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September 16 & 17
Park Forest, Illinois
Presented by the Tall Grass Arts Assn.
90 Artists
Deadline: May 5

Application fee: $35; Booth fee: $175

This is an outdoor fair held in the village green of downtown Park Forest (just about 45 minutes south of Chicago) and along Main Street in downtown. It is the second oldest, continually juried fair in Chicagoland.

You will never participate in a more artist-friendly show including:

The Tall Grass Board loves its artists and it shows. The fair has won "best art fair" in the small show category in ArtFairCalendar.com's "Best Art Fairs in America" for the past three years. In a survey conducted of the  participating artists, this past year, all but one artist said they plan to return in 2017. 

Last weekend we participated in the 4 Bridges Art Festival in Chattanooga, Tn., a city of about 180,000 people at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the Tennessee River.  The Association for the Visual Arts runs the show and supports a very vibrant arts community.  

There is a lot of civic pride in Chattanooga.  The downtown has been totally transformed since our last visit about 10 years ago. There are new condos and apartments going up everywhere you look to the point that it was hard to navigate around all the streets closed for building construction.  In the Warehouse district alone, there are so many new and interesting restaurants it was hard to pick one to try. On Thursday night, between the traffic from people leaving the baseball game and other downtown venues we gave up trying to scout places to shoot later in the weekend.  In other words, Chattanooga is a happening place.

The show venue is the First Tennessee Pavilion which is an old factory building converted into a sort of indoor/outdoor event space.  There is a very high roof and short side walls.  Chattanooga was hit with the same storm that caused havoc at the show in Knoxville.  Some on the outside rim of the pavilion got some water in their booths but I did not see or hear of any significant damage.  On Saturday we had several strong storms in the afternoon between which there was some calm weather.  At about 7:00pm a strong storm blew through and it rained hard the rest of the night and into Sunday morning. Because of the venue, I do not think the weather impacted attendance.  

There were strong crowds all weekend of buyers not just lookers.  On Sunday I was thanking everyone for coming out in such bad weather.  One lady said "this is the biggest art event of the year.  If I don't come today I have to wait a whole year."  There is a parking lot around three sides of the building reserved for the artists and vendors.  You have to dolly in but that is not a big deal.  Just find a spot nearest your booth and park your vehicle.  We scouted the venue the night before, parked our trailer within 30 yards of the closest access point to our booth and left it there all weekend. Single booth spaces are 10 x 12 so there is about 2 feet of storage at the rear.   

Set up is Friday morning starting at 8:00am.  Everyone has to be open and ready to go by 6:30 for a preview party that runs until 10:00pm.  A dinner was served for the artists at 5:30 but if you have an assistant they are on their own.  At check in they made sure to tell us that if we wanted to drink during the party we had to wear the checkered wrist bands included in out packet. That's right, free drinks for the artists.  It was an open bar and the bartenders were quite willing to take input on how to mix your drink for your satisfaction.  We took full advantage of this opportunity.  

Unlike other preview parties we have been a part of, the attendees were making purchases.  We saw many packages go by.  We made a couple of small sales but others did better.  The oil painter next to us sold five pieces.      

This event has an admission charge so there were no early birds.  By the time we arrived at 9:00 am, other artists were taking advantage of the free breakfast.  In fact the show provided breakfast, lunch and dinner for artists on Saturday and Sunday.  In addition there were food vendors just outside the pavilion that gave artists discounts.  I had some of the best BBQ I have ever had from a local guy with a beat up trailer smoking meat on site.  

There was music all weekend on an outdoor stage and several bars inside.  A nice size glass of wine was $5.00.  But, it was clear that the focus was on the art, not the other stuff.  The music and beverages just made for a nice experience for everyone.

Our sales were very good, bordering on outstanding.  Others we spoke to were very happy as well.  I did not hear one complaint about sales.  The folks who attended this event asked excellent questions and wanted to engage with the artists.  I did not have one person pull out their cell phone to show me their outstanding photo.  Many were interested in the story behind the work and how it was done, refreshing.     

Load out was a breeze.  There was a light intermittent rain but nothing too difficult to deal with.  We were all packed up and on our way to dinner by 7:00pm.  

Accommodations in the area are reasonable if you get outside of downtown.  We stayed at a renovated La Quinta off Browns Ferry Road.  It had a new memory foam bed, beautiful bathroom with a large walk in shower, and was very quiet.  It is a dog friendly hotel, so if you do not like dogs do not stay there.  In our world if you do not like dogs there is something seriously wrong with you anyway.  

A word of warning, the lobby coffee is out of a machine.. stay away at all costs no matter how desperate you are for morning caffeine. We ate at a place called the Feed Company in the Warehouse district Thursday night.  It had a good bar and the food was OK.  Lots of young folks socializing and drinking beer.  It was a fun environment but loud.  

After long days at the show we opted for a place called the Acropolis about 6 miles from downtown on Saturday and after break down on Sunday.  As you might expect from the name, they have Greek fare along with other great options.  I had lamb dishes both nights.  Sara had beef and salmon.  All of it was outstanding to the point that she sheepishly had to tell me that their salmon was as good as mine.  The truth comes out after a martini.  For breakfast you cannot beat the City Diner downtown next to the Days Inn.  There are no stand alone Starbucks downtown but there are several local coffee houses.

This show was a major success for several reasons.  

• First, the AVA was very well organized and provided good communication before the event so everyone knew what to expect.  We even got a e-mail a couple of days in advance warning us about the potential for bad weather to make sure we brought adequate weights.  
• The art and the artists was the focus of the show.  The show was very well juried.  There was not even a hint of buy/sell.  All of the art was outstanding.  This level of art was expected by the patrons based on their comments to us.  
• We were treated as guests and the stars of the show.
• There was serious prize money awarded. Even though we did not win an award, we appreciated the fact that every judge came into our booth, introduced themselves, and spoke with us about our work.  
• It was a nice size with 150 artists laid out in an organized way that made it easy for someone to find you again, we had several be-backs.  
• This event is the major art event in the area for the year, not one of a series of shows saturating an area.

So, there you have it. We had a great experience and hope to be invited back next year.  Thank you Chattanooga and the AVA. 

September 2

Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Marion Park
9:00am-5:00pm
150 Artists
Deadline: May 8

Application Fee: $10.00; Booth Fee: $100.00

Are you looking to display and sell your crafts during one of Sauk Prairie's biggest annual events? Approximately 40,000 people attend The Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw each year and we invite youto submit your artwork to our crafts fair. Over the years, the lighthearted tradition continues, and we welcome your application.

River Arts Inc. has taken over management of the Fair from Sauk Prairie Today's Women after 30 years of their dedicated service and is excited to continue the tradition of hosting a wonderful arts and crafts fair during Sauk Prairie's famous Cow Chip event.
  
Learn more and apply:  http://www.riverartsinc.org/cow-chip/

Contact:  Kristina Coopman, cowchipartfair@gmail.com, (608) 643-5215

Has anyone done this show? It is at the edge of WI and MN. I'm debating it, but don't know anyone else who has done it, and can't find much information. Any info would be great, thanks!

September 2, 3 & 4
Breckenridge, Colorado

presented by Mountain Art Festivals
125 Artists

 

42nd annual show ranked by Sunshine Artists magazine at #64 in their 200 top fine art shows in the country last year.

Everyone familiar with me knows that I'm a picture frame designer, maker, carver, and gilder who makes frames exclusively for his wife's artworks. During 1999 I began studying picture frame history and soon discovered gilding in all its glory. I was lucky enough to have a friend who gave me the first 10 years of Picture Framing Magazine (1990-1999) wherein I discovered a treasure trove about frames, frame making, gilding, and the industry.

In 2004, I received a professional development grant from Wyoming Arts Council to attend the West Coast Art and Frame Expo in Las Vegas during January 2005. It was there that Marty Horowitz of Gold Leaf Frame Makers Santa Fe introduced me to water gilding with karat gold leaf. I had already been oil gilding since 1999, so I wasn't new to gold leaf. But water gilding was much more involved and intriguing. Despite learning that the finest frames are water gilt, I've continued mostly oil gilding since I'm mostly an exhibitor in outdoor arts and crafts festivals, and water gilding might be too delicate for that kind of exposure to the elements inside my tent. I've exhibited some in outdoor shows, but I prefer not taking the chance to ruin my gilding with moisture and whatnot.

While exhibiting in Chain of Parks Art Festival in Tallahassee, a lady came into our booth and inquired about my frames and gilding, and then she introduced herself as the President of Society of Gilders. She invited me to join and said that she would use my work in an upcoming exhibition in New Jersey featuring other members of SOG if I did join very soon. I joined. I exhibited.

My gilding work has grown in leaps and bounds since joining SOG. Furthermore, I'm so delighted with their camaraderie that I mentioned I'd like to be a member of their board of trustees, to which I was voted onto in December 2016. Welcome aboard!

Now as a member of the SOG board, I am helping to promote our gilding conference happening in Arlington (Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area) June 5-10, 2017 on the University of Texas campus. Here's a link to the SOG website talking about the conference. If you hover over the word Conference in the menu bar, you can also explore the other opportunities happening with SOG in Arlington. We always schedule a community project where the most experienced gilders lead a group that will gild an architectural project and sometimes a bronze or other public artwork statuary or monument. When the conference was in Washington D.C., the group gilded the Iwo Jima Monument.

If we have any gilders on AFI, this will be a great opportunity to improve your skills learning from leaders in the field. It's really worth the time and money to climb aboard. Also, we hope anyone gilding who's not already a member of SOG will at least become a member with us. And if anyone has any questions, I'm at your service.

September 9 & 10 -- new!
Louisville, Kentucky
Downtown Louisville at Waterfront Park
Sat.  9:00am-7:00pm
Sun. 9:00am-5:00pm
120 juried, emerging and demonstration artists
Deadline: May 1

Application fee: $25.00; Booth fee: $425.00

This is a new festival: Our goal from the beginning has been to expose Louisville to quality artists in a venue that is conducive to the patron and the artist, to make our festival pleasant and profitable to all. It is a highly anticipated event that is well supported by the community and numerous non-profits. Three years in the planning to bring a quality show where artists are the center of our show, not the entertainment.

Big Four Bridge Lawn is 4 acres of tree lined walks overlooking the Ohio River. 25,000 walkers and joggers cross the Big 4 Pedestrian Bridge most weekends. Located within walking distance of downtown accommodations, restaurants and night life. Also, ample parking with trolley service to and from the festival.

A beautiful location and setting and a large turn out of patrons is what we offer you the artist.

Advertising will include Louisville and surrounding area newspaper and radio, social media, websites, Facebook, newsletters, personal invites sent to (3,500+) collector's, billboard, printed postcards, press releases and invitations to art schools for emerging artists.

The jury of 4 experienced arts industry professionals will select a balanced show based solely on quality of work illustrated in submitted digital images. Images are viewed by mediums and the artist statement is read. Jury process is open to the public. All artists that are accepted for 2017 will not have to go through the jury pool in 2018.

Learn more about the preparation for this new art fair from a recent podcast we did with the producer, Lou Nunnelley: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2017/02/22/2-new-2017-art-fairs--will-you-apply

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/big4bridgeartsfestival/#

Contact:  Louis Nunnelley, b4b@twc.com, (502) 435-7602 

The recent podcast with Michael Zavison about art fair vehicles led me to find some examples. We talked about what he drives and also how he gets a double booth and large artwork into a Chevy Silverado. 

Melanie Rolfes and Michael Zavison on the road in their Chevy truck with a custom built top perfectly fitted for their artwork. Michael's tip when starting out at the fairs: use a paid off vehicle that you already own, take good care of it and customize it.

All of this fits in that Silverado.

How to get a lot in a Dodge Caravan.

I want one that looks like this 

Show us your van ...

If you missed the podcast you're sure to learn some very practical tips  on maintenance and how you treat a truck with over 200,000 miles on it.

July 29 & 30

Deadline: April 30

Application Fee: $20  
Booth Fees: 12x12 $180, 12x24 $360

Huron Valley Arts Festival is celebrating its 6th year and has been extended to 2 days! The festival, sponsored by the Huron Valley Council for the Arts,  centers on all things art and includes the artist market, artist demonstrations, a locally sourced specialty food tent, interactive art theme activities for everyone,  and live music and children's activities. The festival has wonderful food trucks and tents on hand for all to enjoy as well.

Held in the heart of Commerce Township, the festival is surrounded by the upscale communities of Milford, Farmington Hills, numerous lake communities and recreational areas.  The festival grounds are at Walled Lake Central High School, 1600 E Oakley Park Rd.  Artists set up on a flat blacktopped surface with plenty of visibility from two busy intersecting roads.

Apply online here: http://www.huronvalleyarts.org/1/257/index.asp

Atlanta Dogwood Review...

Everything just seemed to fall in place. Stormy weather was predicted for our drive there but during the entire trip it seemed that it poured rain everywhere ahead of us and stopped everywhere just before we drove there. Wet cement and puddles but no rain...! We didn't have to turn on the windshield wipers at all. The closure of I-85 was north of where we were driving and we were able to drive I-85 all the way to our exit at 60mph without traffic...a extreme rarity in Atlanta.

The weather was chilly on Friday & Saturday and perfect on Sunday...The setup was well organized and the police escort allowed it to flow flawlessly. Our sales Friday were almost nothing but a great Saturday and Sunday made it a great show for us...better than we anticipated.

There were large crowds...As with most shows some were the typical out for a walk people with their baby strollers and dogs who had no intention of buying and some were the buyers spending money.

We did have a problem with wi-fi reception each day after about 3pm and had a very difficult time getting a signal. I spoke with quite a few other artists that said they also could not get a signal.This sure made me appreciate the offline feature that Square has. I did a bunch of offline charges and fortunately all of them went through later when we got back to the place we were staying and had a signal again ...

The load-out was frustrating but well organized and took us about two hours from end of show to driving on to the street. www.USAwoodArt.com

June 3 & 4

No application fee. Booth fee: $300-$475 

All volunteer organizing committee stages our annual outdoor arts festival, a treasured community tradition. White Plains is the county seat and commercial hub of Westchester, an affluent suburban county just north of New York City that is home to almost one million people.

 

Expect:

This is a very labor intensive show to do for setup and tear down. It is held on the grounds of a scenic park on a bayou in downtown Tarpon Springs. It is fenced off and they charge a $5 admission.

There are only three entrances to the show where vans can park and offload. Otherwise you are carting work from the van parked on the side streets, sometimes as far as two blocks away. It is one giant clusterfuck for the 200 artists there.

It might be worth it if you were selling $3-5K there. Most artists are lucky if they do $1.5K-$2K. You are selling to a mostly older crowd who buys mostly Florida beach dreck art and they want it cheap. My neighbor a water colorist had it down pat. She did not have a lot of originals there. Instead, she had giclees by the thousands and a printer wired up and running behind the booth. She popped prints into white frames that she sold at $22 and $39 each. She did this all show long. Her scenic spots were Florida basic beach 101 and that is just what the crowd wanted.

I showed up for setup on Friday afternoon. My spot was way out on the point, a long cartloads away.the winds were howling, 20-30 mph at times. I pleaded with the committee for a spot closer. They relented. They gave me the first booth spot on the sidewalk as the crowd would come into thru this gate. The kiss of death but it was the best I could get unless I wanted to stay not on the point. Not! I chose the closer spot.

The winds were so bad that it took me two hours just to get the Lightdome up. The winds tore my Velcro fasteners off my panel covers. I had to put v-clamps on all of them to hold in place. I triple staked each corner and the booth barely stayed still. Hung framed photos kept ricocheting in and out off the panels. Four hours later, I was finally setup.

I got there early Saturday morn to get a decent parking spot and found a great breakfest at the nearby Tarpon Diner. Naturally, I ordered the Greek omelet.

The show opened at 9 am and it was very quiet at my gate entrance. I figured I was dead meat. I was already considering tearing down that night and getting the hell out of dodge licking my seriously serrated artist wounds. By noon I was up to $300, my neighbor was already over $2K. By 1pm there were a suitable number of people coming by the booth. I sold to several longtime customers and actually ended the day doing about $1K. No tear down that night.

I got there extra early Sunday morn and got Position "A" for the van. Someday, when I am about to retire, I will explain Position "A". I had bought my standard Sunday NY Times. I can kill three great hours reading it while sipping on coffee, or over breakfests, or while just sitting in my booth chair waiting for an early bird customer.

Things finally started heating up around noon. I equaled the previous day's sales. I asked around the show early Sunday morn. Talked to about 20 artists in different media and asked how their Saturday went. Surprisingly, I did better than the majority of them. Not a lot of happy faces. During tear down I queried friends about the show sales. Most were ok, happy to have done $1500-$2000. But face it, if you are staying in hotels and burning gas, plus meals and a high booth fee then $2000 is not that great.
 This has been a tough spring in Florida. The shows have been off for more people than "on".

I made it to a local bar after tear down and got to see the end of the Masters. Overall, I thanked God, I got to live and fight as an artist for another day.

Next up for both Ellen and me is Main Street Fort Worth. We both make some very serious moola there. This is my sixth one with them and they just keep getting better and better. I got in off the waitlist and gave up Mainsail.

Adios, amigos. I will do a tequila report off this show as well.

St. Augustine FL Old Town Art Show

The link above is my blog post with pictures and such, about my experience at the Old Town Art Show in St. Augustine, FL.

Some points that were not mentioned were: 

1. Very easy load in and out

2. Super easy, free and convenient artist parking

3. Everyone has a corner booth

4.  12x12 space w/ 5' behind for storage

5. The event takes place in a flat, open field, no trees. Not a pretty setting, but serviceable. You are allowed and encouraged to use stakes as well as weights, which we did. It was quite windy each day!

6. My sales were very steady, with a large purchase within 30 minutes of opening. My price points are $15-$75. I had my best show in well over a year [since moving to FL last summer]. I would definitely apply to do it again.

THURSDAY - APRIL 13 - 5 PM ET

Time for some nuts and bolts. Getting to and from the art fairs is essential to an artist. Reliable transportation is a must. We talk with artists and learn their tricks for buying, loading, unloading, maintenance and what is the best vehicle on the road. One of our guests is Michael Zavison who drives a big truck that holds all the equipment for a double booth and large artwork. He, and his partner Melanie Rolfes, travel from Georgia to Florida to Texas and Colorado and up to the Midwest in the summer. 

Getting the vehicle right makes a big difference in the ease of participating in our business. Michael will give us his tips. Also, we invite you to join us.

What is the best vehicle for art fairs? Tell us in the comments below.  Would you like to be on the panel. Let me know.

Tell us in the comments below

• show us your photos
• give us a call during the show: (805) 243-1338