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Carbondale Mountain Fair – Review 2022

51^st Carbondale Mountain Fair, Carbondale, CO, July 23-25, 2022

Fees: Jury $30, Booth $400, pick your space $425, corner +$100

Medium: Leather: plain and hand carved equestrian, K-9,

personal leather goods and gun leathers.

Price Range: $4 cast iron skillet pad to $9,800 silver mounted

saddle.

     The 51^st Carbondale Mountain Fair was held in Sopris Park, a grassy city-block park with large old shade trees. Additional booths are on main street and in Maker’s Park NE diagonally from Sopris Park. The big draw for the event is the live music.  The stage is at the NW corner of the park, and 107 artist booths are along the north, west and south perimeters of Sopris Park. Thirty-six booths are in the other areas. The booths are far enough away from the music, whose volume was well controlled, so artists could converse with clients.  All mediums were represented, the quality was high, and there was no buy/sell.

     Carbondale is a small town with a population of about 6,500.  It is in the northern end of the Roaring Fork Valley which extends from Glenwood Springs at the north on I-70 to the ski areas of Aspen and Snowmass to the south in the mountains. It is a bedroom community for workers in Aspen.  Forty-four percent of Carbondale is Hispanic. The Roaring Fork Valley is one of the most affluent areas of Colorado and the US. The Aspen/Snowmass skiing complex and summer recreation drive the economy of the region.  Carbondale is about 3 hours from Denver and about 1 3/4 hours from Grand Junction, CO by way of I-70 and Colorado 82. Travel thru Glenwood Canon is still subject to brief or total closure due to flash flooding. Debris from burn areas has closed I-70 when it rains in the canyon.

     Mountain Fair is a BIG COMMUNITY DEAL! Besides the live music there is: 4 mi and 14 mi runs, bicycle race, raffle, yoga, police-firefighter tug-o-war, salsa lessons, aerialists, and a creative art canopy for making headpieces and grass skirts. Then there are competitions for: singers/songwriters, pie and cake baking, garden mint, fly casting, hula hoop, horseshoes, limbo, pottery throwdown, and wood splitting by men and women. There is always something going on that draws crowds who then disperse to the artists’ booths.            

The event is ecofriendly.  Besides the usual “trash” and “recycle” containers, there were “compost” containers. No bottled water is sold.  Utensils and plates from the food vendors were also compostable. This year single use plastic bags were banned. Besides the artists, there were booths for massage, Gay for Good LGBTQ organization, Hemp/CBD products, and silent auction. Beer was sold and there was an alcohol-free zone. Crowd estimates are over 20,000. Besides locals I made sales to people from all over the US and I chatted with a woman from Argentina about horse gear used in the Pampas

     Locals refer to Carbondale and area as ”a bubble” different from everywhere else.  The crowd was a mix of 30 somethings Aspen chic; scruffy ski bums and snowboarders waiting for the first snow; a few bikers and ranchers; lots of ink, dreadlocks, wealthy retirees, young families, and everything in between and on the ends. Fashions, jewelry and bearing spoke of lots of money. Many arrived on very expensive bicycles and large bike corrals are provided.  Overall, I was thinking 1960’s hippies fast forwarded to 2022.  There were young girls, teens, young women and the older generation with flower crowns. Saturday the police wore “oil slick” as they described it. There were themes for each day and a woman wearing wings told me she was a firefly, and her tutu would light up after dark. I felt right at home with my “COVID locks” and headbands. It was not the usual western saddle maker image.

SET UP AND TAKE DOWN. Check-in was at 3:00pm Thursday and extended until noon on Friday when the fair opened.  When we arrived at 3:00, about half of the artists were already well along in setting up. Unloading on the south and east side of the park was pretty much a free for all but we lucked out with a vacant space directly behind our booth. “The Rules” say you have 30 minutes to unload before beginning your setup. Take down began at 5:00pm Sunday and artists were supposed to have everything down and ready to load before parking on the perimeter of the park. This wasn’t totally observed or enforced, Musicians played after 5:00pm during take down.  Professional security is provided Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. During the day Carbondale and Aspen police were doing walk abouts.

     Show hours are noon until “dark” Friday, 9:00am until “dark” Saturday and 9:00am until 5:00pm Sunday, but once the live music starts around 7:30pm there are few buyers wandering around. Electricity is not available.

WEATHER. The temperature was in the mid-70’s to low 80’s.  There were intermittent brief light sprinkles Saturday and Sunday. It has been very dry in Colorado.

THE SHOW.  This is a well-organized and managed show run by Carbondale Arts, a volunteer organization.  This was the third year I have done this show.  Sales tax of 8.4% is collected at the end of the show. This saves you from reporting it to the state.  They request that you have a FEIN or SS when paying your sales tax. Booth sitters were available.

THE NUMBERS.  Sales got off to a good start Friday and by end of the show they were $2K higher than 2019 sales (2-year COVID break from all shows) making it one of the top two shows historically. There were sales of belts, holsters, spur straps, canteens, check books, suspenders, billfolds, and small cases. Belts with sterling silver buckles and multiple item sales kicked up the gross. Yup, I even sold a pair of slobber straps. Sales ranged from $4 for a cast iron skillet pad to a multi-item $300 sale. The average sale was $51. I will apply to this show in 2023.

SHOW PROBLEMS. For the most part you could not ask for a better managed show but there is always room for improvement.

1. The no plastic bag rule was not observed by the popcorn vendor and some artists. I specifically bought Kraft bags for this show after I was told not to use my plastic bags imprinted with my logo.
2. The published 3:00pm check in rule is lax when a large number of artists are already setting up and filling parking spaces at that time. If it’s 2:00pm say so.
3. The 30-minute unload rule was not enforced while I set up. I would suggest extending unload time to 45 minutes because it takes some artist more time to hump their stuff to an interior site. My entry pass was only checked early Saturday and Sunday morning.

2 more days to apply. I'm holding a mock jury that can be watched on Zoom. The deadline to submit images is August 3rd and the jury is scheduled for August 4th at 4PM Eastern time. You can read more about it on my web site and watch the previous mock jury on YouTube. The new template has a larger booth image.
https://bermangraphics.com/blog/holding-a-mock-jury-on-zoom/
Improve your chances of getting into art shows. The Florida shows start closing at the end of August and some of the major Midwest shows closing in the fall. Jurors will be at least one show director and jeweler. The next mock jury won't be until the beginning of next year though I do critique images and booth pictures all the time.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

If you know craft artists who suffer significant losses as a result of the flooding, please help us spread the word that they can apply for CERF+’s Emergency Relief grant program. Questions? Please contact relief@cerfplus.org.

Disaster Recovery Resources for Artists

In addition to our Emergency Relief grant, CERF+'s Studio Protector also has resources to support artists as they begin to assess and re-enter their damaged studios, including:

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides confidential, multilingual crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S./territories experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters, including COVID-19. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to reach a trained counselor 24/7, 365-days-a-year.

The jury has been scheduled for August 4th at 4PM Eastern time.

I'm holding a mock jury that can be watched on Zoom. The deadline to submit images is August 3rd and the jury is scheduled for August 4th at 4PM Eastern time. You can read more about it on my web site and watch the previous mock jury on YouTube. The new template has a larger booth image.
https://bermangraphics.com/blog/holding-a-mock-jury-on-zoom/
Improve your chances of getting into art shows. The Florida shows start closing at the end of August and some of the major Midwest shows closing in the fall.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

Larry Berman's Zoom Meeting - Every Tuesday at 4PM Eastern time

Art show artists, feel free to drop in and tell your friends about it.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/4338895789?pwd=NXFRME9JRFdMK3VDUEJhdHJ5T2daQT09

Meeting ID: 433 889 5789
Passcode: art-show

Anything art show related can be discussed.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

I just completed my annual PCI Compliance which Clover Go requires of users. I was always skeptical of Square and others who do not require compliance. I see it as one more arrow in the defense quiver if I am ever sued over a credit card data breach. The questionnaire took an hour to complete as I did not understand most of the acronyms. I am not an IT person and they are certifying mega retail users as well as us art studio people with only a few sales. I sent them feedback about this issue. They also remotely scan your equipment and here again you really don’t know what is going on so I spoke with a rep. A few hours late I get email, I am good to go for another year. Here is what PCI Compliance is and if you are in business, it is something to consider. From: https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/pci-dss-certification/

"The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards formed in 2004 by Visa, MasterCard, Discover Financial Services, JCB International and American Express. Governed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), the compliance scheme aims to secure credit and debit card transactions against data theft and fraud. While the PCI SSC has no legal authority to compel compliance, it is a requirement for any business that processes credit or debit card transactions. PCI certification is also considered the best way to safeguard sensitive data and information, thereby helping businesses build long lasting and trusting relationships with their customers."

February 4 & 5, 2023
Fort Myers, Florida
Downtown Fort Myers
Option to participate in Opening Night: February 3, 2023 5pm-9pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm
200+ Artists
Deadline: September 9, 2022

Application Fee: $35          Booth fee: $464 + 6.5% FL Sales Tax

Apply now at: ZAPPlication.org
More information: ArtFestFortMyers.com

We are beyond excited for ArtFest Fort Myers 2023! ArtFest Fort Myers is stronger than ever, with 200+ artists and a great layout overlooking the beautiful Downtown Fort Myers riverfront and yacht basin. ArtFest is a free, non-gated event for everyone in the Southwest Florida community to come shop your artwork.

Right now in Southwest Florida there is record high demand for artwork. Where better to shop than at art festivals? Market Trends of Southwest Florida says the amount of homes sold in Fort Myers in 2022 is up 191% from 2020. Members of the community are now more than ever looking for art to enhance the beauty and elegance of their new homes.

As we all transition back to more "normal" times, ArtFest Fort Myers is focused on supporting artists to make new memories and connections with collectors throughout the community.

• Two-day, FREE to the public, community event, with 80,000+ attendees

• Year-round professional staff, with 23+ years of consistent management

• Free fun art related activities for kids of all ages, attracting young professional families

• Encouraging the next generation of artists and art supporters with a high school art competition & sidewalk chalk competition

• New and cutting-edge art is equally at home with more traditional work

• Loyal base of dedicated art buyers/VIP members who are focused on YOUR work

• Oversized booth spaces and convenient Friday set up with drive-up access

• Discounted hotel rates, indoor bathrooms and reserved artist parking

Learn More Here

Be a part of ArtFest Fort Myers:

• Apply from now until September 9 at ZAPPlication.org

• Visit our festival website ArtFestFortMyers.com. The Info for Artist page provides artist-specific information including hotels, set-up, jury success & many other helpful tips.

• Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram where we feature festival artists and engage patrons year-round.

If you are new to the idea of selling at an outdoor Art Festival, please contact us for any support you may need - we love to help.

Apply Now: ZAPPlication.org   

Questions: Annie Crouch, Community Engagement Manager - Annie.Crouch@ArtFestFortMyers.com

If you do art fairs in more than one state you know how challenging it is to file sales tax in all the states you go to.  Some shows make it easy by giving you a form to fill in or even collect at the event but those shows are few and far between.  I've had many conversations over the years about the challenges.  I have actaully decided not to do shows in certain states because they make it too challenging.  

The otherday I heard an ad on the radio for "Taxjar" and they mentioned making sales tax payments easier and it occurred to me that it woudl be a dream come true if Square (or any other sales platform) would file and pay my sales tax for each state that I show in.  I sell on Etsy and they collect and pay all my sales tax so maybe this isn't an impossible dream.  Or is it?  What are your thoughts? 

I just submitted a suggestion for this idea on the Square platform so they will probably tell me if it's not possible but I'm still going to dream!

Starting July 1, 2022 artists in Colorado who ship packages to Colorado address will have to collect and report a $0.27 vehicle delivery tax along with sales tax. Not sure yet if it will be on a separate form. Most of my sales are international or out of state but the good old Colorado Department of Revenue requires me to report $0.00 sales tax every quarter and now the delivery tax will also have to be reported quarterly. My requests to report sales tax annually, as I did decades ago, have been ignored. My gripe is it is a lot of unnecessary paper work but at least it keeps my accointing up to date. I do give kudos to CDR for an easy reporting form for "special event" sales tax reporting (art shows). 

I have used plastic bags with my logo imprinted on them for years. Carbondale Moutaina Fair, CO has prohibitd single use plastic at this years show. I'm not upset about this and have seen it coming. I feel for the artist who wrap work in bubble wrap for clients to take home. It always rains in the afternoon in the mountains so I hope clients bring protective bags for leather. We will take some brown paper bags but they aren't much good in rain. FYI Carbondale is sort of a funky, ex hippy community (IMHO) between Glenwwod Springs and Aspen, CO. I am curious if this is a trend at other shows. 

$500 to Safeguard Your Studio + Protect Your Career!

Applications for CERF+’s Get Ready Grants are now available. CERF+’s Get Ready Grants award up to $500 to individual artists working in craft disciplines to conduct activities that will help safeguard their studios, protect their careers, plan their legacies and prepare for emergencies. With this cycle, we will continue to support the continuing changes and skill acquisition that artists need to work in these pandemic and post pandemic times. ​Artists are encouraged to use the Risk Assessment activity to generate ideas.

The deadline to apply is July 6th.

Their white appearance in winter makes the Arctic fox an interesting subject for wildlife photographers. In this article, I want to share with you my experience. Who does not dream about taking photos of a white fox in a snowy landscape? However, an encounter during summer is also something that shouldn’t be forgotten!

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to encounter an Arctic fox during the Arctic summer in Scandinavia. I was hiking through the mountains when golden plovers started to call and, all of a sudden, I spotted a strange animal – brown/grey fur and rather small size.

Well, what the hell.

Imagine the finest weather ever at this show in 25 years of doing it.

Then imagine having the absolute worst sales, having people walk by not going in or looking in five seconds, then moving on.

So this is a three day show, so was my previous one. That one, I killed them.  This one I barely made expenses.

I gotta drop this show.  Wrong market for my work now.

That said, it was a money-maker for many.

Let me tell you about it.

SETUP AND LAYOUT.

This show is held at Coney Island Amusement Park.  On the Ohio river, a major humidifier.

Three days with a Thursday setup, can do Friday setup. Show starts at noon, lasts til 7 pm.

Sat. Hours 10-7, Sun. 10-5

Most booths are on grass with plenty of room for rear storage. The show is a confusing layout, easy to get lost.

This year they added nearly 100 booths for a 350 total.  Too large, greedy promoters.

Easy setup and teardown.  Nice snacks for artists and lunches can be ordered.

Boothsitters available.  Overall a well run show.

SALES AND CROWDS.

We had really cool weather this year.  I wore my vest and long sleeved wool shirt most of the show.

Usually you roast at this show. We escaped rain all days.  This was the nicest weather for this show.  I have done this show maybe 20 times since the late eighties.

Usually this is a $4-6K show for me and others.  This year was El stinko, I did not come close to $3K.  I never sold one 16x20 framed photo ($200).  All sales came out of my browse bins where prices ranged $40-$95.

This was mostly a Walmart crowd, they dressed casually and bought very Lowend.

Also they were not that well informed about art.

I had to explain about how my images were made on metal. They acted like they had not seen this before.

Crowds down my way were very thin until about noon, then sales started happening but tapered off by 3pm.  Lots of quiet time with nobody even looking in the booth.

Most of the time people just walked down the middle of the aisle without even looking at the art.  Why were they there?

My neighbor to the right had a fabulous show.  She did painting using repurposed canvas that was originally used for circus banners.

She painted layers of white paint to create a new canvas.

Then she painted her versions of classic circus scenes like voodoo women and snake charmers. She sold one original for well over $4K.

Most of her sales came from repros priced $40-$125.  She killed and got a nice award. She will be back.

A great many sales at the show came from Art on the Stick.  Plenty of booths doing this.

This is a crafty show as opposed to fine art. Saw very few of the latter go by me.

Another near neighbor had a fab show selling his wood crafted lawn furniture. He is a longtime vet and always does well.

I would say if you do crafts and are moderately priced, and live within a six hour drive this is a great show to do.

For fine art it is a crapshoot.

My new work was mainly ignored.  This does not happen to me at most shows. Cinnci is not my market anymore until I change.

I am going to give this show a rest for now.

I hope I did not sound too negative. This show was very good for about 40 per cent of artists.

I just think it is too big, they cannot support 350 artists.

Love to hear some feedback.