Has anyone heard of this show? CHICAGO Juried Art Fair - SKOKIE Old Orchard Juried Art Fair May 30-31, 2015 - Forum

Cheryl Eve Acosta June 2, 2015 at 11:50am

I hope you guys had a successful show!

Kathleen V. Smith > Cheryl Eve Acosta June 2, 2015 at 1:21pm

Hello Cheryl Eve,

Considering the weather, some Artists DID. Steve & I have seen your lovely work & will be happy to meet YOU hopefully "down the road" as we travel to shows just like you! We & some of the Artists we spoke to as well as the customers who "braved the weather" on Saturday especially were VERY complimentary on the Art we had & how well it was run~including the Mall Management, so that was great! Saturday,the winds were SO bad it was MISERABLE & hard to walk even walk with winds, cold, & rain. I would not have even gone to a show in those circumstances!!! We are relieved that we did not get serious damage & that our Artists & their work was not damaged. Thank you for your concern & next year will be better in alot of ways! I am still keeping you on our list Cheryl.

Connie Mettler February 20, 2015 at 7:16pm

and here is what I know:

It is worth a trip to their website to get the whole story. Kathy and Steve have been participating in art fairs all around for a long time. Another show organizer had this date and they were going to be in the show. He got ill and was canceling the event, but Kathy and Steve (ArtistFriendlyEvents) saw what they thought was an opportunity -- a five weekend month, not much competition, an upscale mall -- and approached the mall management about taking over the date.

I do know them both personally.

There is little in this for them, except a possible paycheck on an empty weekend, and the possibility of pulling something together that could go forward.

In years past we did the fine art event at Old Orchard. Beautiful place, and we made money.

Kathleen V. Smith > Connie Mettler February 21, 2015 at 3:17am

Thanks Connie!

You're RIGHT~that is pretty much our whole story, but we still welcome anyone with inquiries at chicagoafe@gmail.com.
- Kathleen V. Smith > Kathleen V. Smith February 21, 2015 at 4:40am
  
  Connie~
  
  Steven & I are SO PLEASED to have an Exceptional ARTIST~Douglas Durkee w/INFINITY HOME FURNISHINGS as our FEATURED ARTIST!!! Doug has received Awards throughout the Country, & His works of ART are Simply Stunning! We are SO PROUD to have Him as our FEATURED ARTIST at "SPRING ART AT WESTFIELD OLD ORCHARD."
  
  His Loyal Customers in this area will enjoy adding a piece of his Magnificent Furniture to their collection! You'll have to come by & visit him & (us too)!
Cheryl Eve Acosta > Connie Mettler February 20, 2015 at 7:47pm

Hello Connie,

I did go to their site and read about their story. I don't know of them and I was hopping that someone if our community would if they are active art fair exhibitors. From what I'm understanding is that they are trying to set a new event for the weekend at a new venue?

Thanks!
- Connie Mettler > Cheryl Eve Acosta February 21, 2015 at 10:22am
  
  I do know them and have for a long time. This is a show put on by people just like you. They earn their living at art fairs and as a result they know a lot about how to put something like this together. The booth fee is more than fair. Do you live near? Do you have a show that weekend? Do you know this lovely mall?I am a firm believer in building new events, especially in a case like this where the price is low.
  
  Over the years we did many first time events. And my background is that after many years of doing shows I ran shows in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, because you learn so much being a participant. Kathy and Steve can do this as have many other artists in the past, started shows that were good for all.
  
  Email them with questions. They are eager to make this work.
  - Cheryl Eve Acosta > Connie Mettler February 21, 2015 at 9:01pm
    
    I am excited to hear that artists like myself are setting up new art shows! I live about 11hrs away and I am waiting to hear from a show on that same weekend. Thank you Connie for your feedback!

Steve Sawusch February 20, 2015 at 4:16pm

I do not know anything about this show. I used to live in the area and my shoot from the hip reaction to that mall is probably pass. I would like to know more about this show too. One of my 3 rules is if the promoter is coming to you to join the show, stay away (there are some exceptions).

Kathleen V. Smith > Steve Sawusch February 21, 2015 at 3:12am

Hi Steve~Kathleen here~the promoter you are "wondering about." The mall has had a beautiful renovation, possibly since you have been here last. Hey, it's perfectly ok to ask about these new promoters, after all~how DARE they do a show when no one knows them?! (At least as a promoter in Illinois anyway) We actually have alot of Artist friends in many states & my Fiance Steven & I plan on doing the best we can to get BUYERS to attend this show. After all, as Artists, the dollar is what it all comes down to! Steven & I know the difference between buyers & people rushing by at malls, & we are aiming for buyers thru our advertising. I have asked alot of questions myself to promoters & will again as I am still an Artist always looking for good shows too! It's OK, but Linnea~I am sorry you did not do well at Skokie, but I have found over the years just because YOU didn't do well, does not mean she wouldn't. I have no idea why you didn't do well, but I don't feel it is fair to discourage others who indeed have exquisite work! Cheryl Eve~do e-mail me please with any questions. Steve, I understand where you are coming from with the 3 rules, but please read where WE are coming from in our website! Give us a chance~we are on YOUR side~there is no way that Steve or I as Artists wants an unsuccessful show!!! In NO way are we desperate to get Artists by reaching out~we are only enjoying the great talent out there & excited to let our show be known to others!

No, you haven't heard of Artist Friendly Events because that is our new name. There are alot of good promoters here in Chicago that are established in their field, & more power to them~in fact I even have more respect for them now than ever (LOL)! Please Steve & everyone else reading this~if you still have questions after reading our website, don't hesitate to e-mail us anytime & we will get back to you within the same day. As far as the "flattery," thank you~! I'm glad I still have it in me, but that only goes to my honey Steve~not you Linnea~sorry. (LOL). Trying to lure or push or beg or plead or is NOT my nature to get what I want. I do, however believe in sharing what I know will be a great opportunity to make money with the Artists by keeping the Fees down, sharing with them the fabulous location & demographics, & letting them come to their own decision. We hope you give us a chance Steve & everyone interested, as we truly care about the Artists SUCCESS over anything. By the way, we could have easily charged ALOT more for Old Orchard, but chose not to. Thanks for your time & please e-mail us anytime at chicagoafe@gmail.com ~ Our website is www.artistfriendlyevents.wordpress.com Steve~a special thanks to you for sharing your space!

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