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I make choice of just putting the business-related topic on facebook after my divorce. Last year I close the year dealing with a big scam that looking back now it put me in three months behind and I am grateful for all the people that help me to not fold down and close shop. It was shameful experience and painful. I find out how difficult is working with no credit cards and no credit.

To make things even more difficult none of my April and May shows I was accepted. My last show in March was in Fairhope, Alabama. That show just generates 580.00 which 500 was from an award. Big installations were moved up in the year. Things were getting out hand beyond my imagination and fear was all over me.

I felt that was gonna lose all dreams and hope. I will end having nothing to show up for all my work. In the top of that, I was dealing with all social issues that see and experience. You watch the news and I can only realize how bad it is. How many people approve and very vocal about it. I just do not think that people do not understand the fear that minorities live every day or cannot talk about it. At this point, I am only begging Father to let me survive and things improve in June otherwise I am will facing being homeless as a reality.

I can ask help again but it would be a stop gap and then what. I can go back to the workforce but even doing that I will be facing the reality I will lose everything. At my age, that is just embracing and I guess I reach my bottom (glad I do not have kids). I did not have any hope and lost all faith in myself. I look what accomplish so far in QuickBooks, 13638.00 in gross income with a net 1200.00 until this point, my soul falls into a deep dark hole because it was a confirmation of my feelings. I have been paying shows late or super late or when I show up. I was been staying in van and towel bathing and putting myself below my standards for what? You just finish St. Charles Art Fair and you only make $ 40.00 entire weekend. You are driving back home hoping to enough gas to make. You asking if you should use those coins for gas or food.

I told myself if 57th Art Fair does not work you need to fold. Saturday I set up and finish the day and I am looking at 200.00 in sales and keep asking myself what the hell are you doing. You keep putting this happy face but you I am scared to death, please Father I got one more day please help me because I have done everything I can in my end. Sunday close the day with 4000.00 and feeling much better. I was thinking you made in one day 1/3 of what you made in 5 months. You got confirmation and starting date for the big install.

The following months had been all over but I am only 9K away from what I wanted to reach this year. That start of the year kill you and the Fall trip to Florida was not good. Still, I having my best year in the last 5 years.

Still to this day I live with fear. A fear that pushes me to keep moving forward. I understand not talking about race and social issues with friends (most they are conservative) is not a good idea. I choose not to talk about how to feel some my dark problems to my friends is a better choice. I found opposite what I thought I know the type woman I find interesting and looking forward to starting dating again in near future.

I got some goals for next year. I am hoping to better in the art shows, keep pushing more art installation because it will allow me to do the shows I want to do and not do shows because it may only hope of making money. I need to remember even people think that I am failing as an artist I need to push hard into the installs because I need to generate 2 to 3K each month from those jobs. Mainly because what happened at the start of this year.

Maybe the biggest thing it will feel more secure about myself and not let the noise shake me like it had done this year and in the past. When I feel better I will start seeking for that other person in my life.

If you reading this long statement is because I trying to express my gratitude to Father and friends. I have four people that help my soul to get better, Adam Egenolf, Anita Melling Baldauf, Stephen Baldauf and Rachael which I will be grateful.

Hope to see you next year

Looking for anybody that still has any of the old style Pro Panels wire hangers with metal clips they are no longer using.  They work well for displaying my artwork, but I can no longer purchase them from Pro Panels as they have been discontinued.  I live in southern Arizona.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

Happy holidays to all of you from the ArtFairCalendar.com team: Connie Mettler, Larry Berman, Jacki Bilsborrow, Tina Towell, John McKiernan and Meg Mettler

May 10-11-12

Please explain how to post Secret Santa pictures.

i purchased a used Showoff tent...we put it up and the tent is so wobbly...you can push it back and forth..whole thing moves.....I can’t imagine it should do this...have a show coming up and feeling insecure about this tent...didn’t try it with the pro-panels yet..any ideas?

Turning your art festival into a success is an expensive, time-consuming challenge. At ArtFairCalendar.com we are here to help. Help bring patrons to your show to buy art, help find sponsors, help share your concerns with artists, help build your event by showcasing its special nature.

Our 2018 Best Art Survey's purpose was to publicize the one of a kind work that the public can find at your show to encourage “art fair tourism" and we are eager to share it with you to make your show great, because, of course, NO BUYERS, NO SHOW.

Being informed and learning the best practices of successful events is your job. Our 21 page ebook is a wrap up of what we learned in this year's survey from the people who attend the nation's art fairs.

Look inside the survey and see who won and why. Click here.

(Introductory price: $20)

ArtFairCalendar.com has announced the results of its 7th annual "America's Best Art Fairs" survey. This survey is the only national online listing of the country's juried art fairs and craft shows, designed to reward the festivals that create opportunities for artists to sell their work.

The study opens the voting beyond the traditional "art fair insiders" such as artists and show organizers to focus on voting by art fair patrons, fine art collectors and the public that attends art shows and festivals nationwide, every event needs these 3 groups of people to make it work: show organizers, artists and the art buyers.

We asked our mailing list of over 57,000 art fair patrons what was the best art fair in the country and had an outstanding nationwide response. Nearly 90% of the respondents completed our lengthy 23 question survey and the answers were both expected and intriguing. 

The winners reflect who voted. The winning shows shared the survey, got their constituents involved and knew that the resulting PR would pay off for their event. Just like in any election its all about getting out the vote. 

America's Best Art Fair 

Our #1 art fair is the Old Town Art Fair for the 4th year in a row. The show earned more than double the votes of any other event.

Survey said:

• The setting is fantastic in the historic Old Town Neighborhood. It has a wide variety of artists with high quality art. We buy art here always.
• great art, great city - What could be better than Old Town Chicago????
• PERFECT mix of art, culture, food and FUN

2018 AMERICA'S BEST ART FAIRS - the Top Ten

52 Weeks of Art Fairs

See our entire Top 50 art festivals, a year round listing to encourage "art fair tourism":  www.BestArtFairs.com

At that link also find:

• who took the survey
• why people come to art shows
• what they buy, why they buy and why they don't come to some shows any more, including a lot of great tips for show organizers.

**Look inside the most recent results in our new ebook: "2018 Art Fair Survey, Who Won and Why", a 20 pages of analysis of what the respondents had to say about their favorite, and not favorite events.

For more anecdotal information listen to a recent podcast with Lynn Smith, vice chair of the Old Town Art Fair, where she shares her insights on why the OTAF garners so much enthusiasm throughout the greater metropolitan area, making it a "must attend" event. Art buyers from Florida and Ohio also join us to tell us why they attend art fairs and buy art. Winners! 2015 Best Art Fairs

Show directors, we have prepared a 60 page report of in depth helpful insider information from experts who already know how to produce a successful art fair including: 

• Our analysis of the extensive survey results and how to use them to make your show a "best art fair"
• 5 Important Keys to a Successful Art Fair +++
• Our 5 favorite ideas for encouraging buyers to attend

Click here for more info.

ArtFairCalendar.com's mission is to promote the American tradition of art fairs by showcasing events where art collectors find hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind fine work and encourage the interaction of client and creator. 

P.S. Surprised at these results? Me too! Kudos to the Sunriver Art Fair, Lakeshore Art Festival, Old Florida Celebration of the Arts and Geneva Art Fair for "getting out the vote." Tells you something, (doesn't it?), about the energy behind these shows. Comments welcome below.

actually 15,001 members

congratulations to Connie.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

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June 7, 8 & 9
Columbus, Ohio

Application fee: $40; Booth fee: $595 

The Columbus Arts Festival honored by Sunshine Artist and ArtfairCalendar.com as one of the top fine art and fine craft festivals in the country, attracted more than 400,000 art patrons last year to Columbus' Downtown Riverfront along the beautiful new Scioto Mile and Bicentennial Park. Approximately 300 national and international artists will be selected from over 1,100 applicants for coveted positions.