Part of being an artist is weighing the opportunities that come your way through the year. Art fairs turn out to not be what they used to be so you do not return, then new art fairs appear to take their place. If you do not support the new promising events eventually your marketplace shrinks and your choices become more limited.
We, my husband Norm Darwish and I, have participated in many first year events--some terrific and others not, so. But when an event came along that showed PR moxie and professional staffing we knew it deserved a chance if we were going to continue to earn our living in the art fair business. We made it a part of our business plan to do a new art fair or two every year to keep us fresh and exploring new territories and to meet new customers. Most years we we included a first year show. We participated in the first
ArtiGras in W. Palm Beach, the first
Cherry Creek Art Festival, the first
Arts, Beats & Eats as well as smaller events. I thought he was crazy to go all the way to Denver for Cherry Creek (who would drive from the Midwest for a first time show?), but happily accompanied him in subsequent years. The early days at Arts, Beats & Eats were fabulous, hitting five figures in sales in year one.
The Call for Entries below is your chance to help build a new strong event in metro Detroit. There will be good promotion for this first time event and lots of PR buzz, people will attend to see what it is all about. If the event only displays mediocre work not much will come of it, but if we present fine work a new show will have been born. Think really hard about joining us. If you live in a 200 mile radius of metro Detroit please consider quickly the Great Lakes Art Fair. The deadline is tomorrow.
Great Lakes Art Fair April 17, 18 & 19 Novi, MI Rock Financial Showplace 200 artists Deadline: February 2 Why you should be interested: 1. Great date and indoors 2. Organizers who know the Detroit marketplace and have the energy and financial resources to create good buzz about the event 3. A strong marketing team who market various kinds of events at this venue all year long 4. A quality exhibition space in a very upscale suburb of Oakland County, frequented by thousands just about every weekend 5. They are seeking to partner with arts organizations and charities to present an art fair that is connected to the local community 6. Classy amenities: gourmet catered food, landscaped gallery entry to showcase your best work, opening night gala where you are the guest, not the sales person, promo postcards for your patrons, hotel discounts 7. Fair booth fees
There will be a spring and fall art fair. These dates were recently vacated by Sugarloaf who has decided not to come back to Michigan. The Sugarloaf event had many loyal customers who will be very pleased to see this new incarnation of the event. In addition to that the Rock Financial Showplace managers are planning a more upscale event to fit the local clientele. Expect charity tie-ins, a show designer to make the venue attractive and low key entertainment to keep the patrons in the building and lots more. Visit:
GreatLakesArtFair.com for more
information Apply today at:
www.zapplication.org Deadline-February 2 I am consulting with the owners of this really nice exhibition space to help them create a classy event that will bring in the patrons. If you know me you know I've been involved in the art fair business for over 25 years, wearing many hats: artist partner, show director, art fair organizer and have participated in over 400 art fairs. I believe this event shows promise. Early applicants receive free electricity and a chance to have their images used in publicity.
P.S. Do not listen to the news! I was in metro Detroit this week. There were cars on the freeways, parking lots full of cars at office buildings, two events taking place at the Rock Showplace. There is a lot of commercial activity going on. Yes, some people are not doing well -
but most people have jobs. The upscale Somerset Mall is thriving. People still have money, love to shop and be entertained. Join us in Novi in April!
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