THURSDAY, MAY 31, 6 PM ET

You support our websites with your donations and we really appreciate it. We couldn't do it without you. Listen as Connie Mettler, host of ArtFairRadio.com and ArtFairCalendar.com and an art fair "celebrity", photography guru, Larry Berman, draw the names for the winners in 9th annual Pledge Drive.

We'll give away nearly $5000 in prizes to our patrons. If you sent us $$ during the Pledge Drive there is a very good chance you will win one of our 40 prizes!

Didn't Pledge yet? Time is running out! Deadline is 6 pm today. CLICK HERE for a chance to win and let us know we've been helpful to you as you get out and make money (or not) in the art fair business.

Click here to listen and learn who the winners are. Maybe you.

1. 2 - $300 gift certificates from FlourishDisplays.com
2. 2 - $300 gift certificates from ProPanels.com
3. 12 free booth spaces: Holiday Art Shows in Florida (2), Howard Alan Festival in Florida, Rose Squared in New Jersey, ArtWorksin Wisconsin, Berkshires Festival in the Berkshires from AmericanCraftMarketing.com and 5 AFFPS shows in Georgia
4. Jury imaging and information from Larry Berman and Larry Sanders
5. Art Fair Sourcebook from Greg Lawler
6. $100 gift certificate from Red River Paper
7. Ingot weights for your canopy from CanopyWeights.com
8. $50 discount on a canopy banner from CanopyBanner.com
9. A year's membership at FestivalNet.com
10. and to top it off a $100 gift certificate for Amazon from ACT.com
11. and much more

If ArtFairInsiders.com has taught you anything, found a good show, found a friend, sold or bought a tent, helped you with jurying then you need to click on this birthday cake and pledge your $$ right now. 

Drawing for prizes on Thursday, May 31, at 6 pm ET.

Here are 4 more prizes available in our pledge drive - helpful guides, lessons, workbooks and statistics distilled from years of experience of show organizers, artists, teachers and marketers: 

1. The How to Organize & Host a Community Arts Festival Guide- 80 pages 

Presented in a binder format fair organizers can create their own contact lists, budgets, promotions matrix, etc, and swap the examples for their specific info.  This is designed for those just starting to plan a festival and those who need to take their festival to the next level.  It has suggested task checklists for each committee head, a CD included.

Some of the things you will find in the guide:

• Basic Organization
• Setting the Stage for Future Years
• Committee Head "Job Descriptions" and Task Checklists
• Sample Budget and forms
• How to Fund the Festival
• How to Attract and Retain Quality Artists
• How to Attract and Reward Volunteers

From Brenda Conway, http://www.resultscatalystconsulting.com, Value: $200

2. Marketing Strategies for Artists, an e-course

Ready to grow your art business? This course will teach you how to:

• Develop your best portfolio, present yourself professionally, and get your work taken seriously.
• Identify your target audience, and write compelling marketing messages
• Get press coverage, gain testimonials, and develop a raving fan base for your art.
• Use smart marketing techniques, ranging from direct mail and advertising to online and email campaigns.
• Build your network, make repeat sales and get referrals to new collectors.
• Create an effective art website that shares your story and portfolio with the world.
• Use social media to build a fan base, and drive traffic to view your work.
• Create a solid plan, market your work, gather prospects, follow up - CLOSE THE SALE!

From Carolyn Edlund, Founder of Artsy Shark and Executive Director of The Arts Business Institute, value $147

3. The "E's of Selling Art System" Guidebook and Flashcard Set.

Those deadly words, "I'll be back." This guidebook will walk you through to the sale. This is a complete re-invention of the concept of selling art in face-to-face events.

Taking the "selling" part and removing it, this is a system that focuses on learning to love and trust your talent and find loving homes for your art. Featured on this site, there is a full BlogTalk Radio interview with Connie. http://bit.ly/mgwchat

From Mckenna Hallett, MyGoldenWords.com, value $87

4. Art Fair Report

At ArtFairCalendar.com we surveyed over 50,000 of our subscribers, asking "What is America's Best Art Fair?" Read this 60 page report and learn what the art fair patrons really think about the nation's art festivals. You'll hear first hand why buyers come to art fairs and what you can do to keep them coming.

Perfect for an art festival looking to reinvent itself and for sharing with committee members. 

From Constance Mettler, ArtFairCalendar.com, value $89

See all the prizes and get your pledge in today. Drawing is on May 31, 6 pm ET. CLICK HERE NOW.

Just a few days left to contribute to our 10th Pledge Drive. All contributions will have their name entered in to the drawing on May 30, 5 pm ET. How do you like these prizes?

1.  Echo - (2nd Generation)

Smart speaker with Alexa

(value $99)

• Echo (2nd Gen) has a new speaker, new design, and is available in a range of styles including fabrics and wood veneers. Echo connects to Alexa to play music, make calls, set music alarms and timers, ask questions, control smart home devices, and more—instantly.

2.  3D Fitness Tracker & Real Time Audio Coach, Moov Now

(value $59)

• MOOV NOW provides real-time audio coaching for running, cycling, cardio boxing, body weight (Moov 7 Minute+)
• Most advanced swim tracker - stroke type, stroke count, lap analysis, recommends ways to improve
• Tracks Active Minutes and Sleep

3. Limited Edition Poster for Detroit's 2018 Palmer Park Art Fair (image is a glass paperweight by Berry Davis) 18 x 24 - value $75 from Mark Loeb, IntegrityShows.com

4. Fire HD 8 Tablet with Alexa 8" Display Wi-Fi, 16 GB - Blue (value $79)

5. Your Art or Product advertised on ArtFairCalendar.com or ArtFairInsiders.com for a year  (value $540)

9. $50 gift certificate from Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor https://www.zingermans.com

10 & 11. 2 copies of Click Millionaires Work Less, Live More with an Internet Lifestyle  Business You Love by Scott Fox Learn how you can turn your business ideas into automated, recurring lifestyle businesses online.  (Includes free membership to the ClickMillionaires.com lifestyle business coaching forum.)

Of special interest to artists, but not limited to them:

13. From Flourish Company   (2) Gift Certificates of $300 ($600)   From our friends at flourish.com      800-296-004

Like these prizes? Then don't forget to pledge. Please click here

and thank you!

15-20. 5 Free 2019 Booth Spaces (1 per artist) (Provided the show isn't full, you pass the jury and  the display is  acceptable)     Spring Festival on Ponce, Atlanta - April 6-7 Sandy Springs Artsapalooza, Sandy Springs, GA - April 21-22 Roswell Spring Arts Festival, Roswell, GA - May 4-5 Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival, Atlanta - May 18-19 Fall Festival on Ponce, Atlanta - Oct. 19-20   One free booth space, covers booth fee only. Artist must apply on Zapp. Show reserves the right to refuse (application fee will be refunded.) Non-transferable.  from Randall Fox & Brian Greene of AFFPS.com

23. Free booth space at Berkshires Arts & Culture Festival  Great Barrington, MA  July 6-8 Value from $495 (Jewelry & photography are full. Openings  for ceramics, painting, glass,wood,mixed media,drawing,digital...) from Richard & Joanna Rothbard www.AmericanArtMarketing.com

24. Free booth space  UTC Fine Art Fair Sarasota, FL Oct. 27 & 28 donor value: $350 (provided the show isn't full, you pass the jury, the category isn't full and display is acceptable)    www.artfestival.com

25. 10 x 12 booth space at any Rose Squared Productions event (Provided the show isn't full, you pass the jury and the display is acceptable)   Good for any of our outdoor shows - $420 value from Howard & Janet Rose, www.rosesquared.com

26. Sanders Visual Images Images with Impact. Rouse the jurors up out of that jury stupor. Visit or send your work to my Milwaukee area studio for the highest quality images of any art medium. Includes all costs up to donation value. value $150 Larry Sanders, Sanders Visual Images  www.juryimage.com

Fine artistic and photographic paper for giclee and art reproductions.

27. $100 gift certificate good for any Red River Paper brand premium inkjet paper.

From Drew Hendrix  http://www.redrivercatalog.com
   

28. Ingot Canopy Weight Set This new weight is so versatile we call it the "Swiss Army" knife of canopy weights. Set of (4) 15 lb weights  from Larry Mitchell value $99.99 http://www.canopyweights.com

29. Imaging or Photography Services value $175 from Larry Berman www.BermanGraphics.com

See something you like?

Then, don't forget to pledge.

Click here now

31. How to Organize & Host A Community Arts Festival            Guide Book w/CD 80 pages in a binder format of "in the trenches" info, full of useful, timesaving information and forms to help you organize your community arts festival without the time and frustration of learning by trial and error. value $200 from Brenda Conway, Results Catalyst Consulting resultscatalystconsulting.com

32. "Marketing Strategies for Artists",  e-course Successful artists inspire others to become collectors by using marketing methods that resonate emotionally with them. Grow your own art business by learning how you can do this, too.  value: $147 from our friend Carolyn Edlund of ArtsyShark.com

33. $100 Amazon Gift Card from our friends at  ACTInsurance.com

38. & 39. - 2 one hour Consulting sessions with Connie Mettler with over 35 years in all areas of the art fair business: artist manager, art fair participant, art show director, Connie offers 2 hour long consultations about art fairs, art fair business, social media; you choose the topic. $150 value each  www.ArtFairCalendar.com

Now here is the part where I stop begging, thank you for all your kind support and messages and genteelly request from you a birthday gift to our websites. Easy and fast. Click here. Merci.

Here are two popular discussions from our archives:

Shannon Blosser wants to know about booth shots:

As a relative newcomer, I still have tons of questions about every little thing I might do. It occurred to me, after seeing this category, that it would have been a giant help to me to just see examples of working artists' booths in one place, instead of searching around for information. I'm starting the thread by showing mine, and I hope others will add theirs. It really could help someone.

I know my shot isn't perfect.  What is good about it definitely came from advice I found on AFI.  I can say that while it is imperfect, it got me into a great show.  I had to borrow the tent and walls from a friend because I still don't have my own tent (with only 30 days before the great show - yikes!), but I think it came out relatively well.

 See what she found out from our resident experts (over 30,000 views)

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/booth-shots-to-show-examples-to-newbies

Jim Dalton started a thread, "What's the Worst Question You've Been Asked at an Art Fair" many years ago and it continues to receive answers, over 13 pages of them. You'll like this:

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/whats-the-worst-question-you?xg_source=activity over 30,000 views

Surely all this information is worth $2 a month. Will you please make a donation to our Pledge Drive? CLICK HERE or go click on that birthday cake over there. 

Reposting this for your edification ... and because I liked it, from member Jeff Owen:

Learn more & post a comment: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/some-thoughts-on-shows?xg_source=activity

THURSDAY, MAY 24 - 5 PM ET

In the beginning art fairs were created and artists and art buyers flocked to attend. You were one of them. Your mother and your friends thought your work was wonderful and maybe they were right, so off you went to the marketplace. How did it go? Was it a triumph or a humbling experience?

A panel of beginner and experienced artists from various media discuss their "first time." What you will learn:

• how they prepared
• where they were, big or small fairs
• how it impacted their lives
• their biggest disappointments and their biggest surprises
• learning from their own mistakes vs learning from other's mistakes
• what they wish they had known then and how they used that information
• the good, the bad and the really ugly
• how to do three shows in three days and other extreme adventures
• their #1 tip for a first time show

My guests: Ly Montels, Anita Feng, Haley Yurkow & Jerry Scavezze

Then your turn. CALL IN TO THE SHOW with your story: (805) 243-1338

Here's a quick recap from the tiny in size, but big-hearted Marion Arts Festival. It's a one-day show but that's all it needs to be!

It's a tiny show, 50 artists exactly. It is very tightly curated with exactly zero duplication of subject matter between artists. If you get in your work will stand out. They are superb at jurying and making sure each artist in the show is unlike any other. 

Zapp to apply. It took me three years to get in. Communication is plentiful and crystal clear as to what is expected of you. Deb Bailey is the director and I wish the industry would clone her. Honest to God, she's on top of every detail and writes the most entertaining emails you've ever read. 

This was my second year. Last year it was 48F and raining all day, but I still made booth and expenses. This year I made booth and expenses by 30 minutes after opening...but that's because people shop as SOON as any booths are open. Like, buying at 8:00 a.m. when it opens at 9. The patrons there love art and they really support the festival. 

Buying energy was big in the morning and then trailed off for me. Other artists did well, most of them. Most know that this show has a great reputation and most said it nearly always lives up to the hype. I made a dozen sales including some pieces off my wall, but it was mostly print bin for me. Caveat: I only do a few shows a year as I have a demanding day job, so Marion was my 14th show, ever, and 2018 is just my 5th year of doing art fairs. I am still learning and getting my footing. Regardless, even I can tell when a show is worth doing, and this one is.

Load in and out is MUCH easier if you have just one vehicle. It's harder for me as I have a small trailer. For those with a van, many times you can pull right up to your booth. And there are no bad booth spots by the way. 

Weather was coming in so we were allowed to tear down and pack at 4:00 p.m. We pulled out just as the rain hit. 

Overall, great show. Bring your A-game!

Booth pictures at Three Rivers, State College, Shadyside and Fair in the Park. Besides booth pictures I can also photograph some artwork in your booth. Please call me for more information 412-401-8100.

I'll be walking Three Rivers both periods, handing out cards and offering to shoot booth pictures. I usually walk the show on Friday and Sunday each week. If anyone is interested in a booth picture, please give me a call. When you come to Pittsburgh I can also schedule a time for you to come to my house to photograph your artwork. When I shoot booth pictures, I also make suggestions on improving placement of items in the booth.

Last year I walked State College on the first day and I'll try to do it again. If you doing State College and want a booth picture, please give me a call.

Same goes for Shadyside in August and Fair in the Park in September.

I also have a set of gray Pro Panels for rent for Pittsburgh events.

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

Is this where we would post the equipment that we would like to give away and/or sell?

We are getting out of the casting business & consequently have a lot to sell - burn out furnace, wax injector, flasks and all relevant equipment.  Pick up in Chicago area.

We have PVC tent weights to give away - all in the Chicago area.

I am not Nels , but here goes. Friday 91 and late night rain. Saturday 94, Sunday 98, Hot and humid all weekend long., now for the good news. Sales were the best we have had in a long time and we had a great neighbor in the green thumbed  Teri Causey and her delightful husband Lou who had great golf stories about Nels. Would love to do this show again.  

December 1 & 2
Gainesville, Florida
37th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show
Presented by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
204 Artists
Deadline: May 17

Application fee: $34

Booth fee: $299.25 (competitive); $273.75 (non-competitive)

A signature event on the North Florida cultural calendar, the Downtown Festival and Art Show is one of the nation’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals.

Since 1996, the Downtown Festival & Art Show has ranked among the top festivals in the nation and has steadily climbed in rankings in recent years. The Downtown Festival & Art Show has consistently ranked among the top 100 fine arts festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist magazine. A local favorite, the art show attracts 80,000 people to this beloved two-day event.

Learn more:

 www.gainesvilledowntownartfest.org

Apply: http://www.gainesville
downtownartfest.org/artist-application/