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Congratulations to the prizewinners at this past weekend's Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival. Many of them are members of ArtFairInsiders.com and old friends of mine and certainly well-deserved. It is a pleasure to see such fine work being rewarded.

Thanks to Jay Downie, director of the MSFWAF for sending me this information.

Award stipends of $10,500 were distributed to Best of Show and seven Merit Award Winners.  Jury exemption for 2013 has also be given to fourteen Juror Award winners.

Best of show - Matthew Hatala*

wood sculpture by Matthew Hatala

Merit - Alison Antelman

Merit - Sally Bright*

Merit - Glen and Gayle Wans*

Merit - Ray Jones*

Merit - Timothy Marcotte

Merit - Tanya Doskova

Merit - Marilyn Endres

Juror Award - Steven Olszewski

Juror Award - John Ames

Juror Award - Greg Barnes

Best Emerging Artist - Pam Stern

Juror Award - Lisa Telling Kattenbraker*

Juror Award - Renee Engebretson*

Juror Award - lisa burge

Juror Award - E. Douglas Wunder

Juror Award - Carol Hearty

Juror Award - Randall Riemer

Juror Award - Theresa Honeywell

Juror Award - Phil Singer

Juror Award - Mark MacKinnon*

Juror Award - Kim Obrzut

Juror Award - Richard Carner

Looks like cash prizes divided up between eight winners, but, of course, we all know the biggest prize is the invitation to return. Congratulations to everyone!

*member of ArtFairInsiders.com

Should I be flattered or disappointed?  As a "newbie" to the art fair circuit, I guess that I should be pleased that I have been accepted to most shows that I have applied for and I have been wait listed for a couple of really reputable shows...My question is.... does anyone know the percentage of artists that get wait listed for a show and what are the real possibilities of getting accepted once on that list?

Some really nice award money was passed out this past weekend at the Mainsail Arts Festival. Congratulations to the winners!

Best of Mainsail Award – $10,000

John Mascoll of Safety Harbor, Wood

Award of Excellence – $1,500

Holly Hambrick, Mixed Media

William Kwamena-Poh, Watercolors

Laurie Coppedge, Photography

Mary McFarland, Fibers

Renee Dinauer, Sculpture

Jean Yao, Fibers

Duncan McClellan, Glass - "Life is a Vase Full of Cherries"

Nicario Jiminez, Mixed Media

Peggy Furlin, Watercolors

Marlene Rose, Sculpture

Award of Distinction – $1000

Anna Shapiro, Fibers

Greg Thomas-Moore, Wood

Pam Fox, Jewelry

Scott Hartley, Watercolors

Mina Heuslein, Ceramics

Charles Hazelaar, Sculpture

Chuck Boux, Glass

Z. L. Feng, Watercolors

Mark Wagner, Jewelry

Vonnie Whitworth, Watercolors

Jon Smith, Oil/Acrylic

Nancy Cervenka, Sculpture

David McKirdy, Mixed Media

Erica Hall, Mixed Media

Christian Nevin, Jewelry

Award of Merit – $500

Sue Archer, Watercolors

Jennifer Ardolino, Watercolors

Minh Martin, Glass

Debra Blazer, Jewelry

Ummarid Eitharong, Mixed Media

Vicki Tindal,l Ceramics

Jeff League Mixed Media

Richard Auger, Photography

Dianne Caton, Ceramics

Jeff Eckert, Graphics

Thomas Sullivan, Wood

Lynn Ferris, Watercolors

Bill Sargent, Photography

Lorri Honeycutt, Photography

Katherine Linn, Graphics

Gael & Howard Silverblatt, Jewelry

Joyce Nelson, Jewelry

Richard Currier, Oil/Acrylic

Harry Welsch, Ceramics

Georgia & Byron Knight, Ceramics

Purchase Awards – $200

Ellie Diez-Massaro, Mixed Media   Interior Motives – Leslie Curran

Renee Dinauer Sculpture,   The Mahaffey Company

Jean Yao, Fibers   Anthony J. LaSpada, P.A.

Cesar Nogueira, Sculpture   Douglas C. Buchan & Associates

Martin Taber, Jewelry   Mary Beth Morrow, Unique Art

Keith Kinney, Wood   William & Sally Snyder

Hua Tung, Watercolors   Fred & Monika MacFawn

George Bragg, Metals   Wells, Houser & Schatzel, P.A.

Rocky Bridges, Mixed Media   Eric Lang Peterson/Art Appraiser

Jim Holehouse, Watercolors   Cadillac

This is a long list of artists. I'm pretty surprised how few of them are members here. Congratulations to our group though -- some impressive people.

June 9 & 10
Atlanta, Georgia
Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts
Deadline: May 5
150 artists

The inaugural Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts is a two day outdoor local arts and crafts event located in the very heart of Atlanta connecting Buckhead with Ansley Park along a tree lined thoroughfare near Peachtree Hills Park, easily accessible from Peachtree Road. and the Lindberg Marta Station.

Located in the heart of the City minutes from Midtown and Buckhead, the Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts will bring more than 150 artists to the shady, tree-lined historic neighborhoods. The Peachtree Hills area is rich with one of the largest and most enthusiastic art buying communities in the Atlanta area. This event will feature up to 150 fine painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craft persons, glass blowers, jewelers and more!

This one is really about the community as they have embraced the event to really make it a stand out affair, with homeowners and local businesses posting signs inviting visitors to their historic neighborhood, volunteering for everything Events will be held in and around the Peachtree Hills Park & Recreation Center, including food, music, and a 5K “Commissioners Run” to honor Atlanta’s park commissioner, George Dusenbury.

Presented by the AFFPS, Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, LLC, a non-profit group established in 2005 to support the arts community by operating arts and craft events and festivals in the metro Atlanta, Georgia area.

Learn more: www.peachtreehillsfestival.com

Apply today: www.Zapplication.org

Is anyone reading this doing Early American, Pennsylvania-Dutch inspired work or primitives?  The contemporary shows snub us and the traditionnally-oriented promoters are becoming few and far between.  Yet I hear so often from customers that they love us.  At least in years past I sometimes was accepted into a contemporary show (for variety?) and can remember customers telling me, "Oh, you are what we really want!"  It was indeed gratifying.  Of course, that was also back when people had money to spend.  But these days I feel like a poor, little orphan.  It has been an interesting experience to apply to A-list contemporary shows and be rejected by all but two.  And accepted into a very prestigious traditionalist show.  

With Goodrich all but gone, we seem to be left with Country Living and Barn Star.  They do a fine job, but please tell me somebody else is out there!  We traditionalists have a special message and a special following.  As with everyone else, we so want to get who we are - as presented by the art we do - to the people who are on our wavelength.  

I would really love to hear how you traditionalists are faring, your struggles and successes, and how you see yourself in today's art world.      

Yesterday I got two "friends" asking why I do the shows and work at the frame store. One told me that my work may not sell well enough and stop doing shows and just work.The other one said he has done well at the shows what he should not work in this dead end job.

These comment remind me of Christine Mount Knapp post (Thank you I Have a Job). At this point since I was at work I could not answer but I just smile and told them let me get your stuff so you can be in your way. I got a lot to do. what is wrong with keeping a job and do about 16 shows a year or even 30. The job provides income to cover the rent, health insurance, food, the basics. The art shows provide for the extras, the luxury items. The most important thing the shows provide sense in my life and quiet my soul.

What is wrong with picture. Does mean that I am fail as an artist?

October 13 & 14
Houston, Texas
41 years of Fine Art, Fun and Fundraising
10am-6pm
300 artists
Deadline: April 27

Fall in Houston, the weather cools and Houstonians celebrate at the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown. The festival surrounds the historic Houston City Hall and is set against the dramatic skyline of the nation's fourth largest city. 

The art is juried at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, by an invited panel of artists, collectors and industry professionals. This festival has a demonstrated history in strong sales for artists. 

           
This show is a permanent entry on the calendars of serious collectors, interior designers & pre-holiday shoppers. 18 media categories of art work are represented.
                     Why Houston?

1. Bayou City Art Festival Downtown has a demonstrated history in strong sales for artists.  
2. National studies show Houstonians consistently have twice the  discretionary income that workers in similar industries have around the  country.   
3. With a median household income of over $50,000 and an  income growth since 2000 of 13.1% as reported in Kiplingers.com, Houston  has been ranked the Number 1 city in the U.S. in which to live, work  and play in July of 2008.  

Applications: www.zapplication.org

For more information: Laura Veale laura@bayoucityartfestival.com

www.bayoucityartfestival.com/artist-information

This past weekend we were at An Art Affair in Springfield, IL. This show is produced by Ed Martin, a fellow artists. (http://www.edmartinart.com/) This was the second year for the show and the second time we exhibited at the show. Ed does a great job of taking care of artists and trying to bring in attendees. If you judge a show only by the number of attendees, then you will be disappointed by this show. BUT is you are interested in having conversations with the art-lovers, you might want to consider this show in 2013. There are times that there is virtually no one in the building. But there are other times that we had 6 people in our booth. Sales were up about 6% over last year, at this show. Our total expenses (including booth fee, hotel and gas) was about $400 and we made a nice little profit above that amount. Not bad for a new show AND a spring-time show.

Yes, there were exhibitors who were complaining about the show and were trying to bring us into their misery. But they quickly stopped, when they realized we were not going to join in their pain. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, when it comes to the quality of a show. Realistic expectations are needed. Its a new show, its Spring, the economy is still recovering. When considering all of these factors, we had a good show and we will return next year, depending on the schedule. Thanks to Ed for putting this show together. It is not easy! Next stop Bloomington Spring Fling!

A rep story

I received a call from an artist who needed help with his images. He either called or looked at the ZAPP web site and was referred to me. His images were only about 125 pixels long dimension and he needed to be set up on ZAPP.

Larry: Where did the images come from and where are the originals?

Rep: The images came from a web site.

Larry: Isn't it your web site? Where are the original files?

Rep: It's not my web site. My friend is a jeweler who does art shows in the South and I'm going to sell his work at the Northern art shows.

Larry: Let me understand. You're not the artist but you want me to prepare a set of jury images and set you up on ZAPP?

Rep: Correct. I use to rep him when he sold wholesale and now I'm going to sell the work to the public for him.

Larry: That's called being a rep. Do you realize that you're not allowed to do any of the art shows I'm familiar with? In fact, I've done over 1,000 art shows and every show I've done requires the application be in the artist's name and the artist be there in person. And there is a movement on the art show circuit to eliminate any artist who doesn't make what they sell because it takes the space that a legitimate artist is entitled to.

Rep: Aren't there any shows that I might apply to?

Larry: There might be but I don't know of any. You would have to contact every show and ask if they allow reps. But from my perspective, any show that might let you in after telling them the truth wouldn't be worth doing anyway. But getting back to the images. Does the jeweler already have a ZAPP profile?

Rep: Yes.

Larry: Then why don't you get him to set up an additional ZAPP profile. I don't think you need my services.

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

My family has always been self-employed small business people. I grew up in a family of 8, with three brothers and two sisters. Was there ever enough money?

As a kid we had plenty to eat and lived in a nice house. My first store bought dress was my First Communion dress and I put myself through college. In her later years after some strokes our mother went through a geriatric evaluation. I was there when the social worker visited and asked her questions. "What is your biggest worry?", she asked. Mother replied, "that I'll run out of money." I was sure it would be her health, or a problem with one of her kids, or violence in the world.

Small wonder then that I have also had this worry in my life, as I am sure many of you have also. You have a good show, the bills are paid, it feels wonderful, and maybe you celebrate. Another day it all looks bleak. I'm thinking we all go through this roller coaster of emotions.

Today I read an article in Oprah's magazine More written by Michelle Blake that tells what it took her to stop looking into the abyss and start counting her blessings:

My mother and stepfather, who had both grown up poor, were prone to excesses of hoarding and spending. In our linen closet, I remember seeing rolls and rolls of toilet paper. Sometimes my parents gave lavish parties; at other times they punished my brother and me for spending our 50-cent allowances unwisely. Only my penniless grandmother acted as if money were not a problem.

“If it fits, buy two,” she would say whenever we shopped for clothes.

She also liked to say, “It's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as it is to fall in love with a poor man.” Unfortunately, like my grandmother, I did not find that to be true.

I think you'll like this article and be interested in its conclusion: http://www.more.com/money-how-much-is-enough

Do you agree with her?

July 26-28
Chelsea, Michigan
Downtown
Deadline: April 28

After a successful debut in 2011, the 36th Annual Sounds & Sights Festival in historic and culturally savvy Chelsea, Michigan is seeking artists and fine craftsmen and women for its Art Market.  This three-day festival, which attracts over 10,000 guests to downtown Chelsea, runs July 26th -28th.

The Festival Art Market committee is once again looking for a unique combination of artists to display and sell their work, as well as artists that wish to demonstrate their art or craft to festival guests during the weekend. The Art Market will be open Friday and Saturday, July 27th and 28th, from 12pm - 8pm.  Based on the success of the 2011 Art Market, there will be an expanded footprint for 2012.

Additional highlights of the festival include live music across several stages, a food court, a KidZone, a classic car show, a juried Sculpture Walk, in-store events at downtown retail locations and more.

Chelsea is an affluent community, full of people who work in Ann Arbor and Detroit. It also has developed a reputation across the state and the Midwest as an arts community visited by the Chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts who stated "in order for the arts to have  susceptibility in a community, there has to be a history, a strong  private sector that is committed to the arts, and a political structure  that gets it. That is what has happened in Chelsea."

Recently, an art fair friend of mine suffered unfounded accusations of forgery and/or copying from a person he has never met. These claims were posted on his business Facebook page. The language was a bit vile. An art fair show director looked at his page to see more of his work (beyond his jury photos) and saw this post. The director called my friend for clarification and was satisfied with the answers, yet it could easily have gone the other way. My friend removed the offensive post, but is understandably very upset.

We should all be aware of the damage we can do with social media and refrain ourselves. My friend's livelihood depends on his ability to get into good shows. This bad comment nearly ruined his chance for at least one show and maybe did eliminate him from others. Who knows?

Calling for self control!

Robin Ragsdale
www.evenbetterimages.com

Join us live on Thursday, April 19 at 1 pm EST, as Connie speaks with Bonnie Blandford, a Michigan jeweler, and Carla Fox, an Oregon jeweler, as they talk about their experiences developing and running art shows for their peers in the art fair business.

We just did a great show in Springfield, IL this weekend, AN ART AFFAIR, organized and promoted by artist Ed Martin, who has considerable experience as a participant, and thus carried out the most wonderful show experience for the artists.  I posted a review of the show.  This is an up and coming show and I highly recommend it for next year.  Finding a comfortable indoor show in April in Indiana and Illinois is wonderful!

On the other hand, I have applied for the 4th Street Art Fair in Bloomington, IN  which is held in the first part of September.  Years ago, while showing at a gem and mineral show in Bloomington, I was invited to apply, and periodically since then, I have applied.  Never gotten in.  So this year I upgraded my photos, and thought I'd give it another go.  Last week I got an email from them inviting applicants to come down for their open jurying.  I wrote back asking if they had a schedule of when which categories would be juried.  I was flabbergasted when I got the response.  They had 423 applicants this year, and proposed to give each applicant 15 seconds!  They hoped, best case scenario to be finished in less than 2 hours!!!!  My husband and I figured that they have about $10,000. in jury fees.  I'm seriously ticked off at this diminuation of the jurying process.  We work hard at our submissions, try to make good decisions as to what items to showcase for the jury, spend time and money to get the photos taken and pay the art fairs on average, $25. to look at the photos.  I can hardly fathom trying to jury over 400 artists' entries in less than 2 hours.  This kind of thing makes me feel sick.  The process is so artitrary to begin with, and then we get this kind of situation.  I probably won't try again for this show again since the possibility for being accepted is more like a gamble than an actual selection and I don't gamble with my business.  Hopefully I'll get this upset out of my system with this blog and move on to being my usual placid self!  Thanks for listening!

The very day after getting accepted into Madison Art Fair on the Square I sent my cancellation notice to the Brookings (South Dakota) Summer Arts Festival...here's what I wrote in the letter (email):

3/29/12:

Dear Brookings SAF Committee,

Due to a scheduling conflict, I am regretfully asking to have my application for BSAF withdrawn for 2012. I fully understand that my jury fees are non-refundable. As a professional independant artist, I find that I must apply to more than one show on certain weekends during the busy summer months.  This is not meant as an insult to shows that I am unable to attend, but simply a business decision that I must make in order to assure I can make enough money in the short season to support my family.  When I exhibited at BSAF in 2009 and 2010 I found it a wonderful and relaxing show to do (a breath of fresh air!) and hope that you will continue to consider my application for future years. Thank you so much! Sincerely,
Ryan Tischer

After no response from the show for two weeks in regard to my withdrawal, today I received a 'rejection' letter from the show in the mail, along with my $200 booth fee check. All's fine and dandy, because I did get my booth fee back, but I can't help but thinking the rejection letter was meant as a sort of slap to the face, given my withdrawal email sent two weeks prior, which they surely knew about before sending the letter.  I won't totally dismiss the possibility that my work just flat out got rejected, but given the fact I'd done the show in 2009 and 2010 AND that Brookings isn't exactly an "A" list show, I feel that is very unlikely. 

I hate to burn bridges with shows, as I'm sure that someday I will get rejected by Madison and Brookings would be the next show I'd like to do, but at this point I feel blacklisted by them and also feel this method of correspondence by them was rather unprofessional, as my withdrawal notice was in long before the rejection letters went out. Perhaps they just didn't check their email, AND my work just didn't jurty in, but I think that this coincidence is quite unlikely.

June 16 & 17
Shaker Heights, Ohio
Suburban Cleveland
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm
Deadline: April 20

Ohio Designer Craftsmen is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting fine craft for over 45 years.  It's mission is to provide professional support to craftspeople and build public awareness, appreciation and collection of fine art.

The Venue:
The Shaker Heights Arts and Music festival, now in its 3rd year, continues to get bigger and better.  Last year over 9,000 shoppers attended this vibrant community event, presented by Ohio Designer Craftsmen, the Shaker Heights Arts Council and the City of Shaker Heights, with endorsement by the mayor of the affluent suburb.

The Location:

• Located between the Van Aken Shopping Center and the Shaker Heights Country Club.
• High-visibility paved surface in a busy shopping, dining and residential area with ample parking, ATM's and restaurants.
  
  

Artist Amenities:

• Live music and entertainment
• Food selections for every taste offered by a variety of vendors on  location, plus a gourmet grocery and restaurants across the street
• Thousands of shoppers, all attending the show with FREE ADMISSION
• Friendly, helpful staff
• Booth sitters
• Hotels, hardware store and drugstores in close proximity
• Great neighborhood
• Comprehensive advertising campaign
• Lower Booth Fees! The booth fee is just $299!!

This show is limited to 150 artists who will be selling to an elite clientele.

Apply today: ohiocraft.org/craft-fairs/artist-application/

To learn more: www.shakerartscouncil.org

This is one of the new shows AFFPS is doing in Atlanta.  The first time was in July 2011, which I did not attend, and now they have moved the show to spring and fall.  Much better timing for Hotlanta.   This was my first time doing this show.  The location is in the Druid Hills area of Atlanta in 2 of the parks that make up the Olmstead Linear Park system.  The weather was PERFECT and I always love working with AFFPS because they treat the artist like gold. 

Set up, dolly in on Friday, nice and slow if you want to be.  Some places have easier access, some not.  The team does an excellent job at all their shows making sure everything runs smoothly.  The Springdale section is the craft section and the Virgilee section is the arts section in general.  Each booth spot is very different so it is hard to explain booth logistics, just the nature of this park.  Everyone is on grass and there is a narrow walking path through the show.  My booth was the closest to the live band stage and the local radio station.  They did an amazing job making sure neither the live music or the radio music, which took turns, did not affect the artists.  Actually during the live music time, all acoustical guitar type, it was a plus for sales IMO.  It was great to see the promoters, the musicians and radio stations work with the artists.   There were lots of bouncy houses and food trucks, but that was also kept away from the artists booths.  I feel it was a win win.  How often does that happen?  I think they had about 150 artists, easy walk for Patrons so everyone could walk the entire show.  I befriended a police officer working the show that promised to watch out for my car and tickets and he assured me that the crowds were about the same in both areas. 

Since this is a new show with changing dates most of the patrons I talked to found out about the show by driving by or living in the area.  There was lots of promotion before hand, but it is the beginning of art show season in Atlanta so…   Saturday started off slow, but that is somewhat normal in Atlanta IMO.  Around 2pm things started picking up and then lots of people.  I won’t describe the crowd according to purses and shoes since some are bored of that, so I will say that the crowd was mainly 30s with children who are art savvy and as you can see in the pics some influential folks.   Besides a former President of The United States and one of our Civil Rights legends I met with entertainment set directors, corp art buyers and people who value and collect art.  By the end of Saturday (closed at 7pm)  many of the food vendors had sold out of things and it was next to impossible to use the porta potties (sorry about that description)  Next day we had more porta potties show up :)

Break down went pretty smoothly considering it was a dolly out show.  They do a great job making sure people aren’t blocking the roads and eliminated traffic jams.  I was packed and driving out in 1 hour. 

This show will need to build a following.  A lot of the patrons were not mentally prepared to buy art because they stumbled across the show.  This show can be seen when driving along Ponce De Leon.  As a local I will be adding this to my list and I want to support it.  This is a great area for an art show.   I have high hopes that it will become an excellent show in the future.

As far as sales I think it was probably across the board.  I was in a pod of 5 artists.  The local artists were happy, but the one artist who traveled for the show made a pay check but it may not have been worth traveling for.   I didn’t get a chance to talk to many other artists. 

I have to say it was a trip to watch Secret Service scan my booth and I made some exciting contacts.  I have done shows around Druid Hills but I love that there is a show option in Druid Hills.   For those of you who live here in Atlanta this is a show to watch and/or support. 

Pics are of President Jimmy Carter at my booth with secret service, John Lewis, my section of the show and then a more typical section of the show with booths on both sides.   Hopefully some of the other artists chime in and give us their input. 

I was just reading Jeremy Browne's blog post and started to think about other venues to expose your work at.  Then, Art Prize came to mind.  I was just wondering if there were any artists here who are planning to submit a piece of work for Art Prize.  I figure that entering a piece of art to Art Prize must take considerable planning well in advance. 

Do we have any artists here that are working on a special piece for Art Prize?  If so, let us know.  I would imagine that you would want to keep your piece secret as to what you are working on so we don't expect you to let us in on your project.  However, it would be fun to rally behind our members who are busy working and creating. 

Last fall several AFI members went to Art Prize and there was a lot of discussion about several of the pieces and what won.  AFI has to have a potential winner in our midst.

Let us know if you are busy working on a submission for Art Prize 2012.  And this year, I am going!!

I wanted to recommend the Mundelein Arts Festival in Mundelein, Illinois being held September 8-9, 2012. This is the second year and although new shows carry risks, this show is very well run.  There were people to aid in set-up and take down with the ability to drive up to your allocated space.  There were many volunteers willing to watch your booth at any time and bringing water around constantly.  The local McDonald's provided breakfast each day for free and volunteers would get it for you while setting up. 

I had good sales at the show - exceeding $3500 (not bad for my first show).  There are purchase awards from local businesses, as well as awards for a 2-d and 3-d artist.

The show is community run and also donates scholarship money to a student in the local public high school as well as the local Catholic high school.  A nice way to give back and support the upcoming generation of artists. The high schools have an exhibition booth (not selling so no competition just more traffic) and it is great to talk to the younger hopefuls!

Worth checking out - you'd never know this was a "new" show with the level os artist support and overall organization! www.mundeleinartsfestival.com