New to the business - where to apply in Michigan? - Forum

Bill Morris June 2, 2010 at 8:11am

I have done Fallsburg in Lowell a couple of years ago, and it had rained hard the day before the show and so it was a little muddy, but otherwise a good show. Nice crowd of people looking for art, and will do this show again when it works into my schedule.
A couple of West MI shows not mentioned yet are; Portside Art Festival in East Jordan on the 1st weekend in Aug. and the Charlevoix Summer Solstice Art show the 3rd weekend in June. Both shows have been very good to me and both are well advertised and attended by people looking for art.

I have done one show in Saugatuck in the city park and it was well attended, and I did just OK, but I thought the logistics of loading out with 174 other artist wanting to do the same thing on a single street was more than a deal breaker for me. Plus the artist had to park about a mile away and the bus to the parking lot which was supposed to run ever 15 minutes was over a hour late at the end of the show, so there were plenty of PO'ed artist waiting for the bus.

Connie Mettler May 2, 2010 at 4:11pm

We got them at a farm supply store, but they are available at lots of places -- they are propane, therefore, refillable, and compact.

Ann Reif said:

Connie, I have to ask, what kind of heater? What kind of fuel does it use. Sorry if you already said and I missed it. Thanks, Annie

Connie Mettler said:
Could be fabulous -- but I'm thinking in the summer it is the summer people who are buying -- do local people have any money?

I know about these very cool portable heaters --- think we got ours at a feed store, definitely part of the art fair equipment inventory.

Kevin Kaye said:
Charlevoix Apple Fest...best if your local,loco and like the chance of snow while hovering in your tent.
Kevin

Ann Reif May 2, 2010 at 1:16pm

Connie, I have to ask, what kind of heater? What kind of fuel does it use. Sorry if you already said and I missed it. Thanks, Annie

Connie Mettler said:

Could be fabulous -- but I'm thinking in the summer it is the summer people who are buying -- do local people have any money?

I know about these very cool portable heaters --- think we got ours at a feed store, definitely part of the art fair equipment inventory.

Kevin Kaye said:
Charlevoix Apple Fest...best if your local,loco and like the chance of snow while hovering in your tent.
Kevin

CHRISTIE MICHALOS-KANIEWSKI April 28, 2010 at 9:08am

Thanks Connie! I'm a little nervous with it all since they are back to back....worried about how much inventory to have so it's definitely going to be a learning experience. But, I'm up for the challenge!

Connie Mettler said:

Sounds like you'll have a few very busy days, Christie. Best wishes.

Connie Mettler April 27, 2010 at 9:56pm

Whoa! So you have a biggie coming up - Birmingham will be your warmup and then on to Columbus. You are going to meet a lot of great people.

Sara Youngman said:

Yes, Columbus, OH. A cousin who lives there really got me thinking about doing fairs as I could stay with her and she'd help me out at the 3-day fair.

I forgot to add Krasl to the list of acceptances.

Hopefully I'll have a lot of great things to tell y'all after my experiences.

Connie Mettler April 27, 2010 at 9:09pm

What is this Columbus? Columbus, MI?? now I'm thinking Ohio. Right?

Sara, we are waiting to hear your reports after these shows. Not everyone does all the big events. Many do just fine at the smaller shows, expenses much lower, and a good place to start. Best wishes.

Sara Youngman said:

As to the original list for W MI - turned down by Ann Arbor and Charlevoix. Accepted by Art Birmingham, Columbus, Ada (had to turn down), E GR, Grand Haven, Holland (had to turn down), Traverse City, Lubeznik Center Lakefront fair in Michigan City, IN and wait listed for Kzoo (had to turn down). Still waiting to hear from Royal Oak/Arts, Beats, Eats, a 2nd Columbus fair in Sept and Lowell. I am truly amazed at my luck for a first timer. All these many months of planning are just above over - May 15th is my first fair. I just may kiss my first buyer! I too greatly appreciate all the advice and help I've received on this site. And I hope I do get to meet you at one of these things Connie!

Connie Mettler April 27, 2010 at 4:03pm

Sounds like you'll have a few very busy days, Christie. Best wishes.

CHRISTIE MICHALOS-KANIEWSKI April 27, 2010 at 12:27pm

Larry, I appreciate the tips on parking very much and relieved to know the show should be a good one. I'm finding Insiders to be so valuable a site for help and info like this!! I'm headed to Syracuse, IN for a small show on the 3rd. Lots of vacationers there as well! Thanks!

Larry Berman said:

South Haven can be an exceptional show. Make sure to ask for a space you can park your van behind and get there very early (while it's dark) because the parking spaces behind the booths go fast. Also, if it's not too late make sure to apply to Saugatuck for the day before. They are only about a half hour apart and make a great combination.

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

Larry Berman April 27, 2010 at 10:55am

South Haven can be an exceptional show. Make sure to ask for a space you can park your van behind and get there very early (while it's dark) because the parking spaces behind the booths go fast. Also, if it's not too late make sure to apply to Saugatuck for the day before. They are only about a half hour apart and make a great combination.

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

CHRISTIE MICHALOS-KANIEWSKI April 27, 2010 at 9:38am

I'm new at this too and have just received my acceptance at the South Haven Art Fair on July 4. I hope I made a good choice. I visited it last year and there were gobs of people around but I don't know if they were buying or not. Can anyone give me some feedback on the show as to what I can expect? Thanks!

Replies