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News from this weekend's Florida art fairs - January 10 & 11

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 10, 2009 at 3:00pm

Here are several news stories from the local press about the art fairs taking place in Florida this weekend. You can catch a glimpse of the ambiance surrounding them. Meanwhile, here in Michigan, the snow is piling higher and higher but we're still heading out and driving around. A little snow does not stop us! Beaux Arts Festival, Coral Gables - probably one of the loveliest settings for an art fair, the University of Miami campus, from the Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/gables_smiami/story/840800.html Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral - read all about it in the Fort Myers News-Press: "In tough times, art continues to bloom in Cape Coral" Here's a little more about the Cape Coral Festival: http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com Bonita Springs National Art Festival at the Promenade in Bonita Springs, details can be found at the Naples News. This is one of the big art fairs where generally artists do pretty well selling to the well-heeled folks of the Naples area who mostly are second homeowners there. I look forward to reports from all of you participating on how it went. And, here is a bit of an update on Bonita: http://www.news-press.com/article/20090110/NEWS0102/90110006/1075

What about those sales figures that shows tout to the press?

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 23, 2009 at 5:42pm

I came across this article today and thought you might be interested. It is from the Belleville, IL, paper: Answer man: Do Art on the Square sales figures add up? Q. Art on the Square is a wonderful show and very successful. Last year, Belleville reported that the artists sold $1.2 million in merchandise. How exactly is this determined? My calculations show that each artist would have needed to sell $600 an hour every hour. Whew! -- Rosemarie Edwards, of Swansea A. You think those figures are being airbrushed a little like a Playboy centerfold? Not so, according to AOTS founder and co-chair Patty Gregory. The totals really are as pretty as the picture of results organizers have painted afterward, she says. Here's how it works: Each artist is given three audit cards to record his sales. One is given back to the show's directors while the others are sent directly to two major art show magazines that keep track of how well shows do. They all mesh. "We have been right on target the last several years with reports given to us and also to the magazines, which are finalized in December," she said. "The last three years, Art on the Square has been ranked in the top five in the nation based on sales (rankings are based on total average artist sales). By the way, all names and information are given to the IRS office in Fairview Heights before the show for sales tax reports." Now she's hoping the economy won't keep Belleville from having another million-dollar baby when the show returns for its eighth go-round May 15-17. Here's the link: http://www.bnd.com/schlueter/story/698604.html My question to you...do you think this is legit? How much does that add up to per artist to reach those totals for a two day show?

Call for Entries: Two Florida Art Fairs Seek a few Select Artists

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 16, 2009 at 10:52am

Two Florida events with only a few spaces left in Sarasota and on Marco Island, need only a few more artists to fill them out before they are presented to the public. The are organized by Richard Sullivan whose Boulderbrook Productions festivals are consistently ranked among the top art shows in the country.

March 21st & 22nd Sarasota Masters Art Festival Payne Park Sarasota, FL 110 Artists only a few spaces left! Here is a special message from Richard Sullivan: Artists, we have selected and secured a great location; the new Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. A truly great location with easy set up, loads of convenient artist and patron parking. We are as excited about the caliber of this event and the great success we have had already with this show. We think it is going to be the most successful event that has ever been held in Sarasota. It's time that Sarasota gets to see the finest artists in the nation. There are still a handful of spaces available for the show. Link for Festival Info and Application This event will have a total of no more than 110 artists, each booth is a corner booth and there is a Friday afternoon set up where you can drive up and unload and set up. We have an extensive media campaign that includes advertising in the local newspapers and magazines. We have purchased ads on two local radio stations including the local NPR station. We have television commercials scheduled for Comcast Spotlight and we have partnered with a local media company on a sponsorship level. We have been extremely fortunate to have associated the festival with one of the most worthy not-for-profits that we have ever met. The Forty Carrots Family Center. Forty Carrots is one of the most well respected local Sarasota organizations. Their ties to the community have given us great exposure to the art-buying patrons of Sarasota. Call for Artists: The Marco Island Festival of the Arts April 4th & 5th Marco Island, FL Elkcam Circle east, across from the new Esplanade Mixed-Use Shopping and Residences 70 artists A few spaces left From director Richard Sullivan: We know the Naples area better than any other festival organization and, as a result, have decided to establish a new kind of event in Marco Island for the 2009 season. This event will feature the finest artists in the nation in a wonderful new location in an untapped area of Naples (no, really there is one, I swear). Come and join us for the right sized show in the right section of the city. This location offers premium exposure. Marco Island is a perfect location for a nice small high quality event. We believe that a small high caliber event on Marco Island is appropriate for this area. You'll appreciate this wonderful location in central downtown Marco's shopping district. The area of the festival is a beautiful waterfront location with plenty of adjacent parking for artists and patrons. Boulderbrook Productions is renowned for running the Naples National Art Festival in Naples Florida. We were very fortunate to be able to be associated with this wonderful show for a very long time. Our event in 2007 was just rated #5 Best Festival in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine in the September 2008 Issue. We know our market and how to promote the event for your full benefit. Our goal is to reach local art buyers and enthusiasts through: *# Advertising - island newspapers, Naples Newspapers *Sponsorship involvement on advertising level *Regional television and radio coverage via purchased advertisements We currently have a handful of spaces available for this show: LINK for Application and more info Looking for more art fairs for your 2009 season? Visit ArtFairCalendar.com/call for entries.

Four Old-School Reasons Why You Can Thrive in this Recession

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 6, 2009 at 7:16pm

I know some of you are very scared about the near future. If you continue to listen to the news it doesn't help much. I am here to tell you that you can make it through this. You are brave and resourceful, otherwise what in the heck are you doing in the art fair business? You have vision and creativity and lots of guts. Who else in this country stands on a street corner on the weekends showing the world the products of their imaginations and standing beside it for all to see? You don't think that takes guts? You are going to love this article. Here are the four reasons: 1. You are self reliant. "Back when we moved from farms to factories (and later, to cubicles), once we got a few things like child labor and worker safety straightened out, a lot of us got into the habit of letting a company take care of us." That is not you. 2. You have a great imagination. "... in the emerging economy, the means of production are between your ears." 3. The village is your customer. "...if you make something handmade (even if it’s delivered in pixels), personal, and/or magnificently useful, your village can and will find you." 4. It’s in your DNA. "The human being is an inherently creative, flexible, resilient creature. You are an inherently creative, flexible, resilient creature. The times may well get worse before they get better. But compared with a lot of history’s darker moments, this one’s pretty comfortable." Read the whole article, then print it out and read it again when you get discouraged: http://www.copyblogger.com/recession/ Thanks to Sonia Simone, Senior Editor of Copyblogger for this revealing article.

American Craft Council Cuts Back

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 23, 2009 at 5:08pm

I recently received the following letter, forwarded from a member -- Feb. 5, 2009 Dear Artist: We look forward to working with you to showcase some of the nation’s best craft at the 2009 American Craft Show in St. Paul. This year, we face a unique challenge given the state of the economy. With falling revenue due to a decline in publishing proceeds, a decline in the number of craftspeople who are able to do shows, as well as a decline in philanthropy across the board, we face challenges on all fronts. Like every well-managed nonprofit in tough economic times, the Council is looking at all ways to reduce expenses so that we can continue programs without increasing your costs. This year, we are removing aisle carpeting at the shows with the exception of the lounge area. Decorative plants will also be removed. These changes are primarily cosmetic and are designed to minimize impact on the public’s experience as they shop and draw inspiration from your work. Benches and seating will remain throughout the show floor to ensure customers have a place to rest. Thank you again for your contribution to this year’s show. We appreciate your support and understanding as we work through this extraordinary economic time. Melanie Bender Shows Director As I understand it the exhibitors at the ACC show in Baltimore received a similar one. Artists are wondering if they will get a discount on the fees that they paid that should be paying for the carpeting and plants. What do you think?

The "Really Bad Art Show" - Rewarding the Winner

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 30, 2008 at 5:37pm

The Avon, CT, Farmington Valley Arts Center needed a new idea to draw patrons to the art center for a fundraiser. "The idea for the Bad Art Show came when the two dozen artists and the board of directors that make up the arts center wanted a new approach to attracting visitors to their studios. Every year, the arts center hosts a series of events during the holiday season, and members were determined to do something extra creative this year," reports the Hartford Courant. This sounds like fun, exposing the undistinguishable, the plain ugly, velvet paintings, paint by number and the pottery your loved one gave you before they realized they really weren't such a great potter after all. I do believe the prize winner was "The Nose Picker." "During the event, visitors get to vote on their favorites (actually, their least favorites). Then, taking visitors' votes into consideration, the four artists who organized the event will vote on which one is best (worst). The donor of the work that shows the least artistic merit will receive a $100 gift certificate to the arts center. Those who attend the art show will have until 5 p.m. to buy the bad art, selling at $5 each. Proceeds are to benefit an arts scholarship fund." Doesn't this sound like a good idea for your group? It reminds me of an art exchange hosted by Laurie Fowler and Bill Thelen in Northville, MI, at Christmas several years ago. We all brought a piece of strange art. The best painter in the group received a paint by numbers kit. Yep, there is plenty of bad art out there. Read the rest of the story at: For Perusal And Purchase, Some Really Bad Art

Great Lakes Art Fair, April 17-19 - Part II

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 9, 2009 at 4:00pm

As you may have read in Part I of this series I have signed on as a consultant for this new (revamped) event to be held in Novi, MI, April 17-19. The goal: to bring some fun and excitement to an area of the country that has been depressed for some time. The idea is that many people still have good jobs and all of us need something exciting to look forward to. Michiganders have always loved art fairs, having cut their teeth attending the Ann Arbor fairs and the others in lovely settings around all the lake shores and in small towns. Many fine artists have set up their businesses nearby and continue to thrive even in a challenging atmosphere. So here's the latest news: The application is posted on zapplication.org, but inadvertently the Zapplication folks left the event off their newsletters and we really wanted to reach their audience. So the original deadline has been changed from January 26 to February 2. We are definitely jurying on February 6 and here is our jury panel:

Bonnie Blandford - Michigan jeweler, www.bblandford.com, specializing in mixed metals, veteran art fair juror who volunteers many hours in artist organizations, Michigan Guild and NAIA Tom Hale - Michigan painter, www.TomHaleGallery.com, whose automotive paintings are widely collected, Gold Medal of Honor award winner from the A.W.S. and organizer of automotive art events around the country

Chris Roberts-Antieau - Michigan fiber artist, www.chrisrobertsantieau.com, specializes in textile applique, poster artist Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, new book "Sew Far" featured in O, the Oprah magazine Lisa Konikow, former owner of Birmingham's Xochipilli Gallery and art director of Pontiac's Arts Beats & Eats Here's the rest of the news: *WDET the local public televison station and the NPR affilliate has signed on as a partner *talks going on with BMW as the luxury auto sponsor *a landscaper is almost signed to design the entry way to the event *a call for entries is going out for a small student art area to encourage emerging artists from the nearby colleges and universities *partnerships are in the works with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Cranbrook and others *the Friday night charity opening party is moving along, with talks going on with several organizations Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Stay tuned for more details... and in the meantime, apply to be part of this cool event: www.zapplication.org, and more find info at: www.greatlakesartfair.com

be cautious about international web orders

Posted by Jan Richardson on March 5, 2009 at 11:20pm

recently I recieved an inquiry from a prospective collector in Australia. This person ordered 3 very expensive pieces. They were in a hurry, the command of the english language was spotty, wanted to use a credit card. I responded that the shipping costs could be prohibitive and that did not seem to phase the customer. Indeed they offered to arrange for pickup of the pieces. They said they would handle it, implying they would handle the costs but it did not feel right. They would not respond to my request for a cashiers check(reccomended by my bank).I offered some information about the work and there did not seem to be any curiosity or interest about the work which is unlike the normal customer. I discovered that this is a common scam put upon international used book sellers.I recieved another inquiry from a different australian , much the same but sent to a large number of on line merchants, only some of whom were artists.Beware international orders. insist that your arrange the shipping and have the costs covered by the customer. I found that UPS to Australia was in the range of $450 for a medium size box containing an $600- 800 sculpture. insist on a cashiers check and check with your bank before you let the merchandise go. Dangers include the customer charging back the credit card and shipping companies that bill you the shipper later. Go with your gut.

Call for Entries: Stars & Stripes Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on April 1, 2009 at 2:30pm

June 26-28 Mt. Clemens, Michigan Friday & Saturday 11 am - 11 pm; Sunday 11 am - 8 pm Deadline: April 20 TJ's Customs, Inc., and FunFest Productions are joining forces, presenting the third annual Stars and Stripes Festival and Fine Art Show. With Fun Fest Productions' expertise in mounting large scale events, the Stars and Stripes Festival provides a wide variety of experiences to guests, last year drawing well over 300,000 visitors. The festival takes place in picturesque downtown Mount Clemens, a small-scale urban landscape with great restaurants and nightclubs. It will include a fine art show, children's activities, fireworks on Friday night, food vendors and live national local entertainment. Admission is free. New this year:

*Lower booth fees *Lower jury fees *Free electricity *New management *Cash awards - $500 Best of Show; $250 First Place; $150 Second Place; $100 Third Place *This year, due to the changing economy, the booth fees have been reduced to $195. Downtown Mt. Clemens has a very nice newly developed retail center with upscale shops and restaurants and a plaza specifically created for hosting special events. Easily accessible from throughout Metro Detroit, with good marketing in place to draw large numbers, the right artist with the right goods will find opportunity here. To download the application, visit: metalsculpturesbytcrimboli.com click on "Stars & Stripes App" ****************************** Looking for more art fairs for 2009? Visit: ArtFairCalendar.com/callforentries

Your Challenge Today, If You Should Choose to Accept it...

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 29, 2008 at 7:00pm

Yes, it is Sunday morning on a long holiday weekend. There were very few art fairs this weekend. Those of you who are online should be ready for this challenge from an old friend of mine who is looking for your most outrageous art fair/craft show story and who wants me to:

1. "spice this _ _ _ _ _ _ up a bit

2. stimulate the prurient to expose to the voyeurs the full story (in other words, what really goes on behind the booths)

3. forbid anyone who paints beach scenes or clowns from becoming members (guess he wants me to jury for membership on this site)

4. offer tickets to my festival and the opportunity to burn one with an old freak (or maybe some equally outrageous prize, I'm working on this, Jack)

5. dump the goofy that seem to want serious cone parking (wasn't that you who stole the cones at the last event?)"

Lots of very fun people create art and have a great time meeting and playing with one another at events across the country. I have many stories of traveling with my rather outrageous partner, and the people he attracted and enjoyed.

Who wants to go first?

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Fair

Posted by vicki munn/lance munn on March 23, 2009 at 8:53am

Lance and I sat for the first two days of the show doing very little business. I have to say that it was a scary place to be. Sunday was excellent and we ended up with our usual Winter Park. The good news is there were several people that had great shows,selling all three days. Some were on the street, some on the sidewalk and some in the park...can't blame it on location. What we learned is...it's time to look inward and make some changes ourselves. The money is out there just harder to get. We have no control over anything else...only thing I can thing to do. Of course, there were lots of artists that didn't do well at all. Lance and I have done shows since 1976...at each show there is always someone doing their worse and someone having there best. That seems to be a constant.One last note, it started to rain at teardown...a pain but certainly didn't affect sales. As the rain pounded the roof of our rv last night...I said a silent prayer to the "show gods"...thanks and good luck to us all!vicki munn

Starving Artists? Not so, says New York Times

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 15, 2008 at 3:49pm

"Some artists have begun to figure out ways to make money and make art — aiming to end the notion that “starving” and “artist” are necessarily linked," says writer Marci Alboher. "Rather than seeing art as something to pursue in the hours when they are not earning a living, these artists are developing businesses around their talents. These artists are part of a growing movement that has caught the attention of business experts and is being nudged along by both art and business schools. Living in the Internet era has certainly helped." This is a good article that explores artists being business people. This is not news to art fair artists who definitely have to spend a lot of time thinking about the business aspects. Read the article at: Transforming Art Into a More Lucrative Career Choice

Call for Entries: Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 5, 2009 at 6:31pm

August 15 & 16 Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania 35th Annual Outdoor Art Show Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua Under the oaks of old Chautauqua 285 artists Deadline: April 1 In mid-August as many as 18,000 festival-goers will plan on enjoying a weekend of art, crafts, entertainment and gourmet food. Where is Mt. Gretna, PA? Visit this link. Every year, during the third weekend of August, this community of some 700 homes and cottages suddenly springs to life, welcoming 285 artists chosen through juried competition and 20,000 visitors who-by their presence acknowledge the role that art plays in their homes, hearts, and lives.

And every year, as thousands of art show patrons return, many others discover Mount Gretna for the first time. For everyone who comes, it is a return to an earlier era: to a time when neighbors greeted neighbors from their front porches, when going for ice cream meant going for a stroll rather than getting into an automobile, and when life itself pulsed at a rocking chair pace. Learn more about the event at: www.mtgretnaarts.com Contact them at: mtgretnaart@comcast.net or 717-964-3270 Apply online at Zapplication.org

Art Fairs Cancelled for 2009

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 22, 2009 at 9:30pm

Recent news is of the demise of these art fairs for 2008: Cancelled - Wheaton, IL, Fine Art Fair, held annually in downtown Wheaton in July. I do not have confirmation from the organizers, but from a reader who has been trying to contact them. I appreciate any information I receive such as this. Keeping the calendar up to date is a continual work of art! With the economy taking such a nose dive, I'm hoping this won't be happening a lot. I heard the Michigan governor, Jennifer Granholm, saying today (as Michigan hit double digit unemployment figures) that this state had never recovered from the tech bust of 2000. Those of you who have been doing art fairs can attest to the change in the sales at the local events. Nonetheless, the people still come and are looking for your one-of-a-kind goods and looking for you. I have had a record number of inquiries from art fair organizers in recent months. The art fairs are going to be there and I hope you will too! One of my phone calls was from a new art fair organizing near Flint, MI, at Swartz Creek with the community organized behind it to be held in late August. Stay tuned for the good news too!

Cool Link: Art for Obamans

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 15, 2008 at 12:00pm

If you haven't seen all the cool art work created around our President-elect it is kind of fun to see what the artists are doing. Creativity surrounding his image blooms everywhere. You should enjoy these very cool images at artist Shepard Fairey's website: www.theobamaartreport.com This image is created by Aussie artist, Eamo, and can be purchased on his website: http://www.eamo.com.au/

Summer Fair in Cincinnati

Posted by jerry berta on March 22, 2009 at 10:33pm

I am thinking about doing Summer Fair in Cincinnati. Any information about the show would be appreciated.Jerry

Any body else hiding in the woods?

Posted by Beth Crowder on November 29, 2008 at 1:06pm

I like that there is a new site for us! I'm terrible with the computer, but this was really easy.I know that no one has a crystal ball, but I don't know if I should book shows , hoping the economy will have improved , or just hide out , "til the coast is clear. After all show fees etc, are the most expensive things in my budget.Of course I'm applying for the tried and true ones, but "filler "shows instead of staying home?Any encouraging news out there?Beth here

Seven Things Every Artist Should Know -- The Book

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 31, 2009 at 10:34pm

Have you heard me say (to quote artist Bob Ragsdale) that being an artist is only half the job,

the other half is marketing your art? Here is a new list from the Huffington Post. Although it is more slanted to artists who are working toward the gallery scene, it has many good points for us in the art fair business. In that spirit, here is what you should know: 1. Every artist has a day job. Most artists cannot live off their art--even relatively successful artists in New York or L.A. So don't feel like you're doing something wrong if you can't make ends meet without a day job. The key is to define yourself as an artist. What you do for rent is just that. It's not who you are. 2. Residencies are good for your health. Applying to residencies is a critical component to a career as a visual artist. Some are hands-on, with career mentoring or technical instruction; some are totally independent without much in the way of communal activities or guidance. The application process itself is worthwhile. It forces you to think deeply about your work and goals. A few places to start your search: artistcommunities.org, resartis.org, transartists.org, nyfa.org 3. NO BLIND SUBMISSIONS! Every Saturday you can go to Chelsea and see people hauling around their portfolios, cold-calling on galleries. This is a terrible idea. It tells the gallerist that you don't respect his or her time and that you don't seem to care where you show. 4. Write stuff down. Paperwork sucks. But staying on top of it will make your life easier and save you time in the long run, which means more time to make art. 5. The Internet is all the rage. You need a website. (Or a blog, or some sort of online space.) Everyone expects you to have one: gallerists, curators, critics, art bloggers, other artists. It doesn't need to be fancy or expensive, but it should have images of your work, a copy of your cv and your contact information. Ideally, the design of the site should reflect the kind of art you make or the kind of artist you are. 6. Rejection: It's not you, it's them. The odds of landing a residency, getting a grant or finding gallery representation are daunting. Popular programs may accept as little as 1.5% of their applicants each year. And even before the economic crisis, commercial galleries couldn't possibly absorb all the artists who came out of school. 7. There's more to life than commercial galleries. Commercial galleries are a prominent part of the art world, but there are many other ways to show your work: non-profits, collaboratives, artist-run spaces, online galleries, artist-run fairs, cafes, restaurants, retail spaces, etc. This is the tip of the article. Read it all here: Huffington Post, and then buy the book ART/WORK: Everything You Need to Know (And Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career, by Heather Darcy Bhandari and Jonathan Melber. I don't know about you, but do you agree with all of these points? Definitely count me in for #5, the Internet is essential! But what about #1? Let me know your thoughts on this.

More Legislation Out to Get You!

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 9, 2009 at 3:30pm

From my mailbox from jeweler Joseph Ignaczak: The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires testing for lead for any product intended for children 12 and under. Toys and clothing are particularly affected. Every single component has to be certified and then after it is assembled, the completed product has to be certified!!! This is going to severely affect the Art & Craft show business. This law takes effect on Feb 10 '09 and is going to put thousands of small and home-based businesses OUT of business. Here are a couple of links: www.HandMadeToyAlliance.org and http://Blog.BuyHandmade.org Save our business, write your congressman, get involved!

Introduction

Posted by Rita Keltner on March 22, 2009 at 8:15pm

I am a retired teacher after 36 years in the classroom. I spent 18 years in elementary and 18 in middle school. I am a mother of 3 and 1 step son, a loving wife, and a grandmother of 7-3 girls & 4 boys. I am married to a wonderful man who loves me and supports my hobbies. He works 3 part time jobs so I can devote my time to baby sitting and making things.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.