I am a Great Lakes Nautical & Nature Fine Art photographer that participates in fine art shows and events across the Great Lakes Region. The 29th Annual Lake Front Artist Fair was held on Saturday, May 1st 2010. Located at Festival Park, right on Lake Michigan, I have participated in this event for four years and I will continue to use this well organized art fair as my "first of the year" event. Having a one day show early in the spring allows me to get back into the show every weekend routine. I once again get familiar with my setup, make sure equipment is working and figure out "how the heck did I pack this trailer last year?" It typically takes 3 shows to get my body back in shape (poor old body) and this one day show allows me to complain about muscle aches on Sunday.
This show is a juried event that runs from 9am to 4pm. It includes fine artists and fine art crafters as well as a silent auction, basket auction, childrens area, plant & bake sale and one of the most fantastic all day pancake breakfasts I've ever seen. The line for the breakfast is a long one, extending outside Festival Hall most of the day. Clearly a draw for most. The weather in past years has proved to be quite challenging. Right on the shores it has always been very windy with biting winds. I was thrilled this year when I did not need my winter coat and fingerless gloves. The day was marvelous!
ORGANIZER
Sponsored by the Racine Montessori school and underwritten by S.C. Johnson & Son, the event administrator is Rita Lewis. Fantastic woman and great at organizing this event - just love Rita as do all her volunteers. All artists have a choice of unloading times (I always choose 6:30am) and drive up to the curb of the park's entrance to unload. Parents/students/friends of the school are waiting with dollys and wagons to help unpack your stuff and haul to your booth location. There were 6 just helping us - all I had to do was stand in my booth area and direct them as to where they should place the stuff. It's all done so efficiently there typically is not a backup waiting to find a spot along the curb. There is an artist assigned parking lot not too far away but there is also a parking ramp right across the street for $1.50 for the day. I cannot say enough about the volunteers either. Always friendly, always checking to see if you have any needs.
LAYOUT
Booth spaces measure 12' by 10'. Our space has 2' on the side and we are always open to the back to use that area. The layout is patron and artist friendly. Traffic flow meanders around the grounds, entering and exiting at the same spot. With about 135 artists, it's easy for the patron to pass by each & every booth. I've been happy to have the same booth location near the entrance and close to the breakfast exit each year. Mine is exposed to the elements, but many of the inner booths are located under a roofed shelter and some inside the huge festival tent (I've somewhat envied them in past years during inclement weather, but I'm more of a "roughing it" soul.
BOTTOM LINE
There is no jury fee for this show. You send the application via mail along with photos of your work and a check for $75.00. If you are accepted, you are notified and they cash the check. Many considerations needed to be looked at to determine if this is an event that appeals to you. I can only share my thoughts.
For the reasons shared above I will always do this show. The entry fee is exceptional and the location is only an hour for me so I have no real expenses. My price points range from $10 to $580 but since Racine has been one of the hardest hit cities in the midwest, I lower my prices quite a bit. This is not a high end art show but does have, for the most part, high quality artists and crafters. Woodworkers, yard art, Ecuador hand loomed clothing along with great photography, painters, jewelers and more are all there. There are a few resellers allowed, but only the ones with interesting high quality stuff. I have no problem with that venue for this show. This is one of only two that I take my fine art note cards and lower priced items to. I don't even pack up my higher end items for this show - but I tend to make around $1000 for the one day, easy paced event. Probably one of the reasons I support this one is the sheer enjoyment of the day. It's always fairly profitable, there are no egos or cranky artists, it supports a local successful school and the organizer and all volunteers are really there to make the day pleasant for all.
This show is an example of how to survive these difficult economic times. You don't always have to go for the "Ann Arbor" shows! You don't have to always be concerned about "Upper Tier Fine Artists" only or not mixing in with high quality Crafters! Know your niche and think outside that Artists "Box". Should be on the list for any first time artist - although it will spoil you :D
Link to My 2010 Lake Front Artist Fair YouTube Video
Linda Anderson
Anderson Photo Works
Comments
I'm an old hand at taking down tents. Can't wait.
BTW, it will be my birthday.
There were quite a few tatoos in Racine, but our weather was in the upper 60's so only saw a few on the brave souls who wore shorts or the weirdos with them all over their shaved heads and necks. Some of the ladies had some nice colorful ones around their ankles. On the way home from the show I commented to my husband Neil... perhaps if I got creative with tats on my face, all my wrinkles would not show so well. Perhaps a butterfly sideways, with the wings on my cheeks. Might even cover up an awful scar on my nose from skin cancer. It could be a striking piece of art. Do ya think that would go over in a zapp submission? I'd likely get accepted at many shows - FREAK shows that is!
See ya soon bud.