Blog

This is more about marketing.

What do you when you do a show for first time and new to the area. Are hoping for the promoter to bring your clients? What should we expect from the promoters? You are only doing show base on reports and do not know what to expect from the area.

We all talk about, what is wrong about this show. Why we are not making as much as we do. Artist looking down other artist because they have a 9-5 job plus they do the shows. The economy is blame over and over. In general we talk at lot about the bad things.

At the shows we do not show our furstation but in your way home you wonder is this is my last show. I can not keep doing this because I can not afford to paid my bills and even less put food in the table. My credit card debt is higher then ever and loosing the handle on it.

You always I will do better at the next. So hold to the hope. You know you love doing art and be part of the shows. You believe in yourself.

What do you do when you are down? What you when your saving are almost gone? What is the best way to keep yourself going? What you do when the bills are coming and you do not have enough? Who gets paid first?

The reason I ask is very simple. I doing okay. I am breaking even or better. I do have a job and do 12 to 15 shows a year. A lot work and not much showing for it. Artist tell  me,  this is my last one. I can not do this anymore. Chapter 11 or 13 or 7 sounds good to me. All his negative feelings coming my way. What do you do or tell people. Are you one those that turn your back and move on.

I do not want ear any party comments last time I check the Bush or Obama paid my bills and yes I am vote for both. Get the picture.

I didn't see any comments regarding the art festivals in "the heart of Arizona", Payson, Strawberry, Pine, where our shows really do have "heart". I would love some feedback. The artisans of Strawberry and Pine started the Arts & Crafts Festivals 31 years ago as a way for local artists to give back to the rural community. The members of the Pine-Strawberry Arts & Crafts Guild of today, some the founding members, carry on the tradition of helping the community and providing a venue for creative, talented artists to show and sell their work. These shows have become an integral part of the area and really do contribute to the spirit and fabric of the community. I haven't had a chance to attend the festivals in Prescott, Fountain Hills, and Tempe in some time and was disappointed to see the less-than-favorable reviews, but I believe this is exactly what sets the Pine-Strawberry Arts & Crafts Guild festivals apart from the rest. Although our show is small - just 80 booths - we seek out original, creative, talented artisans and crafters who have quality, hand-crafted items.  The Jury Committee, comprised of local very talented artists and crafters, carefully review all applications and select the most unique, quality items with emphasis on things that are new and different. The Spacing Committee, also local artists who belong to the Guild, tries to ensure that the selected artists and crafters have a location that will get maximum traffic and not place artists of the same medium together. This is key to the success of our show, and to having a successful outcome for the participating artists. Although we cannot control things such as the weather and the state of the economy, we do our best to ensure that both the event-goers and the artists will have an enjoyable and rewarding festival experience and want to come back. Our area is unsurpassed in it's breathtaking scenery and historical landmarks. Few places can make you feel that you've stepped back in time and discovered buried treasure, as visitors to the Rim area often proclaim. Once you go "you know". So before you cross Arizona off of your 2012 schedule, I ask you to please check out this often overlooked yet most amazing part of Arizona, the heart. For more information about our arts and crafts festivals, please visit our website at http://pinestrawberryartscrafts.com, or visit us at Art Fair Insiders or on our Facebook page. Best wishes to everyone at AFI for a memorable and successful 2012 festival season. 

No, it's not a typo, Ridgway is not spelled with an 'e'. One of the most beautiful places in Colorado, Ridgway is a junction in the road on the way to or from some better known towns such as; Telluride, Ouray and Montrose. Ridgway was the site of the original "True Grit" and the local True Grit Restaurant celebrates its part in movie history. Nestled in some of the finest scenery you can imagine, known as the "Swiss Alps of the west". This little show was in the town park (where the hanging scene was filmed) with half being in shaded grove and the other half in sunny open areas. The show is sponsored by the Weehawken Arts Center which provides arts programs in Ouray County. My wife has a thing about doing shows with private promoters who are too cheap to provide even a bottle of water and it never fails to amaze me that the groups with seemingly the least to offer provide the most (within their means). This was certainly the case in this show. The director came by frequently to ask how things were going, they provided (if needed) booth sitters, bottles of water were handed out regularly, coffee/tea and treats were available during the day and, although it wasn't fancy, they had some munchies available at the awards ceremony on Sat. evening. I know that ribbons and fancy awards are not inexpensive to provide but there were awards in every category ( I received 1st Place in Photography!) as-well-as best display, and best of show. Saturday was slow getting out of the post but "crowds" materialized in the middle of the day and slowly ebbed by the end of the day. Sunday, though overcast and a little drizzly, was a little faster near the opening but quickly faded by the end of an earlier day (4 pm closing time). Show patrons were effusive with compliments about the art but less so with spending. Items in the $7-18 range moved a little more briskly and an occasional large item was seen with legs. The mixture of fine arts and crafts is a hard sell and not usually my demographic. Given the beautiful setting and the generous treatment of the artists it was a shame that sales were not equally impressive. Why did I do the show in the first place? Well, I was hoping to maybe find a little local gem that would be easy to get to (half a day from Denver) and not be as expensive as some of the larger shows that I've done recently. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The Telluride Festival of the Arts (TFA) was this same weekend and is produced by the same people that do the Cherry Creek show. The show is located in the mountain village, not the town of Telluride and I would be interested to hear what the attendee numbers were there. I had been wait listed for that show and don't know if I would have been better off or not. Although it was happening on the same weekend I don't think it had anything to do with the sales at the Ridgway show being so off. 

I've taken to making a lot of lemonade in the last year and one highlight of being at this show, or maybe I shouldn't give out the secret?, is the Orvis Hot Springs and Spa about a mile south of Ridgway. The natural hot springs were a welcome respite from an otherwise dismal sales weekend, we met lots of friendly people in the 100+ degree pools and soaked our war weary bodies in the healing waters at days end (and beginning too!)... Or maybe did I just do the show as an excuse to do the hot springs?

I recently came across the Art Fair Insiders site, as i am a gallery owner in Miami, Florida that is currently looking for some fresh, new work for a program we are working on at the Miami Airport. We are displaying art for sale in some of the various Premium VIP lounges. If you are an artist that might be interested, please email me with your email/phone/etc contact information, so that we can email you back with the basic rundown/information/program and specifics to get involved. We would love to locate some great new artwork.

kind regards,

Seth

info@sethjason.com

Saturday night a freak storm came up at the Indiana State Fair and destroyed the main stage and killed four people, sending many more to the hospital. 

So here we go again. Just as these storms have wreaked havoc on much smaller tents at art fairs it even happens at the big events. The Indiana State Fair is one of the biggest ones in the country and a large crowd had gathered to hear the band, Sugarland.

Monday morning the regular staff meeting in preparation for Labor Day weekend's Arts, Beats & Eats in Royal Oak was even more intense preparing for even more disaster precautions. I'm sure everyone of you who participates in outdoor events understand the fragility of their situation when severe weather approaches. Please reevaluate your tents and weights and keep in mind possible disaster when you are setting up.

Here is the story from CMT News:
Indiana Concert Tragedy Underscores the Complex Art of Staging Outdoor Shows. 

This is one of the good ones. I wrote about it once before, amazed that in the midst of  tremendous, frightening thunderstorm, a volunteer unzipped a bit of our canopy to look in and ask if we were OK. That speaks volumes about respect in my book.

Anyway..the show is held on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution in Mayville, NY about an hour south of Buffalo.  There are 2 shows, July and August. You can apply for one or both and I was fortunate enough to get both this year.

This is an amazing place, devoted to matters of art. music, current events and spirituality. The people who Summer here are, for the most part, financially fortunate.  But that is not the only reason sales are good. It is also because they get it. The comments I got about my collage had to do with texture and composition. I only once heard that the blue would not match the couch. Journals were purchased for children as an incentive to write. Miniature books were snatched up as gifts for book club members and writers. You get a little spoiled here!

Set up can be a bear because it is set up along a narrow cobblestone path. But there is a strict timetable and a "drop and go" rule. If everyone would just obey the rules, all would be well, but there is always a yahoo in a truck that could haul the contents of a small house that cannot comprehend the concept leaving room for traffic. And then proceeds to assemble his rig while said huge truck idles in everyone's way. There is a spot in Hell...but there was little of that.

The Director, Christina Rausa, walks the show with energy and a good nature, but she can be snarky and irreverent when appropriate, defusing tensions with humor. I would do any show she ran. Her volunteers in bright red cobbler aprons peek in to offer booth sitting and lunch delivery. There is one low key judging for an award of distinction. Show staff comes around with a little written notification of the lucky winner, encouraging us to go offer congratulations. I believe there is money involved but I don't pay much attention to that because it will never be me! :)

Sales were good, I'm sure they will be my best for this year, but still much less than my best show there. It can be very expensive to stay near the grounds during the season and because of the location it is a travel show for most. We have commuted in the past, but with gas the way it is, we just cough up the motel fees.

Your gate pass for the show also gets you admission to some of the events and we stayed Friday night for the Clint Black concert. What can I say? Some decisions are better than others.

This is strictly a craft venue. Beautiful wood, glass, pottery, etchings, jewelry, clothing.  If I remember correctly, some spots are designated for members of the alliance which reduces the number of available spots. Jurying is done off site. It is an online process and the jurors can be in far off places. There is not an overabundance of any one category which is really welcome. You get a really interesting mix.

It is a good show if you can commute it and if you have a craft that is a bit unusual to help you in the jury process. Just spending a weekend on the grounds of the Institution can be enough for me some years. I feel the tension of the year oozing through the soles of my feet and into the lush lawns the moment we cross the gate.

One more Summer show. Where did the season go?

http://www.craftsalliance.com/

Here is a review from the Southwest part of the country.   I have taken time to reflect on this show which was the Prescott Arts and Crafts Festival put on by Mt. Artist Guild.   First of all they treated the artist fine.   Bringing by water and snacks both Sat. and Sun.   If you were alone they did come around and sit in your booth while the artist went to the bathroom   (portopotties).    Setup and teardown were easy.   Prescott usually gets rain on this particular weekend.  Well the rain never materialized.

The Show.  There were a lot of empty spaces in this show.  I had a feeling they had a hard time filling it.
Unfortunately Prescott shows are getting a reputation for not being all that good.   There was a show three weeks early and it was very empty of artists.    Prescott has a show almost every other weekend beginning in May thru Labor Day.  The locals are tired of seeing the same art every two weeks.   Getting back to my experience.   It was slow,  Sat a little better than Sunday, but not by much.   I usually judge a show by bags in buyers hands  saw very few.   Only saw three big paintings go out near my booth.    My work is not that expensive but did not sell much.    I have a $10.00 snake that I make, had a hard time selling those.    As far as, would i go back,  not if I can help it, and I only live 2 miles from  show.   Met someone from Santa Fe who sold nothing.  I am sure there were a few of those.   The arts and craft shows in prescott are not filling up, there are a lot of empty spaces at a lot of the shows.    I am sure a lot of it is due to the economy.  The good thing is i got to sleep in my own bed and i did not spend money on gas getting there. 

So here I was, the only show I did this year.Bad back and worse attitude have put me to the injured reserve list, but I had to do Crested. Just had to. The is something completely special about a place without a Starbucks or Home Depot.The show was two beautiful days of sunshine and smiling Texans. Most of us seemed to do "OK" for sales, but all of us came away with feeling we had just spent a weekend in a very special place, with some fine and special folks.

Last year I wrote a blog on the show, and the show peeps asked me if they could atttach it to the show promotions (sure) and if accepted would I do it again this year.( No problemo). So I got in (Thanks Jobu) and asked for a guide to help interview. Diana said she had the perfect person to help.

It took me until Sunday to figure out that Leah Williams (guide and interviewer extraordinaire) was the Mayor of Crested Butte.She introduced me to some local folks, and I in turn introduced her to some artists that I knew, or had asked to be part of this adventure. First up was Glo Cunningham. She runs the local museum, and like Radar O'Reilly, is there to help you before you ask. I had the distinct impression, whatever question I asked would be answered honestly, and might contain a strong opinon or two. And I could like it or not. A small town  

needs someone like this, to defend it yet keep it honest.Glo knows how things really work, how all of us need to work together, and one day may need each others help. Might be why this seems to actually work here, that necessity of community that ain't quite so everywhere anymore. Think she and I might get along right fine.

Leah then introduced me to Spencer Hestwood, owner of the Ginger cafe. I blurted "You're just a kid! I have children older than you!" Leah commented he had just cut his hair (Pony tail not too practical in the hot kitchen be my guess). Spencer sat down, and what came out was wise beyond his years. Most of us know the local merchants in the town we set up in would just as soon turn a firehose on us .He understands the real dynamics of business, that his best plate (our best work) defines us every time, and becomes our success or failure. I asked him why Crested.Got that smile, a bit of twinkle in his eye well beyond his 30ish years. He kinda raised his hands, looked around. I understood. To hear the guy actually get it is one thing. To know he understands just how fortunate he is to be here, and what he needs to do to stay here is, well kinda refreshing. Now, just a quick plug. My back was toast, and I was on an overdose of OTC pain relievers.Saturday night we stoppped in.Had a blue ginger margarita.Nice. One more for effect. Nicer. One last to congradulate myself on my wisdom to try something new. Next am. woke up and expected to have to summon a crane to lift me off the bed. I got up, no pain. Ah, the tequila. Wifeypoo said no dumbass. The ginger has anti inflamatory benefits. OK then. I was back for more Sunday night.

From here, I wanted to talk to a few artist particiapants.Some I knew, and a few "volunteered" to be interviewed. I enjoyed this, the performance we learned is so essential for what we are here for, the sale.  

Susan Quin Byrd and her husband Charles Taube were side by side in life and booth placement.Quite the co incidence. Susan, a photograher, was quite expressive in describing the work she did (the Western theme does resonate with both the locals and the tourists. Gotta have on the walls what they wanna see!). She was quite effusive in her praise of the show itself, and had become interested hearing of both the quality of the artists invited, as well as those Texans in the hills (Quick editorial note; I am a natural Texan, and aside from the Bushes, will defend the state and its wonderful people to the end. And I love how they spend money on art!).Think she and Crested gone along damn fine.

Charles, quite the interesting guy. As Leah spoke to him, I found myself looking from his work, to his bio. Have to say I found his story inspiring to say the least.

His work, some of the most elegant wood sculpture I have seen. Almost a still life ballet in wood.  Happy to be here, looked to be doing quite well, and so lucky to be set up next to his wife. So no pic of Charles, had edit a bit. :)

Leah was kind enough to show her town, and the people behind the scenes off a bit, and as we did, several things became apparant. The energy was real, the lack of any tension was a welcome relief to a stressed out Windy City refugee. No one talking on cells or texting (except the artists). Parents let their children run around like, well like children. The store owners lent their curbs, their shade, electricity and thier patience to us, something I have witnessed three years running. So (now fully aware I was in the company of royalty) I asked Leah why she ran for office. She gave a slight smile, looked up to the horizon for a second."I just love this place, and I will do whatever I can to keep it just the way it is". The same sentiment I found in every person I met that worked the show, worked a business, or served me a margarita. In my show persona, I am known by some as "that old car guy". Known by others as....., well. No need to go there. My work is not about old cars, old planes or rust in general. It's about a time when certain things mattered, when honor was of value, when what a man made with his hands was a work of art. Meant to be cherished, not thrown away. A time when people understood community, understood enough to know it wasn't to be taken for granted.Had to be worked on and at, knew when to help another. Crested kinda gets all that I think, a small slice of what used to be America protected by the mountains. And by the people that are willing to work to keep it that way, kind enough to share it with those of us that take over for a Summer weekend. But I wanted to introduce her to someone I know a bit, and to me someone that epitomizes the spirt of the American artist, working off the grid a bit every day of the year. I met Christine Hauber a few years back, initially over the various artists participation sites, and finally

at some show somewhere. To me, art is so many things to so many people it defies any real definition other than whatever selective interpretation the user may require. The term "artist" to me is someone that is willing to adapt their life to their work. The art not just what is on the walls, but in their willingness to do what it takes for the maintain the freedom of the lifestyle, to put their work before the possessions that weigh most of us down. Leah asked where Christine lived. "I live wherever the work or the shows take me". Leah, I think, fully understood. She has to, that spirit pervades the walls of these old buildings that so gracefully invite us to wonder of how things used to be here. I think she enjoyed meeting one of the real souls of the traveling tent shows that take things over for the Summer weekend. Met a whole bunch of decent folks here, Bea and her husband Matthew Hatala. Again the co incedence of a married couple being assigned boths next to each other. And yes, the idiot scrambling to put his dog back in his carrier at the Ginger Cafe was me.

For the majority of artists that make the show, it's a mad dash to get to the destination, a furious effort to set the tent, hang the work. Days on your feet, smiling, hoping the questions turn into cash. Catch a quick meal, a decent sleep, and when the show is over, pack it up to do it again. Crested is different from most places, the event has become a destination . One that people plan their vacations around. The art is upper end, the people come to buy, and the hosts. Well, they are the real winners in all this.They get to stay. For the artists, if not  this time, maybe next time for sure. Stay a few extra days and really get to know the place. It was an honor to see it from another perspective. Oh, and one last shot. The gratuitous chick singer pic. Yep. I'm. I'm coming back here.

Remember when everyone was saying how great the weather was in Florida this past winter?  The weather in the Chicago-Milwaukee area has been the worst this summer.  If it isn't the heat and the humidity, it is rain (sometimes combined with heat and humidity which pretty much equals steam)

Morning Glory is a very nice art festival in downtown Milwaukee surrounding the Marcus Center.  Don't know about any of the artist details like load-in and load out and food, parties or awards (I know they do have awards).  The art festival is on two plazas across a 4 lane street from each other.  Traffic is light enough that crossing is very easy so there isn't necessarily a good and bad side of the show.  

What I do know is that of the ones I saw, the artists were very good.  There were a lot of artists I had never seen before and some  that I have seen but not that often.  The layout is a little confusing on the side of the street where the Marcus Center is but it isn't such a large area that you can't walk over to a booth to see it.  The booths in the back are a little hidden but you can find them.  

I had to pick up a bracelet so we went across the street first to see the jeweler that had it.  After we left her booth, we noticed the big black clouds to the north and west and we decided we would come back after the cloud passed.  (we wanted to be near the center so we could go inside if it got really bad outside.)  As we were walking around, the artists were all quickly getting their booths ready for what may come.  There wasn't a sense of panic but there was a definite sense of urgency.  MG has had its share of bad weather over the years so this was understandable.  It started to really rain but I am happy to say that not a lot of wind accompanied the storms while we were there.  

We left at one after only  seeing one side of the show.  It started to rain a second time and we had other places to be.  I am sure attendance was held down by the weather but I have to say that a lot of people stuck around to wait out the storms.  Being able to wait in an air-conditioned building with really nice bathrooms made it easier.  The gift shop, which is actually an art gallery, was another way to pass the time and several people were buying pieces there.  

Based on what we did see, the quality was impressive, there wasn't any buy/sell and we will definitely return next year, hoping for much better weather.

Hi Everyone,

Anyone have any experience with this show, or any thoughts about it?

Thanks!

Karen

September 24 & 25

Lake St. Louis, Missouri

3rd Annual Art Fair on the Meadows at Lake St. Louis

20 artists

Booth Fee: $150; Application Fee: $10

The Meadows at Lake St. Louis is the St. Charles County's newest upscale shopping & lifestyle center.  The event is held in the lushly landscaped central plaza located in the center of over 30 stores and restaurants.  The architecture and design of the Meadows makes the venue so attractive.  The stores are all laid out in four quadrants around a lushly landscaped central courtyard.

Amenities:

• Postcards will be supplied to artists after acceptance to the show
• Set up on Fri.: 10am-6pm or Sat. morning
• Show hours: Sat.: 10am-6pm; Sun.: noon-4pm

For more info: www.artfaironthemeadows.com/

Application:

www.artfaironthemeadows.com/2011meadowscallforartists.htm  Â  

Please contact Don Crozier for more information:

doncrozier@gmail.com

636-293-6864   

I did the Howard Alan Park City show at Redstone this year (it's in its second year, but this was my first time doing it -- last weekend of July). Set up times varied -- depending on your assigned booth location. I had the bad luck of having early morning Saturday set up, which meant I was up at 3:45 AM. Fortunately, I was able to park really close to my booth, so set up was easy that way. There were only 90 artists, and they were stretched out around the Redstone shopping plaza. The show went Sat/Sun 10am - 5pm. 

I had seen reports (on FNO) that 50,000 people supposedly attended this show last year -- which was similar to the number I saw for the crowd at the Kimball Arts Festival. Sadly, that number was way off. The small crowd trickled through on Saturday and slowed considerably on Sunday -- and stopped altogether when a big storm hit in the afternoon. The people that did come through were the art buying type, so I was hopeful, but in the end I mostly got a lot of "be backs."

I was able to make some smaller sales, enough to cover the hefty booth fee -- $475 -- but that's about it. The other photographers I spoke to were in the same boat. (Sorry, I don't know how well other mediums did besides the jeweler right next to me who barely made his booth fee as well.) Since I am just an hour's drive away, I may give it one more shot next year.

Just got my new images uploaded into my MAC.  Found a few gems on this trip

Got my annual visit from "Munks in a Kilt".  Actually his name is Dwayne and he really loves the Uptown Art Fair.

So on my journey I stopped in Madison and found this great sculpture on the bike trail.. Very intruiging.

Along the way I stopped in small towns.  Found this great bar in one.

Outside the town was a rural classic.  I think they were all giving me the big stink eye.

The highlight of my journey is the following one at the "Cheaters Bar.

When i got ready to take this, this old guy in a pickup truck stopped.  He yelled, "Hey you want me to pose in front of the door, I am a regular."  Does that mean "cheater" or a regular whatever.  I asked him where his other half was and he said,"I will go home and get her."  I just smiled.

Finally on the way home to Michigan, I came across the Mississippi River around 5 am and got this great little image.

These things make my travels worthwhile.  Aloha, Nels.