From Americans for the Arts:
January 28 the U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the Economic Recovery Package by a vote of 244 to 188 which successfully included $50 million in supplemental grants funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)!
This provision was threatened throughout the House process by opponents of the NEA who questioned its effectiveness in providing economic stimulus. Today, the NEA offered the following statement, “the arts and culture industry is a sector of the economy just like any other with workers who pay taxes, mortgages, rent and contribute in other ways to the economy; and that the National Endowment for the Arts is uniquely positioned to assist in job stimulation for that industry.”
Thanks to the thousands of advocates who contacted their Members of Congress and let them know the importance of maintaining funding for the NEA!
However, our work is not finished yet as the U.S. Senate starts their debate on the bill tomorrow and continues through next week. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not include an arts jobs funding provision in their version of the bill, but advocates still have an opportunity to change the final outcome.
Please take two minutes to take action and ask your Member of Congress and Senators to support the arts in this legislation. Americans for the Arts has supplied you with fresh research and key quotes that support this funding -- your help in communicating this information to your Member of Congress is critical.
Please help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. Play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple.
Read more…
May 29, 30 & 31st 53rd Year Prairie Village, Kansas 100 Artists Deadline February 13, 2009 Prairie Village Art Show is not located on a prairie but in the heart of the Kansas City metro area and surrounded by upper income demographics. It is celebrating its 53rd year and is the second oldest show in the city. The show is well attended and draws patrons from the entire metropolitan area. This is a small show with only 100 artists but they come from all parts of the country. This shopping area was developed by the same company that built the Country Club Plaza, location of the Plaza Art Show. What to Expect: *20,000 Upper Income patrons *24 Hour Security *Electricity included in booth fee *Friday Night Wine *Saturday Night Dinner delivered to booth *Artist's lounge *Parking nearby and overnight parking allowed *Discounted Hotel Rates
The Village in Prairie Village is one of those "lifestyle" shopping areas, intimate enough for ease of shopping yet anchored by well-known names such as Macy's and Starbucks with lots of restaurants. Does it sound as though your clientele will be showing up here? Then you know what to do. Publisher's note: small event, great date, check your calendars Application online at
zapplication.org For more info visit
prairievillageshops.com or contact Donna Potts 913-362-9668. Looking for more 2009 events to fill out your art fair schedule? Visit:
www.artfaircalendar.com/callforentriesRead more…
32nd Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Pennsylvania Convention Center Preview Party, November 12th November 13th through 16th This premier show and sale of contemporary craft, includes 195 of the finest and most dynamic craft artists in the United States, selected from 1,402 applicants. Artists from Israel will be featured. All work is for sale. furniture by Steven Uren The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show was founded in 1977, and was the first retail craft show established and organized by a volunteer committee for the benefit of a non-profit institution. This trailblazing Show has served as a prototype for later successful shows in cities such as Washington, DC, and Evanston, IL among others. Expect symposia, on-site artist demonstrations, collection and studio tours, room settings of craft furniture and accessories, and student exhibitions.
This is a beauty of a show. You will be inspired and in awe at the creativity exhibited. We are so fortunate to live in a country where this imaginative work is encouraged and rewarded. Some of ArtFairCalendar.com's favorite artists will be exhibiting, including furniture maker
Steven Uren, woodworker
Ray Jones, this month's featured artist
Pamela Hill and recent MacArthur Grant winner basketmaker
Mary Jackson. Today I had an email from the PR representative, Susan Shain, that reported, "The show opened to the public this morning and we were thrilled to see that the line to get in was one of the longest ever!" Learn more:
pmacraftshow.comRead more…
I have had this conversation with other art fair directors. Occasionally we receive phone calls from groups who want to start an art fair - they think this would be a fun way to make some money. Please, folks, this is anything but fun! Lots of hard work, heartbreak and not much profit. Think really hard about it.
On the other hand, I just ran across this event taking place this weekend in Howell, MI. Please take note that this community is in the heart of the 10.6 unemployment rate of metro Detroit.
Popularity of "Project Runway" harnessed for creative art show
"I've been a 'Project Runway' junkie myself," said Mary Rettenmaier, community coordinator for the Women's Resource Center, the agency organizing the event.
Rettenmaier was approached by The Opera House officials with a request to host a different kind of art show. Her goal was to involve as many people as possible, including those not typically on the art scene. Once the idea was pitched, help rolled in from many area businesses, said Rettenmaier. Clothing and accessories were donated, makeup and hair stylists volunteered to dress up the models, and members of the Livingston Arts Council, which owns The Opera House, offered the space.
The event:
• What: Livingston County's Project Runway Repurposed is a community art project initiated by the Women's Resource Center to introduce the art of clothing design and sewing. Products are made from secondhand materials with added trim and accessories.
• Who: Event will feature works from 46 designers from Livingston County and beyond.
• When: Sunday, January 25, at 2 p.m.
• Where: The Opera House, 123 W. Grand River Ave., downtown Howell.
• Admission: $5 per person.
• Details: On the Web at www.theoperahouse.us.
I love that they are using recycled materials, presenting the "art show" in a new way. Don't you think there are other ways to use the arts to re-energize people and bring them out for fun and profit?
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From ArtServe Michigan, a cultural organization promoting art as a valuable community resource:
Gov Recommends $1,000 Nonrefundable Grant Application Fee! Not only does the Governor want to nearly zero-out arts and cultural grant funding in Michigan, but ArtServe has learned that she has also recommended increasing the nonrefundable grant application fee
from $300 to $1,000. The Governor is essentially making it impossible for smaller organizations to apply for access to a small portion of this $1 million. If you have not already sent an email through ArtServe's site...DON'T WAIT! Tell the Governor that these cuts are unacceptable!
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL GOVERNOR GRANHOLM!!! Note: if the link does not work please copy and paste this into your web browser.
http://capwiz.com/artsusa/mi/issues/alert/?alertid=12673381 PLEASE PASS THIS ALERT ON TO FIVE FRIENDS!
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Your art lesson for the day:
Take a break today from whatever is bothering you, log on to this website and learn a new craft in only a minute, turning an ugly t-shirt into something fashionable. Here's the link: OneMinuteU.com
I look forward to seeing your creation at the next art show.
OR
Even better, take a photo of it and upload it to me at here. The best one will receive a copy of my e-book "Secrets to Success at Art Fairs."
Here's what you do:
1. visit the site
2. get a t-shirt
3. make a new t-shirt
4. take a photo
5. upload the photo here
Ingenuity and creativity count
Extra points given for Best Use of an Art Fair t-shirt
Deadline: March 17
Show us your t-shirt!
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You've seen those young people with the Red Bull cans strapped to their backs at events in recent years - now you have your chance to have some fun with the cool Red Bull images. Red Bull Art of Can is a national juried exhibition featuring artwork in a variety of media that have one thing in common—they are all inspired by Red Bull or crafted from the iconic blue and silver cans. The juried exhibition is open to anyone with a flair for creativity and the talent to transform an original concept into a compelling piece of art that can be shared with a public audience. Registration is free and open to artists nationwide through May 15, 2009. Sculptures, paintings, digital/graphic designs and various forms of mixed media will all be considered. Registration forms and details can be accessed at
www.redbullartofcan.com.
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From photographer Jeane Vogel:
Could you please pass this message on to your members and as many people as you think would be interested? Time is short and I'm trying to get the word out as quickly as possible. The loss of art is incalculable. To put this in perspective, it's as if all the artist colonies, galleries, museums, sculpture parks and studios -- and all the art -- in New England was suddenly gone. It's catastrophic. I know we can help.
Thanks so much,
Jeane
Dear fellow & sister artists,
In February we all watched in horror while much of the Australian province of Victoria went up in flames. While that was horrible enough, it got worse: the town of Marysville, Victoria, is an artist's haven. Every gallery, studio, wooden sculpture garden, brush, canvas, oil, pen -- everything went up in flames. Hundreds of thousands of pieces of art and every art space is gone. All. Gone. In a blink of an eye. There was no time to save anything.
We have a chance to help. A sister artist, Wyn Vogel (no relation) and I have joined together to create ART - "Art Recovery Together" Wyn lives in Brisbane and has lots of contacts in Marysville. She has contacted the local art group, the Yarra Valley Arts Council (YVAC) to find out what artists need. They need EVERYTHING.
For three months, from April 1 to June 30, Wyn is turning over her website to collect art for sale, the proceeds to help buy art supplies, replace equipment, anything they need that helps artists start working again.
We need your help and your donations. The donating artist will email me with a jpg, sale amount, how much of sale amount will benefit ART, (at least 50% please!) and the estimated shipping cost (to US and to AU). We will put them on the web site and publicize the on-line event. If your piece sells, we will contact you with information on shipping. All family-friendly work is requested.
Basic info:
1. Jpg files should be about 900k
2. Send up to 5 views of each work. Fewer is better but send what you need to show the work
3. Include your name & contact information, website, size and medium of work
4. Short bio (no more than 3 normal sentences). You can include your picture.
This project has been backed by the Regional Arts Council of St. Louis and by the Yarra Valley Arts Council in Australia. Both Wyn and I are putting our reputations behind it, for what that's worth. Wyn's work can be seen at http://www.wynvogel.com.
This has taken Wyn and me a couple of months to jump through hoops and get permissions to proceed. It's not too late! Thanks for any help you can give our fellow and sister artists who have lost everything -- including their art. Let's get them creating again.
Jeane
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In her earliest work Pamela Hill attempted to meld the strong graphic qualities of modern painting with the rich texture of the Amish quilts. After thirty years of making quilts professionally, Pamela began to explore the possibilities of creating that long desired densely textured work with relatively new technology that has enabled her to create subtle contemporary textured, color nuanced and sophisticated bed covers that are beautiful as well as useful. The combination of dense textures through the intricate piecing of fabric and the use of pima cottons, linens, silks and rare African, Japanese and Indian traditional silks and cottons lend the fabric her signature touch. A veteran of the nation's most prestigious art fairs, Pamela is a perennial prize-winner, her work is well known in the decorative arts and included in many definitive explorations of contemporary craftspeople. books widely collected and Learn more about Pamela and her custom-designed quilts and see if she will be at a show near you:
www.ArtFairCalendar.com. Meet Pamela and view her fine fiber work this weekend (November 13-16) in Philadelphia at the
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.Read more…
October 3 & 4 405 Artists Deadline: April 15 Art in the Park is one of the largest outdoor juried art festivals in the Southwest and is the largest fundraiser for the Boulder City Hospital Foundation. The event is held over two days in beautiful Boulder City, Nevada, not far from Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the bright lights of Las Vegas. It is free to the public, and although Boulder City's population is just over 16,800,
the event draws over 100,000 visitors. Under the new direction of Wendy Kyser, 2008 was the revamp revival year for the show, and the artists were thrilled! With new radio, television, newspaper and magazine partners, they were able to showcase the show in a BIG way! Artists now say that the show is the most organized show they participate in. They love how the show provides them with regular communication and listens to their ideas and concerns. Artist amenities include: ~4 beautiful grassy parks
~Extra-roomy booths, 10x15 or 10x30 ~Many corner spots available ~Curbside loading and unloading ~On-site "helpers" for unloading and loading ~Roving booth sitters and volunteers ~24 hour security ~Substantial marketing and media coverage ~Estimated 100,000-120,000 attendance ~Parking nearby and overnight parking allowed ~Best in Show and 1st - 3rd awards in three categories ~Friday night ArtEve VIP Preview Party ~Over 25 food, beverage and adult beverage choices ~Caring staff and volunteers What the artists say:
"I can't speak for everyone, but I had an AWESOME show. First in a long time. Thanks so much for all your hard work. See ya next year." -- Stacey Morris
"Thank you so much to you and your team in providing us with a super organized venue this year. It was great and our sales reflected it...thank you, thank you, thank you. The whole show was wonderful. -- Larry and Mary Kay Birum For more information visit
www.artinthepark.org or contact Wendy Kyser at 702-293-0214 or
wkyser@bouldercityhospital.org.
Read more…
I know many of my readers have been in this art fair business for a long time. I attended my first Ann Arbor Art Fair in 1976 and have either exhibited in it or attended every year since. Here is an opportunity for you to share your memories of the event with others. From the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair newsletter:
Share Your Memories of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair on AIR! Maybe you remember the Art Fair as it was nearly fifty years ago when it was just starting out. Or maybe there's a funny story about your first visit just waiting to be told. Whatever your favorite memory of the art fair is, come share it with the community! Later this week, WEMU will be recording weird, wacky, and wonderful memories of the fair over the years. Select segments will air in the weeks leading up to the 50th Anniversary Fair this July. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to be a part of the celebration! WHEN:
February 18th 7:00 to 8:00 pm February 20th 7:00 to 8:00 pm February 28th 10:00 to 11:00 am WHERE: Big Sky Recording 2304 S. Industrial Ann Arbor, MI SIGN UP by calling 487-2229 or emailing Molly Motherwell (
mmotherwe@emich.edu). Can't make it to a recording session? Send us your memory via email:
office@artfair.orgI remember walking across the diag one summer day in l977, I believe, (remember the 70's?) the haze of pot in the air and I saw an artist strip bare to change his clothes. I remember walking the length of Main Street and thinking I had seen the Ann Arbor Art Fair. As it turned out I hadn't even seen it yet! I remember watching huge winds blowing down booths on South University with glass crashing around us and my husband turned to me and said, "this looks like fun. I think I'll apply next year." I remember being awake all night nervous about the opening day. I remember teaching our kids how to sell and make change on the streets of Ann Arbor. I remember our first thousand dollar show. I remember our first thousand dollar day. I remember the hope and joy that flowed from the artists as their economic dreams became reality. I remember the days when cash was flowing everywhere and everyone was happy and people were standing in line to buy. I really remember the wonderful friends, artists from around the country.Read more…
January 17-20 The Merchandise Mart Chicago A leader in handmade resources for more than 35 years,
Beckman's Handcrafted is a unique and affordable opportunity for artists to establish their brand, build their studio business, and grow as both an artist and as an "artrepreneur". The
Beckman's Handcrafted show invites artists of a wide variety of talent - functional, fiber, 2D, 3D, Fine Accessories, Bath & Body, Contemporary and Classic accents making it the largest fine craft wholesale show in the Midwest! The show offers an all inclusive "one price to exhibit" package, where artists will see retailers and galleries from Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus to trendy local boutiques such as Pistachio's and Zella Brown. In addition, artists brand new to Chicago will receive $750 in FREE marketing to help jump start their sales prior to the show! Don't miss out!! Be a part of our Artist Demonstrations, Wine Tastings, The Club Room and Celebrity Events and Educational Seminars, and what show wouldn't be complete without a Fashion Show!
Ready for more? Applications and lots of information can be found at:
beckmans.com/application.html Applications can be faxed to 312-527-7665, attn: Lindsay Pearson, Show Director. For more info:
www.beckmans.com *Note space is limited and first come, first serve.
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Last weekend took me away from talking with you. Leaving Michigan I met up with my sister in Indiana and we trekked to
Washington, D.C., for the inaugural festivities. Her son was marching in the Parade so we had some good connections for parties and lodging. Who could resist being part of this historic occasion?
Among other things we visited the Mall (full of smiling happy people), the
Freer Gallery, spent an hour in line to view the iconic
Shepard Fairey original poster of
Barack Obama at the
National Portrait Gallery. The museum was mobbed, all the galleries full of people including the very cool Lincoln room.
After reporting on the
Manifest Hope exhibit since July in these blogs we had to go to Georgetown to view that show. Again...long lines, wrapped around the block to get in! Is this good news when the galleries are full to bursting.
The
Manifest Hope: DC Gallery celebrates the artists across the nation who used their voices to amplify and motivate the grass root movement and carried President Barack Obama to victory. It was full of images of Obama in all media and it was packed with people who had come to see them.
There is an interesting discussion on where the photo came from that Shepard Fairey used as the basis of his image of Barack Obama, was it okay or was it plaigiarism? Thanks to
Duke Klassen at the
NAIA Forum for sending this link:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-sto...t-famous-photo/ Getting up in the dark and walking through the dark to the Metro station at 6:30 am as part of a growing group of
people came out of houses and joined us on the street was magical. Dark, cold and quiet, yet once inside the Metro there were huge groups of people and the excitement was building. We had a good vantage point from inside, out of the cold, but after the motorcade had passed through the crowds dissipated and we could reach Pennsylvania Avenue and cheer for the parade. Wish you could have been there, so much good will and happy people meant good spirits for all. We talked with strangers from all over the country, laughed and danced. How can we keep this good feeling going?
P.S. The only celebrity sitings were David Arquette, who was in line with us to view the Fairey print at the Portrait Gallery and Garrison Keillor who we ran right into at the Parade. Also we saw Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow at the Michigan reception where I welcomed my brand new congressman, Mark Schauer, to his new job.
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From Amy Amdur and Amdur Productions:
UPDATE January 13, 2009 4 pm cst: JAS reports that the damage to the server caused by an unprecedented demand on their system January 12 was beyond repair and an entirely new server must be utilized and all data migrated to the new server and system. This will take 3 days. JAS hopes and plans to have the system operational by Saturday, January 17. When the server is ready, JAS will send an email announcement to all on its email list. Amdur Productions will send an email out to its list as well. Additionally, the
www.amdurproductions.com home page will announce that the JAS system is operational. Deadlines are extended to January 23, 2009 and ALL LATE FEES ARE WAIVED. There will be no special handling fees, nor any additional fees for applying up through January 23. We are so glad that so many artists are applying to our 12 shows, and want to assure you that we have room for more than 2000 artists at our summer festivals. We are so sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please feel free to call the office between 9 am and 5 pm central time Monday through Friday, or email me at
aamdur@aol.com with any questions. Amy Amdur, Amdur Productions
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Posted by Dave Huebner on November 13, 2008 at 9:46am
I did a show in Sioux Falls "Holiday Art Show at the Washington Pavillion" last weekend. Lots of folkes came through. Verry few were buying anything. I had a hard time selling $2 clay turtles, much less any large works. The show was all quality, and included a well attended fine art reception with wine & cheese.There was another show in Watertown SD with the same problem..no buyers. I will be doing another show"winterfest" in aberdeen SD soon. That show will tell me if this is the trend. My wholesale is picking up as folks seem to want morelocal art in their shops.Dave Huebner
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October 1-4 Akron, OH 120 Exhibitors Presented by the Hywet Hall & Gardens, a Historic House Museum and Country Estate An outdoor event held under large tents Deadline: March 10 Searching for a new venue that is accessible to a great number of shoppers hungry for creative, one of a kind, hand crafted items? Read below for a possible solution. Ohio Mart is held on the grounds of the country estate of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, OH, and is in its 43rd year of being the premier Arts and Crafts festival in the state of Ohio. The Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens location is in the heart of over 15,000 shoppers that come from Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh. This is a destination event. Patrons come to find wonderful art work and spend the day on the lovely grounds--a perfect setting for bringing you the patrons who appreciate fine goods. This is a juried event, accepting only handmade original art and held on a date when there are few other venues available.
Benefits include: *Assistance the day of set-up and the evening of take-down *Booth sitters for breaks, morning coffee *Free accessible parking for vehicle *Booth space tented Where is the Stan Hywet Hall?
Visit this link. For more information and to download an application visit:
www.stanhywethallandgardens.orgRead more…
hi all,I'm just getting into the zapplication process and need advice on how to get my existing print photos up and running for the zapp process..do I need to take them to a photo shop or do I need special software? I'm ready to apply to several shows and feeling depressed about not getting it.Anyone??? Thanks for help...MIKE
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Perhaps you missed this post in the discussions the other day, I'd like to draw it to your attention:
Help for artists that have severe financial problems. I'm offering to work on images (or even photograph artwork) at a price that they can afford (or free if necessary) for artists that are having severe financial problems and need better jury images to get into shows. I did this a few years ago for artists from New Orleans that had problems. If you know of any artists that have recently gone through some serious financial times, have them give me a call.
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.comRead more…
