhenge.com, Web Design for the Arts and Small Business. His own interests and contacts have caused him to develop a customer base largely involved in fine arts, designer crafts, and specialized antiques and collectibles.
We'll start with the basics:
Social Media, Websites or both?
- Where to start
- Weebly, Squarespace, Wix, Wordpress
- Minimum adequate content to start with
- Should you try to do it yourself, or get help?
- Managing a website
- Getting Traffic
- What you need to know about Google
- Social Media
- Q & A
We suggest you print out that outline and make notes as we talk. As always, these podcasts are recorded and always available to listen or download at ArtFairRadio.com.
We've also scheduled extra time so that we really can take your phone calls. Call in to the show: (805) 243-1338
If you can't join us live, please put your questions in the box below so we can get you the answers you need.
