The originality of artists needs to be made more aware to the public these days. The shows I strive for have art that is actually made by the artists, not B/S junk. Showing the process through the media is being under used. I do shows with Gilmore Enterprises in early Spring. They pick several artists for TV interviews and have them come in early the first morning. The interviews are then shown for the am news shows and then throughout the weekend. In Greensboro there will be 3 TV trucks outside the venue. They also pick one artist for a newspaper interview. I have done both. The newspaper was incredible, got a whole page for myself. Increased sales by %30. It got people to come that otherwise wouldn't have known about show. My local show here in TC thinks if you put a sign out they will come. Locals do come, but the thousands and thousand of "fudgies" have no idea. I am planning on more volunteer work with the Artcenter when life slows a little.
I did the Great Lakes Art Fair last month. Connie and crew assembled an outstanding group of artists. Top notch. They had PBS coverage, and the spots were great. If you were to do the example above I think more people would have braved the road closure to attend. You can also plan on me showing at your Oct. show, word of mouth is going to be great for this show.
In this Walmart world more and more has to be done to get the public to remember how sweet it is to share your home with a piece of some artists soul.
If you are in E Lansing this weekend stop by,
Kevin
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I can only sit here and reminisce but a site like this can be the icing, on the cake, the fudge on the ice cream or the sun on the snow. I always am amazed, though I shouldn't be, how helpful people, especially of the same interest can be to their cohorts. Each of us has some insights which others can use. It costs nothing to share them and it makes friends. Often, a piece of work in our collection is by someone we really got to like after meeting them. This makes the work even more valuable. This was done by someone who really enjoyed life and their work and was a fine person. I have some work in those categories. Sadly, some of those friends are gone. See my note re: autobiography.
Always remember, art work needs SOUL. Your SOUL shows in your art work .
I agree. When asked, I've been providing Betsy Kube with high resolution images for all the artists that have worked with me that she needs them for. I even wrote an article on creating a press kit with the images and make it available for the show to download: http://www.bermangraphics.com/artshows/press-kit.htm
My husband, James Eaton, recently participated in the Palm Beach fine Craft Show and the following letter from their Public Relations firm was forwarded to artists after the show. (Jim's work was chosen for large banners that were hung in the Palm Beach airport and it was great to have that type of exposure.) I thought this was something other artists might be interested in.
Dear Artist;
Thanks for helping me in my efforts to make the 2009 Palm Beach Fine Craft Show a success. I especially want to thank those who went the extra mile to make sure I had high-quality, high-resolution images and complete captions to use in my press kit and other efforts at getting ink for the show.
I can’t stress enough the importance of quality, professionally rendered images when it comes to securing media coverage. A few years ago, I was doing PR work for an antique show and struck up a conversation with the editor of the local newspaper, who wanted me to write an article or two leading up to the show. She asked me to investigate the “next hot trend” in decorating and added her paper always wanted to be ahead of the curve.
I looked into it and found that French Country would be a safe bet, so I called and received her blessing to write about that decorating trend. When I went to gather images for my article, however, I found that the dealers who were bringing French Country furnishings did not have very strong images. I’m sure the furniture was nice, but the photos were pretty bad.
I looked deeper into my supply of images and found that Macklowe Gallery in New York, which deals exclusively in Art Nouveau, had spectacular images. I called the editor and said that, upon further research, I had learned that Art Nouveau, not French Country, was going to be the next hot trend in decorating. She said “go with it,” so I wrote a great article that included those beautiful images!
Four months later, on the cover of Architectural Digest, was a lead for an article on “the next hot decorating trend: Art Nouveau.” Coincidence? Most likely. But what wasn’t a coincidence was my decision to write about a dealer who had the great images. That’s what it’s all about.
If you’ll send me high-resolution images (at least 300 dpi, and no smaller than 4”x6”) I will do my best to get you into the press. I understand that the images you send in for jurying purposes can be lower resolution, but I can’t use them if they don’t meet the above specs. Which leads to my next, final point: if you send the same images that you sent last year and /or the year before, chances are I have already included them in a press kit and won’t be able to use them again. Take some time out of your busy schedules, if you would, and get some impressive, high-quality new images - not only for the jury but for your humble PR representative as well.
Best regards,
Bill Underwood
Bill Underwood
Liberty Media Group, Inc.
13833 Wellington Trace, Suite 423
Wellington, FL 33414
To all artists: You are now at the time of life where things are popping. Make a daily log. Record your shows, impressions, people you meet or who influenced you. Then, later, write your autobiography. It doesn't have to be professional. You will be amazed at what you have done. You will remember things long forgotten. Why do this? For your family. I was prompted to do this by a very bright man. I thought I would maybe get 12 to 24 pages of dull, uninteresting information. I am over 400 pages and only about half the way through. Even small events are important. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be amazed. Yes, you do have the time. Minutes a day.
There will be times you will enjoy the writing and times you must force yourself; but NOW is the time. From this extract the bits you need for publicity and keep the list where you can print it out when you need it. You are recording your humanity! humanity makes the artist!
Another time I would like to discuss display techniques-inexpensive!
Kevin... I am seeing this push with many shows too. Many see the value of art if it is put right in their face - great photos in newspapers, live shots from events on news programs or commercials, and even through good radio ads. I think it would be a great idea if we, as craft artists, got on the ball and make up press packets of ourselves to give to promoters/show directors to use for future PR for the show. My thoughts are show organizers can't get enough of good jpg quality work and artists write ups to show off how wonderful their event is. It attracts high quality artists (which will then ooze into the public wanting to see what they do) and possible learn about how they make their craft/art making it not just a place to buy art/craft, but learn about art and appreciate it to boot.
It has been a looooong time since I went to Kalamazoo. I used to do just about all the Michigan shows since that was my original habitat. It was great fun to keep meeting the same artists over and over. Most people have no idea how much work it is to do the work AND exhibit at many fairs. I did 18 one year while still teaching. Never did it again!
I have seen newspaper coverage work if you do all the work. Do the write up, enclose pics etc. and send to appropriate person at paper. I like yourquote Larry, rings true.
I will be at Kalamazoo Connie, see you at one of them.
Kevin
I have seen newspaper coverage work if you do all the work. Do the write up, enclose pics etc. and send to appropriate person at paper. I like your quote Larry, rings true.
I will be at Kalamazoo Connie, see you at one of them.
Kevin
Thanks for the kind words, Kevin. It was great to see you and your work at the Great Lakes Art Fair. We also did have TV spots, interviews with some artists. I am really counting on word of mouth to help in the fall. It looked like the attendees were impressed and we believe attendance will pick up.
East Lansing is on my radar for this weekend. Will you be in Kalamazoo?
In order for there to be newspaper coverage it really depends on your PR person, and if the event understands this. I had a call from an organization today that is starting a new art fair this summer as a fundraiser, I just talked her ear off about what they were going to do for the artists about advertising and PR. Somehow people think art fairs are great big money raisers, "if you hold it, they will come."
Replies
Always remember, art work needs SOUL. Your SOUL shows in your art work .
http://www.bermangraphics.com/artshows/press-kit.htm
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
Art Show Tips Blog
http://ArtShowTips.com
412-767-8644
Dear Artist;
Thanks for helping me in my efforts to make the 2009 Palm Beach Fine Craft Show a success. I especially want to thank those who went the extra mile to make sure I had high-quality, high-resolution images and complete captions to use in my press kit and other efforts at getting ink for the show.
I can’t stress enough the importance of quality, professionally rendered images when it comes to securing media coverage. A few years ago, I was doing PR work for an antique show and struck up a conversation with the editor of the local newspaper, who wanted me to write an article or two leading up to the show. She asked me to investigate the “next hot trend” in decorating and added her paper always wanted to be ahead of the curve.
I looked into it and found that French Country would be a safe bet, so I called and received her blessing to write about that decorating trend. When I went to gather images for my article, however, I found that the dealers who were bringing French Country furnishings did not have very strong images. I’m sure the furniture was nice, but the photos were pretty bad.
I looked deeper into my supply of images and found that Macklowe Gallery in New York, which deals exclusively in Art Nouveau, had spectacular images. I called the editor and said that, upon further research, I had learned that Art Nouveau, not French Country, was going to be the next hot trend in decorating. She said “go with it,” so I wrote a great article that included those beautiful images!
Four months later, on the cover of Architectural Digest, was a lead for an article on “the next hot decorating trend: Art Nouveau.” Coincidence? Most likely. But what wasn’t a coincidence was my decision to write about a dealer who had the great images. That’s what it’s all about.
If you’ll send me high-resolution images (at least 300 dpi, and no smaller than 4”x6”) I will do my best to get you into the press. I understand that the images you send in for jurying purposes can be lower resolution, but I can’t use them if they don’t meet the above specs. Which leads to my next, final point: if you send the same images that you sent last year and /or the year before, chances are I have already included them in a press kit and won’t be able to use them again. Take some time out of your busy schedules, if you would, and get some impressive, high-quality new images - not only for the jury but for your humble PR representative as well.
Best regards,
Bill Underwood
Bill Underwood
Liberty Media Group, Inc.
13833 Wellington Trace, Suite 423
Wellington, FL 33414
There will be times you will enjoy the writing and times you must force yourself; but NOW is the time. From this extract the bits you need for publicity and keep the list where you can print it out when you need it. You are recording your humanity! humanity makes the artist!
Another time I would like to discuss display techniques-inexpensive!
I will be at Kalamazoo Connie, see you at one of them.
Kevin
East Lansing is on my radar for this weekend. Will you be in Kalamazoo?
In order for there to be newspaper coverage it really depends on your PR person, and if the event understands this. I had a call from an organization today that is starting a new art fair this summer as a fundraiser, I just talked her ear off about what they were going to do for the artists about advertising and PR. Somehow people think art fairs are great big money raisers, "if you hold it, they will come."