Blog

I was recently on a Zoom call with about 80 other art fair organizers.  It was quite impressive how knowledgeable and empathic they are.   Since I have about 40 years of event experience I presented some site plans and thoughts about opening safely.  Many people asked for copies, so I thought I should also share them with you all.  The basics are below or contact me if you would like copies of our individual show plans.  I have three shows coming up in the next two months, and each site (and stage in opening) requires different solutions.  Mark@Integrityshows.com

Some basics- To achieve 6' social distancing aisles need to be wider and booths need to be further apart.  We're looking at 20' aisles and each space will have an aisle on three sides.   Two or three sides should be open to allow a breeze to get through.  Ideally, patrons shop from outside the booth. I know that is not practical for everyone.  The most important step would be to control access to the event.  For example, right now in lower Michigan, events are limited to 100 people at a time, which we would consider too few to operate a show.  By next month we expect a number between 250 and 500.  In order to be sure that we are not exceeding that it is important to have a single entrance and a good count. This also allows a quick screening for health concerns.

We invite others to borrow these ideas. If you have suggestions, please share them with me.  I am not locked in- safety is the key. Our goal is to support the artists this year, so including fewer booths and creating more space is essential. We are giving full refunds if we cancel and have a more flexible cancellation policy for artists. Booth rents are not due until 4 weeks out this year. 

We also understand that many artists are not yet ready to jump in.  Others are not able to participate due to routing issues- driving a thousand miles for one show is not generally affordable. 

Since this will inevitably lead to some artists canceling, we are looking for artists that may be interested.  Our jurors will review and select from those that complete the form at www.is.gd/2020fairs. Space will be filled by medium to keep the show balanced.

If you have suggestions or would like clarification please email me at mark@integrityshows.com.

All of these upcoming shows are in Southeast Michigan- 

Stony Creek Art Fair July 25-26,

Belle Isle Art Fair, August 1-2,

and we work with the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce on

Art of Fire (Clay Glass and Metal)  August 8-9.

LIVE PODCAST - JUNE 18, 1 PM EASTERN TIME

Part IV -  Marketing Art Through Social Media: Instagram

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing networking service owned by Facebook.  It was launched in October 2010. The app allows users to upload media and the posts can be shared publicly or with pre-approved followers. Users browse other users' content by tags and locations, and view trending content. Users can like photos and follow other users to add their content to a feed."  It has over a billion users.

Because Instagram is all images and videos it is a perfect tool for artists to showcase their work and develop followers. The most successful Instagram users are artists who have networked with one another to share each others work. 

We have three great guests: a long time Instagrammer, a medium timer and a new user. 

• Catherine Freshley is an  painter from Portland, OR. She is dedicated to disproving the starving artist stereotype. Her Instagram followers appreciate her candid approach to talking about the business side of being an artist and her digital resource guides for artists.
• Jay McDougall is a contemporary wood sculptor from Minnesota with a long history of exhibiting at the nation's best art festivals. In recent months in order to continue to earn his living with his art he has spent a lot of time online working on his own online skills and partnering with friends to build an Instagram empire. 
• Dawn Wilson, a photographer and writer from Estes Park, CO, who integrates her website, Facebook and Instagram to manage her sales and serve as president-elect of the North American Nature Photography Association.
• Renzo Iglesias, a jeweler from Florida who uses Instagram to drive traffic to his site, find his audience, increase awareness, and most importantly, drive sales.

As always, we appreciate your input - helpful tips, and questions. 

Call in at 1:30 - 805-243-1338

My last show was Vero Beach when they closed us down on Friday the 13th in March.

Since then I have had 12 shows cancelled, including Winter Park, DesMoines, Mainsail and Woodlands/Houston.

I figure I have lost more than $40K in sales.

Took me seven weeks to finally be eligible for unemployment in Florida.

I am about $2K in debt to companies I owe for materials like frames, matboard and photo papers which were bought in anticipation of the sales I expected to make.

Instead, I did a whopping $350 in sales at my last show.

Yes, I know, I am not the only one in this situation. Just saying.

Presently I have three shows scheduled for September.

This includes Amy Amdur’s Labor Day Show in Milwaukee, Arts and Apples in Rochester,MI, and Kansas City Plaza which is a biggie. I was last in it 13 years ago.

Who knows if these shows are going to happen. 

Sure hope they do, could use the moola.

I leave next Friday, June 19, for my summer home in Saugatuck,MI. This is a month later then when I usually leave. Michigan only opened up about a week ago, so I was in no hurry to leave New Smyrna Beach, my home.

Having no shows to do has been a big life changer.

I have been doing shows for more than 45 years and I exhibit and sell 12 months a year.

So I have always had dates for when I was preparing my art.

That means for me as a digital photographer who still prints on paper (yes, I am so Old School) That I am printing images daily, matting them and framing. This keeps me busy which I like.

I have always been able to offset this lifestyle by being able to golf three or four times a week.

Now, I have no shows to plan for and no place to sell my work besides, online. Which sucks.

Also I have been diagnosed with severe arthritis in my right shoulder. The cartilage is totally gone around my ball joint and rotater cup.. Which means bone on bone with lots of pain.

So there goes my golf.

Which means I wake up every day and try to find some meaningful way to enjoy the day. Cannot eat, drink and watch TV all day. Not good for your health.

So I spend a lot of time thinking about how art shows will look like when we finally get to do one.

How am I going to setup.

What about browse bins?

Do I need a plexiglass shield  between me and my patrons.

How many can be in my booth at one time.

How are shows going to configure us with our booths.

Are we going to have to have an entrance and an exit space.

Do I have to have gloves for people to wear when touching my work.

How am I to deal with a patron if they enter the booth and refuse to wear a face mask.

How am to handle money and credit cards.

This is a lot of stuff to be worked out.

It took me 40 Bloody Marys to figure out the Browse Bin solution.

God!There is not enough tequila on earth to figure out the non-wearing mask patron.

But I have Been working on solutions.  It helps fill part of my day.

I am getting my first cortisone shot for my shoulder next Tuesday.

Then I will see how I can hit those wily golf balls.

I know one thing.

Being in Florida in June really sucks.  I will take Michigan weather on lake anytime over Florida’s humidity.

Well consider this part1.

In my next blog,tomorrow, I will tell you some of my solutions.

Yeah, I know, this is like a serial, I can string you out.

Or, you could just wait a week and then Stream the whole blog.

Later Gators.

Here you go, this show sounds like they have done their homework to protect everyone as best as possible from Covid-19.  The show is the 18th Annual Orchard Lake Fine Art Show held in West Bloomfield Township on July 25 & 26th.

The show is produced by Patty Narozny of HotWorks.  Patty has had to cancel several of her shows earlier this year.  It greatly bothered Patty to cancel show after show because of the virus.  Patty knows that artists depend on shows to make their living.  Patty worked with the West Bloomfield Township and is following the Covid-19 guide lines based on the Governor's executive order to put together the safest show possible.  The 18th Annual Orchard Lake fine Art Show may very well be the first Michigan show to be held since the Covid-19 shut down.  This show may also become the model other show producers will be following in the future so that art shows can become a possibility once again.

So, what can you expect if you are able to get into the 18th Annual Orchard Lake fine Art Show?  The deadline to apply is June 19th so don't drag your feet and there is a limited amount of spaces available.  Below you can read about the precautions that will be in place to make this a safe show for everyone in attendance:


   *  There will be 3 main entrances into the show.

   *  There will be a few hand washing sinks spread around the show.  This show had a sink before in the
       relaxation tent so that people could wash their hands before they ate while at the show.  Well they
       will have a few more now.

   *  The sinks are touchless, they are operated by your foot.

   *  There will be signs at each porta john urging people to wipe the handles before & after use.  There
       will be disinfectant & paper towel there for people to use.

   *  All show booths will be 3 feet apart.

   *  If possible all booths will have 2 or more sides up to help the air to flow through the tents.

   *  Social distancing of 6 feet apart will be practiced.

   *  Face coverings will be encouraged however since the show is outside it can't be forced by law.

   *  Artist will use pointers - if possible to help with physical distancing.  This may not be possible for
       everyone so then face coverings should be worn when interacting the artist needs to be closer
       to the art patrons.

   *  One family unit at a time can be in the booth.  Other shoppers will need to wait outside the booth
       to be invited in.

   *  There will be markings on the ground for spacing for the art patrons.

   *  Every booth is responsible to bring his/her own hand sanitizer & have it displayed in booths for
       people to see & use during the show.

   *  Jewelers & browse bins will need to be wiped after touching & anything else needing wiping should
       be wiped during the show.

Patty Narozny has put a lot of time and work into trying to put together a safe show.  This could be a good time to try to get back into an art show.  It will be different and take some time getting used to.  I think this will work.  You might want to give this a chance. 

Don't forget that the deadline to apply is June 19th and there is a limited amout of spaces available. 

Let's make this work!

LIVE PODCAST: THURS., JUNE 11, 3 PM ET

Part III, Marketing with Social Media: Using Facebook to Sell Art

Facebook is an online social media and social networking service with with more than 2 billion users worldwide. Wow! Bigger than any art fair I've ever attended, but what can it do for you as a business tool? Can you turn all those members into customers. Or, how about .1% of them. Would that work?

This is an artist driven podcast with input from three artists who have experience on the platform:

1. Richard Sullivan from Naples, FL, who says he has "literally been to Facebook College. I know it sounds crazy but they have spent countless hours working with me."
2. Erik Jensen from Utah, who uses his very tech savvy skills to sell his art, created from computer keys, from his website and interconnected Facebook and Instagram accounts
3. Dawn Wilson, a high altitude and high latitude photographer and writer from Estes Park, CO, who integrates her website, Facebook and Instagram to manage her sales and serve as president-elect of the North American Nature Photography Association. 

With all of that expertise you will be inspired to finally use all these free tools to grow your art career.

Questions and answers the second half of the show. 1-800-243-1338

Leave comments below and questions you'd like answered by our guests. This should be good! We all use Facebook for fun ... how about for profit too?

October 16 - 18
Decatur, Alabama
Downtown Decatur
Presented by River Clay Fine Arts Foundation
Friday Preview Party 5pm-9pm
Saturday 9am-5pm & Sunday 10am-4pm
75 Artists

Located in the beautiful Tennessee Valley, Decatur is a burgeoning arts community whose City Hall campus is surrounded by Alabama's largest Victorian historic district and a picturesque, revitalized downtown complete with numerous bistros, restaurants and unique retail boutiques. The city of Decatur is conveniently located midway between Nashville and Birmingham. You'll find Huntsville, home of NASA, Redstone Arsenal and numerous technology/engineering firms boasts the highest per-capita level of education and income in Alabama, just 25 minutes to the east.

Testimonial:

	Lindsay Farrer, Jewelry

"Very professionally run from application, to set up, to load out. The artists are appreciated with an exceptional party with patrons, not to mention they provide us lunches! The art is exceptional, and show is well balanced... they appreciate fine art and artists!" ... Roger Poer, Designs by R & R

American Advertising Federation North Alabama Gold ADDY Award in 2016 and Decatur Morgan County Tourism Event of the Year for 2018

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=8355

Learn more: https://www.riverclay.org/ 
Contact: Luke Hamilton, lhamilton@mccommgroup.com

July 9 - 11

The Fenton ArtWalk is something that our community looks forward to every year. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of the traditional Fenton ArtWalk 2020, that was scheduled to take place on July 11, 2020.

Our committee has been working on plans to keep art alive and well and is very excited to announce plans for a virtual Fenton ArtWalk Facebook event!

Artists are encouraged to share their virtual storefronts to sell and showcase their artwork. The wonderful businesses of Fenton are also encouraged to share their virtual storefronts to sell their products too. We will get through these difficult times together.

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/699181330601322/ and click “going” so that you can shop amazing artists and local Fenton businesses.

LIVE PODCAST: Thursday, JUNE 4, 1 PM ET

Part II: Using Social Media to Sell Art/Etsy

Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies founded in 2005. It is a global online marketplace, where people come together to make, sell, buy, and collect unique items and supports independent creators. Will it work for you?

Successful Etsy sellers share their information to help you decide whether or not Etsy is the place for you. 

David Klenk is a custom furniture maker who has increased visits to his Etsy page by linking it to my product photo pins on Pinterest. He has not done a craft show or trade show since 2016. My first online sale was in 2006. I sell between $40,000 and $70,000 per year online.

Jackie Kaufman selling on Etsy since 2008 has two shops, a long established jewelry business and a newer shop with prints. She  successfully uses her social media posts on both Facebook and Instagram to bring customers to her Etsy Shops to be able to sell worldwide."

I realize there are lots of pros and cons about Etsy and I want to know about them. We really would like to hear from you also about your Etsy experiences. Will you leave a comment or question below or call in to the show, starting at 1:30? 800-243-1338

As always, you can listen to this podcast right here: ArtFairRadio.com/Etsy

Farmers Markets are considered essential and we are hiring! Looking for friendly, responsible, dependable people to help us sell our baked goods at farmers markets in Colorado. Must have a valid driver's license and a decent driving record. If you can drive a cargo van, that's a plus. Must be available Fri-Sun until the end of September. Decent maths skills and the ability to stand on your feet for long periods are needed, as well as the ability to lift 40 pounds.
I know we are all hurting right now so I decided to reach to others like myself. Housing may be possible for the right person/people. Give me a call at 303-587-9658 for more information.

Help wanted: seeking podcast guests:

1. Etsy - June 4
2. Facebook - June 11
3. Instagram - June 18
4. Pinterest - June 25

Highland Park Stone Slab cutting machine  - Model F-4

Make me an offer - pickup only - Chicago area.

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.)

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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
7. 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.
8. My First Art Fair - Zero or Hero? -- A panel of beginner and experienced artists from various media discuss their "first time."
9. 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.
10. 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.

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

Mark Loeb of metro Detroit's Integrity Shows continues to develop helpful tools for artists.