Indiana - Blog - Art Fair Insiders

Call for Artists: OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair

Posted by Meg Mettler on December 17, 2024 at 6:00am

May 18 & 19, 2025
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indy Art Center
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
165 Artists
Deadline: January 22, 2025

Application fee: $35/Booth fee $400-450

Now celebrating its 53rd year, the Indy Art Center’s OneAmerica Financial Broad Ripple Art Fair offers an opportunity for the public to meet 150+ fine art & craft artists from across the country. The OneAmerica Financial Broad Ripple Art Fair is located on the grounds of the Indy Art Center designed by Hoosier Architect Michael Graves and throughout its 9.5-acre ArtsPark.

The OneAmerica Financial Broad Ripple Art Fair is a nationally ranked, highly selective, juried art fair that benefits the Indy Art Center as its largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds go towards supporting free art programming for underserved youth and senior audiences in our community, ensuring that our building, grounds, and exhibitions are always free and open to the public, offering free programming for military veterans and active service members through creativity and self-expression, and much more!

Patrons can enjoy incredible one-of-a-kind art, live music curated by Indy Jazz Fest, fantastic food, local Bier Brewery products, artist demonstrations, and interactive art activities for people of all ages! Located in the Broad Ripple Village Cultural District— a cultural art, shopping, night club, and dining district—the Indy Art Center is next to the popular Monon Trail urban greenway.

Show Features:
• Extensive advertising and promotion worth at least $100,000.
• Booth Sitters: Get a friendly booth sitter when you need one!
• Overnight Roving Security (Indianapolis Police Department).
• Friday set-up beginning as early as 8:00 am.
• Booth Preference - Survey emailed to Accepted Artists in advance of booth placement
• Friday Night Preview Party for select areas.
• Art Fair website includes artist image and a live link to the artist's website.
• Artists retain 100% of sales of artworks sold.
• Saturday and Sunday Artist and Volunteer breakfast.
• Food Line passes; get to the front of any line, so you don’t miss a sale!
• Art Fair hosted by a non-profit Art Center.
• Warm and professional staff dedicated to the arts!

APPLY:
https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=12840

For more info:
https://indyartcenter.org/braf/
Contact: Shannon Bennett sbennett@indyartcenter.org

Last Call for Artists: ArtsFest at the 42nd West Central Home Tour

Posted by Meg Mettler on July 8, 2024 at 6:00am

September 7 & 8, 2024
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Historic City Streets
Saturday & Sunday 11am-5pm
55 Artists
Deadline: July 12, 2024

Application fee: $10 Booth fee: $75

The ArtsFest is part of the 42nd Home and Garden Tour in the Registered Historic District in downtown Fort Wayne.

We think you'll love spending the weekend with us in our historic neighborhood during its very popular Home Tour. The West Central neighborhood is on the National Historic Register and the ArtsFest takes place in the street in front of these revived workers' cottages and restored mansions. Imagine your booth set among shady trees and enjoy the easy-going vibe, where the residents show off their unique homes to old-house lovers. The event regularly brings in about 3,000 people who attend the tour every year and love the ambiance of the neighborhood.

What the artists say about us:

"Awesome show!" and "Organizers were great!" and
"Love the neighborhood atmosphere!" and "Great layout!"
and, of course, "I love this event!"

What to expect:

a small boutique event
easy setup, drive up to your booth, short hours, helpful volunteers
cool food trucks, live music and buyers that appreciate unique and one-of-a-kind goods.
A friendly place to spend the weekend AND you can't beat the booth fee!

➤Learn more and apply:
westcentralneighborhood.org

Contact: Katie Pruitt kepruitt@gmail.com

We love our neighborhood and think you will too:

Call for Artists: 53rd Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art

Posted by Meg Mettler on March 28, 2024 at 6:00am

September 28 & 29, 2024
Madison, Indiana
Downtown Madison along the Ohio River
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
200 Artists
Deadline: June 30, 2024

Application fee: $25/Booth fee: $350

At the end of September each year, Madison’s National Landmark Historic District welcomes around 40,000 visitors during the two-day Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art. The festival is Southern Indiana’s premier outdoor juried arts & crafts festival featuring approximately 200 exhibitors. This festival is free to the public and designed for the whole family to enjoy, although pets do need to remain home.

Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art is a non-profit organization operating under the umbrella of Visit Madison, Inc. For the last 50 years, a committee of volunteers and coordinators have worked hard to ensure this festival has something for everyone. Along with them, hundreds of volunteers, City of Madison employees and the Mayor of Madison work together to make the entire Chautauqua weekend a success.

Testimonials

"Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art is dedicated to the arts, the artists, and their patrons! I recommend this art show in every way as the show you don't want to miss!"

"This is a great show and the organizers clearly care about the quality of the event and the artists as well. The attendance and buy-in from the community is great and the location couldn't be more beautiful. I appreciate the security at the event as well."

In addition to the fine artists and craftsmen showcasing their handmade work, the festival features continuous live entertainment, a riverfront food fest, kid’s activities, and an entertainment garden with local craft beer.

For more info: madisonchautauqua.com
Contact: Kara Hinze info@madisonchautauqua.com

Call for Artists: 4th Annual Plain & Simple Craft Show

Posted by Meg Mettler on February 16, 2024 at 6:00am

April 5 & 6, 2024
Shipshewana, Indiana
345 South Van Buren Street
Friday 1pm-8pm & Saturday 9am-3pm
150 Artists
Deadline: March 1, 2024

No Application Fee/Booth fee: $225

Amish-inspired craft show sponsored by one of the best Amish craft and decor magazines on the market. Enter at the Flea Market entrance in the Antique Building. Indoors except food trucks will be outside. We are especially interrested in unique products. Scroll down on our websit to print off application. Call 260-768-7651 or email info@plainsimplemag.com.

We are having more onsite classes on painting and cardmaking, and book signings by well-known authors this year. The first 500 guests will get a goodie bag.

More info: https://plainsimplemag.com/
Contact: Marlene Lehman plainsimple2017@gmail.com

Call for Artists: The Village at Winona Art Fair

Posted by Meg Mettler on January 24, 2024 at 6:00am

June 1 & 2, 2024
Winona Lake, Indiana
The Village at Winona
Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 11am-4pm
70 Artists
Deadline: March 3, 2024

Application fee: $30/Booth fee: $175

The first stop on your Mid-Western show circuit: centrally located, within easy driving distance to top-rated shows in Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis.

On the shores of beautiful Winona Lake sits The Village at Winona, a vibrant destination steeped in history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this former summer retreat is now a shopping destination, with unique retail and service shops and a variety of restaurants and eateries. And with its abundance of green spaces, the Village is a natural venue for parties, events and weddings, or simply spending time relaxing and enjoying nature.

Visit The Village at any time of year. Meet friends for a favorite outing, or discover something new. We know you’ll love experiencing one of the most beautiful and historic locations in Northern Indiana.

EVENT INFORMATION
For 24 years, we have prided ourselves on staging a juried show of original fine art that is welcoming and profitable for our exhibiting artists:

Pledged patrons from a prosperous community: $30,000+ pledged money-provides built-in sales before the show even begins
Sunshine Artist magazine #100 Top Fine Art Fair for 2023, based on artists' sales

ARTIST FRIENDLY

Plentiful nearby parking
Over night security provided
Easy loading/unloading
Marketing support and media coverage
Artists receive coffee and donuts or muffins each morning
Lunch & drinks brought to your booth on Saturday; light snacks on Sunday
Exhibits limited to approximately 70 booths - ensures great exposure for each artist
Reduced hotel rates for artists. Hotels are conveniently located near the Village
The perfect setting: Nestled on the shores of Winona Lake, Indiana, surrounded by boutique shops and gourmet restaurants

Experience shopping, restaurants, recreaction, and events –

all along the shores of Winona Lake in Northern Indiana.

For more information: villageatwinona.com/events/village-art-fair/

Contact: Nick Hauck nick@villageatwinona.com

Call for Artists: 52nd Annual OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair

Posted by Meg Mettler on January 3, 2024 at 6:00am

May 18 & 19, 2024
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis Art Center
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
150 Artists
Deadline: January 24, 2024

Application fee: $35.00/Booth fee starts at $400

150+ local, regional, and national artists will take over the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center with one-of-a-kind fine art. Apply now for the opportunity to take part in this juried artist showcase. All proceeds from the OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair go towards supporting the Indianapolis Art Center. The OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair is a nationally ranked, highly selective, juried art fair that benefits the Indianapolis Art Center as its largest annual fundraiser.

The OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair is located on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center designed by Hoosier Architect Michael Graves and its 9.5-acre ARTSPARK. Located in the Broad Ripple Village Cultural District— a cultural arts, shopping, night club, and dining district—the Indianapolis Art Center is next to the popular Monon Trail urban greenway. Artists are all located throughout our outdoor ARTSPARK while the Indianapolis Art Center building comes alive with contemporary art galleries and studio classrooms with demonstrations and activities.

Show Features:

Extensive advertising and promotion worth at least $30,000.00
Booth Sitter Text Hotline; get a friendly booth sitter right when you need one!
Overnight Roving Security (Indianapolis Police Department)
Friday Night Preview Party for select areas
Saturday and Sunday Artist and Volunteer breakfast
Food Line passes; get to the front of any line, so you don’t miss a sale!
Warm and professional staff dedicated to the arts

Patrons can enjoy incredible one-of-a-kind art, live music curated by Indy Jazz Fest, fantastic food,
Bier Brewery products, artist demonstrations, and interactive art activities for people of all ages!

Celebrate the richness of the Indianapolis arts community with us!

For more information: https://indyartcenter.org/braf/

Contact: Shannon Bennett sbennett@indplsartcenter.org

Call for Artists: Last Call: ArtsFest at the 41st West Central Home Tour

Posted by Meg Mettler on August 7, 2023 at 6:00am

September 9 & 10, 2023
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Historic City Streets
Saturday & Sunday 11am-5pm
50 Artists
Deadline: August 15, 2023

Application fee: $10/Booth fee: $75

The ArtsFest is part of the 41st Home and Garden Tour in the Registered Historic District in downtown Fort Wayne.

We think you'll love spending the weekend with us in our historic neighborhood during its very popular Home Tour. The West Central neighborhood is on the National Historic Register and the ArtsFest takes place in the street in front of these revived workers' cottages and restored mansions. Imagine your booth set among shady trees and enjoy the easy-going vibe, where the residents show off their unique homes to old-house lovers. The event regularly brings in about 3,000 people who attend the tour every year and love the ambiance of the neighborhood.

We include our neighborhood artists' studios. West Central was saved from the wrecking ball because the Fort Wayne Art School was here. As time went by and the neighborhood deteriorated, artists moved in to live and work here. The artist community is the backbone of the neighborhood. We have invited them to host open studios during the tour, to use their mailing lists to bring in more shoppers. We will be marketing this new aspect with more emphasis on the arts. We expect this will enhance sales for both the ArtsFest exhibitors and the resident artists.

What to expect:

a small boutique event
easy setup, drive up to your booth, short hours, helpful volunteers
cool food trucks, live music and buyers that appreciate unique and one-of-a-kind goods.
A friendly place to spend the weekend AND you can't beat the booth fee!

Apply:

https://westcentralneighborhood.org/apply-to-artsfest/

More info: https://westcentralneighborhood.org/

Contact: Connie Mettler cjmettler@icloud.com

Call for Artists: Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art

Posted by Meg Mettler on March 22, 2023 at 6:00am

September 30 - October 1, 2023

Madison, Indiana

Downtown along the Ohio River

Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm

200 artists

Deadline: June 30, 2023

Application fee: $25 Booth fee: $325

The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art is held at the end of September. This autumn festival brings more than 40,000 guests in search of uniquely handcrafted fine arts and crafts. Featuring more than 175 artisans showcasing painting, sculpture, glass, textiles, pottery, and more in the tree-lined streets of Madison's National Landmark Historic District. Madison Chautauqua is free to the public and designed for the whole family to enjoy.

Exhibitor amenities include booth sitters, indoor exhibitor hospitality area with restrooms, breakfast and snacks, as well as friendly volunteers. Our planning committee and coordinator work year long to create a festival that appeals to a large diverse number of guests and artists.

In addition to the diverse handcrafted artwork, the festival showcases continuous live entertainment, the Riverfront FoodFest, kids' crafts, Chalk Walk, and an entertainment garden with local craft beer.

Madison Chautauqua has been voted Madison's Best Event for 3 years, and also listed as Sunshine Artist 200 best of the last decade.

"Your team was so organized and friendly. I’ll definitely reapply next year. Cheers to a great first experience. Hope you’ll get some well deserved rest soon. Thank you 😊"

More info: www.madisonchautauqua.com

Contact: Kara Hinze info@madisonchautauqua.com

Call for Artists: The Village at Winona Art Fair

Posted by Meg Mettler on January 26, 2023 at 6:00am

June 3 & 4, 2023

Winona Lake, Indiana

The Village at Winona

Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 11am-4pm

75 Artists

Deadline: March 5, 2023

Application fee: $35 Booth fee: $175

The first stop on your Mid-Western show circuit: centrally located, within easy driving distance to top-rated shows in Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis. For 23 years we have prided ourselves on staging a juried show of original fine art that is welcoming and profitable for our exhibiting artists. Pledged patrons from a prosperous community: $30,000+ pledged money - provides built-in sales before the show even begins.

We are Artist-friendly:

Easy loading/unloading
Coffee & donuts or muffins each morning
Lunch and drinks brought to your booth on Saturday; light snacks on Sunday
Marketing support and media coverage
Reduced hotel rates for artists. Hotels are conveniently located near the Village
Plentiful nearby parking
Over night security provided

The perfect setting, nestled on the shores of Winona Lake, Indiana, surrounded by boutique shops and restaurants.

More info: https://villageatwinona.com/events/village-art-fair/

Contact: Nick Hauck nick@villageatwinona.com

Call for Artists: OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair

Posted by Meg Mettler on January 18, 2023 at 6:00am

Indianapolis, Indiana

May 20 & 21, 2023

Indianapolis Art Center

Friday Preview Party 6pm-8pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm

150 Artists

Deadline: January 25, 2023

Application fee: $35 Booth fee: $400

Now celebrating its 51st year, the Indianapolis Art Center’s OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair attracts an average of 12,000 visitors and offers an opportunity for the public to meet fine art & craft artists from the U.S. and Canada. The OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair is located on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center designed by Hoosier Architect Michael Graves and its 9.5-acre ARTSPARK. Located in the Broad Ripple Village Cultural District— a cultural arts, shopping, night club, and dining district—the Indianapolis Art Center is next to the popular Monon Trail urban greenway. The OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair features amazing local, regional, and national artists, a small emerging artist area, local food and music, and art demonstrations from the Indianapolis Art Center's own Teaching Artists.

Show Features:

Extensive advertising and promotion worth at least $30,000.00
Booth Sitter Text Hotline: Get a friendly booth sitter right when you need one!
Overnight Roving Security (Indianapolis Police Department)
Friday Night Preview Party for select areas
Saturday and Sunday Artist and Volunteer breakfast
Food Line passes: get to the front of any line, so you don’t miss a sale!
Warm and professional staff dedicated to the arts

Apply today to take part in this amazingly creative, community building, fundraising event!

More info: https://indyartcenter.org/braf/

Contact: Shannon Bennett sbennett@indplsartcenter.org

Call for Artists: ArtsFest at the 40th West Central Home Tour

Posted by Meg Mettler on July 27, 2022 at 6:00am

September 10 & 11

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Historic City Streets

Saturday & Sunday 11am-5pm

65 Artists

Deadline: August 15

Application fee: $10 Booth fee: $75

The ArtsFest is part of the 40th Home and Garden Tour in the Registered Historic District in downtown Fort Wayne.

We think you'll love spending the weekend with us in our historic neighborhood during its very popular Home Tour. The West Central neighborhood is on the National Historic Register and the ArtsFest takes place in the street in front of these revived workers' cottages and restored mansions. Imagine your booth set among shady trees and enjoy the easy-going vibe, where the residents show off their unique homes to old house lovers. The event regularly brings in about 3,000 people who attend the tour every year and love the ambiance of the neighborhood.

For our 40th anniversary tour we will be including neighborhood artists' studios. Our neighborhood was saved from the wrecking ball because the Fort Wayne Art School was here. As time went by and the neighborhood deteriorated, artists moved in to live and work here. The artist community is the backbone of the neighborhood. This year we have invited them to host open studios during the tour, to use their mailing lists to bring in more shoppers. We will be marketing this new aspect with more emphasis on the arts. We expect this will enhance sales for both the ArtsFest exhibitors and the resident artists.

What to expect:

a small boutique event
easy setup, drive up to your booth, short hours, helpful volunteers
cool food trucks, live music and buyers that appreciate unique and one-of-a-kind goods.
A friendly place to spend the weekend AND you can't beat the booth fee!

Apply: https://westcentralneighborhood.org/apply-to-artsfest/

More info: https://westcentralneighborhood.org/

Contact: Connie Mettler cjmettler@icloud.com

Call for Artists: Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art

Posted by Meg Mettler on June 3, 2022 at 1:20pm

September 24 & 25

Madison, Indiana

Downtown Madison along the Ohio River

Daily 10am-5pm

175 Artists

Deadline: June 30

Application fee: $25 Booth fee: $300

The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art is held in downtown Madison nestled in the beautiful tree-lined streets along the mighty Ohio River. Madison retains the distinction of the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the U.S. This autumn festival brings more than 40,000 guests in search of uniquely handcrafted fine arts and crafts. Madison Chautauqua is free to the public and designed for the whole family to enjoy.

Exhibitor amenities include booth sitters, indoor exhibitor hospitality area with restrooms, breakfast and snacks, as well as friendly volunteers. Our planning committee and coordinator work year long to create a festival that appeals to a large diverse number of guests and artists.

"We had such a wonderful weekend at the Madison Chautauqua 50th Celebration! What an amazing group of people. I can honestly say this is by far one of the best art fairs/festivals that Indiana has to offer. I highly recommend taking the time to visit Madison Chautauqua next year!"

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=10196

More info: http://madisonchautauqua.com/

Contact: Kara Hinze info@madisonchautauqua.com

Call for Artists: 63rd Annual Chesterton Art Fair

Posted by Meg Mettler on April 12, 2022 at 6:00am

August 6 & 7

Chesterton, Indiana

Chesterton Art Fair

Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 10am-4pm

100+ Artists

Deadline: April 30

Application fee: $30 Booth fee: $240 and up

Chesterton Art Fair is a premier juried art festival with a deep history of providing a stellar experience for both participating artists and visitors. The venue, Dogwood Park, is a municipal park featuring shade trees, pavilions and other amenities that is close to Interstate I-80 (Indiana Toll Road) and I-94. Plenty of ample, free parking is provided for fair visitors, who pay a $5.00 entry fee to attend.

Testimonials:

"One of the best shows I do!"

"This was our first year exhibiting at Chesterton (Art Fair), and it has been a great experience overall. Patrons and organizers were very friendly. Thank you so much for having us!"

"It was an amazing time and a great crowd. I hope to be back!"

"Great show! Gets better every year for me--always a pleasure to come."

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=10053

More info: http://www.chestertonart.org/

Contact: Hannah Hammond-Hagman gallery@chestertonart.org

Call for Artists: OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair

Posted by Meg Mettler on January 12, 2022 at 6:00am

May 13, 14, & 15

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Art Center

Friday Preview Party 6pm-8pm

Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm

150 Artists

Deadline: January 24

Application fee: $35 Booth fee: $400

Now celebrating its 50th year, the Indianapolis Art Center’s OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair attracts an average of 12,000 visitors and offers an opportunity for the public to meet fine art & craft artists from the U.S. and Canada. The OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair is located on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center, designed by Hoosier Architect Michael Graves, and its 9.5-acre ARTSPARK. Located in the Broad Ripple Village Cultural District— a cultural arts, shopping, night club, and dining district—the Indianapolis Art Center is next to the popular Monon Trail urban greenway.

Show Features

Extensive advertising and promotion worth at least $30,000.00
Booth Sitter Text Hotline - Get a friendly booth sitter right when you need one!
Overnight Roving Security (Indianapolis Police Department)
Friday Night Preview Party for select areas
Saturday and Sunday Artist and Volunteer breakfast
Food Line passes; get to the front of any line, so you don’t miss a sale!
Warm and professional staff dedicated to the arts

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=9773

More info: https://indyartcenter.org/braf/

Contact: Shannon Bennett sbennett@indplsartcenter.org

Call for Artists: Amdur Productions 2022

Posted by Meg Mettler on January 4, 2022 at 6:00am

Various Midwest Locations

Application Dates:
November 8, 2021 -
February 1, 2022

Application fee:
Varies

APPLY HERE NOW

May Shows

May 14 & 15 Spring Bayshore Art Festival
Glendale, Wisconsin

May 21 & 22 Northbrook Art in the Park
Northbrook, Illinois

May 28 & 29 Barrington Art Festival
Barrington, Illinois

June Shows

June 4 & 5 Lincolnshire Art Festival
Lincolnshire, Illinois

June 11 & 12 Brookfield Arts, Crafts, & Drafts
Brookfield, Wisconsin

June 18 & 19 Gold Coast Art Fair
Chicago, Illinois

June 25 & 26 Valparaiso Art Festival
Valparaiso, Indiana

June 25 & 26 Deer Park Art Show
Deer Park, Illinois

July Shows

July 9 & 10 Whitefish Bay Art Fest
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin

July 15, 16, & 17 Millennium Art Festival
Chicago, Illinois

July 23 & 24 Glencoe Festival of Art
Glencoe, Illinois

July 30 & 31 Art at the Glen
Glenview, Illinois

August Shows

August 6 & 7 Wheaton Art Walk
Wheaton, Illinois

August 13 & 14 Printer's Row Art Fest
Chicago, Illinois

August 19, 20 & 21 Evanston Art Fest
Evanston, Illinois

August 27 & 28 Port Clinton Art Festival
Highland Park, Illinois

September Shows

September 3 & 4 Third Ward Art Festival
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 10 & 11 Art on the Fox
Algonquin, Illinois

September 17 & 18 Fall Bayshore Art Festival
Glendale, Wisconsin

September 24 & 25 Burr Ridge Art Fair
Burr Ridge, Illinois

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/participating-events.php

More info: https://amdurproductions.com/

Contact: Caitlin Pfleger caitlin@amdurproductions.com

Mellwood Arts Center Fair, Louisville KY -- so sad!

Posted by Sharon Roberts on September 13, 2010 at 12:07pm

I haven't seen much information about shows here in the Midwest, so here's a short review for anyone who's interested.

Just 2 years old, the September Art Fair at Mellwood Art Center has a lot going for it. They began with the distinct advantage of replacing a well-established and respected art fair that closed. On the strength of that, they attracted some very good artists and filled upwards of 150 spaces at their first-ever event in 2009.

They advertise, promote, and draw good crowds. They have a GREAT venue on the grounds of an existing arts center, with both indoor and outdoor spaces, a huge parking lot, air conditioning, and INDOOR bathrooms!!!

So what's not to like? Booth space, at $260/$275, is a tad pricey. And although the fair is supposedly juried, I have seen no evidence of any selectivity. Instead, the organizers seem to be going for quantity over quality, which is sad. I'm a jewelry artist - a metalsmith working in sterling and gemstones, mostly at a mid-range price point - and I was infuriated that the booth right next to me was a "designer" stringing beads and assembling earrings out of garish purchased components. And it gets worse: further down the same aisle was a booth featuring cheap glassware painted with tacky slogans such as "Yes, they're real!" Imagine the feelings of the serious artists who got placed next to that!

I heard a lot of grumbling from artists in 2009, and a number of them did not come back this year. I gave the show another chance because I think it has so much potential, and I would really like to see it succeed. But unless the organizers learn to "just say no," I'm afraid they're going to alienate the serious artists, and turn this promising young event into something more like a flea market than an art fair.

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Note: this page contains paid content.