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Are you an Artist?

I just attended an exhilarating conference in Detroit hosted by the Detroit Creative Corridor Center, titled: Rust Belt to Artist Belt III. This conference originated in Cleveland and we were fortunate to have it here in the Motor City this year.

I am not writing to tell you about the conference but about the attendees. There were approximately 300 people in attendance representative of all mediums such as: graphic designers, landscape designers, architects, photographers, fashion designers, sculptors, painters and at least one jewelry designer…me!

I had the opportunity to mingle at the parties and during the breaks and I came up with an ice-breaking question, “Are you an Artist?” It was a simple enough of an inquiry, so I thought, but it provoked an emotional response that I did not anticipate.

“Me? An artist?” most replied with a look of confusion and self-doubt. One woman, in particular who held a Masters Degree of Fine Art, could not answer yes to this question.

Wow! This made me realize that most artists lack confidence.

But why?

If I ask my seven-year old niece if she is an artist she would say yes. I think the difference is, in her mind, she believes she is an artist. I am not sure if adult artists have lost that confidence along the way or if external forces like juries and judges have intimidated their beliefs. Or, are they comparing themselves to the esteemed and extolled?

I do not have the answer to why but I do know that if you want to succeed as a creative individual or own a creative business you must be shameless in announcing to the world that, you, are an artist!

My kindergarten teacher told my mother that I was going to be an artist when I grew up.

So I kept drawing. Then I painted. Then I was an advertising artist. Then I became a video producer. Now I am a jewelry designer that primarily beads with a little wire wrapping thrown in for fun.

Maybe it just takes one person to believe in you even if that one person is yourself.

In my heart and soul…I have always been an artist. Are you an artist?

As I sit here busily creating surrounded by mess (strands of pearls, piles of gems, pieces of silver and a myriad of tools) that steadily closes in on me in an ever decreasing circle, so that I'm working in the most ridiculously tiny amount of space ... I need to know does everyone else find their work area getting chaotic too? Or am I just a messy worker?

Obviously this is my "process" as I love what I make from my very messy bench, but I'm sure my friends are shocked when they see me at work for the first time wondering how I could possibly work like this (they're not creative types) and are happily surprised when they see what finally emerges.

I must add that I DO periodically put things away and make the circle bigger, but a big tidy up leaves me bereft of creativity for a days if not weeks.  Once I sit down and start 'playing' (my precursor to creating) it rapidly gets chaotic again.

Please tell me I'm not alone :)

October 8 & 9
Houston, Texas

• Best in Show - Kevin Peterson - Painting/ Acrylic or Oil
• Second Place - Signe Grushovenko - Painting/ Acrylic or Oil 
• Third Place - Theresa Honeywell - Mixed Media 3D  
• MFAH Curatorial Award for Excellence in Sculpture - Tiffany Ownbey, Sculpture  
• Best Booth - Tiffany Ownbey, Sculpture  
• Cadillac Best of Show Houston Artist - Steve Harris - Mixed Media 2D

Applications currently accepted viz ZAPP:

www.zapplication.org  

For more information:

www.bayoucityartfestival.com/artist-information  

Contact Info: Kelly Kindred

kelly@bayoucityartfestival.com  

When you work hard with special care or effortlessly from some kind of pure place of personally unique concentration then the art you are creating is precious and unparalleled in value. That this is true whether or not a juror helping assemble a show thinks it's a good fit or not into that show doesn't take away from any of this value. Ever. Can't happen. Good work reflects unique vision. And unique vision operates quite beyond the financial realm. Mind you, most of us can't afford to lock into pure Vision and pay our bills so some commercialization or popularization of our artistic voice has to happen in order for it to relate to the hearts of the people who will eventually connect with and even buy our work.

That's ok, that's just us interpreting our unique Vision for the outside world. Part of the education process we artists offer the world at-large.

Ain't no jury gonna tell you otherwise. What's yours is yours and rejections can't take that from you.

Don't absorb whatever energy you think might be contained in a non-invite to ANY show. Chances are it's not the integrity of your work, your images, or your booth that done your chances in this go round - more likely it's just a plethora of entries bouncing off the eyes of well intentioned jurors who must stay somewhat mindful of the potential of the local populace to embrace the work they're choosing. As much as not being included into a show shouldn't hurt is as much as being included in a show shouldn't make you feel good!

Don't absorb any of that noise. None of it's healthy. Stay pure to your Vision, your process, your optimism and know that what happens next is perfect and right - no matter what.

Figure these shows are all moving targets and the best way to catch the ones you need are to:

• apply to multiple shows with an open mind
• stay true to you vision but
• be willing to grow and adapt when doing so serves you
• Big shows aren't always big shows and neither are little ones always little ones

When you don't get into the shows you hoped for log into this site to semi-privately blow off steam so you can go back to your drawing board and design or re-do the work you feel reflects the world you care to illuminate. Because no jury's decision is going to help you do that, yea or nae. That's not their job. That's your job. And you do it well. You do it so well you're unstoppable!

2nd year exhibiting in Marco, Very successful both years !  Richard always do extensive effective publicity in all local news paper.  Also always have media exposure during the show it self.  I have exhibit in Boulderbrook Art Shows for now 3 Years and from every show, I have been featured in the news paper with pictures, article etc...    All Boulderbrook shows for me have always been very very successful.

Small, quaint, very high end Artist and very high end & educated client. 

Its not the quantity with Richard Sullivan its the quality!

Looking for any info on the Collingswood Crafts & fine art fair in Collingswood, NJ oon Aug. 20 & 21.

Has anyone done it or have any info on it. T

Collingswood is across the river from Philiadelphia.

Every year one of the committee asks me to do it(or rather apply).

It's a 10 hr. dr. (not that the distance would stop me.) Thinking about it this year.

Thanks, Toni

It was 1998, metro Detroit, Jon Witz was encouraged by Brooks Patterson, the Oakland County Executive to challenge Ann Arbor by bringing traffic to the gallery and restaurant district in Pontiac, MI. How about a new concept: art, music and food? Arts, Beats & Eats was born. The first year we rounded up 95 risk taking artists who listened to our pitch that promised large crowds brought in with excellent PR.

(Sonny Dalton sells a big sculpture to a customer - ABE 2009)

In subsequent years Arts, Beats & Eats' successes rolled with the economy. Over 800 applications for the 2000 show. As the years went by the application would go out in late January and by the end of February Lisa Konikow, my art fair director partner, would be wailing that no one was applying. I would say "wait until the last week before you start despairing." In the last few days the mail bags would be full and we'd be swamped with paperwork. Every year she would call in February, March and early April and be worried, then the mail would roll in.

(Painter Bruce Holwerda, happy in Pontiac)

Then bad things happened to the Michigan economy and subsequently to the rest of the nation. Detroit was especially hard hit and the applications were hard to come by. One year we had hardly enough to fill the show (unless you wanted to have 85 jewelers in a 150 booth show, that is.) We both watched the dribble of applications heading our way. We just had about hit rock bottom, so many artists saying they wouldn't be back to Michigan for a long time. We lost our Chrysler sponsorship, heck, we almost lost Chrysler. We got through 2009, barely. Many thanks to the artists who stayed with us.

In late 2009 the city of Pontiac was asking for much more than the event could afford to hold the event on its streets. Then a white knight came to the rescue. The upscale trendy hip suburb of Royal Oak was willing to pay to have the event come there. Can you believe artists held back and didn't apply last year? I mean more than the year before, yes. Who didn't believe in this event to bring in the people, people who love events, people who live in one of the wealthiest counties in the country?

I told my friends to apply. There was no doubt in my mind that this was the ticket. Then Ford showed up to sponsor. Bills could be paid, staff could hang in another year. Did anyone come to the 2010 Renaissance of Arts, Beats & Eats? Well, yes! On Sunday it was so crowded that twice we had to close the gates and make people wait until some people left. Did any artists make any money? Like everywhere some didn't make booth fee, some made a little, some were happy and some more were really happy. Lisa and I received love letters.

(Dave Piper regales Linda & Rick Bachman in Pontiac 2008)

A couple of reasons why this event can work in the midst of food, a carnival, huge crowds and lots of stages is that it is held in an affluent area where people have always loved the art fairs and have good jobs. Add to the aficionados people who don't give a lick about art but come for the top bands and the fine restaurant food, but as long as they are here they'll look at the art, they find something they love and they buy it. So it is an audience building event. It converts new people to being buyers.

Then this winter the Art Fair Sourcebook published its top 2010 shows. In 2009 ABE was ranked #321, or something really bad like that, in 2010 we were ranked #4. What?? 

So we go back to the drawing board.What does this mean? Between the word-of-mouth (the most reliable information) and this rating surely we would have more applications than last year. "Thousands," says Lisa. "800," says Connie.

(Detroit area clients love Allan Teger and his Bodyscapes))

Cut to the chase. Application online with Juried Art Services in early February. By the end of February we had around 100 applications. Lisa is in despair. What do I say? "Wait until the last week." End of March we have around 150 applications. Last week we had crossed the 300 mark. Still, don't you always hear shows get thousands of applications? Listen, Virginia, there is no such show that gets thousands. Since we are all insiders here, let me tell you, even the very BEST show tops out around 1500. Most shows are well under 1000 and even under 500. Heck, you can put on a very classy show with 500 applications, as long as 400 of them aren't jewelry and photography. (not dissing those categories, I'm sure you know).

(Don't even try to be in a hurry to get through this scene, relax and enjoy the ambiance)

So we are heading to tomorrow night's deadline (looks like I have the wrong deadline on the front of this site) April 12 - midnight. Have we gotten any more applications? Well, yes. In fact 25 on Saturday, 32 on Sunday and today it is going mighty strong. So the next time any of you see Lisa, please tell her to be patient. No matter what you do the artists wait until the last minute.

Many, many thanks to the artist community who have participated in this show. Will we make 1000? please ... 800? nope, not even near. Enough to have a fabulous show? You bet!

Excuse me now while I refresh my browser...

After several positive posts in a previous blog and after discussing this issue with Connie, we have the go ahead to form a committee for a FAQ tab on this site.

Here are Connie's exact words: "I would be very pleased to have you and some others put together an FAQ about the site. It would be a good community building activity. Do you think you can line up some others to help you with this? I would support this and help get it published and available, blog about it, etc. "

This is a great opportunity for YOU to have your opinion heard in the questions that will be included in the link.

It can help us organize the site neatly, stop repeat questions and draw the outside surfer to our ranks if he has some help getting oriented.
 

This will be a positive, proactive, non-partisan think tank  fueled by a great group of modern-day designers: US!

Please, email me at lshields@wi.rr.com to get started.

Thanks 

The 4^th annual Celebration of the Arts was put on by the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. Wesley Chapel is in Pasco county about 25 miles outside of Tampa and 94 miles outside of Orlando. The show was located at the Shops at Wiregrass which is an outdoor mall with widely known chain stores, great restaurants and bars and a new night club. The show was lined along the main street with about 100 artists displaying their art. It was $165 to be in for both days.

For me, being relatively new to the art show scene, this show was great . They offered a Friday night set up. Since the show takes place at a very busy mall, they could not close the streets until after the mall closed. We were allowed to set up at 10:30 at night. Usually I set up by myself, but with this being so late at night, I bribed my husband with a few margaritas and he agreed to help me. We arrived to set up at 10pm and the show promoters were ready to go. We were handed out spot assignments and were free to set up. We were able to pull right up to our spot and take our time. So nice.

I arrived on Saturday morning at 8:00 am and the show started at 10 am. The parking was close to my tent, so it was very easy to cart my art without much hassle. Saturday started off extremely slow. Surprisingly, there were not many art patrons or mall shoppers that day. Maybe because it was the hottest day of the year so far. It really felt like the middle of July in Florida. That being said, the promoters helped us make the best of it. They had volunteers in golf carts continuously driving up and down the strip offering us free water and snacks.

Saturday was a slow day for me. I make mixed media wall art that ranges from $70 to $500. I had one good sale in the morning, which automatically covered my costs plus some. So I was happy. But the rest of the day, nada. I did see some other sales though. Many lawn ornaments (it is Florida after all), a few small watercolor pieces, really anything you could fit in a small bag. If you are like me and sell items that are big and require a little muscle, it just wasn’t happening.

That night, there was an awards ceremony at they new club at the end of the mall. They had 6 awards with $2000 being the top award. All of the winners were very deserving. The top prize went to a mixed media artist. Beautiful work.

Sunday was a different story. The mall was packed. Sales were not huge in price but they were plentiful. The show was from 11-6 that day and I had 1 sale every hour. For me, this is fantastic. I wasn’t able to talk to many of the other artists because I was surrounded by car dealers and newspaper vendors, but the few I did talk to (a jeweler and a leather craftsman) did well.

Closing time was at 6pm. We were asked not to bring our cars to out tents until our space was completely broken down. As I was breaking down at 6:12pm, I look behind me and there was a caravan of cars lined up to get close to their tent. I guess some people missed the memo or just chose to ignore it. After the caravan moved along, I was able to pack up my stuff, get my car and call it a day.

All in all, this was a really enjoyable and profitable show for me. It was my last show for the season before I pick back up in October. Free water and snacks, really good live entertainment that was going on all day, events for kids and the awards ceremony. I think it was the little touches that made it more enjoyable. And for the Chamber, who has only been doing this for a short time, I think they did a really great job.

This is my fifth or sixth Hyde Park show, run by Howard Alan Events.  It's a twice-yearly event: The fall show, held (if memory serves) the second week in October, is my unofficial kickoff to the fall season; the spring show is timed to follow the seasonal migration of artists northward out of SW Florida.

Hyde Park is a lovely urban setting on a street lined by majestic live oaks, upscale shops, and quaint frame houses turned into cafes, botiques, and the like.  (For more background on the area and the demographics, see my earlier post.) To this former Denver, CO resident, it reminds me of Cherry Creek. 

Alas, if only the sales did, too.  Although Hyde Park produced dependable sales for me in my first four visits, last fall's sales dropped about 50%.  And this past weekend dropped right off the edge of the table.  I left with barely enough to cover expenses...and that only because I opted to save one night's hotel stay by driving up early, early on Saturday morning from Fort Myers, 2.5 hours to the south. 

Arriving a bit late at 7:20 AM (note to self: fill up the #%*@ van on Friday night when leaving at 4 AM Saturday), I was cheerily greeted by Pia and quickly found my booth space.  This show has a notoriously tight layout, so you have to work efficiently and cooperatively with your neighbors.  And that's when the bad surprises began:  One, the new owners of a yoga studio behind me requested that the sidewalks be kept clear.  Bye-bye, storage space...or so it seemed, but I saw the owner sitting out on the lawn.  So I fluffed up my aura, introduced myself, and asked if I could stow supplies on the side of her property, out of sight.  Sure, she said.  Problem solved.

More problematic was the parking situation: Alan has always arranged artists to park on a grassy lot about six blocks from the show entrance.  And according to the show literature, it would be available again.  But as I set up, I learned that the city had withdrawn permission for the space, and a school, considerably farther away, was the only alternative.  Then I was told that if you just had a minivan, the rooftop level of a  parking garage just across from my space was available.  Then, after I parked there,  we were told the owner withdrew permission and we would have to move.  I solved that problem by returning to my van and removing the artist parking pass from the dashboard. I'm not sure how other artists managed. 

But then, there was the weather to contend with: Unseasonably hot and humid, with a largely cloudless blue sky and temperatures that broke 90 both days.  And that, my friends,  I had no solution for.  Crowds were sparse on Saturday, and only somewhat better on Sunday.  And whether due to the heat, the looming tax deadline, or the departure of snowbirds, buyers were few and far between.  Although I rarely left my booth all weekend--thank God I was under an oak tree, or I'd have been parboiled alive--I did have time to speak to about a dozen artists:  Most did no better than I, although one of my neighbors sold two large paintings at the close of the show to rescue a nice profit on the weekend. 

As I always do, I asked visitors where they were from, and nearly all were year-round residents from the Hyde Park area.  Only one snowbird...and they were flying out Sunday night.  So, despite the late Easter weekend, it seems like all the snowbirds have flown the coop.

There ARE some kudos to hand out, despite the poor sales.  Dan, one of Alan's new hires, did an especially nice job controlling access to the area during breakdown and directing artists to pull-in spots that kept the streets clear for the next guy.  Authoritative, but pleasant. Much appreciated!  And the local police were very helpful in directing me around the winding streets surrounding the show venue so that I could pull up close to my spot without driving through the entire show venue. And the yoga studio owner was a real sweetheart.  I gave her a print for her new studio as I left the show.

Overall, this is an event I'm going to be scratching my head about for some time.  It's always been a favorite, but I might have overstayed my welcome in Hyde Park.  We'll see. 

2010 Festival Poster by Michael Madzo

The staff at the Atlanta Arts Festival hopes you've had a wonderful start to the new season of art fairs! As we send out the application and information for the 2011 Festival (available on ZAPP)
at www.zapplication.org

or AtlantaArtsFestival.com, we wanted to recap 2010.

2010 was a great year. Our media sponsors provided approx $105,000 worth of radio and print marketing and advertising. This, along with an extensive PR campaign, gave the Festival very broad coverage in Atlanta and the Southeast region.

You, our Artists, gave us great feedback. We had a return rate of 38% on our surveys, and we sincerely appreciate you all taking the time to complete and return them. One point of interest, the average sales figure was over $2,200, with a high of nearly $12,000!

We also received feedback from Festival visitors as they were asked by Jackson Research to fill out surveys. There were 1033 surveys completed, providing some excellent demographic information.

What does this mean to you? Better marketing from AAF for 2011! We heard your suggestions, and are currently dedicating additional budget for a variety of new and expanded marketing and advertising initiatives. We also understand that the "down" economy has negatively impacted you, so we are pleased to announce reduced fees for corner and electrical booths. While we wish we could help out further in this area, our permitting and productions costs continue to rise while our revenue stream also declines, therefore limiting our options. We all look forward to a better economy in 2011!

As always, this Festival wouldn't exist without your support and incredible talent. We look forward to making the 2011 AAF the best year ever!

-Atlanta Arts Festival Staff

Ok, my last post on this, probably.  I just wanted to mention that it seems some folks believe that those of us who print on canvas do so to emulate painting.  For me that is certainly not the case.  Especially in the outdoor art fair environment canvas has several advantages.  The image can be displayed without putting it under glass.  Of course this in itself has several advantages, (much less weight, lack of breakage, and most importantly from the standpoint of quality of image one doesn't have to look through glass.  So the image can have a more immediate appeal.   If it gets dirty or wet, it can be easily cleaned and not simply thrown away.  I won't argue about the quality of canvas vs. paper.  I will admit I slightly prefer paper for quality of print and lack of surface texture.  But the canvas' available offer incredible quality and where digital printing has surpassed film in range of tone (not in capture, in printing) I believe the canvas I use equals the range of traditional film printing at least.  Adios, off to fold notecards (reproductions, it says so right on the box) and watch the last holes of the Masters.  By the way, canvas or not, I wish I could sell a lot more work.  The only way I continue to justify trying to sell at fairs is the pleasure it brings taking it to the few who get it and meeting fellow artists and craftspeople. 

A personal note to Michelle:  I spent many great years as a child in Florence KY. Lived on St. Judes Circle when it was only a semicircle!  The last time I was there, the remains of our 3 story treehouse still stood!  It's all good.   Schlomoe Lipschitz once told me,( he was sitting in front of walls of electronics to be repaired,) when I asked him how he faced this mountain of work he was hired to do, he told me "Jerry, when you enjoy what you do, time is of no consequence"

 " Florida Senate Bill 1246, introduced in February, would make it a first-degree felony to take a picture of any farmland, even from the side of the road, without written permission of the land's owner."

        This is the same penalty as if you shot someone with a gun ::   I am so proud of my state and it's wise decisions; including the elimination of sports, art,& music in our school system.

         If I was a photographer I wouldn't care about a can of worms-- I would be way more concerned about what is in my portfolio;; and then One's constitutional rights /  is the beach next??  is your state next???

         Just to give you all something to really chew on--- bad nuts---

I watched Art Fair Insiders from afar for months.....Why?

It was just too confusing for me to throw my attention into the process.

And that continues to this date.  LOL

I see Larry Berman telling people their blogs belong under business. How do you do that?

I just saw a post about "Leaderboards." ( I was gratified to see my name there!)

I just keep feeling that we could tempt those 229 more people to join very easily if there were a FAQs or HELP section.

Now, the prolific AFIers can write me and tell me what I missed or am missing.

And, Connie, this is no criticism of this wonderful site you have built.....if anything, I care enough to want to help.

But I would like to hear from newbies.....are you confused?

How can AFI help everybody?

Thoughts, please?

Please take a few moments and view some of my work, I would welcome comments, good and not so good lol.

Thank you,

Dale Augustson

Location:         

• New location between the Van Aken Shopping Center and Shaker Heights Country Club, just one mile from Hathaway Brown School
• High-visibility  paved surface in a busy shopping, dining and residential area with  ample, free parking, ATMs, restaurants and a gourmet grocery.

• Free Admission
• Live music by area bands 
• A variety of food and drink vendors
• Children's activities and entertainment
• Artist demonstrations

• Reduced rates at nearby hotel
• Sunday Breakfast Party
• Complimentary beverage
• Proximity to shops, restaurants, hotels and services
• Booth sitters
• Courteous, professional staff
• Show  limited to 150 artists, selling to an elite clientele, including the  loyal Hathaway Brown audience, the Shaker Arts Council's music festival  audience, and hundreds of area shoppers

Anyone have any info on this show?

I usually run the other direction from shows that take applications up until the actual show.

My schedule is really sparce this April & I wouldn't mind picking up a show.

Any comments?

This is my first time doing this show in downtown Austin. The show takes place along the main street, Ceasar Chavez Blvd, that runs along the Colorado River. The river separates the downtown area to the north, and south Austin, which has been evolving into a funky, artsy area. I have been told south Austin wasn't that desirable years ago.

When I told my art festival friends I was doing Austin, I was getting lots of concerned looks. I got a lot of "good luck"s and even one "I feel sorry for you". This show has a reputation for a hellish load in and the stories I have heard were scary. One artist told  me he sat on the bridge in his van for 6 hours! Needless to say, I was concerned, but was interested in a new venue with a younger clientele, and Austin has a well deserved reputation for being a youthful city. The University attracts lots of students that wind up staying in Austin, and the high tech industry is one employer. When I went for a walk along the pathways and parks along the river, it seemed the entire city was out for a run. Man, did I feel out of shape!

Last year the show directors made changes to the load in process, and friends reported progress. One problem is that the city of Austin has strict fire lane rules, and a 15 foot lane must remain open. This is the first time I have witnessed 2 rows of booths being set up with that much space remaining clear. The way they do this is to line the artists on the 1rst street bridge, and let the first row in to unload, with in a 45 minute time frame. You then park in the free garage (all weekend free artist parking), which is 2 blocks away. Nice and close in my book. They then let the next row in. The smoothness of this process depends on the first group actually following this model, and not making the second group late. There are lots of volunteers to gently move this along, and in my area, across from City Hall, it went smoothly. I opted to not unload my art, leaving that to the next morning, and I was done at 11:30 PM. It seems to me that the horror stories I heard have become history. The next morning at 7:00 I was able to pull up to my booth and unload the art. The garage was less than a 10 minute walk.

Attendance was about what I expected, I think around 20,000. The crowd was mixed, with more 20 and 30 somethings than I have seen at other shows. The director had gotten complaints about the show being too spread out, so the new layout is much tighter. I heard only good things about the new layout.

Sales met my hopes for a show this size. I reached the # my accountant has deemed the level where it is worth it to be on the road doing this gig (in my case 5K, anything less is pushing boulders up hills). There were a lot of younger buyers, but as you would imagine they were price sensitive. I wound up selling a lot of repros, but there were enough more established folk to make a couple large purchases. This was good cause Bayou City was down for me. 

Load out was typical; break everything down then bring in the vans. In my area it went smoothly and we were done in 2.5 hours, enough time to get to Threadgills for some home cookin'.

By the way, I was near the sound stage, and true to Austin's reputation as a music city, the music here was quite good.