I have a set (3 walls) of Flourish soft walls for sale. Used only 4 times and realized a full time job doesn't work with the art fair circuit. Everything is in good shape. These are black mesh with backing for EZ up tents. I also have upper and lower staybar for additional support/tightness. Comes with all of the attaching brackets, poles, s hooks and upholstery hooks. Asking $900 OBO for everything plus shipping. I'm located in CO. If you have to set up and run your booth alone- these are great. They fold up well and are an easy fit into the back of any SUV.

http://www.flourishdisplays.com/meshpanels_for_popups

In Our Time of Mass-Produced Art and Overwhelming Advertising, We Should Celebrate Artists Who Push Back

Independent artists at art events and craft fairs are believers. They believe that handmade, unique, and locally produced work is worth fighting for. They believe that their designs and crafts can have meaning to other people as well as to themselves. They believe that corporate manufacturers don’t make art. People make art.

So what does all of this have to do with graffiti? Well, I would argue that some graffiti artists ( not all but many) make their art because they are believers too.

They believe that in a world plastered with billboards and advertising, it is good for artists to speak back. They believe that in a world where we can’t turn our heads without seeing an ad, there should be some spaces that have been taken back and filled with work that is free, truthful, and elegant.

Rebellion or Blessing?

“I, for one, would also rather see the creative outpouring of our youth on the walls instead of the billboards and advertising inflicted upon us around every corner,” Lady Pink, an artist and muralist from New York City who got her start as a graffiti artist, wrote in the New York Times.

“A bit of rebellion is something we should champion as a society. Somebody has to question the status quo—or we'll grow stagnant,” she said.

Others will argue that it is never right to tag someone else’s property without permission—that graffiti is first and foremost a crime. One solution for this problem is to create legal spaces for graffiti. This solution is positive in many ways, but it is not perfect.

Is Art More Compelling If Creating It Was Dangerous?

Eric Felisbret, author of Graffiti in New York wrote in the New York Times that while legal graffiti can be impressive and important, it might not be as powerful as traditional graffiti.

He writes, “A well-executed painting, rendered under adverse conditions and time constraints, is far more impressive than one undertaken without risk.”

No matter how you feel about the morality of graffiti, there is something compelling about an artist willing to risk freedom and well-being for self-expression.

When we talk about graffiti, it's important to make a distinction. We aren't talking about gang signs. We aren't talking about work that threatens harm to other people. We are talking about work that attempts to be beautiful.

What Does This Mean for You?

So why write about graffiti on a blog dedicated to artists and crafters?

Well, it’s because I think we should recognize their spirit, and even if we don’t think that graffiti is always good, we should all acknowledge that creativity is always better than its opposite.

We should feel inspired to continue our efforts to bring handmade, local art back into the daily lives of Americans.

Last year, August Martin High School in New York City was graffitied. The freshly painted, white walls of the school were flooded with color, and not only was this graffiti legal, it was requested.

The students at the high school complained that the white walls were sterile and uninspiring, so some of the most famous graffiti artists in the country were brought in to disrupt the white walls with stunning and inspiring graffiti.

This is the kind of thing that makes high school students proud of their school. This is the kind of good work art unleashed can do. Check out some of the art at the school here.

So we at ACT are curious to know what you all think of graffiti—whether you see it as a blessing or a menace. But no matter where you come down on this issue, we want you to know we admire you.

We admire artists who work because they love what they do. We admire artists who bring meaning to their own lives and to the lives of others by creating work that asks for nothing else but to be seen.

So carry on artists and craftsman! And thank you for what you do.

My friend Carolyn Edlund, founder of Artsy Shark, published this today:

Top Art Fairs in America 2020

by guest blogger Connie Mettler

Each year, Art Fair Calendar surveys art lovers and fans to determine and rank the best fairs and festivals in the U.S. Here’s their 2020 lineup.

The Kimball Arts Festival in Park City, Utah made the top 10 list.

 

Chicago’s Old Town Art Fair was named the #1 art fair in the country in the 2019 ArtFairCalendar.com’s 8th “Best Art Fair Survey.”  This is the fifth time in a row that Old Town has won this award.

The Old Town Fair is “Located in the midst of a beautiful (old architecture) city neighborhood. They offer good food, good music and lots to see beyond the art. Visitors enjoy the energy of a major city and the art at the same time.” On top of being ranked #1 , it was also chosen as the nation’s “Favorite Urban Art Fair.”

The most surprising fact about this year’s survey is that even though Old Town maintained the #1 ranking, six festivals were new to the Top Ten.

Rounding out the top ten were:

• Park City Kimball Arts Festival in Park City, Utah (new). “”Extremely high quality, great variety, wide price range.” Also ranked as #1 Best Western Art Fair.
• American Craft Exposition, Glencoe, IL (new). “Quality of crafts, the setting and the bonus of supporting a good cause.” Also ranked as Best Midwest Art Fair.
• Long’s Park Art Festival, Lancaster, PA (new). “Wide variety of excellent art and craft presentations in a beautiful outdoor setting. Also ranked #1 Best East Coast Art Fair.
• Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, DC (new). “Excellent artisan crafts high level skill and beauty.”
• Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL. “The art is incredible. I travel over 1,000 miles for this show.” Also ranked as #1 Best Southern Art Fair
• Geneva Arts Fair in Geneva, IL. “High quality art exhibitors, impressive selection of art mediums and styles, awesome location in downtown …”
• James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY (new). “Great variety of art during the most beautiful time of year in the River City.”
• Lakeshore Art Festival in Muskegon, MI. “Cool art, yummy treats, fun downtown atmosphere.”
• Des Moines Arts Festival in DesMoines, IA (new). “Great vendors, surprising variety of art, wonderful location downtown, friendly people of all walks of life.”

Art Fair Calendar‘s mission is to bring art lovers to the nation’s fine art festivals and craft shows. We go beyond the usual surveys about art fairs directed at artists and ask our 56,000 art fair subscriber list to share their favorites.

In addition to this “Top Ten” list, Art Fair Calendar publishes lists of the best fairs on the East Coast, Midwest, South, and West, as well as favorite urban fairs and small town fairs. Don’t miss all of their survey results, including the Top 50 fairs, which can be found here.

Need a boost? We’ve created a list of 13 reasons making crafts makes your life better. We recommend sharing them with your crafting friends.

1. Crafting satisfies the need to create.
2. Crafting offers the satisfaction of seeing other people appreciate your products.
3. Crafting gives you the knowledge that at any moment, people all over the country might be enjoying your work. You never know how far the crafts you sell might travel.
4. Working on your crafts is an opportunity to relax, forget your daily worries, and focus entirely on one task.
5. Crafting allows you a level of self-sufficiency that is rare in our time.
6. Crafting connects generations as parents teach children and grandparents teach grandchildren.
7. Crafters who attend fairs and festivals become a part of a community of other crafty, creative, and delightful people.
8. Crafters can run their own business, set their own hours, and be their own boss.
9. Crafters surround themselves with handmade, one-of-a-kind goods rather than mass-produced, low-quality products.
10. Crafters are more observant, more mindful, and more inspired.
11. Crafters make better friends. Well, they at least make better gifts to give their friends.
12. Crafters develop an eye for detail and patience to accomplish stunning work.
13. At the end of the day, a crafter can look back on their work and see exactly what they have accomplished, which is usually a lot.

What would you add to this list? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Love the ACT blog? Click here to learn more about the artists, crafters, and tradesmen insurance program.

The Gutman Gallery is being launched by the Guild of Artists and Artisans as a new retail opportunity for Guild members. You know the Guild -- those folks who are part of producing the summer Ann Arbor Art Fair extravaganza. It is named after Vic Gutman, the man who started the Guild back in the 1970's. 

"Mine", by Chuck Wimmer

Vic continues to be an event producer in Omaha, including the Omaha Summer Arts Festival and many other events. Ann Arbor is where he started his career producing non-profit events. 

Karen Delhey, current executive director: "Gutman Gallery is the new place in Ann Arbor to get an exquisite piece of art for your home or purchase a unique gift for a loved one this Valentine’s day or anytime of the year!”

Learn more and visit the gallery located on 4th street in Ann Arbor: https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2020/02/03/new-gallery-in-town-the-guilds-gutman-gallery-to-launch-in-downtown-ann-arbor/

Sugarloaf Craft Festivals - Apply Now!

SPRING '20 TOUR
Limited Space Remaining! 

• March 6, 7, 8, 2020 Edison, NJ - NJ Convention & Expo Ctr.
• March 20, 21, 22, 2020 Oaks, PA - Greater Philly Expo Ctr. 
• March 27, 28, 29, 2020 Chantilly, VA - Dulles Expo Ctr.
• April 17, 18, 19, 2020 Gaithersburg, MD - Mont. Co. Fairgrounds
• April 24, 25, 26, 2020 Timonium, MD - MD State Fairgrounds 

Fall '20 TOUR
Limited Space Remaining! 

• October 9, 10, 11, 2020 Timonium, MD - MD State Fairgrounds 
• October 16, 17, 18, 2020 Chantilly, VA - Dulles Expo Center 
• November 6, 7, 8, 2020 Oaks, PA - Greater Philly Expo Ctr. 
• November 13, 14, 15, 2020 Edison, NJ - NJ Convention & Expo Ctr.
• November 20, 21, 22, 2020 Gaithersburg, MD - Mont. Co. Fairgrounds
• December 4, 5, 6, 2020 Chantilly, VA - Dulles Expo Ctr.

• Extensive advertising and promotion
• Cash Awards to Artists
• Professional and respectful art fair staff
• Available move-in help
• Well-provisioned artist hospitality
• Negotiated special rates for artists in nearby hotels and motels
• Friendly booth sitters
• Professional, overnight security 
• Artist parking is free

I'm on several artist email lists and regularly receive their show announcements. Please tell me you have a mailing list ... email is good enough. 

Active member on this site, John Leben, does a great job of marketing. What do you think of his recent email:

Jan 31-Feb 2

Artfest Ft Myers - Ft.Myers - Booth 146

Feb 8-9

Bonita Springs Art Festival - Bonita Springs

Feb 14-16

Arti Gras Art Festival - Jupiter - Booth 511

Feb 22-23

Naples National Art Festival - Naples

Mar 7-8

Bonita Springs Art Festival - Bonita Springs

Mar 13-15

Under the Oaks Art Show - Vero Beach

Mar 21-22

Downtown Naples Art Fair - Naples

Mar 28-29

Santa Fe College Spring Art Festival - Gainesville 

Forbidden Fruit                                        High Rise                                             Rain Tree

Leben Announces New Environmental Initiative

 

 

AB3D0F00-8782-45EF-907F-4231527FBEC5.jpegFDA8578E-4616-4DC7-85F7-9A7E97AF9DD4.jpeg43 Gourds for Sale All shapes and sizes. $125

They have been stored in my home

In excellent condition 

Reason for selling retiring and moving abroad.

I bought these gourds some years ago at a gourd farm in GA, thinking I would do some shows but it never worked out.

please refer to link for photos

I’d like to really sell these gourds, and would welcome any feedback from any Gourd artists out there, who would know what they are worth nowadays.

Thanks Brian

Hello fellow artists, I got into the Pecan street art festival in Austin tx.  I can not find much info about it. The booth fee is kinda high at $690ish for single booth. So iam hesitant to accept till I find out a bit more info. I can mot find any reviews. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.