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Selling out jewelry making machines & tools.  Craft hut & jewelry cases must go.  mackie-designs @comcast.net

February 1 & 2, 2020

HOW DO WE PROMOTE FOR YOU?

• a very loyal base of VIP's, patrons and sponsors who wait all year to purchase art at our festival
• upscale dining areas, including shaded table seating & ample food/beverage options, encouraging buyers to stay longer and shop more.
• on-site arts related activities to keep the patrons engaged while they decide on more art purchases (high school art competition, children's art yard, high school sidewalk chalk competition and more).

• Oversized booth spaces - 3 feet between booths & behind-booth storage areas
• Easy Friday Set-up with scheduled staggered drive-up access
• Breakfast Saturday and Sunday plus water all day & indoor bathrooms
• Booth Sitters and dedicated Artist Ambassadors
• Discounted hotel rates & reserved free artist parking with complimentary trolley transportation
• 24 hour security
• $5,500 in Artist Awards

• Apply from May 15 - September 10, 2019 at ZAPPlication.org
• Visit our festival website ArtFestFortMyers.com. The Info for Artist page provides artist-specific information including hotels, set-up, jury success & many other helpful tips.
• Like us on FaceBook and connect with us on LinkedIn, where we feature festival artists and engage patrons year-round

Apply Now: ZAPPlication.org

I have a 10x20 Trimline canopy top for sale. Purchased in 2007 by the original owner who only did indoor shows and never used the canopy. I only do 10x10 size booth so do not need the 10x20 top. I have photos showing the perfect, never used condition, will send by request. Including the Trimline giant drawstring storage bag with purchase.

Asking $450, local pickup in 53590. Will ship anywhere if you pay shipping charges. 

Used once.  Worked great; I'm just not doing anymore shows.

• Four water proof vinyl walls, with one wall with 3-foot zippered door in the middle. Walls attach with Velcro.
• Comes with wheeled storage bag.
• Comes with everything you see in this booth shot (minus the paintings, of course): outdoor carpet for walls, carpet for floor, six 30lb hanging weights and storage bags (not shown).
• Everything fits into the storage bag. 
• You'd have just about everything you'd need to start showing. 
• At lest $2000 worth of equipment if bought new.  I'm asking $1000.
• For how it fits together and sets up, look here and here.
• For how well it stands up to wind, look here.

I'm in Ormond Beach, FL, and it would have to be picked up there.

This was the second time I had done the show, the first was about 12 years ago with a different body of work.

This four day show, which starts on a Thurs, with longish hours (12 noon to 11 PM) is not as bad as it sounds as the late start each day is not as tiring as the usual 9 or 10 AM start time.

Work was variable good quality although there were some rubber swords and funny walking animals near the kids area.

Relatively easy load-in with staggered times and good logistics control. Load out either after 11PM on Sunday or come back Monday morning early for an even easier time. Partner hotel rates were as good as the nearest cheap hotel (Super 8) and within walking distance of the show.

Thursday saw intermittent rain and cool temps with low crowd numbers, things picked up considerably on Fri into Sunday with perfect weather (not always the case!) Best sales for me were on Saturday, others reported better sales on Sunday. Overall slow sales meant a low average selling show.

This is a well established show so people know about it, I'm not sure how much goes into advertising.

Some booths had storage, others not. Booth sitters were readily available snacks were only available the day of load in with water jugs to fill your own bottle available all times. There is parking nearby at various price points. Judges for awards were very engaging. Security is there throughout the show and even into Monday morning.

People that came into booths were engaging, not the usual walking dead, and asked questions of the artists but buying energy overall was low.

One artist comment that I read from earlier years suggested that this was not a fine arts fair but catered more to the music and beer component. There were many new artists to the show this year according to their advertising, it seemed like a lot of beginners/amateurs and not well seasoned artists and craftsmanship.

Our 10th Pledge Drive was one of our best solid pledges and wonderful prizes for all of you who support our mission to enable artists to earn a living at the nation's art fairs.

Your pledge really makes a difference. Not only was the response great - the personal messages to me about how helpful our websites have been for you was a wonderful reward. Thank you. 

The prizewinners were thrilled, especially the top winners:

1. Debbie Stillman chooses: $200 gift certificate from Pro Panels
   
   
2. John Houle chooses: a $300 Flourish gift certificate
   
   
3. Patricia Venaleck chooses: the Ring Doorbell from ArtFairCalendar.com
   
   
4. Carolyn Copper chooses:$200 gift certificate from Pro Panels
   
   
5. Lou Ann Grover chooses: a $300 Flourish gift certificate

See the rest of the prizewinners right here.

Who do we thank?

Supporters: 

Ann Anglim, Ruchi Bartar, Jean Block, Edward Browning, Joan Brusch, Theodora Cox, Paula Dammeyer, Deborah Gunvaldsen, John Jassy, Norma Klein, Guillermo Pagan, Janet Peterson, Kristine Ritter, Barbara Scraggs, Mark Sherman, James Snively, Judith Spector, and Betty Werner

Ruth Davis Odile, Christie Wilcock, Patricia Venaleck, Wallace Fuller, Anne Metcalfe, Christine Lush-Rodriguez, Allison Farkas, Sonja Jones, Margie Luttrell, Anne Harding, and Hollis Graze

Theresa Jankowski, Mary Sommers, Geri Wegner, Bernadette Sza, Rhonda Brown, Patricia Monaco, Caroline Peters, Stephen Mineck, Beverly Cox, Kathryn Nidy, D Heraty, Musette Bonds, Nancy Falco, Sara Shambarger, John Shoemaker, Carol Faith, Jean Einstein, Kaity Klothes, Gerri Katz, Pamela Eckert, Moxie Sorber, Cindy Miceli, Peggy Roeder, Susan Kovach, Linda McCarthy, Laura Bundesen, and Garden Shed Studio

Lou Ann Grover, Shanghai Tai Designs, Chris Fedderson, Lori Burns, Susan Fleming, Bradley Gray, Frances Hooper, John Jassy (2), Alice Johnson, Michele Klein, L E Maynard Enterprises, Rita Lindsay, Memories Antique Gallery, Robert Pangman, Lyn Patterson, Karen Pfender, Regal Beads

Beverly Ringenberg, Kristine Ritter, Karen Ruff, Lori Ryerson, Veronika Willard, Beechtree Designs, Debbie Cooper, Jerry Dowdle, Susan Feder, Lebenart/Bumbley, Heidi Mandich, Charene Murray, Richard Seymour, Thomas Wingate, Barry Bernstein, Brent Coulter, Michael Perronne, Chengqing Wang, and Blake Museum

Tammie Everly, Robert Wallis, Katie Hoffman, Donna Dreyer, Larry Sohn, and Timothy Schroll, Natureation, Kristin Moger, Marla Wieck, Layl McDill, Geaux Photography, Scott Wright, Tina Noonan, Andrew Shea and Larry Sohn.

Patrons:

Mark Loeb, Gregory Shaull, Ron Gage, Clinton Dean, Janet Muchnik, and GRC Sign Network, Pam Wiggins, Debra Facciolo and John Desalme, Barbara Walker, Charlotte Beales, Burnt Offerings Art, Kevin Miller, Constance Ross, Donna Aurandt and Victoria Jackson

Angels: Richard Sherer, Debbie Stillman and Paolo DeMaria

The Prize Donors:

Luke Block and Sage Billig at Flourish.com, Howard Alan at Howard Alan Events, Ryan Muir and Jason Brown at ACTIns.com, Larry Berman at BermanGraphics.com and Julie Cochrane at festivalnet.com.

Carolyn Edlund from artsbusinessinstitute.com, Randall Fox at AFFPS.com, Greg Lawler at the Art Fair Sourcebook, Janet & Howard Rose from Rosesquared.com; Richard Rothbard from www.AmericanArtMarketing.com; Larry Sanders of www.juryimage.com; Lynn Wettach at www.holidayartshows.com and John Leben at www.LebenArt.com.

Mark Burris at ProPanels.com, Jeff Abele at GrandstandApps.com, CC Barton, Jeff Christlieb at CanopyBanners.net, Dave Emmons at Vermont Nature Creations, Mckenna Hallett at MyGoldenWords.com, Drew Hendrix and Leslie Clampitt at RedRiverPaper.com, Mark Loeb at IntegrityShows.com and Josh McClure at CanvasGicleePrinting.com.

Debbie Stillman at debbiestillmanjewelry.com, Patty Narozny at HotWorks.org, Trudi van Dyke, Barb Walker at Art Spectacular, Larry Mitchell at CanopyWeights.com, Franklin Puick at www.cyberhenge.com, and John Appellazano at Holbein Artist Materials. 

See the prizes: http://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/pledgedrive.html

Thank you everyone for your pledges and your kind words for our work. Now we'll get to work and continue to help artists earn a living at the nation's art fairs.

--- the ArtFairInsiders.com team: Jacki Bilsborrow, Larry Berman, Tina Towell, John McKiernan, Meg Mettler and me too, Connie

Hello All,

A question for those of you who have a catalog or portfolio of "Other Available Artwork" in your art fair booth... Which do you have --or recommend-- a hardcopy or electronic presentation?  How do you have yours displayed in your booth... on a pedistal... on your desk... pull it out on request... other?

Thanks, in advance, for your input.

--Chris Fedderson

So last year I won a super prize after donating to the annual AFI fundraiser. I donated again this year, of course thinking well, I probably won't win anything but I'm going to support the community!

So I get notified to choose my prize...shock! And best of all, one of the prizes was something I really wanted, and I got it! So many thanks to Red River Paper for providing a gift certificate to their wonderful selection of fine art printing papers! My first purchase will most likely be one (or a few) of the many paper type kits they offer so I can see for myself what works best on my printer before choosing a favorite. I'm so looking forward to experimenting with their various photo papers and I feel confident they will outshine the "big name" brands I've used in the past!

I am looking for ideas on how to mark spots on the cement in the perpetual RAIN.

Dear Festival Partners,  La Quinta Arts Foundation is writing to inform you that La Quinta Arts Festival will not be presented in 2020. We sincerely thank you for your dedication and contributions to La Quinta Arts Festival. Your support has been integral to the Festival’s achievements delivering great benefit for the City of La Quinta, its residents and visitors.  Together, we have achieved great success presenting the best fine art festival in the nation, facilitating hundreds of artist’s livelihoods, and awarding more than $1.3 million in visual art college scholarships. Please know that our work with local arts and culture activities will continue, including our successful scholarship program for local students. PLEASE READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE

This is a real loss to the art fair business. You think these events will always be there and to have such a solid show disappear is a shock. Such a very fine event that attracted the best artists in the business and the clientele that could appreciate and buy their work. I'm so sorry to be posting this here. From what I've read the show will not likely return after 2020.

Many thanks to the La Quinta Arts Festival Foundation that has built this fine event that has been a very bright light in the art fair business. We look forward to what Christi Salamone and Kathleen Hughes will bring us next. 

Ron Mellott, long-time photo/artist, needs financial help from us, the Art Fair community.  Suffering a near collapse at his last art fair, he was helped by neighbors to pack-up.  Seeking medical attention, he was checked into the hospital and under-went triple by-pass surgery on his heart.

Having invested jury and show fee money for a full summer schedule he finds several shows he contacted have graciously refunded his booth fees, but with no income on the horizon until maybe September, and bills to pay, he really needs our help to maintain his residence and keep from going deep into debt.

I remind you, he is the one who has stood up for other artists in need.  See this posting from several years ago:

 https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/archie-smith-his-moment-of-need

Now he needs help.  I started with a $50 donation to his PayPal account.  Please consider a like donation for a veteran artist in need!

Go to PayPal and log in or sign-up for an account.  On the top line click on "Tools" and click on "Send Money".  Copy and Paste his email address in the blank space.

ronsmellott@bluemarble.net

Be sure to click on "Sending to a Friend" so there is no transaction fee charged.

If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can send a donation directly to him at:

Ron S. Mellott; 4909 South Victor Pike: Bloomington, IN 47403

Thank you for your attention....

For years there has been a mostly silent struggle between local merchants and the art fairs that pop up in their midst periodically. But I know of some very unhappy merchants over the years in Ann Arbor and Scottsdale and other smaller towns. 

In Montauk recently the merchants are speaking up about the events on the village green, their customers buy at the art fair and then don't have money to spend in the stores. 

The art show, whose vendors are primarily from out of town, has become competition because far more than paintings and photographs are on sale, said Ms. Allen. “When it was an art fair I thought it was great. Now it’s a craft fair,” she said, explaining that people were selling hats, trinkets such as glass animals, and jewelry, all of which are items that retail shops in town offer. “How can East Hampton take revenue from local families and give it to some businesses from elsewhere during our holiday weekends?” she asked.

Have you been part of a struggle like this ... what do you think ... do you ever think about your impact on the businesses around you?

Here's more info: https://easthamptonstar.com/201966/montauk-and-east-hampton-businesses-bemoan-street-fairs

I decided to hang up my art fair shoes a few years back and ready to find a new home for my Flourish Trimline Art Fair Canopy - 10x10 standard height. Double wide skylight with twin heat/wind vents in roof. Optional features: rear door, french wall, 30” skylight awning, Sta-Bar kit, 2 std. walls, 2 universal roll-up door walls, tie downs, custom leg weights, easy riser kit, custom pole storage/display case with HD rollers, storage container for hardware. Complete 4-piece mesh panel set - 2 sides, adjustable width(rear door), and french wall - with Deluxe Carrying Bag. Always cleaned and well maintained and in excellent condition. Includes all original documentation and complete original hardware/fittings/strapping. Original cost $2400. Sell price $1000 firm. A great top of the line piece of equipment that works for artists and protects valuables. Complete and ready to go - just add art.I live in michigan

Many, many thanks for all the pledges. This was one of our most successful pledge drives so far. I appreciate your generosity, some of you for many, many

years. The art fair business thrives under its community umbrella. Sharing with one another enriches everyone. 

Here are the names drawn today in the order in which they were drawn. Everyone on this list should take look at the prize page here and make a choice and send that choice to me: info@artfaircalendar.com.

Obviously the first few people will get their top choices, so the 

farther you are down on the list please send me at least 3 choices.

Please let me hear from you by late Sunday. If you haven't contacted me by then I'll move on to the next person. On Monday morning any prizes

that have not been claimed will be given to others whose name was not drawn in the "great prize grab."