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Help Wanted. So You Think You'd Like to Run an Art Fair?

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 17, 2009 at 6:46pm

Shary Brown, director for eleven years of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (the original) announced in January that she

would be retiring after the 2009 art fair. I know many of my readers are artists and have thought they might be interested in running an art fair or wondered why one event is so much better than another. Well, the folks in Ann Arbor on the Street Fair's board take their event very seriously and have now posted the requirements for Shary's successor. Could this be you? EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is seeking an Executive Director to lead one of the nation’s top art fairs, a nationally known art organization that increases public knowledge and appreciation for contemporary fine arts and fine crafts by creating opportunities that connect artists, the Ann Arbor community and the general public to their mutual benefit, culminating in a top quality juried street art fair. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for the organization’s achievement of its mission, financial objectives, program development and administration. Interested candidates should send a cover letter including salary requirements and resume to: Executive Director Search Or email to: aasaf_search@comcast.net Ann Arbor Street Art Fair P.O. Box 7673 Ann Arbor, MI 48107 Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Review of Applications starts April 1, 2009 Anticipated start date of October 1, 2009 IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE: - Commitment to the AASAF’s mission, vision and values. - Demonstrated leadership and management in the non-profit art sector with years of experience as a leader, manager, or senior professional position(s). - Outstanding oral and written communication skills. - Demonstrated experience and effectiveness in multiple methods of revenue generation. - Experience in leading and working with a Board of Directors, volunteers and paid staff. - Proven experience developing and delivering high quality programming. - Experience in working with artists and art organizations. - Special event experience. - Demonstrated ability to establish network of contacts, locally and nationally. - An understanding of non-profit financial management information requirements. - Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

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.

How are we doing with the Arts in Pittsburgh? A review with "legs"

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 16, 2009 at 10:17am

In his review of the arts in Pittsburgh, Bob Hoover of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, not only reports on some of the bad news--but lo and behold has some good news in the way of interesting critical commentary and good ideas for making some good news! His analysis of the NEA and how arts funding is being passed around is hopeful that there are still people out there who know and act on the use of arts funding for the good of all. Especially interesting is the Bush funding of the arts and the outgoing head of the NEA, Dana Gioia's, good handling of the well-endowed NEA. Since I am a busy reader I'd been well aware of the Big Read program that spread around the nation in recent years, but hadn't realized that I had the NEA to thank for that. One of my favorite 2008 activities was attending a "conversation" with three Michigan related authors (Richard Ford, Jim Harrison and Tom McGuane) at Michigan State, an offshoot of this program. In the cutting of the budget for Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Art Festival, Hoover suggests adding authors to the program (isn't writing an art? he asks) instead of more cheese fries. The Detroit Festival of the Arts (dead in the water for 2009) always included authors and partnered with the Detroit Public Library for cultural offerings, so this seems a great idea. Artists, wouldn't you rather have an author next to you than the elephant ears? Read Hoover's article here: Coming: Rough Year for Local Arts

Clips from Coconut Grove

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 16, 2009 at 10:00am

Of course the Miami Herald cannot ignore the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Click on the link to read all about it, see a video and some images from the event. Don't miss Duncan McClellan's fine blown glass, a fixture at the festival. This article by George Leposky of MiamiTravelExaminer.com gives some more background for the festival and what I liked even more, a fair number of images of the arts. The Festival gives out some 50 awards, but George and his wife, Rosalie, give out awards by sharing with you their favorite work. Good choices, George! Member of ArtFairInsider.com, Mark Glocke is included.

Announcing Cafe Handmade Reader Rewards!

Posted by Cafe Handmade - Virtual Craft Show on February 16, 2009 at 8:37am

Cafe Handmade is dedicated to the reader experience and promoting artisans! We are excited to announce our new Cafe Handmade Reader Rewards!Cafe Handmade will hold a drawing on the first Monday of each month and one lucky winner will receive $50.00 to shop in any of our Reader Rewards Sponsored Shops. They can spend $10 at shop A, $25 at shop B, and $15 at shop C. Cafe Handmade will send a credit to the shop in the amount the winner would like to spend there.There are two ways readers can enter the drawing.1) Subscribe to our eNewsletter. Everyone on the eMailing list will be entered into the drawing every month.2) Participate in our Weekly Scavenger Hunt (another exciting new feature on Cafe Handmade) and will be eligible for up to 4 entries a month.Its that easy! The winner will be drawn using Random.org on the first Monday of each month.So, Im sure now your asking how to become a Reader Rewards Sponsor and what is in it for you?A Reader Rewards Sponsor will receive:* Dedicated post with all participating shops 125x125 ad. Shown here.* Program will be mentioned in the weekly eNewsletter. We will rotate ads from participating shops week to week* Increased traffic to your shopYou can click on our site for details if your interested in becoming a Reader Rewards Sponsor.The first drawing will be on Monday April 6th.Click here to sign up.Sign up before March 1st and your 90 day paid period wont begin until then.We are very excited about this and hope you are too!

Health Insurance for Artists

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 12, 2009 at 3:01pm

I am a subscriber to Don Crozier's newsletter from the Best of Missouri Hands and a recent issue included two separate opportunities for health insurance for artists. I have investigated them only cursorily, but am going to list them here for your investigation. 1. From Joan Merrell: I may have already sent this in, but my calligraphy organization has just joined the Open Arts Network through Fractured Atlas, a group dedicated to getting affordable health and liability insurance to artists (as well as branching into other helps for learning to run an art business or group, get grants, etc.). The more people involved, the better the insurance deals and it costs NOTHING for a group like BOMH (Best of Missouri Hands) to join. If you are interested go to www.fracturedatlas.org to check it out, Adam Natale is the contact person. 2. From Scott Snail: As some of you may know, I'm a local sculptor living in the Metro East and teaching on both sides of the river. I'm also a board member of the Potters Council, a national nonprofit ceramic artists group sponsored by the American Ceramic Society. We offer a range of benefits for members including a web presence in our members' gallery with (soon) online sales, as well as member discounts on things like Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated magazines, books published by the American Ceramic Society, workshops and conferences that we sponsor, credit card services, shipping, rental cars, dental, optical and chiropractic services, hearing aids, and now: HEALTH INSURANCE! After a number of years of searching, we have contracted with a reputable insurance firm to offer group health insurance benefits to members, at rates much better than any individual plans we know of, and comparable to many employer-based group plans. No, I'm not shilling for anyone but the Potters Council, and there's no money in it for me or anyone else involved. But, we are a young and still growing organization, and every new member strengthens our ability to offer more and better benefits in the future. For things like group insurance, and even shipping discounts, there is strength in numbers! Membership is open to anyone, and runs $40 a year. We're not just for potters, but for anyone working in clay, at any skill level. In fact, we don't even limit it to that. While many of our benefits will be of interest mainly to ceramics people, a lot of our benefits (like health insurance) would be worthwhile to anyone who needs those services and could use a discount. Increased membership benefits everyone involved, so even if you are a painter, a printmaker, a photographer, a poet, or whatever, it might be worth looking into. Anyone is welcome to join, even if you've never worked in clay and don't plan to. Maybe we'll recruit you later! (Just kidding.) Seriously, it's a pretty good deal. Not free, for sure, but a lot cheaper than most other options, and we'd love to have you as a member. Feel free to visit the website for more details about the organization: http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/potterscouncil/ I would be very interested in learning if anyone investigates these options and what they learn from them. It seems like an impossible task, finding affordable health insurance for the self-employed. Yet, on that topic, here in Michigan we became members of the local Chamber of Commerce some years ago and were then eligible for the health insurance that was available to Chamber members. AND it was very affordable.

New this week in our Virtual Craft Show

Posted by Cafe Handmade - Virtual Craft Show on February 12, 2009 at 11:51am

New in this week's Craft Show. Click on the link here to go to our Site. www.cafehandmade.com

Boca Review -- not so hot

Posted by Jim Parker on February 11, 2009 at 5:34pm

Did Boca this past weekend. The first show of the season for me. I sat out January and was glad to get some work done. But Boca was disappointing. Lots of interest, lots of browsers, lots of love, but very few buyers. Most everyone I talked to was having the same show. I think Michael McKee did well, but the photogs were hurting. My sales were half what they were last year. We'll see how Artigras and Naples go, like Nels said.

Call for Entries: Howard Alan Events - 45 juried art fairs

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 11, 2009 at 4:00pm

Howard Alan Events can become the backbone of your exhibiting year. These popular outdoor festivals are consistently ranked among the top art shows in the country. Located along some of the most charming streets in the nation, the festivals brings the unique creations of hundreds of award-winning artists to thousands of art enthusiasts across America every weekend.

7th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts About Howard Alan Events More than 27 years ago Howard Alan opened a retail store in Plantation, FL. In this store, Howard featured artists and crafters, selling their work on consignment. A publicity stunt featuring a 6-foot-4-inch gorilla named Magilla, brought the press running, landing Howard and his gallery on several local TV news stations, as well as Good Morning America and PM Magazine. Realizing he had a knack for advertising and public relations he combined this talent and his passion for the arts and created Howard Alan Events, a public relations and advertising agency specializing in art show promotions.

Today, Howard Alan is one of the most widely and highly recognized individuals in the industry. Along with Debbie, his wife and business partner of 25 years, his son Darrin and their dedicated staff, Howard runs 45 annual juried art shows and 40 annual craft shows out of a small office in Plantation, Florida. With all the shows came the artists. Over the last 24 years, Howard Alan is proud to have

exhibited the work of over 10,000 different artists worldwide. Today, a typical Howard Alan show will feature anywhere from 100 to upwards of 300 exhibitors. Many credit Howard Alan for allowing them to make a living doing what they love most. The District Art Annual...Downtown Kansas City Howard Alan Events produces multiple shows therefore they have an ongoing jury process that meets twice monthly and juries by category. SHOW DIRECTOR'S SUGGESTION: We recommend that you apply EARLY as the show and/or most categories will fill quickly. Visit their website www.artfestival.com to view the events and plan your schedule. Then apply at: www.zapplication.org

Artist Arrested in Boston! Art World in a Tizzy about Shepard Fairey!

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 11, 2009 at 12:00pm

The art world is in a tizzy about Shepard Fairey and his use of the Obama image he created

(or did not create as some would say). At his recent art opening in Boston he was even arrested! Here are just a few of links for the "rest of the story": Pro-Fairey gripe from ICA party sponsor: Boston Globe, United States - 8 hours ago My company, Karmaloop, Inc. sponsored the opening night party for Shepard Fairey's show at the ICA. The anticipation and buzz among young adults throughout ... Hope poster artist sued, arrested ZDNet - 11 hours ago News of the weird. First Obama poster artist Shepard Fairey is sued by AP for copyright infringement for using a wire service photo as a model for his ... Blew it again, Boston Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago Shepard Fairey's work is on display on a building near the Massachusetts Turnpike at Mass. Ave. and Newbury Street. (David Kamerman/Globe Staff) MY COMPANY ... Artist files pre-emptive suit in photo dispute with AP International Herald Tribune, France - 22 hours ago By Randy Kennedy The street artist Shepard Fairey has filed a lawsuit against The Associated Press, asking a judge to declare that he is protected from ... Monster Mash: Breaking news and headlines Los Angeles Times, CA - 23 hours ago -- After arrest in Boston, street artist Shepard Fairey fires back at the Associated Press with a lawsuit of his own. -- Artist and Long Beach gallery face ... Artist's arrest points to a Boston divide Boston Globe, United States - Feb 10, 2009 By Maria Cramer and John R. Ellement While renowned artist Shepard Fairey was being feted around Boston in recent weeks, posing for pictures with Mayor ....

Artists of the Month: Kathrine Allen-Coleman & Scott Coleman

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 10, 2009 at 7:29pm

If you love art fairs as I do, you have probably noticed over the years that there are many couples doing art shows, each with their own body of work. Couples like this are truly hostages to fortune, throwing all their financial future into the vagaries of the art fair life: each making serious art, jurying into the art fairs where there is money to be made and being successful selling the art at the event. "All She Ever Wanted"-mixed media by Kathrine Allen-Coleman Scott Coleman and Kathrine Allen-Coleman from Jackson, GA, are a good example of this. They have not held "jobs" for many years and they rely on their art, almost entirely one-of-a-kind imagery, for their livelihood. These people are not making "products", but continually challenge themselves to create art that has meaning to them and also to you.

"Boat Series 3" - watercolor by Scott Coleman Scott, the traditionalist, has been a full-time painter, mostly with watercolor since 1972. Kathrine joined him at the art fairs about ten years ago skipping lightly through painting styles until most recently landing on a special look, a mixed media series featuring vintage clothing that has been garnering her prizes and acceptance at the best art fairs. Lucky you, in Florida, you will be able to meet them in Miami at the Coconut Grove Art Festival on President's Day weekend! Learn more about Scott and Kathrine and the interesting artist's life at : ArtFairCalendar.com/featured artist

Emergency Funds Available for Artisans who suffered damage during the ice storm

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 10, 2009 at 7:07pm

Greetings from CERF. This message is going out to arts organizations and businesses in the regions of Arkansas and Kentucky affected by the recent ice storm. We hope you and your loved ones have been able to avoid loss from the storm and we wish those who have suffered loss a quick recovery. CERF would like to make sure that any professional craft artist who may have been seriously affected by the storm is aware of the disaster relief assistance available from CERF. If you know of craft artists in the areas hardest hit by the storm, or plan to correspond with your artist constituents in the near future, please pass this information on. If there are organizations that directly work with artists in your community that you think we should know about, please send us their contact information. CERF's programs include: Grants up to $1,500; Loans up to $8,000; Booth fee waivers at craft shows;Discounts on materials and equipment from suppliers and manufacturers; Assistance with business development through referrals to consultants and other low or no-cost resources; Disaster forums to facilitate craft community disaster preparedness and recovery. For eligibility requirements and more detailed information, please click here or contact us at: Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) PO Box 838 Montpelier, VT 05601 ph: (802) 229-2306 fx: (802) 223-6484 les@craftemergency.org www.craftemergency.org Thank you for helping spread the word about CERF. Please contact me if you have questions. Best wishes, Les Les Snow Operations and Financial Services Manager Craft Emergency Relief Fund Thank you Don Crozier of StrandedGlass.com for this info.

Funky Call for Artists

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 10, 2009 at 6:22pm

So you didn't get accepted to The Grove, or didn't want to be there. Got time on your hands? Here is an out of the ordinary (for me) call for artists. Here is the link:: http://theouterbox.com/2009/02/09/pinkghost-call-to-artists/

Information calls for free from your cell phone!

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 10, 2009 at 5:30pm

Very Easy for people who have a rough time while on the road..Google 411 Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this!!! Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411. This is an awesome service from Google, and it's free -- great when you are on the road. Don't waste your money on information calls and don't waste your time manually dialing the number. I am driving along in my car and I need to call tonight’s hotel and I don't know the number. I hit the speed dial for information that I have programmed. The voice at the other end says, "City & State." I say, " Miami, FL." He says, "Business Name or Type of Service." I say, Hampton Inn." He says, "Connecting" and Hampton Inn answers the phone. How great is that? This is nationwide and it is absolutely free! Click on the link below and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration. http://www.google.com/goog411/ Many thanks to my good friend, Barb Burkhardt, for this cool tip.

Think Like a Search Engine

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 10, 2009 at 3:42pm

Many of you have websites, and some of you are doing all the work there. Here is a good article about Search Engine Optimization to get you thinking and tweaking to increase the traffic on your site: "How to Think Like a Search Engine" by Scott Fox:

Call for entries: 24th Annual Art in the Park, Petoskey, MI

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 5, 2009 at 5:16pm

July 18 24th Annual Art in the Park Petoskey, MI presented by the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce 130 artists Deadline: March 1

Held in Downtown Petoskey's picturesque Pennsylvania Park, this one day, juried fine arts and crafts show is located in the heart of a traditional, wealthy resort area whose passion for art and culture is well known. The well heeled resort community and visitors who come from around the country produce estimated crowd counts of 15,000 and up. Art in the Park's location in a resort area is important to you. Now you can combine your selling opportunities with a vacation, but even more importantly you should know that it is an uncontested fact that the Number One thing people do while they are on vacation is shop and they spend money on things that they do not normally purchase. Shopping for your artwork can be on their list if you attend Petoskey's Art in the Park. If you are worried about Michigan's economy, consider also the fact that the Petoskey region is the vacation destination for St. Louis and Chicago. Expect: *crowds of buyers *a peaceful and beautiful setting in the heart of an historic downtown shopping destination *a complimentary breakfast served by volunteers from Sturgeon River Pottery *fair booth fee of $165 And, to prove this is a hard working committee look at what is new this year: *an artist's Welcome Reception will be held at Stafford's Gallery, with the convenience of registration the night before the show *a block of rooms for artists at North Central Michigan College, just blocks away from Pennsylvania Park, at a very reasonable price. *And, if you would like to appear at a second show while you are in northern Michigan, consider attending the Goodhart Mini Fair which is Sunday, July 19. (Pre-registration information is available on our art fair application.) Often the ambitious artists who are participating in a one day show are pleased to find another one nearby for the second day. I think this is the first time I have seen two events pair up like this to enable both to have a better selection of artists. Way to go, Chamber of Commerce! Thank you for this consideration. Application forms available online at: www.petoskey.com/art, or call at 231-347-4150 and they will mail one to you.

New in our Virtual Craft Show this week

Posted by Cafe Handmade - Virtual Craft Show on February 5, 2009 at 3:24pm

Here are just a few vendor's you can see this week in our Virtual Craft Show at www.cafehandmade.com. We also have featured Artist interviews, Mommaprenuer of the week, and a free Artist giveaway.

House passes NEA funding in Economic Recovery Package. What's Next?

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 5, 2009 at 1:34pm

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.

Zapplication process

Posted by Michael on February 5, 2009 at 12:26pm

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

Obama Art Report - Part 3

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 5, 2009 at 10:55am

Here are some more photos and chat about the Manifest Hope art exhibit in D.C. last month, interesting images of the artists setting up for the event. The art show was only open for three days and I got there in the closing hour - greeted by very long lines. Luckily we got in, but had to hurry through as they were having a BIG party at 6 pm. http://www.obamaartreport.com/2009/02/manifest-hope-behind-scenes-day-three.html

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.