All Posts (7545)
- "Go to Prater’s, see how a show is supposed to run."
- "Y’all take care of your exhibitors and have all the information on your website. Most shows don’t do that."
- "We love doing Prater’s. It’s SO organized. Y’all make it easy."
There are lots of events and attractions planned this year, and we look forward to seeing you there!
I first met Connie Mettler and her husband, photographer Norm Darwish when I was in my Penguin and Flamingo phase. This was the early eighties.
I was doing a lot of shooting in Key West. There was a famous emporium there called Fastbuck Freddys. That is were I met the Penguins. I bought four life size
plastic ones. Being a Nordic kind of guy, I named them Sven, Ben, Ken and Len.
I took my tribe everywhere and set them up in front of Niagara Falls, Sloppy Joes, Miami Beach, the Deco district.
With silly putty I attached small plastic flamingos on them, sometimes had them hanging off their beaks. I made lots of clever images and some actually sold.
Then I had a great idea. At the art shows I would sometimes "Penguin" one of my favorite artist' booth. I loved hiding in the shadows early in the morn and watching their expressions when they discovered I had "Penguined" them.
Got a little rep for this over the circuit.
So, I was doing the Crosby Gardens show in Toledo, about 1985.
I had seen Norm at many shows, he always did well. But he was not an easy man to get to know. I always smiled big time at Connie, she was a beauty.
So I got inspired and decided to "Penguin" Norm's booth early Sunday morning.
He showed up and saw them and he was very annoyed.
Well, I humbly gathered up my tribe and quietly slunk away. I noticed Connie smiling. She was amused.
Thus started my long association with Connie and Norm. He would put up with about three sentences from me and then tune me out. We were not going to be best buds.
But Connie always smiled.
Years later Norm retired from the biz and passed away.
Connie was on her own and needed some way to make income.
She started ArtfairInsiders.
I was an early convert.
It was a forum where I could blog about the shows I did.
People followed my posts religiously and often commented their opinions back at me.
Soon found out I had a real flair for this, and I loved writing.
God bless Martha Pence, my eighth grade English teacher at Southside Junior High in St. Petersburg. She taught me well. I can still remember how to diagram a sentence.
Connie encouraged me to write as often as I wanted. And she rarely edited any of my prose.
With her retiring, I feel I have lost my muse.
But, I still have plenty to say and I will keep on, I am only 76.
Not ready to retire.
The Penguins still remember Connie. They would chirp at me, asking, "Hey did you get a great smile from that blonde?" I would smile back--and then we all would eat sushi.
Aloha, Connie, keep on smiling.
PS. Sven and Ben are in the photo with Buzz the Wonderdog, circa the eighties.
Len and Ken booked off to Sweden with Ursula Andress for cheap sushi.
- "WOW I enjoy the ambience of the show. So awesome to connect with all my long time customers and so many new. I love the hours of the show. Thank you thank you!"
- "The sheer amount of visitors almost guarantees some buyers for your genre of work. Being a "destination show" is a huge plus."
- "Load in and load out were excellent. I love St. James!!"
- "Knowledgeable, curious, and supportive patrons, helpful staff and volunteers, lovely venue, successful sharing of my artwork."
- "There were people who really wanted to collect, like multiple pieces; one person even coming back to look for more."
- Gold Award: $150 cash award; $400 off 2024 booth fee
- Silver Award: $125 cash award; $300 off 2024 booth fee
- Bronze Award: $100 cash award; $200 off 2024 booth fee
- Honorable Mention: $100 off 2024 booth fee
- Emerging Artist Award: $125 cash award; $200 off 2024 booth fee
The Sussex County Fairgrounds are located at 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ. This fully accessible venue, is located less than 60 miles from NYC in the beautiful Sussex Skylands region, and conveniently located off of Route 206. Located 11 minutes away from the town of Newton, NJ, the Fairgrounds are close to hotels, food and shopping. RV parking and camping are available on-site for a fee.
Peters Valley is a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on cultivating creative thinking
through craft media and educating the public about fine craft.
September 8, 9, & 10, 2023
Clayton, Missouri
Downtown Clayton
Friday 5pm-10pm, Saurday 10am-9pm, & Sunday 11am-5pm
192 Artists
Deadline: March 24, 2023
Application fee: $45 Booth fee: $675
Celebrating its 30th year in 2023, the Saint Louis Art Fair is regularly ranked among the top festivals in the nation, among both artists and show visitors. A multi-faceted cultural event, the Fair offers live performing arts ensembles, educational art projects for children and food offerings from St. Louis's most respected restaurants. The Fair is held on the streets of downtown Clayton, Missouri, one of the nation's most affluent business and residential communities.
Very high attendance, excellent sales, and top-quality artists from across the United States make exhibiting at the Saint Louis Art Fair among the most sought-after venues. Jurying is by art industry professionals and prior-year award winning artists are jury-exempt. Repeat attendance by the public ensures potential multi-year sales. Artist amenities and staff/volunteer attention to details and artists' needs are considered among the best in the nation.
“Truly one of the best festivals to exhibit in the country.”
“The organization, communication, and problem solving was stellar.”
“Once again the director and staff provided a top-quality Art Fair...the quality of the art at the show was one of the best ever.”
“This was overall a GREAT experience. Thank you for everything!”
More info: www.saintlouisartfair.com
Contact: Sarah Umauf sumlauf@culturalfestivals.com
The Art Fair will take place on the same weekend as the Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden — typically held on the first complete October weekend each year — which is within walking distance of the Fair.
- Easiest set up ever, great neighborhood, great venue, wonderful volunteers and organizers. Couldn't ask for better. And the food booths this year were INSANE! DELISH!!!
- Good show. Amazing setting.
- It is very unusual that I can't find something to complain about regarding a show. This show is the exception. Keep doing what you are doing. I don't know how you could make it a better.
- Thank you to all the volunteers that give their time over the weekend. You have some of the best that care about the artist.
Sunday 10am-5pm