This isn’t a show review, because I actually wasn’t at the show. This is one I have done a few times before, but wasn’t accepted this year. After talking with artists I was really, really thankful that I was spared the experience this year, and I’ll definitely be waiting at least another year before applying again to see if they can pull their act together or not. What I heard was so astonishing that I was kind of surprised that no one else is talking about it (and I only put a few of the most important points because I was getting tired of typing). I would love to hear from more artists that did this show to see what they thought.

Pre-show communications to customers: FAIL

• The week before, I was in the Minneapolis area doing a show and heard more than one patron remark that they were surprised to hear that Stone Arch was happening, because the website still said the show was cancelled and they had not planned on going. This is mostly why I was curious as to how the show went and went around looking for people to ask about it.
• I know people in the area, and apparently the advertising that was done wasn’t very clear as a number of people showed up on Friday night (which was music only) and were very disappointed that the artists weren’t set up and open for business as well.

Pre-show communications to artists: FAIL

• YOU CAN’T CHANE THE HOURS OF THE SHOW AND NOT TELL ANYONE. (Edit - according to Diana below, this info was in the packet sent the week before to artists, it's just that many artists did not notice the change in hours and were surprised by them at the show) Artists found out only when they got their packets at the show that they had decided to extend the hours on Sunday to 7PM. Because there are so many condos in the area, they thought it would be nice to give those condo dwellers the chance to shop at the art festival after they got back from their weekend activities. (Because obviously the arts are so important to them that they can only fit them in between 5PM and 7PM on a Sun night.) A number of artists were caught having to get an extra night’s hotel room they had not expected. And it’s not like this is on streets with bright lights, this is in a park with poor lighting which is not somewhere I’d like to be working after dark. I can only imagine how pissed off I’d be to find out a last minute change like this.

General attitude toward artists: FAIL

• And now we are getting to the really astonishing part. An artist I spoke with was across from an infamous sponsor booth that was blasting loud rap music (which really doesn’t work for most art show patrons anyway!). This artist got them to turn it down briefly a few times, but eventually the volume would always get cranked again. Finally, he found a member of the show staff and asked if they would ask them to keep the music down. He was told that she wouldn’t (not couldn’t) do that, as the sponsor had paid to be there. WTF?!? When he pointed out that HE had paid to be there too, the response was that the sponsor was local and that local sponsors are what make the festival go. Huh. Kind of thought artists are what people came to an art festival to see, but maybe we should all just stay home and see how many people come out to see booth after booth of gutter people, newspapers, and health food drinks.
  
  Now, this is the subtle subtext for too many shows, that artists don’t matter and the sponsors can pretty much do whatever they want. But I’ve never heard of any show person actually SAYING it out loud. In a way, their honesty is quite refreshing.

Artist response: FAIL, FAIL, FAIL

• And this is mostly the reason I decided to write this up, even though I wasn’t at the event. The show did do a questionnaire at the end of the show, but the artist I talked to said that he didn’t fill it out and wasn’t sure that the other artists that spent the weekend complaining filled it out either. But he thought that so many people were pissed off that surely someone else filled out the form. Argh!!!
  
  When you find yourself at a show like this with multiple points of failure, take some responsibility and make the time to let them know why you are mad. Instead of deciding to never touch the show with a 10 foot pole in the future LET THEM KNOW WHY they won’t be getting an application from you again. These are all terrible mistakes, but the show staff isn’t psychic. And obviously the line “they should know better” is false, because if they did know better they wouldn’t have done things the way they did. The collective bitch-fest that seems to be the state of the industry these days won’t change anything. Calling shows on their behavior is the only way to let them know that way of doing things is not acceptable. Then you’ll either see a show that makes changes, showing they get it, or you’ll see a show that ignores you, showing that you are only as important as your booth fee (and if they can’t get that booth fee from you, they’ll just get it from some other sucker). Either way, you'll find out if that is an organization you really want to do business with in the future or not.

Hi! My family and I are moving to Atlanta, (Suwanee) Georgia in a few weeks. I am wondering if you may recommend any shows in that area?

I make handcrafted jewelry (non-beaded, $20-$60 range). My schedule is full through October here in the Midwest area, but I'd love to add a few shows from November through May.

Any suggestions or advice would be SO appreciated. We are completely unfamiliar to this area.

Thanks in advance,

Rhonda

Promenade of Art in Arlington Heights IL

It had been a while since I had done a show with Amy Amdur.

We all complain about how high Amy Amdur booth fee are. We do not give her enough credit for trying give us a chance to make so money for us. We forget that she also trying to make a living. The cost for the shows are very high and politics are more difficult now. She is very organize and trying to figure what is the best way to advertising for the events. Yes she does do advertising so can get some buyers. If you done an promotions in the past we depend on mailing  & e list. We all know that people do not want to give address or much less the email. In the past years I had done everything to cut cost and want to try some of her shows. Port Clinton is her best show but photography does not do as well in that show.

The set up is very easy. It start at 6 pm and last until 10pm. That time is assign by the city not by her. The show run 10 to 5 both days. The break is her normal or my standard, break down and then get your car. There was about 150 artist which there was about 30 photographers. That make my life a bit difficult but it was good to see all of us there. The crowd on Saturday was a buying crowd. Sunday was mostly lookers. I was expecting a super Sunday since Saturday was a good day. It seems the case for a lot of fellow artist. Very few sales but quality sales. The best part of this show was no beer sales.

I do not know if I will do the show next year since it all end good because of the good sales on Saturday.

Has Digital Photography hurt the sale of Paintings

Robert Genn's most recent newsletter is titled "what digital photography isn't". The first paragraph of his newsletter states "Several artists have written to suggest that the massive growth of digital photography might be de-popularizing fine art. "Digital photography," said one writer, "is using up everyone's creative energy."

Now whether or not that might be true, or actual meaningful in the fine art world, he goes on to quote the number of cell phones with built in cameras being sold last year as one billion and says that now one third of the world's population owns a digital camera. And then goes on to quote the number of photos uploaded to Facebook.

But for the life of me, I can't understand comparing snapshots taken with cell phone cameras, or snapshots uploaded to Facebook as competing with the sale of paintings. And at this point in time, how exactly is digital photography defined and how does it compare with photography.

Robert Genn's web site (where you can subscribe to his newsletter) is http://www.painterskeys.com/

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

A mid-week show can be a nice bonus paycheck, assuming that it doesn't prevent you from doing shows on the weekends fore and aft.  So when I heard about this small (100-artist) show in Currituck, on the Outer Banks of NC, on June 20-21 (Wed.-Thurs.), I figured it was worth a shot, even when I couldn't book a show on the following weekend that made logistical sense.  There is lots of money in the Outer Banks, where hotel rooms can, and do, fetch upwards of $175 a night in season. 

Unfortunately, the show was perfectly timed to catch near-record heat along the Eastern seaboard, which slowed attendance to a crawl and sent most artists packing with near-empty pockets. Which is a darn shame, because the organizers do as good a job running a show as you could hope for. 

The show is held at the grounds of the Whalehead Club, one of many duck hunting clubs that sprang up in the early 1900s to cater to the wealthy who had the means (pre-roadway) to get there.  ("Currituck Duck" was a real delicacy at finer restaurants in your daddy's day).  The club itself is a 25,000 sq foot, five story home overlooking Currituck Sound--not really a club anymore, but I spent several hours taking a house tour the day after the show, and it was fascinating and educational.  As for the surrounding grounds: Beautiful, with sprawling live oak trees, dock and waterfront views, and pathways throughout to keep visitors from getting lost.  

Artists were arranged around the pathways, with some lucky ones getting spaces under the shade of the live oaks.  Others, like myself, weren't so lucky--we were in  3-4 rows in the center of the show that received direct sun all day long (10-6 Wednesday, 10-5 Thursday).  Some of us had battery operated fans.  I used two all day Wednesday and they were overmatched by the sweltering heat.  On Thursday, I dragged out my the Honda generator and powered two larger fans, which helped some:  I made about $400 in sales on day 2; as for day 1: don't ask!  Overall, my take was barely enough to cover my gas, meals, and booth fee. 

Although I had thought that the show would attract local residents as much as vacationers, that wasn't the case:  I'd say one in five visitors to my booth were from the Outer Banks; most were visitors from NC, VA, and (surprisingly!) a heavy representation of folks from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. (A local Chamber of Commerce director confirmed to me the next day that that mix sounded about right.) 

Hotels on the Outer Banks are pricey, but I stayed about 30 miles away  (50 minutes' drive) in Jarvisburg, on the mainland, for about $50 a night.  It was a hotel that caters mostly to duck hunters during season, with threadbare carpeting and minimal amenities, but it was scrupulously clean and you couldn't beat the price!  Several artists who zeroed (or came close) mentioned ruefully that they wish they'd known about it before they booked a stay along the coast. 

So, amenities:  Artist breakfast both days, a catered dinner on Day 1 where checks were handed out for five top winners (prize monies ranging from $1000 to Best in Show to $100 for 5th place; there were no categories).  Boothsitters. Very friendly staff and volunteers. A low booth fee ($150 for a single booth), and those with trailers could stay for free on the grounds of the Club from Tuesday setup through the evening after the show.  The Club directors even arranged for free house tours for the artists for those not too hot and exhausted to take advantage. 

When I posted a query about this show several months ago, I was advised that it could be a good show, but attendance was heavily dependent upon the weather.  "Don't do it unless you have another show in the area on one of the weekends," she counseled.  That advice stands.  But at least I got some good photographs en route, and they'll help make up the hit to the pocketbook I took in the short run. 

We were in White Plains, NY two weeks ago.  We set up in the steady but not violent rain ... a first for us in the opening of our 2nd year of summer fairs.  Got everything up - dripped our way through the hot day.  In retrospect, perhaps our wet clothes kept us cooler during the day.  I design spiritual messages - which we place onto sterling silver (sometimes with gold plate overlay) and etched glass. We got into the show under glass but told them we would not do it without  being able to show the jewelry (we applied under jewelry).  That was agreed.  

Surprise!  Surprise!  We won a blue ribbon at the show -- for glass.  Very surprising and delighted - having never won anything in my life.  I guess being a 'doodlist' has finally paid off!  Later on Sunday, we had thunderstorms.  We stayed in the tent -- Jay had done a wonderful job with the glass display  it barely moved in the wind - and keeping tent to the ground.  A mom and her daughter were walking in the rain - we signaled them to come in to stay dry.  Our lucky day -- they loved the designs and bought close to $700 of product - it made our terrible show into a more plausible one with that buy.  

Good morning!

I recently did a very prestigious show in NY. There were many beautiful items and creative artists. I make leather bags and leather and fiber handbags. Directly across from me was another leather handbag artist, 2 booths down was another and 3 other crafters in my row had "art" handbags.

I paid for a corner booth and found that I had a 10 foot space between my booth and the next person, that was my "corner".

One of the handbag artists in my row and I went to the pormoter and complained about our proximity and she was moved to a corner spot that was in a great location, but because I had set up my tent, I was left in my spot with the other artist across from me.  Needless to say, she was upset and I was upset.

This show receives a percentage of your GROSS in addition to the hefty booth fee, I found that after I paid them, there was not much left for me.

So, here are my questions and challenges:

1. How often does this happen to other artists? I would assume that it is more common with jewelers.

2. Shouldn't the promoter be more aware of booth placements to maximize everyone's sales?

3. Has anyone else paid for a "corner" that was really just a gap and how did you handle it?

I have encountered extremely rude promoters and I overlook it because of the pressure that they have of paying for the venue, organizing the venue and knowing that they deal with artists and crafts people constantly and it can be tiresome. This however directly affected my bottom line.

I welcome your feedback, sorry if I rambled a bit.

Carol

Even tho' I'm dead-tired after a very hot show this weekend, I find myself climbing on the old soapbox.  Occasionally I see remarks about beads and over the weekend I heard some from a couple of judges.  Beads are verboten unless the artist made them themselves.  I don't just string beads on a wire...I weave them, embellish them, embroider them, enhance them.

I used to show paintings for many years that I did in oils .  I did not make my own brushes.  I did not grind my own paints.  I did not make my own canvases.  I paid a framer to do the framing.  If I were sculpting, I probably would not make my own clay or quarry my own marble or pour my own steel.

I'm using the beads as material to create something.  So, I have to ask........what's the difference?

Cassandra

Before I do any reviews about the shows I went to this weekend, I had to talk about this.

Over the past several years, there have been discussions here about buy/sell, franchises and mass production works all showing up at art festivals.  After finding out that the stone ducks were made of parts supplied from China, one member was threatened by a lawyer.  I guess she couldn't be sued for libel because if it is true, it may not be nice but it isn't libelous.  (that must be a word, spellcheck didn't underline it).

It was discouraging last year to see the ducks at Art at the Glen, one of the better shows in the Chicagoland area.  I mentioned them last year when discussing the show.  Then, I had to see them again yesterday at the Promenade of Art in Arlington Hts, IL.  Today I went to The Art Center's Festival of Fine Craft, one of my favorite shows of all and there they were again. 

Under normal circumstances, this can happen.  The recycled yard art people were at the Festival of Fine Craft and Evanston's Fountain Square on the same weekend last year but that was a little different.   What was the difference?  They are run by two different promoters.

Both the shows I attended this weekend were produced by the same promoter.  I realize that there are different standards for different shows, ie, bead stringers are allowed at some shows but at others the jeweler must make their own beads, but it is fairly standard that the work that is shown was made by the person in the booth and not a shop full of elves pulling parts out of boxes from China and putting them together.   Maybe the stone birds are franchised, I didn't pay attention to the names on the booths at either show because I like to pretend I didn't see them.  If they were the same family, there has been discussion on another website about the allowability of a creative 'team' splitting up and doing two shows the same weekend.  That is also generally frowned upon.  If two people made the items, they are both supposed to be at the same show unless the show accepts a medical excuse if one becomes sick.  (and not all will do that).  But to have the same promoter accepting the exact same 'art' at two festivals at the same time, to put it semi-bluntly smells.

It seriously irritates me that the art festival playing field is so heavily tilted toward the promoter.  I know there are a lot of expenses, time and aggravation that goes into a festival but the bottom  line is that a promoter can find a way to make money on a festival whereas an artist cannot and to ask artists to live up to certain requirements  and then not follow them as the promoter, is kind of shoddy in my opinion.  In this short summer season, about the only good thing that has happened is the price of gas has not sky-rocketed as feared.  So far there has been a repeat of last summer's hot temperatures and/or rain.   The economy is still tough and there have not been a lot of rave reports from artists.  More and more of my favorite artists are not able to make a sustainable living and are not doing shows.  

How could it get worse?  The watch people could be running around buying double booths at art shows.  Oh wait, they were in Salt Lake City, Utah  AND Evanston, Il this weekend.  I guess it can get worse.

September 15 & 16

Deer Park, Illinois

Deer Park Town Center 

10am-5pm

Preview Party Sept. 14: 6pm-8pm   

Deadline: July 2   

Debbie Netter is proud to announce this new art fair in affluent Deer Park, IL. Ms. Netter, President and founder of D & W, has 20+ years of organizing events and knows how to make it less stressful for everyone! 

 Commitment to Artists:

• Professional jury and judging
• Best of Show and First Place Awards
• Aggressive marketing campaigns-print, radio, posters and Internet
• Free patron admission and plentiful parking
• Overnight Security-contracted through professional security company
• End of show feedback survey to help us continually improve the artist experience
• Enforcement of all Standard and Rules, failure to comply will result in removal from the festival with no refund
• Shows located in areas of high income and traffic
• Preview parties when possible to allow additional exposure for artists
• Booth identification signage/name badges
• Festival Brochure
• Amenities
• Booth Sitters
• Complimentary and reserved day and overnight parking for artists
• Artist continental breakfast and afternoon snacks both days
• Bottled water frequently delivered to your booth
• Indoor restroom facilities
• Food vendors and/or fabulous local restaurants
• Discount Hotel Options
• Invitation to return next year for Best of Show and First Place Winners    

Joseph Limpert

For more information:
Application: www.dwevents.org/deerPark     

www.dwevents.org 

   

women all know the secrets to putting on tight jeans.  but nothing caprepare a person for zipping up a caravan.

nothing can prepare us for zipping the impossible caravan and tonight at manayunk, the zipper broke - 2-3 teeth about 1 i8nches from the top.  anyone have any suggestions for repair or repace?

thankis 

I picked up our local newspaper yesterday and there was a little article about the up and coming ArtPrize.  I was kind of surprized as we are located in the middle of farm country.  There will be 1,511 entries this year at 162 venues.  Whew!

I wanted to add a link to our little newspaper but they didn't bother to put the article on line.  :(  However, here is a blurb from another online source:

A total of 1,511 artists from 45 states and 56 countries are taking part in the fourth-annual ArtPrize competition.

One of the artists, painter Pennie Johnson, is a local divorce attorney.  "I'm happy to be part of the event and get my work shown," she says. "I was so excited when I got accepted."

"To get your work in front of 200,000 people in 19 days...I don't think there is any other gallery or art experience in the world that accomplishes what ArtPrize does for an artist," says Catherine Creamer, the competition's executive director.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/215913/48/ArtPrize-to-feature-1511-artists-at-162-venues

Since I have never been to ArtPrize, I have no idea what to expect.  I am planning on going this year. So far I know of two AFI members that will be there:  John Leben and Jan Waller.  I am very excited to see first hand what this is all about.  The dates are September 19 to October 7th.

Any other members here who are entered in ArtPrize?  We would love to cheer you on.

Hello, Art Fair Insiders!  I have just become a member today after lurking here for a few weeks.  I plan to start applying to art shows for the 2013 season.   Reading through the archived blog posts has been so helpful.  I am really impressed by the generousity of all you experienced artists in helping us newbies.  You have already saved me from making several mistakes.  Thank you, thank you!

This is the blog I posted this morning.  It is directly related to a specific art fair but it's not the first time I've come home empty handed.  In this day and age and economy, perhaps more of us are dealing with this than not....

I recently returned from an art festival in Louisville where I have previously shown with success.  Not so this year.  Not one sale.  Zip. Zero. Nada.  I left the show thinking “I could have had so much more fun with the $600 I just spent to be here!”  The experience left me pondering.  If I look to financial success to define the weekend it will always and forever be an abysmal failure.  However (you knew that was coming)…

If I look to the results of the show I will be left with a different view point.  The results:  a decision to pursue different types of shows and festivals, a confidence to know it wasn’t about the quality of the art I create, a confirmation to be intentional with my pursuit of honing my craft and developing my personal style, a sensitivity to the art festival market, a beginning of a 5-10 year plan that might take my art out of the outdoor festival model.

Armed with a different perspective, Louisville will never be a failure.  It will be a turning point.  The ah-ha weekend.  The starting line of the next leg of this adventure I call life. ” Failure” is only the end of the line if I allow it to be.  I vote for allowing it to be a catalyst to a creative problem solving process that will move me forward in my journey.  Not the end, but the beginning of the next step.  Who knows where that step will lead.  The possibilities are endless.  I’m all in.

     This is the 3rd time I"m trying to get this online; don't know what I'm doing wrong...

Last weekend at Cantigny Park was wonderful. Erin did a great job organizing and setting things up. The set time was extended, 3-8pm on Friday and early morning Sat. 

There were plentiful volunteers to help out. The layout was lovely, set in a grove of large trees.  The tents were arranged in rectangular clusters of 6 booths facing outward with a hidden courtyard storage space behind the tents. This meant that 2 faced south side by side, 2 faced north side by side, and 1 faced east, 1 faced west.  The people streamed up both sides of the fair and wandered in and out of the clustered.

There were lots of people, lots of strollers. Not too many packages.  The packages I saw were photos, jewelry and ceramics.                                                                                  The break room was large, cold A/C and endless water, snacks, coffee and lemonade. There were also a couple of food vendors for the public, but nothing obnoxious. There was a beer-garden-music area that I thought was the weakest part of the show. I thought the music was very mediocre and primarily for dancing at a bar or wedding rather than sophicated, classical, jazz or even folk.  

One super cool thing that Erin set up was huge plastic surfaces for tagging and spray painting.The artists changed the designs from time to time from letters to arrows to birds. It was pretty wild and intriguing.

I didn't make expenses, I did have inquiries about commissions. And I had a fabulous time, met wonderful people, and hope to come back.

Hello everyone. 

A very special AFI member needs our help.  He is a little under the weather.  I think it would lift his spirits if you could send him a cheery note that you are thinking about him and sending positive energy his way.  The person I am talking about is Nels Johnson.  Nels has been a big contributor here and he has passed along helpful hints, good information, and, of course, amusing and entertaining commentary.  I know we all wish the best for him and hope that he is soon back to his old self. 

Would you mind leaving a message here or sending him a private message?  I think it would greatly help to lift his spirits if we could load up this post with a ton of well wishes.  I hope if you open this and read this that you will please leave a comment.

Let's show Nels how important he is to us.Rest up Nels and get back to your old feisty self.