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When artist call themselves high-end artists in art show world?

How many times I hear this from other artists and I ask my friends what that suppose to mean. When it comes to jewelry does that mean the artist works only with gold, platinum and diamonds and that make sense. So how those that play in other mediums. Does quality of craft and skills counts in being high-end artists? Why do you call yourself high-end artist?
In photography, which is my area I practice, I really do not see that in art fairs world. Anyone with the right equipment can produce a large print (48X96). Printing in metal or acrylic does make you a high-end photographer. Using high framing materials does that make you high-end artist.

So because you have big item with high price does that make you high-end. Does success make you high-end artist. What about those yard artists?

Look at ceramics, more detail in piece makes more special but does that make you high end artist.

So my question to you, why you call yourself I high end because price alone does not make it. To me high-end is more when I walk to that store with the cyan little box.

May 13-14
South Walton, Florida
Presented by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
200 Artists
Deadline: March 1

Application fee: $40; Booth fee: $300

ArtsQuest is held in beautiful South Walton, Florida, at Sandestin along the Gulf of Mexico. The two-day festival is always held Mother's day weekend, which is a great time for discerning travelers to visit South Walton. ArtsQuest artists compete for $10,000 in cash awards, including Best in Show, Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit. It is the kick-off event for Art Week South Walton, an initiative of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.

The festival takes place at the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin which is also home to large-scale events such as the 30A Songwriters Festival and the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. Located along the Scenic Hwy. 98 Corridor, Grand Boulevard is easily accessible from regional drive and fly markets, including Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Mobile, Pensacola and Tallahassee.

Marketing: With the support of the Tourist Development Council, Visit South Walton, there is a comprehensive marketing campaign for ArtsQuest, including radio (Southeastern markets), social media, direct mail, posters, online advertising, and regional and national print media.

Amenities: Artist hospitality room serving continental breakfast, light snacks * Artist parking * Overnight security * Booth sitting * Artist-only lunch specials at participating restaurants * New festival venue is conveniently located to many affordable accommodation options

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5422

Learn more: https://www.artweeksouthwalton.com/
Jennifer Smith, jennnifersmith@culturalartsalliance.com, 850-622-5970

I was looking for a show for Feb 25-26. Marcia and I are down here in Florida from Michigan for a couple of months and, to make it work, we have to cram in as many shows as we can. Its expensive down here in the winter. I stay away from shows that are organized by professional promoters, preferring shows that are put on by arts groups and community organizations. The one in Bradenton fit the bill so I applied and got in. Its a small show with less than 100 artists, and this is only their second year at this location. Nels laughed at me and predicted I wouldn't even crack a thousand. But, what the heck, an open date... why not give it a try.

The show is in a parking lot just off a highway in Bradenton. I wasn't impressed with the location. Load in was easy and setup on Friday afternoon (after 1pm) was leisurely (I like that). We kept our van in front of the booth for the whole time (I like that too). Organizers were very low key and let the artists self organize their own set up. I think its much easier for that to happen in a small show. Booth spaces were large and cost less that $200 (can't remember exactly). At 12 x12, we were able to work with our neighbor and establish a side wall with an aisle 3-feet wide.

Saturday, the show went from 10-5 and it looked like Nels' prediction was right. Turnout was very light and we only made $635 for the day. I didn't expect much from this show, so wasn't terribly disappointed. I thought that with a few sales on Sunday,  I would surpass Nel's $1000 prediction.

Sunday started out about the same as Saturday with a sprinkling of sales in the morning. The show was scheduled for 10-4pm (another thing I like, allowing us to fully break down before dark). By noon it looked like Nels prediction was right. The few people walking around were not buying much from any of us.

Now, I am always amazed by the group dynamics at art fairs. I have no idea what kind of karma in the air would create such a drastic change in the buying habits of the public. It could be that the organizers were requiring all attendees to leave their wallets behind... until about 12:30. Suddenly, the wallets came out and people started buying stuff. And it wasn't only in my booth. Many other artists were selling stuff too.

I'm a digital artist and I sell prints of my surrealistic pictures with environmental issues as their theme. My smallest print is $28, and I usually can count on those prints to pay the bills. But, Sunday at this show, after 12:30, my larger framed prints started selling and I even sold one of my large canvas prints. This buying frenzy went on until about 3pm, when it stopped as suddenly as it began. (huh?)

Anyway, we made $2600 in those couple of hours, bringing our total for the show at over $3200. I was amazed and delighted. You just never know who is going to show up. The weather was next to perfect for this show with mostly sunny skies and mostly low winds (a bit windy on Sunday morning). Load out was equally easy as all the artists self-organized. We were out of there by about 6pm.

Next up for us is Bonita Springs next weekend. We've had a pretty good winter season so far. Hopefully it will continue.

Hi Connie and all my friends,

It has been a long time since I have been in contact, much water has flowed under the bridge and my situation has changed.

I am now 73 and had my 4th and most serious back surgery a couple of years ago with fused vertebra and metal rods inserted.  (Have so much metal in my back that I am picking up alien transmissions)  My back has deteriorated to the point that I have had to give up shows and it is very painful to work.  This, together with the fact that my wife has Alzheimer's has forced me to throw in the towel as most of my efforts are going into taking care of her.  (Have been doing that for 50+ years and am not going to stop now.) 

Anyway, here is my situation -  While I am no longer making instruments, I have quite a few remaining instruments and have them on my website - www.archiesmithinstruments.com .  I have seriously lowered prices and will consider serious offers.  My instruments are made for a purpose - which is to go out and give pleasure to those who play them and to those who hear them.  It really distresses me to think that they might wind up in a box or a flea market.  I am "trying to find good homes for my 'children'".  If anyone knows of someone who might be interested, please let them know to check out my website.

ALSO - if you know of anyone who is making bowed psalteries, I have a LOT of bookmatched tops and backs left over.  (Have never been able to turn down a beautiful piece of wood, so I have made a lot and still have approx. 200.)  These are all made from highly figured domestic and exotic woods - from Bubinga to Zebrawood.  (Also have jigs, etc.)  Am also selling the Sprinter Hilton - 2008 2500 Sprinter Van w/1.5K miles and many extras.

May you ALL have safe trips, great shows and FABULOUS SALES.  Will miss seeing all of you "on the circuit".

Archie Smith

Archie Smith Instruments

info@archiesmithinstruments.com

arcsmith@ctc.net

Jan. 28, '17

P.S. Feb. 27.  When it rains it pours- got out of the hospital on Friday after about 3 weeks. Had emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery.  Although very sore, am doing well.  Again, may all of you, my friends, have safe trips and great sales!

Archie

September 1, 2 & 3
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Presented by: Long's Park Amphitheater Foundation
225 Artists
Deadline: March 1

Every Labor Day weekend some 12,000 art lovers make their way to Long's Park in beautiful Lancaster, PA to shop for fine art and fine crafts. 

Traditional and digital marketing and advertising will be placed in and around Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Wilmington, DE and Central PA (Harrisburg, York, Lancaster and Lebanon). Expanded social media exposure, including organic and paid advertising, along with database marketing, retargeting and digital postcards all add up to thorough exposure of artists' work and the Festival overall.

What they said about our show:

"This was the easiest, most relaxing, 

and beautiful setting of any show I have exhibited so far in my 13 years.  I have never experienced a show where the artists were treated in such a considerate manner. Great job."

"Festival art was top notch. Artist treatment top notch. Buying energy top notch. We loved it!"

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5372

Learn more:  http://longspark.org/art-festival/exhibitor-application/

Contact Bill Wright, info@longspark.org, 717(735-8883

July 7 & 9 and August 11 & 13
Jackson, Wyoming
Presented by: The Art Association of Jackson Hole
150 Artists
Deadline: February 28

Application fee: $35; Booth fee: $395

Located just two blocks off Jackson's historic Town Square in the heart of the Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The Art Association's Art Fairs are quintessential Jackson events. These outdoor fairs feature local and national artists selling fine art and crafts including ceramics, paintings, furniture, photography and much more. Live music, food vendors, youth activities, and artist demos add to the extended weekend activities at Miller Park. All proceeds benefit our art education and outreach programs.

New for 2017: "Flock to Art" marketing campaign, more truck food vendors and extended entertainment programming.

Apply for the July show:  http://zapplication.org
Apply for the August show: https://www.zapplication.org

Information: 
artassociation.org/events/upcoming-events/event-art-fair-jackson-hole-30/

Contact: Molly Fetters, artfair@artassociation.org, (307) 733-6379

Coconut Grove 2017.  Here is a review on todays Coconut Grove.  Barry gave us a good blog on what the Grove use to be.  I only know todays Grove so here it goes.

President weekend Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  This is a big show and a big event. There are over 350 artists and many other event tents, a culinary pavilion, sculpture garden, vip areas, family zone, and music stages.  Fun Miami dance music.  In my area we could hear it but wasn’t intrusive to conversations  and made for some fun dance parties behind the booth.  They charge a gate fee for $20 and offer many different level passes at $100, $250 and $500.  Last year I stayed about 2 miles away but this year I stayed a few blocks from the show and watched this massive event unfold on set up day Friday.  Wow there is a lot of coordination with the city, police and community to make this show happen.  The main part of the show is along Bayshore.  Just closing the street down is a major feat.  There is a fence put up around the show since they charge a gate fee and this covers a large area.  I can’t imagine all the work that goes into pulling this off. 

Set up is on Friday after 3pm.  For such a big show in the city the set up is very easy.  You drive up to your booth and park across from your booth.  Set up is uneventful and easy.  You are sent a lot of information before the show via email.  You can print off an entry pass for your vehicle to get in and out.  Check in is when you have time on Friday, before, during or after you set up.  Booths are on one side of the street along bayshore.  You have a median behind the booth.  There are two off shoot roads with booths and the set ups are across from eachother.  I have always been on Bayshore.  You set up the tent about a foot away from the curb and if there are not too many plants in the median behind the booth you have even more storage.  There is not a lot of space between the booths so if you need to get to the back of your booth make a door. 

The weather was perfect from set up to break down.  Sunday was warm and hot in the sun but it didn’t stop the crowd.  They estimate over 100,000 people attend the show.  Looked like it to me.  Saturday morning there was a big line at the entry gates of people waiting to get in.  It got crowded fast and serious buyers were out shopping for big work.  This show is suppose to be originals only.  Many artists cheat unfortunately.  There are so few shows that are originals only I wish the artists that don’t want to do original only shows would just not do this show instead of cheating.  We only do originals so it isn’t anything new to be at shows where people sell reproductions.  Just like anyother show so it doesn’t change all that much for us.  The boat show is also the same weekend.   Saturday and Sunday packed all day.  Monday crowds were lighter in the morning but picked up.  Strong sales all three days.  Monday is the day the bargain shoppers come so be prepared to be low balled on prices especial 15 minutes before the show closes.  People come from all over the world for the boat show and also attend this event.  These are people with money and they are shopping.  We are shipping work to Germany, Italy and Egypt as well as California, Seattle and Chicago from this show.  Miami is our market and The Grove was an excellent show again.  Better than last year.  Of course not everyone had a good show.   In our area there are lot of trees, excellent for shade and to keep you cool, but the booths can get dark so you better have lights.  I think this show more than any other we had a lot of artists to come and see how to set up a light system at our booth and asking advice.  Lights make a big difference.  Yes more to set up, haul around and more money into the set up but one big sale because of lights your investment is covered plus some. 

Artists amenities, they offered just what I love.  I don’t care about dinners because I am always too tired at the end of the show to attend.  Lots of booth sitters.  At The Grove they have a VIP area which the patrons pay $60 for but the artists are allowed in.  You are given two alcohol drink passes a day, food comes out through out the day, cold non alcoholic drinks through out the day and a trailer a/c bathroom.  Waters are also passed out at the booths by volunteers.  Monday they ran out of water to pass out  but you could just go to the VIP area and grab as many cold waters or sodas you wanted to bring back to your booth.  There is one area of the show, Pan Am street which is not convient to the VIP area for the artists to get to.  Many shows don’t offer anything so I am thrilled with what they offer and there are always booth sitters for you to run and get away to the vip area regardless of how far you are. 

Break down also pretty easy for such a big show in the city.  You are suppose to break down your tent before you get your vehicle.  This is not monitored and most artists do not follow the rules.  It didn’t affect us since we do break down first and have a double booth so as long as the road is kept clear and we can get in we just park in our double booth spot while everyone else parks across from their booths.  The block captain was very good about keeping the roads clear so no problem.  Everyone works well together.  Those artists that wanted to get on the road that night we all gave them first dibs on getting in since a few of us were staying the night because  we always stay an extra night and plan deliveries Tuesday mornings.  Not a stressful breakdown at all. Show ended at 5pm and even going slow we were out by 6:45.

This show is a very expensive show to do.  One our most expensive of the year.  Double booth is $1660 and jury fee $55.  Lodging is very expensive this weekend in Miami and we stay for 5 nights.  Parking is $20 a day unless you pre pay and get artists parking for $40.  A great way to cut expenses is to get a house and share with other artists.  We had an amazing house, best air bnb yet, a few blocks from the show.  This area isn’t going to have anything not nice or cheap but being able to cook meals and park for free saves a lot.  Its really fun staying with artist friends too.  We share cooking meals and support eachother with other aspects of the show.  It’s a great way to go and we try to do it at every show possible.  Total expenses for this show costs us close to $4,000 by the time we pay double booth, lodging for 5 nights, travel expenses, food and cost of art work sold.  You need to have a high return on this show for it to work.  Run the numbers and see if it makes sense for you.  Our expenses are higher since we do a double, stay close to the show, two of us are eating and the cost of materials for a large scale original piece is not cheap to make.  The show is well worth it for us and we love it.  Really hope to be accepted again next year.  

Best air bnb to date :)  enjoy the journey

I've been reading reviews and comments about both ArtiGras and Coconut Grove. I'm disappointed by what I am reading because at one time South Florida was the premier place to sell your work in February and March. So, I started thinking about it and all the things that made Coconut Grove great started coming back to me. Here it is:

I have an emotional attachment to the Coconut Grove Show. I did it for over 30 years. Unfortunately, I can't stop comparing today's version to the hayday. I did the show when Marla and then Carol ran it. I did the show when there was no gate fee and there were so many people, it was hard to get in a booth. There were 4 times the amount of customers. I did it when there were 100 less artists and the booth fee was 1/3 what it is today. There was an artist lounge with breakfast and lunch or a place to go to get out of the sun. You would run to grab something to eat because you didn't want to miss a sale. I did it when artists had free parking and there was a party every night after the show. I won Best of Show in 1985, when glass and clay were king at the Grove. I was there when every artist was great and I wondered how they made a mistake and let me in. I did it when the patrons came in on a trolley at 8 AM and spent their art bucks. One year I did 12K before the show opened at 10. I was there when everyone did at least 6K and almost everyone did 5 figures, not just 1 or 2, and keep in mind that would be 20K in today's dollars. I was there when the music was appropriate for a classy show, Maynard Fergeson one year, Dizzy Gillespie another year. They had the Jefferson Starship and Bachman Turner Overdrive when they were at their peak. When BTO was there it got a little raucous and they toned it down after that. They used to have a competition for the Grove t-shirt among the accepted artists. The winning artist image was on the poster too and a billboard that everyone could see driving into the area. Now they use some local overrated commercial hack. This year it was Guy Harvey again. I loved those t-shirts. I still have a poster or two hanging in my studio. I wouldn't wear this years t-shirt if you gave me one.

They charge a $15 gate fee. Artist parking is $20 a day. The booth fee is triple what it used to be. There is no trolley or art patrons with art bucks. They tore down the building with the lounge. There are beer hawkers and the food booths are closer to the artists. There are over 100 more booths so the pie gets sliced smaller and smaller. Every year they offer the artists a little less. It isn't drastic except over time.

You'll have to excuse me if I cringe when someone comments about the Grove, this year. And don't say things are different now. They could easily be the same or better.

The Grove used to be the best show in the country. Ask Connie to verify what I am saying. She was there.

August 4-6
Park City, Utah
Presented by the Kimball Art Center
220 Artists

Application fee: $50; Booth fee: $575-$1625

The Park City Kimball Arts Festival is an award-winning jury selected visual arts festival located in the heart of the world-famous resort community of Park City, Utah.  The Kimball Arts Festival is one of the most highly regarded art events in the West. We proudly feature more than 220 fine artists across 12 disciplines. Each year, the Festival draws more than 58,000 art enthusiasts to Park City's Historic Main Street for a celebration of art, cuisine and music.

 

Highlights: 

 

* 2016 Average Artist Sales:
  $4,895

* No Commission

* Lodging Discounts

* Designated Load-in
   times; Complimentary Artist
   Parking 

* Artist Lounge; Booth sitters

* Enhanced security measures

* Updated weekend hours

* Additional advertising
   opportunities available

 

Testimonials from 2016:

• "I do many of the top shows in the nation and Kimball's Park City show ranks as our favorite to be honored to exhibit in."
• "This is, without a doubt, one of the BEST run shows that I do...It's nice to be treated with such respect and courtesy as an artist...I will definitely apply again next year!"
• "It was my best show ever. Everything just seemed to go well, the weather, the setup and take down, the sales, the support and a lot of nice folks attending."

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=5320

 

Learn more: 

http://parkcitykimballartsfestival.org/artists/artists-area

Questions? Contact Hannah Palmer, 435-649-8882, artsfest@kimballartcenter.org

Well, the truck has been unloaded, the bills have been tallied, and the verdict is in on our first time participating in the St. Stephens Art and Craft Festival in Coconut Grove.  It has taken us two days to drive home so I have had a lot of time to reflect on our experience. Fair warning, this post will be long as I want to give detailed information for anyone thinking about doing this show. First, I want to say that this show is run by the nicest group of people you would ever want to meet.  This show is a church fundraiser to finance their good works, good people doing good work. They have been doing the show for a long time and have organized it very well.  The venue is the church parking lot, basketball court and surrounding areas.  In other words it is tight.  Load in could have been a nightmare, but it was not. We were given a schedule and told to follow it.  When we arrived at our appointed time we had to wait a little while before being allowed to drive adjacent to our booth for our 45 minutes of unload time. One of the many wonderful volunteers acted as traffic cop to insure that everyone could have an unobstructed entry and exit. Parking after the unload was an issue. Basically for parking you are on your own.  The show information packet had a map showing where the public parking facilities were located but you have to pay to the going rate to use them.  If you have an over size vehicle or a trailer like we do the only option was a surface lot about 2 blocks away.  On Friday parking was $6.00 for 12 hours for each space.  When the show started on Saturday there was a 20.00 per space charge.  So, for the three days of the show plus the set up day we had $92.00 in parking fees.  There is not much the show organizers can do about this without the cooperation of the City of Miami. But here is the deal, the city gains so much tax revenue from this event and the Coconut Grove show that goes on the same weekend.  The hotels were packed, the restaurants were busy, and money was flowing mainly because there was an art show.  The city collected sales taxes, lodging taxes on inflated room charges and so much more but we had to pay to going rate to park?

When the show opened at 9:30 am on Saturday we had high expectations.  The crowd was sparse for the first couple of hours.  Those around us said not to worry as the crowd attends the Coconut Grove Show first and then come to this show later.  On Saturday we had a good sales day.  Sure enough more people showed up in the afternoon.  We had a 900.00 sale, a 450.00 sale, and a 500.00 sale along with three prints for just short of a 2,000.00 day. We knew our expenses were going to be high for this show but we wanted to test the east coast market for our work.  Besides, I had never been to Miami and wanted to see the place. The crowd was light on numbers but we had enough buyers to have a good day.  We had high hopes for a good weekend. Alas, it was not to be.

On Sunday to describe the crowd as sparse would be kind.  At about 1pm I walked into the street to see where all the people were.  Just down the block was the entrance to the Coconut Grove Show. There were four lines 50 people deep waiting to pay the $15.00 admission. There was a hoard of people coming down the street and they all headed for the other show. Our sales on Sunday were 350.00 and the same on Monday when the crowd was even smaller.

Next door was a buy/sell market set up in a parking lot.  I think that hurt this show tremendously. Many of the people we saw had come directly from the buy/sell.  One person there was selling the most bizarre plants either of us had ever seen.  It was in a small hanging pot. with some green leaves visible from the top, with long stems hanging down the sides with what can best be described as blooms resembling used condoms at the ends.  Person after person walked by holding these used condom plants.  One person walked in our booth with one and explained that the used condom part was like a Venus Fly Trap and ate what ever entered.  So now we had people walking around with carnivorous used condom plants.  Also available at the buy/sell were chairs painted white and stenciled with the logos of the local sports teams, hammocks no doubt made in China, and best of all CDs of steel drum music. The steel drum guy brought his instruments and played along with the CD for hours on end. His stamina and determination were remarkable.  I really enjoyed his music.  It was relaxing and soothing..for perhaps the first ten times I heard it.  After three days of the same 15 songs over and over again it got old.  Luckily at about 5pm each day he got tired and turned on Latin dance music that got everyone going. At the end of the show I thanked him for his musical addition to the experience.  He said he had not done as well as he hoped.  I said join the club and have a safe trip home.  

Load out could have been a disaster but again it was not due to the excellent work of the show staff. When completely torn done, one sought a pass from the volunteer.  Traffic was controlled so that everyone had a clear path to their booth.  After having an unfortunate experience at our last show running over another artist's cart with our trailer, I decided to wait until the coast was clear before I tried another close quarters maneuver.  We zipped up our tent and went to dinner.  An hour later the area had cleared out, we dropped the tent and loaded up, easy, peasy.   

So here is the bottom line on this show and Miami in general.  First everything is expensive.  It is a big city during prime season.  The show staff is wonderful.  There was an artist's dinner Saturday night where they awarded $10,000.00 in prize money. We won a Merit Award.  There was a continental style breakfast each morning which we cannot eat but others said was good. 

Miami traffic is a nightmare.  We saw more craziness on the roads in four days than we have seen in any other big cities we have ever visited combined.  Where did these people learn how to drive? Keep your wits about you on the roads.  

Hotels are expensive.  We waited too long to look for a room.  We ended up in a place that was horrible north of downtown.  We left after one night for a place next to the airport.  This location was a much better commute to the show as we did not have to pass through downtown.  We would recommend staying on the west side of the city for either show for this reason.  Be ready to pay parking charges at the hotels.  They wanted to charge us 25.00 per night for our trailer because of "extra" security required. In other words, an up charge rip off.  We negotiated that down but did have to pay extra. Ask for a room away from the expressway, the road noise is really bad. 

The roads are a maze of interconnecting webs, of which many are toll roads.  If you do not have any cash with you, do not be concerned they take a picture of your plate and bill you later. 

Food, especially good food can be expensive.  A couple of options near the show with reasonable prices are Greenstreet.  Food is reasonably priced, drinks are expensive. Greenstreet breakfast was excellent each day.  Spillover is a good dinner choice within walking distance of either show. 

We loved the vibe of the place.  The multicultural aspect of the city is great.  Every night after the show we went out to shoot (we are photographers).  We saw an ancient monastery built in 1141 in Spain and transported to Florida piece by piece, classic examples of Art Deco architecture framed in neon, an area re-vitalized by spray art, and a beautiful city by the ocean.  So, we lost a few hundred dollars on the show, spent a week of our lives driving about 900 miles each way having experiences we will never forget.  One night we made a wrong turn and ended up in the valet line for an exclusive party on the biggest yacht I have ever seen. There were more Maseratis, Bentleys, and Ferraris than I knew existed in the world.  Our Ram pickup stood out as a very unique vehicle in this classy environment. I quickly decided to make a three point turn and get out of there before I was blocked in by another 300k car.  In the process I squished a couple of their traffic cones. Hey, no one was hurt so it was a successful maneuver. 

The only problem was a lack of qualified buyers at the show.  The vast majority were there for the beer and popcorn.  If it had been a local show we would have been happy with our sales, but we were a long way from home with a lot of expenses.  Both artists who have done this show for several years and patrons commented on the relative lack of attendance as compared to previous years. If you are considering doing this show understand you will have a big nut to crack to turn a profit.  Hopefully attendance this year was an aberration and the buyers will return. If we had not had the two big buyers we had on Saturday we would have been in a big dark hole. Most folks we talked who had to travel barely covered expenses.  

I know that writing this post will create problems for me but I need express.

I just came back from Arti Gras, (Jupiter, Florida). Last year I did this show follow by South Miami but this year South Miami was canceled. I still decide to make the trip since the cancellation of the show happen after I paid Arti Gras. The trip from Chicago to Florida is long but easy.

I won't talk about the sales because I know year to year the sales changes. Nobody can control sales. This fact is the main reason why I put all my energy in putting my best work, best presentation and hope for the best.

I follow the rules that I learned from Amdur Productions and Howard Alan that in time I found out is the standard for most artists because they make pure sense. At this point in my business, I had choose not to do shows with them because the market they provide is not good for but they gave the foundation how to behave and work at the show and I can still go back to them if they let me in.

This brings me to what I saw at Arti Gras. Arti Gras is one of founders of Zapp and I expect a lot from them. I expect to follow the rules they tell us. I also expected them to enforce them.

There was a lot buy and sale and artists point them out but the answers they got: they know but if they eliminates them there will not be enough artists for the show because they believe that show has 50% buy and sale. It is more crazy close one this so call buy and sale artist but they allow him back into the show. The reality I see why they do not close those tents and the legal problems that it can create but then it became a flea market not Arti Gras.

It is was very clear to me when two tents next to me a guy sale paint coolers, dog dishes, etc. The photographer in front of me has 17 bins outside of his tent and make better it has 50% discount signs in all his works. This sign no way in hell should be allowed to be displayed. Add more insult the photographer with wins best of photography. One buy and sale wins best of category. 

Here is where I start wondering where greed, ignorance and ego stops. Artist booth fee do not cover the show cost. I know that for each artist that move on you can replace it with your choice of 10. I know you believe that you are doing us a favor but is interesting to me that I did not saw any of top art fair photographers at this show. I also wonder if is the same case in other categories. There still beyond good work at Arti Gras but because it feels like a flea market it may not bring high-end buyers. No high-end buyers good artist will move on to another show and test waters because doing this show can cost the artist easily 1500.00 plus COGS and time. 

I know you have a lot on your plate but think even we are the less profitable part of the show to make sure we have a fighting chance. If you do not have enough artist at your standards cancel the show or let people that meet your standards know and give them the choice of back out with out loosing money. 

When I come back from a show experience like this I mark the event as a filler at best regardless of my sales. I felt RAPE and everything that comes with that action. That is feeling that no artist should ever feel
specially coming from a show like Arti Gras but then again the powerful keeps degrading the little people.

APPLY TODAY FOR OUR 2017 FESTIVALS

MARCH ART FESTIVALS   March 4th & March 5th Fort Lauderdale, FL  Las Olas Art Fair Part II March 4th & March 5th Venice, FL Downtown Venice Art Classic  March 11th & March 12th Juno Beach, FL  Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Art Fest by the Sea Show is currently closed. Applications are being accepted for waitlist only.  March 18th & March 19th Coral Springs, FL  Coral Springs Festival of the Arts & Crafts  March 18th & March 19th Indialantic, FL Indialantic (Melbourne) Art Festival March 25th & March 26th Melbourne, FL Downtown Melbourne... Festival of the Arts on New Haven Avenue    APRIL & MAY ART FESTIVALS     April 1st & April 2nd West Palm Beach, FL CityPlace Art Fair April 22nd & April 23rd Arlington, VA  Arlington Festival of the Arts  April 29th & April 30th Fairfax, VA Fairfax Corner Art Festival    April 29th & April 30th Siesta Key, FL Siesta Fiesta   May 27th & May 28th Hilton Head, SC Hilton Head Island Art Festival with Craft Marketplace    JUNE ART FESTIVALS The Cleveland Tour   June 3rd & June 4th Cleveland, OH Art in The Village with Craft Marketplace   June 10th & June 11th Westlake, OH Crocker Park Fine Art Fair with Craft Marketplace June 17th & June 18th - New Show! Shaker Heights, OH The Hathaway Brown Fine Art Festival with Craft Marketplace

JUNE & JULY NORTH CAROLINA TOUR   June 24th & June 25th - New Show! Huntersville, NC The Lake Norman Festival of the Arts with Craft Marketplace  July 1st & July 2nd - New Show! Asheville, NC The Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts with Craft Marketplace

JULY & AUGUST  Colorado Summer Tour    July 22nd & July 23rd Aspen, CO 15th Downtown Aspen Art Festival   July 29th & July 30th Keystone, CO 2nd Keystone River Run Village Art Festival   August 5th & August 6th Avon, CO 30th Beaver Creek Art Festival   August 12th & August 13th Frisco, CO 11th Main Street to the Rockies Art Festival

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER Florida Tour October 14th & October 15th Tampa, FL 28th Hyde Park Village Art Fair   October 21st & October 22nd Fort Lauderdale, FL 30th Las Olas Art Fair    November 4th & November 5th Venice, FL 30th Downtown Venice Art Festival   November 11th & November 12th Sarasota, FL 29th St. Armands Circle Art Festival    November 25th & November 26th Delray Beach, FL 18th Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Weekend Art Festival   December 30th & December 31st Estero, FL 7th Coconut Point New Year's Art Festival

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Arti Gras was our 3rd art fair of the winter season for Marcia and I. This is also the third time we have exhibited at this show. The good news? We had a good show. We sold well and even won an award. The bad news? Most artists did not do well. 

I am a digital artist. I create surrealistic images with environmental themes using humor and fantasy in the mix. My lowest price point is $28 for small, unframed limited edition prints. I sell a ton of these. My highest prince point id $695 for large prints on canvas. I rarely sell these canvases, but they help draw people into the booth. But... one reason for my success at this show was that I sold three of the big canvases to one customer, and had a couple more big purchases that helped the bottom line.

Now, about the show. Arti Gras is on the same weekend as Coconut Grove in Miami. I've done Coconut Grove before and I like this show better. I guess I have a problem with Miami. Its tough to get around and the show, itself, is too busy and commercial for my tastes. Arti Gras is in a suburban area of Jupiter called Abacao. Roger Deam Stadium is there, where the St. Louis Cardinals play ball in the winter. The show is set up on two cross streets, Central and University. We exhibited on University the last two years (and did pretty well), but this year we exhibited on Central (where we did better). Central is the better street to be on where most of the booths are situated. Many visitors skip the booths on University.

Load in was pretty easy. We were able to drive our van right up to the booth, unload and setup without having to move the van. The street is pretty wide and accommodates vans on both sides of the street with access down the middle. We had a corner booth and we were able to position the tent with side walls on both sides. We also had a big grassy area behind the booth with plenty of room for storage. We were also able to use spiral stakes in the grass to hold down the tent at the back, but with plenty of weights in the front. Weather was terrific all weekend with little wind and mostly sun, so the stakes and the weights were not even needed.

This is a three day show over the President's Day (Monday) holiday. Saturday and Sunday (10-6) had decent crowds early but crowds dried up by mid afternoon on both days. Monday (10-5) had less crowds and many questioned the reason for even having a show on this day. 

Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce sponsors the show and there is a gate charge for admittance. I like shows that are organized by arts organizations or citizens groups like this one. I shy away from shows that are organized by professional promoters.

Load out was equally easy (if packing up an art fair booth can ever be called "easy."). We packed everything up, broke down the tent, then pulled the van in for loading up.

I like this show and would definitely do it again, but I heard lots of complaints from other artists. Could be we just lucked out with a couple of big sales and the award. Without them our gross would have been half of what it was.

Our next show is in Bradenton, only the second year for this show. From what I've heard from other artists I don't expect to make a killing at this one. But, who knows... maybe we'll luck out again. 

As an oil painter, realism landscapes, I had moved to SW Florida and just started to do these winter shows, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sarasota. Had some success my first year and last year was on my way to success. What has happened this season? Almost all the oil painters have done just awful, barely any sales whatsoever for us. I've seen other more decorative art being sold as well as sculptures. Sure looks like our Fine Art Market has disappeared here.

Anybody have any idea where to go from here? Opinions?