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Can you spare 7 minutes of your life to help the art fair community? Let me convince you.
Below you will find some very interesting facts about www.Artshowreviews.com? I have spent some time evaluating the information from the website from 2018 that I would like to share with you. Take a look. I think you will find some very interesting facts. Please consider giving back to the Art Fair Community with a review or two ( about 7 minutes per review).
Fact #1: We now have 643 Art and Craft Shows listed on our site. We have shows throughout the entire country.
Fact #2: We have 7 states that do not have any art and craft shows listed at all. The states of Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia have never had a show review submitted for them, thus those states have not been added. We sure would appreciate having some reviews for those states.
Fact #3: The state with the largest amount of shows listed on our website is Florida. That probably isn't a big surprise. We have 84 shows listed on our site in Florida. Coming in send place is Illinois with 49 shows.
Fact #4: We have 25 states with 10 or less art and craft shows listed.
Fact #5: We have three states with only one art or craft show listed for them. Those states are Arkansas, Rhode Island, and South Dakota. Anybody have a show they can submit for these states?
Fact #6: We have one show listed for Canada. We know they have shows up there. Does anyone have a show and a review that they could add to that page to make it more valuable?
Fact #7: We actually have a European page with one show listed. Has anyone done an European shows yet? We would love to add a couple shows to that page.
Fact #8: Since our website went live we have had 1,155,274 page views. That is amazing! We know artists are using our website. We need new reviews so that our site remains useful and needed.
Fact #9: In the last 30 days, 12/12/18 - 1/12/19, we have had 11,964 page views. Of course, this is a time when many artists are using our site to put the finishing touches on their show schedules.
Fact #10: We usually average about 381 page views per day. In fact, we had had 111 page views by 11am today. Artists were up early and working today.
Fact #11: Ninety two reviews or comments were left on ASR during 2018. Of course, many people use our website without ever leaving a comment or writing a review. Of the 92 comments left, 58 of those were actual show reviews using our list of questions to answer for the shows. Those 58 reviews are more useful to artists.
Fact #12: In the last year we had 143,568 page views. Of those over 143 thousand visitors only 58 times did artists leave a review. Certainly we can give back to the art community better than that.
Fact #13: The average show review probably takes about 7 minutes to write. The form is right there on our website and you just fill it in. Easy peasy!
Fact #14: To submit a show review click on this link:
https://www.artshowreviews.com/review-an-art-fair.html
Fact #: To submit a show that is not on our website click this link:
https://www.artshowreviews.com/art-show-listing-submission.html
One person who visited our website left this comment:
How come so many of the posted show reviews are from 2-5 years old? Can't you supply some more updated review information from artists that have done the shows. After all, many shows go through changes from year to year.
My answer back to this person was sure, we would love to add more current and up to date reviews for each show. However, if the artists don't submit the reviews I can't add them. Our website will be as useful to artists if everyone does their part. It is only 7 minutes!
Updating this post to make it easier for the folks on AFI to find when searching!
I actually wrote two posts about OOAK ... here is the beginning of the Post Setup/Pre Show post:
Here is the beginning of the post show writeup:
If you have more questions about the show let me know, this was all I could think to write after a few days of recovery.
As a young child I always created art -preferring to paint and draw rather than join my friends at the mall. I loved copying Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Matisse.
As a college student I studied art, design and painting. As an adult I found, not only did I have a desire to make art professionally but also to teach people, young and old, how to express and explore their own creativity through art making. I strive to insure the students understand there are no mistakes in art. And to recognize that what they perceived to be a 'mistake' could actually be far better than what they intended.
I taught my first art classes to some of my neighbors' children many years ago in my garage and have always wanted to do more of it. A couple years ago I made a proposal to a local preschool to teach a pilot art class once a week, and found that I still enjoyed teaching art, very much.Preschool Artwork Exploring Textures
It was another 3 years before I got up the courage to teach adults.
I had studied felt making for a number of years by now and believed I had something worthwhile to share with others who wanted to learn the craft. I have taken many classes around the country with many teachers. Some much better than others. In my teaching, I wanted to incorporate what worked for me and eliminate that which was not helpful.
What made a successful class for me was based on several different factors. Did I learn what I signed up to learn? Was the instructor organized and their instructions clear? Was the class well paced? Did the teacher understand my questions and answer clearly? Were they patient and take the time to explain something in a different way if I wasn't able to understand their explanation? Were there hand outs or reference materials I could take home? Were all the supplies there that were supposed to be ? Was the equipment in working order and were there enough supplies for everyone? Was the space pleasant to work in and did it function well? Did the teacher have enough samples to show the class? These criteria are what I hold myself accountable to.
Surprisingly enough, if I didn't have 'fun' at the time, I didn't count that against the teacher. I found that taking a week long workshop to learn a new skill can be quite stressful. Fun was a plus but not a requirement.
And this seems incongruent but, in the 5 hour class I teach at Nice Threads Fiber Gallery and Studio in Black Mountain, North Carolina , called 'Designing a Nuno Scarf'' I do want people to have fun as well as learn new new skills. So far, the feedback I have received has made me very happy. The comment made that I exceeded the students' expectations really made my day.
I was just in NYC for Thanksgiving, I was so excited because the ONE OF A KIND Show in NYC was supposed to be going on Nov 11-13 and Nov 17-20.This is a show I had always wanted to see and this time it was finally going to happen. NOT!!!
While at my sisters house in Riverdale NY I double checked the show information online. I was somewhat surprised to find that the event was not posted consistently throughout the web. Some posts had both weekend dates listed and some posts only listed the November 11-13 date. There was no phone number readily available either but my sister and I went to the address given. GUESS WHAT ? NO SHOW! The doorman to the building said the show was canceled. It would have been nice for the sponsors of the show to post it was canceled. What if I made a special trip to see it.
In the meantime I remembered that the ACC show was also going on this weekend so we jumped in a cab and off we went. We were going to have our art show experience after all.
However and I hate to say this , (because I thought one day in in the future I might want to try to jury in the NY show, since my sister lives there) the show was not up to standard. My sister and I both felt half of the items displayed in the fair looked as if they could have been at a flea market. What a disappointment! There were a few artists whose work was noteable, so I was glad to see that, but .... I certainly expected to see great things. It is NYC, after all.
I asked one exhibitor if she knew what happened to the ONE OF A KIND SHOW, she answered that the booth fees were so high very few people could afford to do it.
This post address the same subject as the higher booth fees article. These promoters may just run themselves out of business if this keeps going on.
Welcome to the Cooper studio, where we've predetermined to talk again about the summer art fair.
Aaaah, sunny days, the green grass of the park scattered with cute little white tents, happy artists selling their fine art....
Oh wait. How much of that line is fiction? Imaginary? Delusional? A sham?
I've spent quite a bit of research time lately on the topic of the "fine art fair". Some of them have a heck of a history.
Every time I looked up one of the grandaddy art fairs, and was able to find their mission statement, they all seemed to have something in common. Some examples for you to peruse:
---Wanting to create an event where local artists could showcase their work to the community, Womer established the first 57th Street Art Fair in 1948
---The Annual Edmonds Arts Festival began in 1957. The mission then as now, was to celebrate and promote the arts with a lively and pleasurable presentation of local and national work.
---It all began one hot Chicago summer in the early 80's when four neighborhood artists (Bob Smeltzer, Joe Kotzman, Tony Cachapero and Rodney Patterson) decided to have an art fair--a picnic in the park. Rodney suggested that it might be a good opportunity for local artists to show and share their work to each other and to their neighbors.
Did you catch the commonality? They are all working to showcase the art, to friends, neighbors, community. To "celebrate and promote the arts". So how did we get from that, to this:
---Art Fair has become both tired and tiresome. It's held in the absolute hottest part of the summer. The prices are ridiculous and most of the so-called art is schlock. How many times can you mill through the crowds viewing the same old fare every year?
--Taken from a news article about parking garage revenue during the AnnArbor Art Fair, but certainly not a unique thought amongst art fair patrons.
What jumps out at you from that comment? Maybe the SO-CALLED ART IS SCHLOCK?
Shortly before reading the comment, I read another--this one a discussion at ArtFairInsiders regarding (of course) lackluster art fair sales, and various artists comments about if they would be exhibiting at art fairs next year. One artist said even with poor sales, she was not quitting. She would "cobble together" something that would sell.
What happened to celebrating the arts? Showing our work to the community? If the purpose of an art fair is to showcase our work to the community, shouldn't we be showing our best?
(here comes the politically incorrect part) Are you an artist, or not? Are you being delusional in calling what you exhibit at an art fair ART? Ouch. I suggest if you are cobbling something together that you think will sell, adding to the patron impression that the "so-called art is schlock", then maybe it's time to re-think your game plan.
There's always a discussion out there somewhere about "what art is" and there are a bazillion different answers. I suggest that "schlock" is not one of them. I also suggest that if you are cobbling together something to coax a twenty dollar bill out of some art fair patron's pocket, that something is not art either. The summer art fair is not dead, but it has been seriously injured. Injured by artists who have put grabbing a buck, in front of creating their art. Yes, we all have to make a living, but we'll do it best by keeping our priorities straight. Art fairs were created to showcase and celebrate art, not schlock.
If you are an artist planning on exhibiting at an art fair next summer, I'm asking you to bring your art. Bring your BEST art.
Later, Cooper
Here is blatant promotion for a telesummit in which I am participating next week.
On January 13, 1:30-3:00 pm (EST) I'll be part of a MasterMind panel of 13 leading art career authorities, and successful artists. On January 19, 2:15-3:15 pm (EST) with my own keynote presentation "More Patrons Than You Ever Dreamed Of - Learn The Secrets Of Being Successful At The Nation's Juried Fine Art Fairs". I am honored to have been chosen to join this telesummit as the representative of the art fair industry.
This telesummit arranged by Ariane Goodwin has a strong history of helping artists with the "art of the art business". It should be especially helpful to all of you are wondering where to go next with your career and helpful to the experienced who need fresh ideas.
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From Ariane:
...have you budgeted dimes for your art career?
Of course you need art supplies, that’s No.1 priority. Only, imagine if someone waved a wand and all your art supplies disappeared? How difficult would it be (impossible actually) to make art?
Yet, if you are being gut honest, isn’t this what happens on the art career side of things?
Isn’t it completely obvious that it’s not just difficult, but completely impossible to move your career forward without investing in it?
Investing in your art career is the very cornerstone of sustainability.
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One cornerstone coming up, click here > http://smartist.com/live-telesummit/2011-live/
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And listen, my lovely artists, I practice what I preach. I’ve been working with a special career and marketing coach every month for the past 3 years!
Sure, I could talk myself out of the expense (still paying off graduate student loans–not to mention car repairs, you know the drill...). But, oh the results! I have learned so much that being coached is now part of my business expenses, like electricity or broadband access, or toothbrushes (sneaky deduction trick I’m not sharing!).
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My personal favorite:
One tax deduction coming up, click here:
http://smartist.com/live-telesummit/2011-live/
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And, oh the results artists have gotten from the past 4 smARTist Telesummits!
How do I know? Because, already, 50% of participants this year are returning alumni!
These artists tell me about: increased confidence, more collectors, new work, landing the perfect gallery, higher productivity, selling more artwork, making connections that are paying off... the list is way too long for one email, but you get the point.
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The Point> Come.
Click here > http://smartist.com/live-telesummit/2011-live/
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For 7 days it’s all about you. 7 days where you immerse yourself in the newest, best ways to sell your art in 2011. (Confession: I want this for you so badly it hurts. I want you to be successful and fill our world with your glorious, creative visions.)
Praying (yes, praying...) for your success in and out of the studio,
Ariane
A. Goodwin, Ed.D.
Founder, Organizer, & Host
of the http://smARTist-Telesummit.com
The only professional Art Career Conference online or off!
-> Subscribe: http://www.smARTistCareerBlog.com
-> Books: http://www.writingtheartiststatement.com
http://smartist-telesummit.com/exclusives/dazzling-photos/
-> Follow: http://ArianeOnTwitter.com
-> Friend: http://ArianeOnFacebook.com
P.S. Did you hear this call with me and Barney Davey—who was spectacular, in large part because he is this deeply genuine person who also loves artists.
Barney’s been in the art world for years and has things to say about the Big Vision that no artist should miss.
Check it out:
http://smartist.com/live-telesummit/2011-2/barney-ariane-recording/
P.S.S. Listen to one of your fellow artists: “I have enjoyed all the sessions; several introduced new fields to me that I had paid little attention to in the past. I also appreciate the gentle approach and kind attitude throughout the seven days. Thank you for your professional, outstanding Telesummit. The target lectures are all relevant and useful.” ~ Mary Hrbacek
Want relevant and useful? Click here >http://smartist.com/live-telesummit/2011-live/
Ariane Goodwin of smARTist.com says it’s all about diversification. (Sounds like “vacation,” lol!)
So, I’ve invited Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D., art career coach and host of the only professional development conference for visual fine artists online or off, to come talk with me about how selling your art is joined at the hip to multiple streams of income.
Join me on November 30 at 7pm Eastern (4pm Pacific) for this open telecall.
And bring your questions, because Ariane is a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be tapped.
Click here to sign up > www.smArtist.com/live-telesummit
See you there!
Connie
What happened? Did Nels take a picture of some guys painting hanging on a fence? Really? Let's organize a bunch of torch holding town "folk" and go chase him out of his castle. Where was the outrage when the 10 or 11th "art" photographer shot the same slot canyon? Once again...with feeling. The problem is not that Nels did this, any more than several of the "art" photographer's, when not totally ripping off good men like Ray Hartle, are out shooting statues and such. Once again my children...you are killing the goose by becoming a decorative market place...Instead of rising up like rabid dogs in opposition to the tape measure and swatch caca that prevails, it appears you jumped on a poor old guy for doing wrong...and maybe it was. The problem however, is not Nels. it is the constant pandering to the swatch/tape mentality. As long as fine art/craft biz is dictated to by decor there will be an ongoing march towards average.. Remember, if you can't make it good, make it big...and if you can't make it big, make it blue...or watever this years color is.. F..k it, who wants pie? . .
Generalisamo Hippie
