Blog

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.

I've been doing art fairs for many years exhibiting my digital paintings (prints). A couple of years ago my wife, Marcia, and I opened an art gallery in the resort town of Douglas, Michigan, right across the river from Saugatuck. This area is billed as "The Art Coast of Michigan" and boasts 30-plus art galleries. We opened the gallery because we're getting old. After many years we finally figured out how to make money at art fairs, but they are so much work! More work every year. We thought, maybe we can make a living selling art at a gallery and make a living that way.

We work hard at it. We decided to make our gallery a niche gallery specializing in the growing area of Digital Art. We recruited some of the best digital artists on the art fair circuit, Chuck Wimmer, Ed Myers, Jason Brueck, Kate Harrold, Tanya Doskova, Geoff Harris, Susan Littman, Dewey James and Nels Johnson. And, of course, myself as well. Since its my gallery, I get to show lots of my own artwork. We pay artists 60% of sales.

We're making more money in our second year at the gallery than in the first year. But not enough to take the place of art fairs. Our dream of gallery sales taking the place of art fairs is a long way off. We continue to exhibit at art fairs. They are just too profitable to stop. But here's what I've learned. The gallery is making money, just not enough to supplant the art fairs. The combination of art fairs and gallery sales have definitely increased our income. We've also found that our contacts at art fairs help drive people to our gallery, and vice versa. So, our ultimate audience is greater.

We've also made some good friends and business attachments with the digital artists we represent at the gallery. It's kind of fun showing other artists work. And, although we're not gonna make any of them rich with their commissions, they all seem to be happy with an extra check now and then. Another advantage to showing at art fairs is that we can often connect with the artists we represent and exchange new artwork for the gallery.

They say it takes five years for a good retail business to be truly profitable. Maybe in another three years we can drop the art fairs. But, for now, we'll continue doing both and we'll continue recruiting new digital artists for the gallery. There seems to be more of them art art fairs every year.

IMPORTANT! If you ask yourself that way too often please take advantage of this free open blind jury. Watch the jurors for this show in action. Spend time, spend money to be there, it is worth it if you are serious about being successful in the art fair business.

You are invited to attend the blind jury process
January 26 & 27
Columbus, OH
presented by the Columbus Arts Festival
The Westin Columbus, 310 High St.

Please contact Sean Kessler,
Festival Director, at 614-221-8625 or skessler@gcac.org
for the weekend's schedule or to RSVP to attend the jury

June 21-23
Milwaukee,WI

Application Fee: $35  Booth Fee; $500

Named one of the top art festivals in the country, the Lakefront Festival of Art is a fine art showcase on the shores of Lake Michigan. This three-day fund-raising event has evolved from a gathering of a handful of artists in 1963 to a vibrant, wide-ranging festival that attracts close to 30,000 attendees and more than 180 jury-selected artists from across the nation. 

The festival takes place inside the Milwaukee Art Museum's spectacular Santiago Calatrava-designed building, as well as on the adjoining outdoor museum grounds featuring state of the art Clearspan tents. Enjoy the festival rain or shine, indoors AND outdoors! (Indoor booth availability limited, based on first come, first served basis.) 

Patrons love the indoor/outdoor event and fill the parking lots early. Many make the trek for the one-of-a-kind art exhibited at the festival, the wide range of activities and the museum's beautiful lakefront setting. This is the museum's largest special event and is highly visible, with setup and parking close by

Marketing:

In 2018 marketing and media coverage accounted for a total of 16.3 million impressions with social media posts reaching LFOA Facebook friends, 69K Milwaukee Art Museum Facebook followers, 20K Milwaukee Art Museum Instagram followers, and 48K Twitter followers.  The LFOA website saw 76K page views, with 22K unique users, and 64.2% new page visitors.

 

Awards: 

A total of $10,500 in awards will be presented. Ten awards of $1,000 each to be given where excellence is determined by the jurors. The remaining $500 is awarded to the winner of the Sculpture Garden media/category. Awards are based on the artist's entire presentation. The top ten award-winning artists are invited back to LFOA for the following year without jurying. 

Jurors will also select Honorable Mention award winners, all of whom are invited back to LFOA for the next year without jurying. LFOA typically receives roughly 1,000 applications for up to 200 booth spaces. Approximately (25) of those spaces are reserved for artist advisors, past award winners (selected by the previous year's jurors), the annual poster artist and the design award competition winner.

APPLY: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=7036

Learn more: http://lfoa.mam.org

Contact: Courtney Kihslinger, courtney.kihslinger@mam.org

Presented By: Naples Art Association

Naples, Florida is home to a robust and successful tourist industry. The county saw 1.03 million visitors in the first six months of 2017, a 1.5% increase over the same months in 2016. In the first six months of 2017, approximately 49% of visitors enjoyed shopping and 16% of visitors enjoyed attendance at an art gallery, show, festival or fair. Over 504,000 visitors enjoyed browsing and shopping for art at festivals et al. as part of their visit to Naples.

This juried show has openings for 250 artists looking to show in the popular seasonal destination, Naples, Florida. Over 37 states and 3 countries were represented last year. Show guests enjoy the set-up along the main street and can take advantage of free off-site parking for the festival. 

 

The quad setup for artists affords every artist a corner booth and great visibility. Engaged shoppers, looking for that last minute purchase opportunity, make this show a great opportunity to share more of your creations.

 

Marketing:

• The Naples Art Association hosts one of the last major art shows of the winter season on the elegant Fifth Avenue South in Naples, FL. 
• A favorite show for artist enthusiasts, and collectors, rated in the top 7% in the Sunshine Artist Top 200 survey. 
• This show benefits from significant media coverage that includes articles written by major local print news sources. 
• Paid advertising in print-media and communication resources includes: multiple advertisements in print publications, online advertising across the state of Florida on popular national news websites, a significant social media campaign engaging members and friends of Naples Art Association and multiple radio advertisements during the week prior to the festival. 
• The upscale Fifth Avenue South shopping and dining district is the site for this fine art and fine craft festival and is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. 

Our jurors' panel consists of independent jurors selected for their in-depth knowledge and experience in multiple mediums. A diversity of backgrounds and skills are sought, including working artists, educators, fine art and craft gallery owners, and museum directors/curators. It is the policy of the NAA to select a new panel of jurors for each show to allow for a fresh perspective.

APPLY: http://www.juriedartservices.com

 

More Information: naplesart.org
Contact: Maureen Roberts, Maureen.Roberts@naplesart.org, (239) 262-6517

It's HERE! Sign up now for the art fair business's happiest event of the season! Join an ArtFairInsiders.com tradition!

Welcome to the 7th annual AFI Secret Santa. Secret Santa 2018 represents the 10th annual kickoff of gifting and good wishes for the art fair community.

Over the years, artists from around the world have come together during Secret Santa for a common theme—to spread goodwill and joy to one another, through the spirit of giving and receiving happiness.

In our seventh year, we invite you to join us once again, in a time where love and optimism is needed across the globe. At AFI, we rely on the kind hearts of our members to shine a little light during the holiday season, and this year is no different.

Last year 85 artists and show directors sent through gifts through our exchange, one heartwarming gift at a time. This year, join us in keeping the tradition going!

HOW DOES THE EXCHANGE WORK?

• 1. Sign up* & get matched

  Once you have notified me you want to participate I'll add your name to the email list at DrawNames.com. Next you will receive an email from DrawNames.com. You must click the link in that email "JOIN THIS GROUP". That will take you to the sign up page. Do that and you will be registered to participate. (If you do not signup at the link you will not be included in the drawing.)

  Contact me to let me know you want to be included in the exchange.

• The morning of December 5, 2018, we will close signups and our computer program will choose who you should send a gift to (this is the most important part; this is about the giving!). If you have not signed up by responding to our emails from DrawNames.com, you will not be part of this year's matching.

• 2. If you participated last year you must still sign up

• 3. Find the perfect gift** & send it

  Once you receive the email from DrawNames.com with your match's information, you'll have until December 17, 2018, to ship your gift.

  When you ship it, come back here to tell us you've shipped it.

• 4. Receive a gift from your match

  When you receive a gift, you'll need to come back here and post an amazing thank you note, hopefully with photos!

• 5. The best photos and thank you note will receive a prize

*When you sign up at DrawNames.com be sure to fill out your wish list with some suggestions for your own personal Santa: color preferences, your interests, dream wishes. Also at that time include your mailing address so your Santa can get your present to you on time.

**This is not about buying a gift, this is about sharing your creativity. Gifts should be made by you or handmade preferably, maybe from an art fair. Suggested dollar limit (if you're buying) $25.

Curious about our gift drawings? Put the words in the search box up above "Secret Santa" and you'll find lots of fun and good wishes.

Maitland Rotary Art Fest

This, our first Art Fest experience, was held last weekend in Maitland, FL a suburb Northeast of Orlando in absolutely gorgeous weather… the kind that makes you feel “Life is Good!” The actual venue for this event was Lake Lily, a beautiful small lake with community facilities, nice walking trails and plenty of lakeside set-up spaces. Electricity was available for many of the sites within reasonable distances, good bathrooms nearby and fine interior spaces for the Artist’s Breakfast and High School art show. Run by the Maitland Rotary, the show is an example of the good works done by many charitable organizations and I don’t know what more they could have done to make things go smoothly for the artists attending. Hot coffee and Krispy Kreams in the mornings, chilled water bottles in the afternoon and constant attention by wandering Rotarians in addition to the general excellence of the venue made the show a pleasure to participate in. Knowing that this one event is THE fund raiser for the Rotary’s yearly charitable efforts should make us all feel good about where our booth fees are going.
Thank goodness for the early set ups available on Friday. We took over 5 hours to get the tent up and loaded with our inventory! After a 5 hour drive and that work, I was pretty busted Friday night. Great local dinner at Ravenous Pig in Winter Park followed by a heavy crash at the local Sheraton. And all of a sudden: it’s Showtime.
Show started at 10AM and by 11 I had my first selling experience as a generous and kind couple came by loving my stuff and actually following through! I had a major fear of mishaps with the card reader and sure enough, I must have willed the problems into existence. I stood like a fool trying to get the reader to work. Sweat started to pop out on my brow. I began to mutter. Oh, oh! Why Me? I went back through the process a half a dozen times. No! No! Then, I discovered that the reader wasn’t paired to my phone. I didn’t know you had to do it every time you turned things on. Most of my Bluetooth stuff stays paired once you get it connected. Oh well, what a relief when the phone indicated a transaction had gone through. I had my first sale. Two prints and about 2/3s of the booth fee.
This early success was followed by “Zero!” Many, many folks stopped in and the compliments were abundant. Anyone figured out how to turn a compliment into a tank of gas or a sandwich? Me neither. However, I found out that I really enjoyed just talking to folks and joking around. Wish I had sold more, but still wouldn’t trade the day. Probably the epitome of the experience was the fellow artists neighbors. Just plain great people and so willing to help the novices out and offer advice on one thing or another. Artists are just a super group, course we all knew that.
Debbie the painter across from us sold an original (sort of Degas-ish ballerinas about 24” x 24”) and a couple of prints that first day. She was pretty high. Nancy, the very talented illustrator next door had a steady stream at her tent. She had etchings, giclee’s and prints from around $60 to a few hundred dollars each. She sold but said everyone was nickel and diming her to death. Probably the most successful booth was the “Melted Crayon” artist next door. She probably sold several thousand bucks work of melted crayon Snoopys and Batmen. At the end of the show she had the biggest grin of anyone I saw!
Walking around and talking to other artists, however, most felt that the show was awful for sales. I talked to artists who said the show produced less than half the revenue compared to several years ago. Most said if they made half as much as they used to they’d consider it a moral victory. Reasons included: so many new shows, so many new artists who generate art off their computers, a lack of control by promoters who start shows where they shouldn’t be held and then have to let in applicants who are more craft oriented or even buy their stuff and resell it. The high booth fees were a pretty constant complaint. I saw at least a hint of disgust on the faces of many pros.
As a general business principle, it seems that the booth fees should be set at a point that all, or most, of the applicants should be able to cover their nuts. Yet, I heard many say they didn’t do even that well. And I’m one of them!
On Sunday, we did sell one more print, which got us close, but not quite. Then things went dead on the buying front. Plenty of dog walkers and young folks sipping beer. Lots of Looky-Loos. But the cards stayed in the pockets. Still great talking to everyone and people watching. We had a good time in spite of the poor sales.
I’m not too discouraged about that. I think I now understand what I’d been reading in blogs. One needs to pick the venue that appreciates the kind of art one does. My stuff is pretty modern and a bit edgy. Had a lot of artists tell me we’d sell like crazy in Coconut Grove or someplace like that. I just may not do well in smaller, more provincial events. Also, a lot of my pieces have a real local Southwest Florida Gulf Coast vibe. So, maybe shows closer to home. Course all of this speculation could just be rationalization, but I’m hoping it’s more of a working hypothesis.
Crowd size is another area of speculation but I doubt, if the truth was known, that 4K attended this event the whole weekend. Maybe more like 2K. I asked the Rotarians but they didn’t know the number. It seemed like a hundred or two people came by my tent every hour. For these abbreviated days that adds up to maybe 1500 a day or so. Certainly not the huge numbers I’ve read about in some of the bigger shows. Coconut Grove claims 350,000 visitors! I’ll believe that when I, and if, I see it. (waitlisted!)
Overall, great start to this endeavor. It was a small and simple show with a lot of attention from the Rotary and generous set up and take down opportunities. Not feeling badly about low sales. I just think it wasn’t “My Place.” Hey, we survived and are looking forward to the next one. And what a great community the Art Fair population is. I feel fortunate to have joined up.