From yesterday's mailbag:
Hi Connie, I thought you should know about a story concerning Indianapolis' Penrod show. My Indy art fair friends said it was all over the news yesterday. The treasurer embezzled $380,000 of Penrod Society funds. Organizers say the 2009 show will go on, but artists have to wonder how much money will be available for advertising, etc. Also, does this spell a hike in booth fees in subsequent years. The gate fee for this year may also jump... Just FYI. L. H.
Early each September the Penrod Society hosts the
Penrod Art Fair on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Museum. It is a pretty classy event showcasing not only an art fair but performing artists such as the Indianapolis Ballet and all the arts organizations of the area. Read the whole story at the
Indianapolis Star. The comments below the story are interesting too, again discussing whether or not this is an "art fair" and what the guy (an accountant) did with the money. An acquaintance from college believes it is in the hands of bookies. And the wonders of the Internet, I even found this video:
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/crime/380K_stolen_from_Penrod_Art_SocietyRead more…
August 15 & 16 Michigan City, IN Washington Park 27th Annual Lakefront Art Festival Sponsored by the Lubeznik Center for the Arts Saturday - 10 to 6 Sunday - 10 to 5 Deadline: January 30 The Lakefront Art Festival will attract thousands of visitors from surrounding states to a festive, high-quality event held under shady trees in a grassy park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Because the festival is sponsored by the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, it is overseen by arts professionals, committed to making every aspect of the festival a quality venue for artists and visitors. Where is Michigan City? Visit this link at
Mapquest.com. Why this should be of interest to you: *small town art fair in the heart of vacation country *a weekend get away place for Chicagoans *sponsored by an art center *an art purchase program *volunteers who understand artists' needs *very reasonable booth fee These days there is a lot of talk among artists about keeping their overhead down. One of the best ways is to exhibit at local events and the Lakefront Art Festival is in the heart of where a lot of artists live. Expect a $125 booth fee and a $20 jury fee. When we are all talking about events that seem to forget the artists this is a small show that "gets it". All of us need smaller shows to keep us going between the big ones. The Lakefront Art Festival could be one of those secret ones that everyone can appreciate. Advertising will include press coverage, ads, and billboards throughout the area and through LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information and to download an application click on this link:
www.lubeznikcenter.orgRead more…
Dear Reader,
It is that time of year, maximizing deductions for Uncle Sam. If it has been a good year for you consider donating to CERF: Craft Emergency Relief Fund. Read below for CERF's annual appeal and news:
We invite you to look at our Yearbook 2008, which is a sampling of the artists we assisted this past year. Not only for these artists but for all of us, 2008 has been a roller coaster ride. An historic presidential election, which has inspired great hope and a fresh start. A global financial crisis, which has created much uncertainty and concern. And a new year rolling in with a mix of anxiety, hope, and promise.
In this atmosphere of uncertainty, two things remain constant. The first is that craft artists will continue to create tangible objects that are beautiful and inspired. The second constant is that some of those artists will face career-threatening emergencies that will challenge their ability to continue creating the objects we value.
Please consider a donation so that CERF can continue to assist artists in 2009 as we have in 2008 and over the last 23 years. Help us keep temporary setbacks for artists from turning into permanent silence.
DONATE
Many thanks for your support. Happy Holidays from all of us at CERF!
P.S. If you’ve already donated to CERF’s annual appeal, we thank you!
Forward this message to a friendRead more…
Posted by Connie Mettler on December 27, 2008 at 10:30pm
Peace and Love for the Holidays & the New Year Warm wishes for a glorious holiday to all my friends in art fair land. My hope for you in the new year is for you to live well, laugh often and love much. I hope Santa brought you everything you wanted. My sincerest gratitude to all of you who have contributed to the growth of ArtFairCalendar.com. With over 10,000 subscribers and a 'well hit upon' website it has been an exciting year for me. Thanks so much. Connie Mettler Publisher-ArtFairCalendar.com
It was another one of those 'driveway moments' this morning, listening to Scott Simon's story on NPR's Weekend Edition about Denver artist Bob Ragland. Bob has been supporting himself as an artist for over 40 years. His attitude about recessions: "People will spend money no matter how hard times are. People will buy less, but they will buy better."
As you listen to this inspiring four minute story you will find yourself agreeing with Ragland and it will restore your belief in yourself: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98754589
At the NPR website I found comments by Chicago artist, Joyce Owens, with her reflections on the Ragland story and her own ideas about making a living as an artist: http://monroeanderson.typepad.com/joyce_owens_on_art/
"Tough times never last. Tough people do." Bob Ragland
And, on that note, I came across this article from the Fort Myers News-Press about artist Chuck O'Neal, 77, who I know has been paying his bills a long time with his art. He was one of the first people we met when we started doing art fairs, and it was a pleasure to find he is still at it and doing fine.
Here's the link: http://news-press.com/article/20081227/NEWS0119/812270308
Everyone who makes a comments on this post will be entered into a drawing to receive a fr*e copy of my e-book, "Getting into Art Fairs: 20 Questions Answered". The best response will be the winner. Deadline: midnight December 31. Let us hear from you!
Read more…
My thanks to my friend
Jan Richardson who passed me the following information about well-known artist Drew Smith, and also to fiber artist
Jan Mayer for sending updated information with stories from Candiss Cole and Curtis Benzle (I can't believe, Curt, you are now a "professor emeritus") about this man who lived a great life:
Master Glassblower Drew Smith passed away of inoperable liver cancer on 12/21/08 in his home in Pacific Beach, near San Diego, California. His very loving and caring finance’, Linda Livingston was right by his side throughout the entire passage. Smith graduated with his B.A. from Ashland University in Ohio. He learned glass making from Henry Halem at Kent State University where he was a graduate assistant. He taught glassblowing at Columbus College of Art and Design from 1981 to 1986. Drew was as very well known figure in the American Crafts field from 1971 to 2002 where he was a regular exhibitor at the American Craft Council shows, The Buyers Market of American Crafts, and The Ohio Designer Craftsmen shows, among many others. Drew Smith was one of the leading glass blowers to come out of Ohio, and was highly regarded throughout the world for his creative genius with the medium of hand blown glass. His studio was based in the Hocking Hills- Logan, area, just outside of Columbus, Ohio for many years before moving it to Tampa, Florida. Drew received a lot of recognition in the Tampa community for upgrading his neighborhood with truly a magnificent art gallery and studio. From there he went to Jamaica, and then to Pacific Beach, San Diego. In Drew’s early career, he specialized in lamps, vases, and tablewear. Later on, he moved to larger scale work in sculpture, metal and glass furniture and ornamental iron and glass gates. In 1999 he was featured in an issue of Glass Art magazine as one of the four leading glass furniture makers in the world. Smith cast glass into metal pieces like doing large cloisonne’. Smith called his technique “Ferro Vitro.” Drew’s hand blown glass and sculptural works have been exhibited at numerous shows and galleries throughout the U.S. , Europe, and Japan, with permanent collections in various art museums including the Corning Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. Daniel Schreiber, a glass artist who studied with Drew said: “Drew taught me almost everything I know about working professionally as a glass artist, and operating a glass studio. Apprenticing to him in his studio in Logan, Ohio, was the richest and most rewarding period in my artistic development and I will always fondly remember not only the art, the glass, but the food and drink, the stories and experiences, and most of all his friendship, and generosity and always his very positive attitude about his life, despite its challenges.” Candiss Ann Cole, noted fiber artist, said: “Drew was one of the first craftspeople to take me under his wing and guide me into this world we live in over 33 years ago. Drew and I met at the Frederick Craft Show in Maryland. He always had a Big smile and was always willing to share, and always moved to his own drummer. I guess The Drummer finally called him to the big Glass Studio in the sky! Drew’s magnificient art work will live in the lives of his customers, but he will live in our hearts forever. Chuck Feil, professional photographer, author of 11 books, and owner of Panterra Gallery, was one of Drew’s best pals for over 25 years said the following motto sums Drew up best: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO what a ride.” Curtis Benzle, Professor Emeritus of Columbus College of Art and Design where Drew also taught, said “ Great ideas bubbled up out of Drew like fresh water from a spring. You could never quite know his source of inspiration but exciting new work just kept coming. Inspiration, ideas and always great execution were Drew’s trademarks. Drew knew as well as anyone that ideas without execution were just daydreams. Fortunately for us, Drew was also a master craftsman and he worked hard to fill our world with a lasting legacy of his artistic genius.” Jan Mayer, of Kriska painting on silk, another long term close friend of Drew’s, fondly remembers Drew as “one of the most loving, EXTREMELY COLORFUL, and giving members our artistic community has ever seen. If you ever needed a bed or a good meal or a helping hand, Drew never said no to anyone. Drew had a heart as big as the state of Texas. When the crafts business was booming, I used to organize outdoor recreational events for artists and gallery owners. These included white water rafting trips, ski trips to Utah and the French Alps, and houseboating trips on Lake Powell. Drew always volunteered to be my chef, pro bono! He loved to cook the finest creative meals possible with whatever he could dig up. He would often fly across the country with some of his ‘hand picked wild mushrooms’ or home raised chickens or turkeys. Appetizers would start around 5 p.m. and he would continue to feed us these utterly remarkable gourmet delights up until about 11p.m. For Drew, cooking and living were art forms just as much as glassblowing. One year during one of our artist ski trips to Alta, Utah, Drew presented every participant one of his hand blown glass goblets. I would have to say that all in all, Drew was as much of ‘ renaissance man’ as I have ever personally known.” Drew’s Mother, brother and daughter were all able to speak with him to say goodbye just minutes before his passing. Drew was cremated wearing a black shirt with brightly colored parrots and flowers at the top, black pants, purple socks and yellow crocs, resting on bright neon green pillows. Please log on and sign Drew’s guest book, and live a legacy for his family and many friends: http://www.legacy.com/Ohio/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=121898201 Donations in honor of Drew may be made to Craft Emergency Relied Fund. CERF is the one and only non profit organization that assists craftspeople with interest free loans and grants when disaster or illness strikes. Your donations to CERF are a tax deductible, charitable contribution. Drew had the utmost respect for CERF, as it is truly a heart based, no nonsense organization that really does help craftspeople in time of need. CERF(Craft Emergency Relief Foundation) P.O. Box 838 Montpelier, Vermont 05601 802-223-6484
Read more…
July 15-18
At the Tower
On the streets of Ann Arbor, MI
175 Artists
Deadline: January 15
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is one of the events that turned this whole art fair business into a business that now supports thousands of artists nationwide, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of a legend!
The Street Art Fair is one of the highest ranking art fairs in the nation and for good reason:
*It draws collectors who rarely attend art fairs
*It attracts the finest artists
*It works with many cultural community and educational institutions to produce exceptional community art activities
*It works throughout the year to be a blue ribbon presence in the Ann Arbor community
This is the original event on which the other Ann Arbor fairs have patterned themselves, as well as many other fairs across the nation. It is the creme de la creme of art events.
The Street Art Fair has an distinctive jury process, unlike that of any other art fair. Under the guidance of Shary Brown, the director, there are five separate panels jurying specific media or related categories.
There are 4 to 5 jurors per panel, one of whom is a member of the Jury Group. The Jury Group meets in a sixth session after all the panels are complete to review the submissions with high scores and determine invitations in each category, balancing the scores, the range of work and the strength of category.
Artists selected for the wait list are also determined at this session. They jury over two weekends in late January and early February with at least two sessions mid week. All images are projected, statements read with additional information available upon request.
The strength of this approach is that they have jurors (who are paid an honorarium) working 4 to 6 hours only in their own area of expertise, or related areas. Jurors see the work multiple times and are able to ask questions and to discuss the work, moving back and forth to compare it to other submissions in the category. Jurors are generally working artists and are often educators at area colleges or museums. They mix new jurors with experienced jurors.
The Jury Group member brings a familiarity with the fair and knowledge of the goals and programs from having juried the fair on site the previous year. They will bring the overall sensibility of the panel to the final session.
One of the unusual aspects of this jurying is that there is no booth slide required, but rather five images of your work.
For more info on the Street Fair visit their website: http://www.artfair.org/
To view the application and apply today, visit: http://www.zapplication.org/Read more…
My thanks to member Jean Thompson of
American Style magazine, an arm of the Rosen Group, for forwarding me this interesting article. After you have read it I'd sure be interested to know if you agree with the results of the poll.
America’s Top 10 Art Fairs and Festivals: Winners Announced Baltimore, MD (Dec. 10, 2008) Where do Americans prefer to go to view and buy art and fine craft in a festive setting? The answers are in the February 2009 issue of AmericanStyle magazine, which will reveal the nation’s Top 10 Fairs & Festivals, as determined by polling its readers. The issue goes on sale at newsstands on Dec. 16. Art collectors are willing to flock to places like Wausau, Wisc., and Midway, Ky. – crossroads far removed from better-known urban art centers. Despite the distance and the economic downturn, many of the top-rated art fairs and festivals boast crowd counts of more than 200,000 visitors – made up of tourists and locals alike. What keeps the crowds coming back? The
quality and
diversity of the art are top-notch. In addition, the nation’s best art events provide a noteworthy intersection of contemporary trends in professional art and craft and major current trends in retail, says Wendy Rosen, publisher of AmericanStyle.
“Discerning shoppers can ‘buy local,’ ‘buy handmade,’ ‘buy American’ and ‘support a worthy cause’ simultaneously at the very best art fairs and festivals,” Ms. Rosen says. “At the same time, they help the economy by supporting the small businesses of artists.” “They can feel good about making an investment in professional handcraft that has been carefully juried,” Ms. Rosen says, “and at the same time, soak up the fun atmosphere, the entertainment, the education and the collegiality that’s possible only at a gathering of like-minded art lovers. They can meet the artists and learn where the work came from and how it was made.” This year’s first-place winner blends three distinct events into a citywide arts extravaganza called Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend: Art in the Park, held in Marathon Park; the Festival of Arts, in downtown Wausau; and the annual “Birds in Art” exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art museum, a mecca for international wildlife artists.
2009 Winners list TOP 10 FAIRS & FESTIVALS Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend, Wausau, Wis. Kentucky Crafted: The Market, Louisville, Ky. Bayou City Art Festival, Houston, Texas Scottsdale Arts Festival, Scottsdale, Ariz. Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, Iowa St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, Ky. Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College, Midway, Ky. American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, Baltimore, Md. Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, Ann Arbor, Mich. Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Northport, Ala. SOURCE: AmericanStyle magazine readers’ poll, Feb. 2009 issue, on newsstands and at
www.AmericanStyle.com on Dec. 16, 2008. Are you planning a trip to one of these great festivals in 2009? Here’s the winners list again, in calendar order: February 21-22 Kentucky Crafted: The Market (2) February 27-March 1 American Craft Council Show in Baltimore (8) March 20-22 Scottsdale Arts Festival (4) March 27-29 Bayou City Art Festival (3* also see October) June 26-28 Des Moines Arts Festival (5) June 27-28
Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College (7) July 15-19 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (9) September 12-13 Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend (1) October 2-4 St. James Court Art Show (6) October 10-11 Bayou City Art Festival (3* also see March) October 17-18 Kentuck Festival of the Arts (10) The mission of AmericanStyle magazine is to inform craft enthusiasts and art collectors about the significance of handmade objects of art. Launched in 1994 by The Rosen Group, AmericanStyle provides art lovers with valuable tips on decorating, interior design, display and lighting ideas for everything from designer jewelry and art glass to collectible teapots, art furniture and sculptural ceramics. More than 250 arts festivals, gallery exhibitions and museum events are listed in the Datebook section of each issue. For more information, visit
www.AmericanStyle.com.
Your turn. What is your vote for the best art fair? Or, let's make it easy: what are the three best art fairs? Let us know.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…
I'm sharing this email exchange I recently received and am very interested in hearing your opinions:
"...and the call for entries was over (in Miami). But I began a correspondence with the artist who put out the call.
Seems she is an ophthamologist's wife and wanted to turn the new office into a gallery.
Well, I thought that was a good idea, since my ophthamologist's office has very grim magnolias everywhere, from a local framed art warehouse. Horrible stuff.
I wrote a letter. They called, and it looks very good for me and my photography for just after New Years. So off I go to get some inventory and start matting and framing. I met with the assistant office manager today.
My work will be for sale with a donation to their favorite (and mine) charity, the local no-kill humane society.
We win all the way around, and I will be rotating my photographs - first in the main waiting room, then in the hallways and examining rooms."
May Lattanzio
Freelance Writer/Poet/Photographer
Author: Waltz on the Wild Side - An Animal Lover's Journal
www.thelensflare.com/u_may.php
My partner in all things web read May's email and said: "Excellent blog post story here!"
My response: "I don't think so. The artist does a lot of work, nothing gets sold and the only person who benefits is the opthamologist's office who gets free work. Michael does this all of the time...maybe a sale now and then, but most of the people I know are too busy making, working and marketing to spend time doing this, let alone letting their work molder in someone else's office."
His response: "Yes. Your reaction is even more interesting. Good pitfall for newbies to avoid. I was wondering how she made money out of this and figured she must not need to..."
Your turn. What do you think of this as a way to market your work?
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I am hoping to start a art fair, show and sale at my retail gardenshop in maryland. we have been in business 20 years at this location and i was hopeing to gather artist that would attract more attention to this countryside location. I am a stone sculpture and would like more exposure for my work .Any suggestions on how to begin this process would be helpfull. how do i find artist to attend and how do i promote it?
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July 11 & 12 48th Annual Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff St. Joseph, MI 216 Artists Deadline: January 16art by 2008 poster artist Gene Brown of Iowa "Artists tell us every year that we're their favorite show," says Sara Shambarger, long-time Krasl Art Fair Director, "and every year we thank them by promoting their work and offering a great place to be for two days!" The second weekend in July, over 200 of the best national artists will be on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Artist amenities include: *Grassy location with trees, lake breezes and gorgeous view of Lake Michigan *Curb-side loading and unloading *Roomy booths with plenty of storage space. *Friday evening reception gala at Krasl Art Center, buffet and live music *Artist hospitality room, free continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. *Booth sitters and roving volunteers *Artist-only off-street parking close to fair during show *Reserved overnight parking for RVs and vans *Unlimited complimentary invitation postcards and stickers *Substantial festival marketing and media coverage *Promoted in Chicago, northern Indiana and Grand Rapids markets *Estimated 70,000 patrons from all over the Midwest - especially nearby Chicago *A committee and staff that is dedicated to making this show the artists' favorite
Publisher's note: I have attended this event (and bought art) in 2007 and 2008. Beautiful weather brings the crowds out in this lovely resort town. It is a "must attend" for vacationers and residents alike. The
Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is known for its loyalty to its exhibitors employing on-site jurying to reinvite approximately half of its 216 artists each year. Apply online by visiting
www.zapplication.org clicking on "applications". New users will find Zapplication offers easy online registration. For more info about the Krasl Art Fair contact Sara Shambarger, Art Fair Director, at (269) 983-0271 or
sshambarger@krasl.org, and/or visit
www.krasl.org.
Read more…
Houston - Don't you just love to hear some good news? Our congratulations to the organizers of the Bayou City Art
Festival for the success of their October event, hard on the heels of Hurricane Ike. Who would have thought? From the Houston Press: "The folks over at the
2008 Bayou City Art Festival Downtown have finished counting up their earnings and figuring out who gets what, so tonight they're handing out checks to the non-profits organizations they support.
A whopping $106,303 is going out to sixteen organizations, ranging from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), Lawndale Art Center to Houston Parks and Recreation." Read the story at their website:
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2008/12/bayou_city_art_festival_making.php Then think about heading to Houston to take part in a festival that is making record profits in the dismal fall of 2008.
Read more…
"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 ChoiceRead more…
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/Read more…
July 9-12 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts 43rd Annual Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition Downtown State College and Penn State Campus 300 Exhibitors Deadline: January 30, 2009 Applications available online:
www.zapplication.org Why should you apply to this festival? Here is what its' director, Rick Bryant, has to say: -It is always ranked in the Top Ten in the
Sunshine Artist magazine rankings -We bring roughly
125,000 people to State College over five days in July (the first day of our Festival is Children's Day, and our artists set up at the end of the day, so that they are there four days). -Show is in its
43rd year and is on Penn State campus and the streets of the Borough of State College. Actually, we were founded by the State College chamber of commerce and Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture as a "town/gown" event. -
Penn State alumni return for "Arts Festival Alumni Weekend," a time to renew old college ties, attend special programs, and, of course, the arts festival. -We hand out over
$17,000 in prizes -We also receive lots of support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania-not only the Pennsylvania
Council of the Arts, but also the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. -Our festival features the outdoor show, an indoor gallery exhibition, a celebration of Italian Street Painting, performing arts on three indoor stages and four outdoor stages
Where is State College, PA?
Visit this link. The publisher of ArtFairCalendar.com says:
If you are sincere about your career at the art fairs, this is an event that you should seriously consider for your participation. The best reason is that your work will be seen by a clientele who comes from across the country for this annual reunion at their alma mater. The exposure to a new audience could lead not only to success here but it will broaden your art fair experience. Lots of Easterners attend, a great cultural mix. For more information about the their website at the
Central Pennsylvania Festival of Arts. For more call for entries listings visit:
ArtFairCalendar.com/callforentriesRead more…
When a large corporation like Hewlett-Packard jumps on the handmade bandwagon you know that as an artist/craftsperson that you are definitely on the leading edge (no, not bleeding) of a cultural trend. A recent newsletter from them states, "The Best Gifts Are Hand-Made." Of course it goes on to discuss how one can use the HP products to make these hand made gifts, but any smarty knows that Play Station games and plasma TV's aside, recipients treasure the one of a kind.
I hope the days ahead find you deep in a creative heaven and your bag of goods emptied by the appreciators of your fine work.
Read more…
When I read this column from the Brazen Careerist, Penelope Trunk, Reason to give thanks: There is no job shortage for young people recently I was pretty stunned. Perhaps that is because I'm not one of the young people, nor unhappily, spend much time with this age group.
Its conclusions are very interesting:
1. Jobs for low-level candidates are increasing
2. There are plenty of entry-level jobs to be had, the unemployment rate for college grads has been at 0% for the past seven years
3. College grads are doing fine in today's market. "Skilled professionals remain in demand despite the economic downturn. While the unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in October, the unemployment rate for professionals with college degrees remains manageable at 3.1 percent."
Read the rest of this story and then think about how that positions you and your art work in today's marketplace. Some very interesting statistics are to be found here.
Read more…
In October the University Cultural Center Association in downtown Detroit announced announced that it will not produce the
Detroit Festival of the Arts in 2009 due to the construction of the Midtown Loop Greenway. The Midtown Loop is part of a two mile green-way trail following existing street patterns linking Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center and incorporating a variety of planting beds to separate pedestrians from vehicle traffic; help the community reclaim much needed green space; reintroduce native vegetation; incorporate public art along the greenway; and create an environment to help build a strong sense of place and community. The Loop will extend through a significant portion of the festival site. Any inquiries can be addressed to UCCA President, Sue Mosey at
susanmosey@gmail.com. It is said the festival will return in 2010, but who knows? In 2007 the Greektown Arts Festival was also cancelled because of construction in the downtown. In its 20+ year history this festival has brought outstanding street performers to the city, headlined wonderful urban musical groups, held Shakespeare on the lawn of the Detroit Institute of Art and held author readings at the Detroit Public Library. A true cultural gem, I hope it will return when times are better. RIP, Detroit Festival of the Arts. Here is a link for more info:
http://www.detroitfestival.com/08/Read more…
Okay, I think it's time I ran a contest to see what is the #1 art fair in the country. I recently received this notice: "Artrageous ranked No. 1 festival by AmericanStyle magazine."
What is Artrageous? Where is it held? Why haven't I heard of it? Who is American Style profiling? What does this mean about the ratings systems? Do you care?
Congratulations to Artrageous, obviously many people care about your event and you must be doing some very good things.
Read more about it at: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20081207/WDH0101/812070657/1981Read more…
It is that time of year, maximizing deductions for Uncle Sam. If it has been a good year for you consider donating to CERF: Craft Emergency Relief Fund. Read below for CERF's annual appeal and news:
We invite you to look at our Yearbook 2008, which is a sampling of the artists we assisted this past year. Not only for these artists but for all of us, 2008 has been a roller coaster ride. An historic presidential election, which has inspired great hope and a fresh start. A global financial crisis, which has created much uncertainty and concern. And a new year rolling in with a mix of anxiety, hope, and promise.
In this atmosphere of uncertainty, two things remain constant. The first is that craft artists will continue to create tangible objects that are beautiful and inspired. The second constant is that some of those artists will face career-threatening emergencies that will challenge their ability to continue creating the objects we value.
Please consider a donation so that CERF can continue to assist artists in 2009 as we have in 2008 and over the last 23 years. Help us keep temporary setbacks for artists from turning into permanent silence.
DONATE
Many thanks for your support. Happy Holidays from all of us at CERF!
P.S. If you’ve already donated to CERF’s annual appeal, we thank you!
Forward this message to a friend
July 15-18
At the Tower
On the streets of Ann Arbor, MI
175 Artists
Deadline: January 15
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is one of the events that turned this whole art fair business into a business that now supports thousands of artists nationwide, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of a legend!
The Street Art Fair is one of the highest ranking art fairs in the nation and for good reason:
*It draws collectors who rarely attend art fairs
*It attracts the finest artists
*It works with many cultural community and educational institutions to produce exceptional community art activities
*It works throughout the year to be a blue ribbon presence in the Ann Arbor community
This is the original event on which the other Ann Arbor fairs have patterned themselves, as well as many other fairs across the nation. It is the creme de la creme of art events.
The Street Art Fair has an distinctive jury process, unlike that of any other art fair. Under the guidance of Shary Brown, the director, there are five separate panels jurying specific media or related categories.
There are 4 to 5 jurors per panel, one of whom is a member of the Jury Group. The Jury Group meets in a sixth 
session after all the panels are complete to review the submissions with high scores and determine invitations in each category, balancing the scores, the range of work and the strength of category.
Artists selected for the wait list are also determined at this session. They jury over two weekends in late January and early February with at least two sessions mid week. All images are projected, statements read with additional information available upon request.
The strength of this approach is that they have jurors (who are paid an honorarium) working 4 to 6 hours only in their own area of expertise, or related areas. Jurors see the work multiple times and are able to ask questions and to discuss the work, moving back and forth to compare it to other submissions in the category. Jurors are generally working artists and are often educators at area colleges or museums. They mix new jurors with experienced jurors.
The Jury Group member brings a familiarity with the fair and knowledge of the goals and programs from having juried the fair on site the previous year. They will bring the overall sensibility of the panel to the final session.
One of the unusual aspects of this jurying is that there is no booth slide required, but rather five images of your work.
For more info on the Street Fair visit their website: http://www.artfair.org/
To view the application and apply today, visit: http://www.zapplication.org/
