Blog

May 11-13
Saint Louis, Missouri
Laumeier Sculpture Park
150 Artists
Deadline: January 16

Application fee $55; Booth Fee: $350-$600

June 8, 9 & 10
Columbus, Ohio
produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council
300 Artists

Application fee: $40; Booth fee: $595 

• Artists hospitality area with beverages and snacks
• Contact information and booth number in Guidebook
• Text based information system provided by our radio partner CD 102.5
• Name and image listed on website with live link to artist website
• 24 hour site security provided by Columbus PD
• Free parking space with each booth

June 16 & 17
Wheaton, Illinois
Art in Bloom, Cantigny Fine Art Festival
Deadline: January 1
Learn more: www.emevents.com
Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6096

Sitting around waiting for the shows to start? I know, not really, but how about spending some time on your "artist's retirement plan", aka your website and email lists?

1. Buy a better domain name for your site that isn't just your name. Something that will make it easier for buyers and search engines to find. Not alexandrajohnson.com but maybe handblownglass.com, or Iowalandscapes.com, fibertowear.com, handmadepotstolove.com.
   
   Do a search for an available one at GoDaddy.com. They have wonderful tools to help you decide what your URL should be. Use a word that describes your art/craft, that identifies what you do that makes your work special and see what you can find.
   
   
2. Update your show schedule now and continue throughout the year. Make it easy for yourself so each time you are accepted to a show you go in and add the show. While you're there link to the show's website and let the show know you did so they link back to you.
   
   
3. Get serious about collecting emails. Add an email sign up box so you can build that list while you are sleeping. See this sign up box on all of my websites, upper right hand corner. It brings new subscribers daily. No work for me and it has led to nearly 60,000 subscribers. Granted, I've been gathering them for over 10 years.
   
   
4. Instead of the "contact me" form on your site, add a link to "contact me" so they can contact you NOW that sends you an email. Don't let the prospect lose interest. Its the Internet, they want to reach you while they are thinking about it. Don't make them call you. They want the ease of email.
   
   
5. Make sure that Contact Me is highly visible on your website, upper right hand corner.
   
6. Change the copyright date at on your site or remove it permanently. Don't let it say 2013 ... 
   
   
7. Update your headshot. I know you've got a smiling photo of yourself on the home page. People buy from us not only because the work is wonderful but because you are wonderful.
   
   
8. Add images of your new work.
   
   
9. Update your "About Me".
   
   
10. Check out some other artists websites for inspiration if you get stuck.

From www.flourish.com

10x10 canopy

Four walls

Three mesh screen walls

Awnings

Staybar

Door

Used but in good shape

$1200

pickup only - California

PayPal

May 19
Marion, Iowa (Adjacent to Cedar Rapids) 
Presented By: Marion Arts Festival
50 Artists
Deadline: January 9

Greetings from the 26th annual Marion Arts Festival, in Marion, Iowa! (Adjacent to Cedar Rapids, in East Central Iowa). Among Art Fair SourceBook's Top 25 events in the nation for 2017! (#18 fine craft! #20 fine art!) An AFSB "Elite 100" show eight years running! Among ArtFairCalendar.com's Top 50 "America's Best Art Fairs" and Top 6 "America's Smaller Art Fairs" 2015/2014/2013!

The Marion Arts Festival presents 50 nationally sourced artists, offering both fine art and fine craft to an audience of 10,000. Marion is a "vintage uptown" type community, and a part of the Cedar Rapids metro area.

• Our show is regional, one-day, intimate and purposeful, with the mission to be an event through which you will thrive. 
• (Here, we're obligated to insert that we're volunteer-driven, admittedly hokey and maybe a more than a little mom-and-pop). 
• There are no bands, there is no beer...our festival is about the art (we do, however, cop to falafel). 
• Our exhibitors enjoy a sincere welcome and an easy-to-do show.

"Fantastically run, major fine artists, wonderful extra art related events. No music. No beer. It's awesome."

"This is a gem of a show in an unlikely place. The show works hard to make this a worthy arts festival and ensures that each artist is "one-of-a-kind" within the fifty-artist event. The show generated record sales for me, and my one-day sales here topped my previous single-day sales record by a very wide margin. All in all, this is an easy and profitable show to do."

"My best show of the year! A niche market that never disappoints."

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5970

More Information: www.marionartsfestival.com

Contact:  Deb Bailey,  mafdirector@marioncc.org  (319) 377-6316

 

Not sure where you are, but I'm visiting my sons and their families in the LA area. Not sure what you do on a vacation, but what to my wondering eye should appear but white tents on the horizon! Faster than blazes we approached and I spied a name of an AFI member I'd never met, leatherworker Joann Page! and it is her birthday! Happy birthday to Joann and we both send happy holiday wishes and to all of our friends in Art Fair Land. (We're both nearly 40 year veterans of this business so we know a lot of you.)

Your turn ... 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find more fine art fairs for your 2018 season: www.CallsforArtists.com

Well, did my final show of the year, number 29, in my old hometown.  It is always nice to be able to sleep in my own bed when doing a show.

Problem is, the show sucked. I made more money selling out of my driveway then paying Paragon $400 for a booth fee and not doing very well.

It is not Paragon’s fault. Bill Kinney does a super job producing the show.  He gets the message out on billboards, print media and social media.  Setup is very mellow, and for the most part, teardown is mellow.

I think part of the problem is that the show comes too late, a week before Christmas weekend.  Most serious shopping has already been done.  It may be he cannot get the park any earlier in the month.  It is a City-owned Park, and you know how that goes when trying to do anything with a municipality.

It is a small show in a very lovely location. We set up in South Straub Park, right next to the Yacht Club, also we are on the waterfront, trendy restaurants surround us.  Tons of people are walking their trendy dogs (of course you know how many of them ever buy anything).

The crowd that comes is monied and well dressed. They have disposable income, but unfortunately, most choose not use it with us.

I barely sold $1200 in two days.  Many, did not make booth and travel expenses.

Most sales are in the Lowend price range. But once in a while I would see a big ticket item go by.  Trouble was, they were not that many.

The dilemma for most of us is that it is December and most people do not buy a lot of art for Christmas presents.

Secondly, in the Florida fall, most shows suck, if you gross $1500-$2000 you are lucky. The only really good one is the Pensacola one.  Of course everybody knows about it, so getting in is not easy.

Then there is one great Cruel Irony.

When you are facing one of the most lowest grossing months, This when most shows want their booth fees for the spring shows.

Yep, maybe you were lucky and got in Artisphere, or Downtown Fort Worth, or Winter Park,but they all want their booth fees now.  And, these fees are not cheap.

This is one very cruel irony of our business.

OK, I will get off my soapbox. (Chill,Nels).

Which is why we will pay a high booth fee for a show that delivers mediocre returns.  I have done this show three years in a row, and never once broken $2000 in sales.  Mainsail, the late spring show in St. Petersburg, always brings me $5000-plus in sales every time.  I am in the 2018 show, so is Ellen.

The best I can tell you is this show is a gamble.

I think Bill Kinney, Mr. Paragon, is a savvy promoter.  But this show is on a tightrope. I personally do not think it is worth a $400 booth fee.

Oh, I gotta cut this short.  Santa is arriving across the street from our Ybor house tomorrow. Three thousand are expected to attend.

The driveway beckons.

June 16 & 17

FESTIVAL FACTS:

• Deadline: February 1
• Jury Fee: $ 25
• Booth Fee: $300
• Artists: approximately 90
• Reproductions Allowed
• Ribbon Awards: $1100.00
• Attendance: 10,000+  
• Ranked #96 in Sunshine Artists 200 Best 2016

To learn more and apply: www.emevents.com

For additional information please contact:  

Erin Melloy, 630.536.8416, emelloy@emevents.com

• Limited to 66 artists
• Significant paid advertising and news coverage
• Easy drive up unloading
• Experienced artists friendly organization
• Free parking and RV parking

Palmer Park Poster Competition

Winning poster artist receives $500 and a free booth
(if appropriate).

No entry fee. Deadline: January 21

The Palmer Park Art Fair features an artist designed posted each year.  We prefer to use traditional printing methods to create a 100 copy run, but also do giclee' if appropriate for the selected artwork. Posters with natural images or featuring Palmer Park scenes have been selected- with less interest in other iconic Detroit imagery.

Learn more:  www.PalmerParkArtfair.com

Apply: https://form.jotform.com/markloeb/palmer-park-poster-competition

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2nd Kensington Metropark Art Fair

May 26-28

Milford, Michigan

Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 10am-6pm; Mon. 10am-4pm

100 artists

Deadline: February 28

Application fee: $25 Booth fees start at $320

Best for high end work, traditional images.

Artists were pleasantly surprised with the attendance and spending at our first year results.  More than 90% plan to re-apply.   The park winds along the river with convenient parking, food trucks and river views.  The show is centered in one of Michigan's wealthiest areas, Oakland County, which has the highest per capita income in the state. The park already attracts 1.2 million visitors annually and our marketing campaign adds qualified art buyers.  Convenient parking for artists and patrons.

An intimate show with up to 80 booths.  Integrity Shows offers a three-year jury system allowing artists to grow with the show.

Learn more:  https://www.kensingtonartfair.com/

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6001

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

24th Royal Oak Clay, Glass & Metal Show
 

June 9 & 10
Royal Oak, Michigan

Sat. 10 am-7pm; Sun. 11am-5pm
120 Artists
Deadline: March 14 

A unique event, featuring 120 clay, glass, and metal artists. A narrow focus on work created with minerals and heat attracts an audience specifically looking to purchase these items.  Our artists tell us it is a pleasure having customers who understand their work and techniques.  

Entertainment at the show is art related.  No loud music.  Our audience prefers artist demonstrations. Accepted artists who demonstrate will be given extra space next to their booth for free.

 

Integrity Shows uses a 3 year jury rotation plan.  Once accepted, artists can count on being in the show for 2 more years provided they submit an application by the deadline. 

 

Learn more:  www.ClayGlassandMetal.com

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6144

Presented by the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce with the assistance of Integrity Shows,  info@integrityshows.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3rd Belle Isle Art Fair
 

August 4-5

Detroit, Michigan

Sat. 10am-7pm;  Sun. 11am-5pm

100 artists

Deadline: April 18

Application fee: $25; Booth fees start at $355

Best for all price points, eclectic and afro-centric with some traditional, natural images

 

Held  on beautiful Belle Isle State Park near downtown Detroit, the show attracts people from all over the region that love the ambience.  Many artists reported record sales , some selling work priced at $4000 and up. The audience is a mix of suburbanites and city dwellers with the budget and appreciation to buy art.

 

Belle Isle is a beautiful island State Park in the Detroit River. Tens of thousands of people come out on summer weekends. The show is near the entry bridge across from the stunning Scott Fountain, with ample parking nearby.  

 

As with other art fairs by Integrity Shows, artists are juried on a three year basis. If you are accepted by the jury you are assured of acceptance annually and re-jury in the fourth year.  Of course you still need to apply on time and your work has to be relatively the same.  We believe that artists should be able to plan at least a part of their schedule.

Learn more:  www.BelleIsleArtFair.com

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6002

Presented by Integrity Shows,  info@integrityshows.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

15th Funky Ferndale Art Fair

September 22-24

Ferndale, Michigan

Fri. 3pm-7pm;  Sat. 10am-7pm; 

Sun. 11am-5pm

120 artists

Deadline: May 16

Application fee: $25; Booth fees start at $355

Best for non-traditional work in all mediums, under $750, jewelry and fiber. 

This show features art with an edge. The show draws an appreciative audience looking for funky and unusual artwork in all media categories.  They are happy to spend money on art that they love. 

 

Fashionable Ferndale's downtown is a thriving business community with distinctive boutiques and bistros. The lively atmosphere attracts young upwardly mobile professionals.  This show is designed to provide a showcase for artists that have work that appeals to that group. As Detroit continues its comeback Ferndale becomes an even more desirable area.

 

A healthy advertising budget along with extensive marketing and news coverage brings out the art lovers.  

 

Integrity Shows uses a 3 year jury rotation plan.  Once accepted, artists can count on being in the show for 2 more years provided they submit an application by the deadline.

 

Learn more:  www.FunkyFerndaleArtFair.com

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=6040

Presented by Integrity Shows,  info@integrityshows.com

Mark Loeb, Integrity Shows President, has been producing and consulting with events since 1982 in metro Detroit. In addition to these five events he consults with art fair and event organizers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Learn more about Integrity Shows

Intentional events for extraordinary results:  https://www.integrityshows.com/

We are looking to buy a used car top carrier. Anyone near Milwaukee have one to sell?

Happy Holidays everyone

Doesn't every girl want a pink convertible? Originally we were going to do a holiday picture with a sleigh large enough for the pups to sit in. That concept will now be put on hold until next year. We came across a pink mini cooper convertible and that became the new holiday picture. The car is 24x36 inches by about 20 inches tall. Xena is dominant in the picture with Elvis taking the back seat.

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

Sorry English is my second language.

Last month (November 2017), I decide to apply to online consolidation loan through Lending Tree.  I got aprove by company call GE Money and received a call from them. The company requested my credit card information and bank account. I was confuse about the requested but they said they will paid the cards directly and need the account for auto debit.  I was confuse why they wont deposit the payment in my check account so I can paid the card myself and they told me in past people do not use the money for that and is required by federal standards  for them to paid the card themselves.

On Wednesday before Thanksgiving they actually paid all my cards. So far things good in my end. Then the scam started. They request 30% of the payment back because they did the payment for credit score to improve so the loan will approve (this should be my first red flag). They requested for me to purchase gift cards using one of the cards because I did not have the money. I did the purchase for 1000.00. Next day they they keep asking for more and told them the payment has not clear and won't clear until Tuesday.   The person who use the name of Oscar Mendez end up cleaning my checking account and purchasing 1600 in another card without my autorization.  Chase cover some auto debits for me but I also now I have the accout negative. Also all the payment got to my cards got return because they use a ghost account. The credit cards freeze all my accounts because of the return payment and using ghost account. Day after I explain over and over and no result. At moment I do not any money to cover my bills and I am now two month behind in rent and bills. I also cannot paid my art show fees for the follow winter months.  

As I file a police report the people keep calling telling me that will refund the money and not file a police report. I did file the police report. 

At this point since my income come from me doing art fairs and saling my art work and not having income to cover the fees and my current bills I am reduce beg for help because I am about to become homeless. My family do not have the money to help me at this point neither. 

Few days later they call me again trying to repeat the entire process again using another bank located in Central Penn. This time I google the place and call them directly from the website.  

I started a GoFundme and if your prefer my PayPal account is oscar@lpstudios.net (LP Studio).

https://www.gofundme.com/i-fall-for-a-scamneed-help

I will try to attach the police report and auto Transcript that iPhone does for messages that I got from them. 

Maybe the most important thing is trust your instinct because it felt weird through the entire process.

Thank you