Hi all.  I've recently semi-retired from the 9-5 routine & I've been expanding my show circuit to include out-of-state shows.  Before signing up for a new show, I come over to ArtFairs to check out reviews. I've been confused about why some reviews are in the main "blog" section rather than in the "Art Show Reviews," which is where I look first (& have posted a couple of reviews).  I've compared the Blog reviews to the Art Show Reviews and don't see that they have the same posts.  I find it helpful to search Reviews by state, but I'm realizing that the Blogs generally have more current information.  Unfortunately, a search of the Blogs by state comes up with all information that references that state (call for artists, comments, etc.).  Am I missing something, a different way to use the sites?  Any suggestions?

Uptown was held on first weekend of August in a very trendy shopping,eating, and partying area of Minneapolis.

It is a theee day show with setup the day before except for those on Hennepin Ave.

The Show is held in two distinct sections: booths are setup on the street and grass of a mall that runs about five blocks long.  Those booths setup in staggered times on Thursday.  The second section sets up on Friday on Hennepin Avenue which runs across the top of the mall.

Some artists swear that sales are better on Hennepin. Others, like me, prefer the mall.

Hennepin has very little shade and you have moving traffic going by the rear of your booth.  There is a metal barricade that separates booth from cars.

You are on hot burning pavement in the height of a Minnesota summer.

Reminds me of an old joke about this. “Minneapolis has two seasons, August...and winter”.

The mall is shadier(typestyle just changed, do not know why.) and a lot more mellower.

I have done this show since the late 80-ies.  Many years sales were in my top ten show range.

The last three times have been showing a serious downward slide in sales, mostly, Lowend.

This year was no different.

They charge a big booth fee and frankly, most people are lucky if they do $3500. Not good.

The crowd tends to be young and tattooed with little disposable income.

Lots of people with dogs and they do not buy art.

Lots of the Zombie Walk going on, they do not even look at the booths.

Uptown claims over 300,00 in attendance.  I would question that.

This year they instituted a new wrinkle that contributed to a decrease in sales.

At the lower end of the mall they had a number of tents setup that were giving away free food in boxes and bottles.

So all show long I had people clutching three boxes of macoroni in hand.  Others with frappe bottles from Micky-D.

None of them bought anything.

I sure hope the committee revisits their thinking on this.  It is not good for the artists.

They are following the current trend of too many shows who are calling them an “art event” when they are really just an event to attract crowds.

Our whole biz is slowly getting sucked down the drain.

We had lovely temps which we’re slightly marred by a freak rainstorm about 5pm on Saturday.

It did not even show up on the radar but lasted an hour.

It flooded the gutters and made water rise high in booths.  It also drove away the crowd who never returned.

Sunday we had great weather and crowds, I did more then the other two days combined.

I talked to many artists in different mediums, very few were happy.

Sales were off by 30% or more.  This has been the trend this year.

For those of you living in the Midwest this is still a doable show.  If you live further, like Florida, I would have second thoughts.

Oh well, I am in Lexington, KY right now waiting to setup and hoping for better sales.

Stay tuned.

(sponsored podcast)

Tuesday, August 20, 5:00 to 5:30 pm ET

Can Florida use another art festival? Does Palm Beach need an indoor art fair, during "the season?" Ingrid Robinson thinks so. Listen and learn how Ingrid gathers resources to host a show that will attract snowbirds to attend a new event. Joining her is Julie Mullen, co-founder of the award winning women-owned public relations firm The Buzz Agency, that is supporting Ingrid's plan. 

We'll talk about:

• Developing an idea that shows success potential
• Choosing the venue
• Finding sponsors
• Choosing the tech team and marketing team
• Partnering with local charities

This is a tutorial about starting an event from scratch, networking with a local community to build a "must attend" show that benefits all involved, the artists, the charities and the philanthropic goals of patrons. 

The show: Artists and Charities, November 2 & 3, West Palm Beach, FL, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Learn more: ArtistsandCharities.com

We are eager also to hear from you and this will be a call-in show. What do you need to know before you apply to a new event? What would you like to know about this one?

How you can participate:

• email me any questions you'd like me to ask Ingrid (info@artfaircalendar.com)
• put your question or comment in the box below so we can discuss it on the podcast
• call in to the show to speak with Ingrid directly during the show: (805) 243-1338
• listen to the podcast at this link: Planning for a New Art Fair
• or if you can't make it at that time listen later at this link or download it for another time. 

I hope we hear from you. There is a lot to learn for both show organizers and artists. Seeing behind the scenes can be very useful, especially to artists newer to art fairs.

Rehoboth Art League's Outdoor Fine Art and Craft Show
Rehoboth, Delaware

Venue: The Rehoboth Art League's Henlopen Acres campus, which used to a farmstead.

Dates: First two weekends in August

Hours: Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4 PM

FEES
Booth fee 450 for one weekend and I believe 800 if you Do two weekends. I just did the final weekend.

Plus 50 dollar fee to be a member of the Rehoboth Art League - mandatory to do the show) and $50 host fee if you choose to stay with a host family for the weekend or $100 for two weekends (these are members of the art league who put up out of town artists, which is appreciated as this is high tourist season in a beach resort town where there are no cheap hotel rates). Our host was lovely and made us dinner Fri night as well as breakfasts (which is not required). I stayed at a beautiful house a couple of blocks off the beach and a half mile from the show. Our host drove myself and some other artists each day if we needed it (also not required).

MEDIA AND PRICES
My medium is mixed media contemporary animal paintings. Price points $150 to $3900. All originals, no prints. Lowest price point sold $300. Highest was $1800.

VENUE AND MISC. LOGISTICS
The art show is held on the gorgeous campus of the art league, which is in a neighborhood about 10 min walk from the beach, and is surrounded by multi million dollar homes. Your tent is on grass between gravel lined paths. As this is in Delaware there is no sales tax. There is a 5 dollar admission fee for visitors (children under 12 are admitted free) and a free trolley / shuttle service.

I did this show for the first time last year, and decided to do again this year as the art quality is very high. It's juried, and if selected, you are pre-approved for two years. This is fine art and craft. No buy sell or imports. Last year they kicked out someone who misrepresented their art and were selling work made by others. There are about 125 artists I think, as well as some music (not too loud) and a beer garden. The artists range from fairly traditional to more contemporary and abstract or even whimsical or funky. They had paintings, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, glass, jewelry, etc. etc etc.

If you do both weekends you are allowed to keep your tent up in between weekends if you want. If you do only one weekend you can set up the Thurs or Friday before. One caveat, the neighborhood is VERY strict about no commercial activity (which includes an art festival), before 830 am and after 5 pm. So you can NOT do any set up or breakdown before or after these hours. On sat our host dropped us off at 820 and we were made to wait across the road until exactly 830 before we could go into our tents. When you set up before you can drive up to your spot to unload then move your car to the side. The show is pretty well organized but has a relaxed atmosphere for the most part.

Also you get a parking pass for a specific house to park at. If you park anywhere else you will get ticketed. Make sure you follow the rules for this show.

They also provide secure wifi for the show, however, at my location it was super sluggish.

Note: if you drive in Friday to set up, get into town before noon if you don't want to be sitting in traffic.

Last year I did mediocre as far as sales ( I paid my expenses but only had a very small profit which is not really worth it if you consider the amount of time and energy spent on the show), but I had a good vibe about the fest so I wanted to try it again, especially as I was new to the area. I did A LOT of promo on social media and my email lists beforehand and the day before the show i even presold a small original.

REVIEW
Saturday was mid 80s and sunny, no wind or rain. I was originally supposed to be in one location but The day before I drove down they had to move my spot and I ended up on a main path in a well trafficked area,. The only negative there was a tree in The space so I needed to set up in front of it so The roots made The ground uneven and my booth was not flush with my row. This did give me a partial outside wall on my tent that I could now use as it could be seen by oncoming traffic.

The paths you are on are wide and many artists will sit in the center where there is shade. They are pretty relaxed about this here.

The morning traffic was decent then died just after lunch. I did one $900 sale to one person and then nothing else. My impression was many artists were not happy with traffic. The previous week I was told was brutally hot but busy and one lucky artist got $16k in sales when a restaurateur bought up a bunch of art for a new restaurant.

I did hear that there was a fatal accident on one of the main roads and traffic (already hugely congested on Saturdays) was a standstill for a few hours, so that may have impacted us some.

However, due to past experience, my Sunday sales are often stronger than Saturday so I reserve judgement until after the show is over.

They have an artist reception Saturday night but I didn't go. They also have boothsitters, free water, an air conditioned artist only bathroom and sitting area, and complimentary breakfast and snacks. They also have a cafe you can order from for lunch but I just ate some food I packed.

On Sunday it was 80 degrees, very light wind and pleasant. Traffic came in strong and stayed fairly consistent all day. Please note this is not a HUGE festival so it's not like Ann Arbor crowds, but they can have a steady stream of people.

I sold two large more expensive works on Sunday that made my sales from meh to something I was pretty happy with.

Nobody asked for a discount and nobody acted shocked at my prices although It's true not everyone could afford it. I had a couple of people ask about reproductions, which I do sell online so I gave them my card to shop there. I had a few other people take a card to think about a purchase so i have to see if they actually do contact me (I'm not holding my breath though). I did get the usual questions: how long did this take to make and did you make this, but in general this audience is more educated. There was also a wide range of ages, families and couples. There is also a large gay demographic here as well so if you make pride or gay-friendly related work, it may be popular. In general it was a nice, educated and well behaved crowd.

I will say most of the works I sold were sea animals or regional animals. So, something to think about if you do the show. People are looking to put work in their beach houses. At the end of the review are some pics of the work I sold.

The impression I got from others was that Sunday was better in general for most. Not everybody did well though, but that is like every show.

The show is not currently on Zapp but I heard a rumor that next year it may be.

BREAKDOWN
You can get your car once your tent is down but this is sort of not well enforced but everyone figured it out. A couple of artists did block one of the paths with their car which caused some confusion as they wouldn't move.

I think I thought of the main review points but if anybody has questions let me know.

I don't know if this is a show to drive across country for, but i live three hours away and it is worth it to me (though I did meet a couple of Florida artists). I do think it's a very high quality show and well run and artists are treated very well.

Most of the other artists I met were from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and DC.

Hello all, I am looking for a 10x 10 white tent of any brand other than ez up. I can drive almost anywhere in the south and I am willing to pay for shipping and handeling if necessary. 

Really dont want to buy new, if you have any information, please let me know. 

with love,

an emerging artist and recent college graduate.

New promoter chosen

It was with great sadness that artists and art lovers learned in June that there would not be an art festival in La Quinta in March 2020 because of differences in viewpoints/missions between the La Quinta Foundation and the city of La Quinta. Learn more here.

But, hold on folks, a committee comprised of 4 city officials plus an artist; a previous fine art event director; a community services commissioner; a local stakeholder that has experience working with fine art event producers in La Quinta; and a longtime La Quinta resident with extensive knowledge of previous fine art events have made a choice: Paul Anderson, long time organizer of the Sausalito Arts Festival. 

Good news? Bad news? I'm so ambivalent on this issue. The total professionally run LQAF was a beacon for other events that wanted to host a quality event that included wonderful artists, a qualified buying public and benefits to the community. Can it be replicated? 

The rest of the story about Anderson and the negotiations to find a new organizer: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/la-quinta/2019/08/06/la-quinta-city-council-selecting-promoter-of-new-signature-art-festival/1924298001/

Breckenridge CO, Main Street Art Festival 8/1-3/2019

First time exhibitor for this show. The show was held Thur-Sat as the Farmers Market had dibs on Sun. Weather was relatively good with occasional drizzle until Sat when it really rained for about 45 mins 2 hours before ending, this is a mountain show, rain happens!

Sales were slow in coming, some artists doing well on Thur and not on Fri, vice versa for this artist. Saturday was slow in coming. Main street in Breckenridge was crawling with visitors few of which made it to the end of the street where this event is held in Main Street Station. Breckenridge apparently has restrictions on signage and large banners were mostly on or near the show venue which was mostly rental apartments/hotel rooms some dining/coffee. Those that did make it there were largely lookers but many spent on art at most booths at all price points. My booth neighbor, a painter, sold 1 late Saturday.

Exhibitors had to park in any of two lots which were off site but within an 8-10 minute walk or you could wait for the free bus or trolley. Load-in occurred from at least two access points with many drive up spots. Organizers were well seasoned and organized for the arrival of artists. Few amenities; dial up booth sitting, donuts, coffee and water. Wide range of age groups; older group, for the most part, were out for a stroll, younger ones looking and middle agers doing most of the buying. Artists, as usual, were creative about ways to store around or near their booths. This, in my opinion, was an expensive show, $500 for the three days plus lodging anywhere near here is very high, I found a good Priceline deal about 14 miles away in Silverthorne/Dillon. Eating is also expensive, I went shopping at the local grocery.

Exhibitors beware; This is in the mountains! The higher elevation (9600') dehydrates you quickly and you have to adjust in general to the higher elevation. If you feel sick or light headed you are not drinking enough water! Coffee and tea do not count. Sun exposure is greater than the low lands, be sure to use sun screen, wear a hat and stay in the shade if possible.

50 years ago Park City, Utah, known as a great winter resort area, was a ghost town in the summer. This year the Kimball Art Festival held in the downtown streets celebrates its 50th anniversary. And what does Park City look like this August 2019? 

Think about this:

Last year, nearly 50,000 people attended the festival, and between their food, lodging and transportation needs, festival purchases and other expenses, the visitors left an economic impact of over $23 million.

A group of local artists wanted to change that ghost town feel in 1969 and their legacy continues to enrich the small community. The popularity of the event meant that a bigger organization needed to help the event grow. In 1976, Bill Kimball who ran a small art gallery, the Kimball Art Center, out of an old garage stepped up. To this day the non-profit Kimball Art Center organizes the event.  

Read the rest of the story here: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900082032/50-years-ago-park-city-was-a-ghost-town-in-the-summer-heres-how-the-kimball-arts-festival-helped-change-that.html

I'll bet many of you can tell similar stories about other events around the country that are celebrating 50+ years. Which ones can you think of?

Whoo Hooo, I got my prize today or I should say Jean got my prize today. Thank you Connie for running pledge drive and thank you Debbie Stillman for the  silver necklace and earrings. Jean was thrilled.