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As an event producer I am asked constantly by artists if my show would be right for them.  I answer as honestly as I can, then I caution them about believing me or other event producers.  I always suggest that they consult either the Art Fair Sourcebook (which I perceive to be only for the top quality artists) and Sunshine Artist (which I believe also is a source for newer artists).  I also urge them to talk with other artists to get their opinions on the best shows.

Why do I caution people about just listening to the event producers?  Even the best of us are not certain how your individual work will do in any market at anytime. There are too many variables.  I believe it is in my best interest to get happy artists in my show- ones that are likely to have a good experience and to do well.  I don't know if this is the philosophy of other producers.

What works best for you in selecting shows?  What resources are not helpful?  Also, is there some important information that is often not shared by show producers?

Six Events: Call for Artists and Craftspeople

Do you have some free days in your art fair schedule? We all do, and I'm thinking this opportunity will be of interest to many of you who live in the Midwest and especially those who live near south central Michigan.

Dates:
Sunday - May 8th 
Sunday - June 12th 
Sunday - July 10th Sunday 
Sunday - August 14th   
Sunday - September 4th 
Sunday - October 9th
Hours: 8 am to 3:30 pm

Place:
St. Joseph County Grange Fairgrounds, Centreville, Michigan

What to expect:

• This is the 33rd season of this Antique and Collectibles Market
• Now expanding - "New" Arts & Crafts Barn   
• 10 x 10 spaces $35.00   
• Set up: Sat. 9 am to 6 pm; Sun. 6 am until open   
• Large and loyal attendance   
• We provide a massive advertising and promotion program including television, radio, newspapers, trade papers, extensive mailings, Internet and much more.

Learn more: www.zurkopromotions.com

What I can tell you:

I am a frequent visitor to this antique market. When we lived in Detroit we even made the trip. It is full of people who travel quite a distance to exhibit and shop. There is lots of parking and it has a wonderful relaxed ambiance. For me it is one of the highlights of the summer and fall.

How can you lose? A $35 booth fee, indoors under cover, no tent to set up? Close to the Indiana toll road and vacationers enjoying Michigan's summer Sundays.

What to do next:

1. Email: robertzurko@aol.com and request an application
2. Download the application here:  Zurko.pdf 
3. Call Zurko Promotions, 715-526-9769, to have your questions answered

P. S. This is the same organization that runs the popular Grayslake, IL, antique markets at the fairgrounds there.

  This is part II of my Gasparilla notes and I'm glad to say it seemed to go well.  We were happy with our sales,  the weather held up and the teardown, although a tough one, was not nearly as scary as last year's would have led us to fear.   We were nervous about the rain predictions for Sunday, but the rain was over with before the show started and it turned out to be one of the most beautiful days we had seen at any Gasparilla (see last photo).

     The crowds were very heavy (see next to last photo) but, alas, the buying wasn't quite up to the size of the crowd.  Maybe next year.   Again, we were not displeased with our sales.  

    There were some artists who were not having a good show, but a graphic artist had his best show in years.  An encaustic artist was staring into space in stunned disbelief when I asked him about his sales.  I asked him if it was going OK and he slowly nodded.  I'm guessing he will be very happy when the shock wears off.  

    Teardown.  Oh, boy.  I think the staff did as good a job as anyone could have with the cards they were dealt.  They brought in a batch of cars at a time and the vehicles that were lined up waiting their turn were in a good position for dollying.  Many artists chose to dolly, period.  We were among them.  I saw many people pushing their dollies with an expression that said they were happy to have the option to get it done instead of having to wait their turn.  

     The staff and the police were courteous, helpful, and shared with the artists the common goal of getting everyone out of there as smoothly as possible.  I heard very few complaints during teardown other than those associated with the problems of advanced age on the body.  

      Next year?  I just hope we'll get in again.  This year I was called in off the wait list and considered myself lucky.  I've been doing the show on and off for years and our pattern is getting in four years in a row and then getting rejected four years in a row.  Over and over.  

       John Corso, one of the directors, dropped by the tent and we had a nice talk.  They are very interested in artist feedback so the comments on any report on this show will be read and given careful consideration.  Let's hear from as many of this year's participants as care to comment.  Pro or con.  

OK, nobody sent me the can of spray, so we took Barry to dinner and had a delicious

conversation.  So we decided to be history-making on this site by doing the first duo blog live between two AFI icons, at least in our own minds.  So, from this point on the rules are: I get to ask Barry a question, he answers, then he asks me.  If you got nothing better to do, read on.  Who knows we all might learn something. 

Barry: So Nels, you are such a lamer, where did you learn to type? Nels types with 2 fingers.

 Nels:  Barry, when you have had three vodka martinis, and a bottle of wine at Berninis, you are lucky if you can even find the keyboard.  I flunked basic typing in high school, but I did get laid by the teacher.

Nels:  So Barry, how long have you had this curious affectation for blonde women who begin websites?

Barry: (after 4 or is it 5 martinis?). I take the fifth!!

Barry: Nels were you always this funny? Tonight has been a laugh riot.

Nels:  I could reply better if you got out of the way of my left hand, this is internet encrochment, Barry, i expected better manners out of a boy from Marquette--oh, that's right you are not really from there.  You throw a mean pastie.  Where did you come from originally.  Enjoy this, it is the only softball you are going to get from me tonite, not bad for a two-fingered hand-pecker, eh boy.

Oh Barry, thank God my  english teacher is not diagramming this sentence.

Barry: You'd throw better if you used your left hand. Take it out of your pocket. Next time I'm going to bring frozen pasties.  I'm from De-troit so watch your back, mofo.

Nels:  So Barry let's get serious, enough of the softies--what I want to know is this--when you roomed with Munks, what color undies did he wear?  Curious minds need to know.

Barry: Munks wears underwear?  It must have been a special night.  And, what was he wearing at the Uptown show?

Nels: Ok Barry, enough, here is a real toughie.  You aint doing shit in Florida shows so far, so when are you coming over to the dark side?  Will your photos be on canvas, or will you step outside the box and maybe do then pastie-encrusred?  MaryAnne might like that a lot--you might even get in ahead of Jack or Sir Jim from Naples.

Barry: Nels, every time you go into another room, I get out my trusty I-phone and capture all your images.  I hear that's the way you do it.  I think photos on canvas is the way to go. I went out and bought staples, from Staples and I'm all set. After all, the best artist is the one who sells the most and I can get at least $30 for each of those photos.  I want to be successful. Maybe I'll even win all the "best of shows."

Nels:  Have another puff Barry, that is so fishy.  To be essentially within oneself, you must wrap your imagination amongst sweet-potato hogfish.  the cream will run down the stream.

Barry: Huh? Speak English.  So Nels, now that you've exhausted all your ideas, what's next for you?  Are you going to try another medium? You know you would make a pretty good  wine taster.. On second thought, you'd probably get fired for opening all the bottles and tasting the contents. 

Nels: As long there are bathrooms to shoot before Fulwiler and Sargant I am golden.  If they catch up to me, then I am just going to do Golden Margaritas at art shows and not worry about competition.  In reality, I can never, ever, asay a bad word about Bill, he is a prince.

Nels:  It sure is hard remembering whose question leads off first. So here goes.  Is there life after art shows, or do you just cop out and die in your booth and let somebody else pile it into your van, and then wait for the paramedics to revive you?  Worked for Alan Teger at the Deco Show in the 80's.  God bless he is still around.

Barry: I have this one figured out.  I'm going to die in my studio.  After 5 or 6 days someone will ask the question: "Where's Barry?"  They'll follow the smell.

Barry: So Nels, what's your next show(I hate when they ask me this question).

Nels: I always take the easy way out, I just say I live in the moment--I don't need no stinking art shows.

Barry: "...stinking art shows. Do you know what you are referencing?

Nels:  Eh Barry, this is a Cheech and Chong moment--everybody knows what I know, even if I don't know what I know. 

Barry: Do I have to teach you everything?  The actual phrase is "Badges? We don't wear no stinking badges." The original is from "The Treasure of Sierra Madre" and Mel Brooks stole it for a line in "Blazing Saddles" one of my all time favorite movies.

Barry: What's your favorite movie?

Nels:  First off, you are one crazy misplaced mid-westerner.  Fricking "badges."  Eh, when did you move to Wisconsin?  I am a Humphry Bogart kind o guy with a little Alan Ladd thrown in with a little dose of Micky Rourke.

Nels:Since we starting to throw hardballs,Barry, here comes a toughie(oh I gotta take a leak, be right back with a goodie)

Barry: Bring it on Nelsy boy. What was the name of that movie with Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts? It's the one where they cut off Eric Roberts thumb for being a wise guy.

Nels:  Barry, have another shot of tequila--keep it on thread--let's get back to reality.  After art shows, what's left for a guy fromMarquette, Michigan?  are you going to be a show promoter? Lots of role-model s out there.  You could go in the week before an established show and do your own, seems to work for some people.  Or you could start shows and stand up in a big tower and yell commands at all the underlings, that seems to work south of Englewood.  Or you could strut around and cut them all off at their balls like some do down that way too.  Or you could be "King barry."  What model fits your style?  Curious minds need to know, we don't care if we never get into another art show.  See tags, Nels.

Barry: After art shows I thought I would hang out in Boca Grande and meet a rich widow.  If that doesn't work I could go into producing shows.  All my shows would be in the same town as a major show except I would have mine the week before. That makes sense to me.  At first I would charge a small show fee and have large prizes. As my shows became more in demand, I would triple the booth fee, cut the prize money, and charge admission.  Did I mention that I would have 2 porta-potties for 300 artists? And, let them drink tap water.

Nels:  Here is the real hardball, I have been waiting all evening to ask.  If I buy you breakfeast and feed you more tequila, can you blow into Connie's ear and get me into Arts, Beats and Eats?  I know you have certain knowledge that I would love to tap into.  

Barry: Sure, but only if I get to sleep on your couch tonight. I've had too much tequila to drive anywhere.

Nels:You are right, Connie only wants real artists.  That leaves most of us out.  You are a real moocher.

Barry: After seeing that picture of the crowds that Connie posted yesterday, I probably won't get in either.  We'll have to start that other show on the same date. We will call it  the Sir Richard Alan Upper Naples art Street  Buy-Sell Extravaganza in Ferndale.

That's all folks, we are out of tequila.  Aloha, Nels and Barry. 

To add to Nels fine images, here are a few more pictures.

The lovely Karyn Kozo and Beth Crowder (pastelist), enjoying breakfast on Sunday morning at the jury viewing in the Children's Museum.

The show, as viewed from the third floor of the children's museum.

The The good part of the show, nearest to Ashley Drive.

Here's the flashy kid's museum.

AA typical patron. Lots of dogs. Many, many dogs. Luckily none of them peed in my booth.

Steve Baldauf (painting), Anita Baldauf, Jim Parker (photography), Karyn Kozo.

Looking at the show from the riverfront terrace in front of the Tampa Art Museum. It's a beautiful venue. The booths are packed in though, and the artists at the front of the show, nearer to the street did better than those at the back of the show, near the river. 

Does anyone have advice for booth pictures that can retract into

some kind of cylinder, for easy transport and protection? Any feedback would be appreciated...

Just looking to see what other people think about Art Fair Sourcebook's decision to charge events to be listed/rated?  I am kind of torn.  

        Sunshine Artist charges for listings, and I believe them that they do not take that into account when choosing the best events. 

       Now Art Fair Sourcebook has decided to charge significantly more than other services to list shows.  If I don't pay, will I still get audit cards?  With no audit cards will the list be meaningful?

For those of you not familiar with Venice it is a throwback to good old days. There are no big box stores, no chain restaurants (except Kilwins but hey), the downtown area is comprised of mom and pop run shoppes and restaurants with sidewalk seating to appreciate the beautiful weather. There is a very heavy snowbird population that winter in Venice and they're always looking for something to do. Howard Alan has two fine art shows here every year in November and March and as you can see the people come out in droves, many looking to buy. My medium is jewelry (metalsmith) with price points from $20 to $600 with equal selling of all. All but one artists I spoke with were very pleased with their sales. Logistically the setup and breakdown could not be easier, all booths are setup singlefile back to back  on asphalt, with a 20 foot grass medium behind the booths so plenty of room for storage. You can unload and load at your space, NO DOLLYING.

If you're looking for a well run, profitable show give this one a try.

This was my second time at Las Olas. I did the October Las Olas last October. I only made almost 2x expenses at that one, but it was before many snowbirds were down. This was my third HA show. Despite the early same-day setup, I like his shows so far. No frills, but they bring in the people.

Weather was the big concern for the weekend. There were chances of off-shore rain on Saturday and the cold front on Sunday. We received rain both days in the mid-afternoon. At a small show, this would killed the show, but not this one. I actually made over half of my sales while it was raining or sprinkling. I am an abstract digital artist. If I can get people to actually stop and find out what it is, then I have a much better chance to make a sell. When the rains hit, people would duck in for cover and then start looking around to see what was on the walls. I made sales to every third person during that time because they actually took the time to understand my art.  This was great, especially after I discovered that my booth was located were water pooled across 2/3rds the front of my booth. After the rains hit on Saturday, my booth was flooded for the rest of the time. The artist beside me had his electrical cord running to his generator across the street right through part of the pool, so some people were very reluctant to step anywhere near the 2-4" deep pool. At least we were on the street and not in mud.

Despite the rain and pool, I made almost twice as much as the October show. I tried a new technique a fellow artist recommended to me a couple weeks ago. I visualized what I wanted to make at the show to be happy. I visualized already having it in my pocket. At closing time I was with in $300 of my goal. Twenty minutes into breakdown, a gentleman came in my booth and wanted a $300 piece. He had walked by our booth earlier in the day, but just did not notice my work until breakdown. I guess my visualization worked after all. I made as much here as I did last year at Gasparilla, which had been my best show to date at that time.

Load out went well since the rain had passed. My tent is wet, but my work and me remained dry during teardown.

I only heard from one artist that said they did poorly. Most said they did average or great.  Definitely one to consider again.

After a Saturday of nice weather and light but steady crowds at this promising second-year show, the Sunday forecast was dire: clouds, gusty winds, and showers throughout the day, topped off by a 60% chance of thunderstorms at tear-down.  

But the rain stopped just before the show opened, and as the weather improved, so did attendance.  Sunday turned out to be the best day of the weekend, as weather was a bit cool for the beach but perfect for an art show. 

This show is the Naples Art Association's followup to the Naples National event downtown.  Ranked #75 by Sunshine Artist readers in its first year (2010), it looked even better this year.  Well-advertised and with a high caliber of artists, attendees were knowledgeable and, for the most part, buying.  I spoke with about 10 artists in my vicinity, and all were at least satisfied with their sales...as was I.

The show was very well managed.  Show director Marianne Megela and her staff provides all the information you need in advance via email and website, and expects you to know what you're doing.  But in contrast with last year's inaugural, the staff had a much more relaxed (but still thoroughly professional) vibe. 

The show was nicely laid out, in keeping with the Mercato center's spacious design. There was ample storage room behind your booth and some welcome space on either side.  (That wasn't for storage, but it made for a nicer visual than having booths pole-to-pole.)  Show visitors (who paid $5 to attend), walked wide, brick-lined avenues; patrons of the center's shops and restaurants had ample sidewalks behind the artists' tents.  

Booth-sitters, decked out in bright yellow vests, were there when you needed them, and the parking and security teams knew what they were doing, too.  Setup and tear-down were well organized and efficient: you could drive right to your booth location to unload; the parking was in a grassy field just north of the venue, less than 5 minutes' walk from my booth. 

Breakdown procedures were communicated to each artist individually by a staff member (as opposed to being shouted out by a show official as they walked down your row).  Classy.  The staff actually checked off your name on an artist roster to make sure that they'd communicated the instructions to everyone.  I admire their thoroughness, but asking artists also to sign their name to acknowledge receipt of the instructions seems a little over the top. I'm not sure what problem it was designed to avert.

That little oddity was more than counterbalanced by the great job the parking/security staff did in courteously directing the Mercato's visitors from the streets to the sidewalks during breakdown, so they'd be out of the way of incoming vehicles and the hubbub of dollies and descending tents.  Failure to manage crowds in these situations is a pet peeve of mine: I nearly impaled a jogger a few years back who darted between my vehicle and another as I was pulling out of my space, and I've done many a show where folks stroll aimlessly, beers in hand, through the streets while carts and tent poles are moving in every direction.   It's amazing to me that most promoters and site venues don't manage this, and I give kudos to Naples Art for doing so. 

From my perspective, this is already a first-class show, in a beautiful and classy venue.  Definitely one I'll hope to attend next year. 

Several of us were delighted to meet Ms Wegner this weekend.  She is a devoted Art Festival fan and AFI reporter.  Her generous contributions to this site are extremely valuable for providing a Patron's viewpoint.

Florida is rife with spring art events, and even with all the focus on Gasparilla this weekend, believe it or not there was another event worthy of mention. 

Bartow is about an hour or so east of Tampa.  A sleepy little town that time forgot, there are the standard closed businesses and empty storefronts throughout the heart of downtown.  The magic happens on Friday when the artists and crafters arrive and fill the streets.  In addition to the seven blocks of arts and crafts, these folks also hold and antique fair at one end of town, a quilt show in the center courthouse, a flower show in the local bank, and a classic car show at the other end of the main street.  There is a tent for children's activities as well as a local potter doing demonstrations.  It's a family oriented event, but I was a good distance away from the children's section and didn't see much in the way of families with small kids. 

What I did see were great arts and crafts.  The local art guild screens very carefully, and while there may have been one or two questionable exhibitors, the quality was excellent from one end to the other.  The guild supplies coffee and locally baked muffins each morning.  Volunteers come around with water a couple of times a day.  Boothsitters are readily available.  The guild members are attentive and helpful and a delight to work with.

Prize money was generous and mostly went to 2D artists with only one jeweler receiving an award.  I didn't note an AFI artists (probably all at Gasparilla), but I didn't get a chance to walk around much, either.  This is an area of old cracker houses and farm houses that are being purchased on the cheap by young (well, young to me) people to "fix up."  While they do have money to spend, they are very careful with their dollars.  I didn't see a lot of $7.00 bags of kettle corn, but I did see bags of fine crafts and art. 

Saturday was Chamber of Commerce weather, warm with a slight breeze, a bit overcast for me but fine for most others.  Sales started early and continued strong all day.  Sunday weather was worrisome for rain then wind but ended up another fine day with sales picking up where they left off Saturday.   It was a great weekend for me.  The acrylic painter (nature scenes) to one side also did well while down the street another acrylic painter hadn't sold much by Sunday noontime.  The jeweler on my other side (really exquisite gemstones) was quite unhappy while across the street (more costume feel) had a smile.  A fabric artist immediately across from the food court barely made expenses, and there were three booths on my street that actually packed up Saturday night and left (expecting bad weather?).  Of the two hot glass artists, one was quite pleased, one didn't sell a major piece all weekend. 

Maybe a niche market that happens to be my niche, this is one fantastic show!

July 16 & 17
Evergreen, Colorado

Presented by the Center for the Arts Evergreen

Buchanan Park

125 artists

Deadline: March 14



You are invited to apply to our annual Summerfest Arts Festival. It is a juried exhibition of gallery quality fine art and fine crafts. Being only 30 minutes from Denver, Evergreen is a day trip destination for city dwellers to beat the heat in the middle of the summer and enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains.


The Summerfest Arts Festival is fast becoming the community event of the summer with a fabulous selection of gallery quality fine art and fine crafts chosen by a jury process, a Global Children's Village to engage the younger visitors, performances by local favorites to add to the festival spirit, and a Beer & Wine Garden to compliment the wonderful food selection.


The Summerfest Arts Festival is joining up for a second year with Arts Alive Evergreen, a 16 day showcase event featuring the best of Evergreen's visual and performing arts. Ten different organizations have come together to market and promote Arts Alive, which starts with Summerfest and ends with the Evergreen Jazz Festival, to the Denver Metro Area.


Summerfest is hosted by the Center for the Arts Evergreen, a nonprofit organization whose mission is "To promote and cultivate artistic excellence in the visual and performing arts in order to enrich the art experience in our mountain community." Proceeds from Summerfest go to support arts programming year-round.


Why Summerfest:
 

• Beautiful mountain setting

• Outstanding artist hospitality: great volunteer help, artist dinner, water and snacks for artists, booth sitters

• Sponsored by a nonprofit art center

• Overnight security

• Affluent community in Evergreen

• Great visibility from main access routes

• Collaboration with area arts organizations

• Clearly Evergreen's premier summer festival


Apply today: www.zapplication.org or get a paper application at www.evergreenarts.org
 
**************
Looking for more art fairs for 2011?  Visit: www.CallsforArtists.com - updated daily

John Wrenn, 61, known throughout out the art fair world for his fine raku pottery died in Madison, Wisconsin, on February 28 as the result of injuries from a fall.

He participated in the nation's art fairs for 20 years and had recently retired. He was considered a master of his craft and he could be found at the top shows and in galleries throughout the country.

He was a founding member of the Wisconsin Pottery Association.

From Leslie Genszler: John was a wonderful Raku artist from the Janesville/ Cottage Grove area in Wisconsin, who recently retired. He was such a sweet and kind man and will be missed by so many of us.

More about his work: http://www.khnemustudio.com/John_Wrenn.html

Obituary at Madison.com: http://madison.com/obit/183300

A Memorial Mass will be held at 3 p.m. at ST. WILLIAM'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 456 N. Arch St., Janesville, WI, on Sunday, March 13, 2011.

As bad as last year's weather was is how good this year's weather is.  Even a brisk breeze out of the east isn't a bad thing because it keeps people off the beach due to rip tides and at the art fairs.  

This was only my second time at Part II of Howard Alan's extravaganzas in Ft. Lauderdale.  I thought last year was good but this year seemed even better.  The quality was some of the best I have seen at a HA show.  I didn't spend a lot of time looking but I did see people with bags, the streets were fairly crowded within the first 30 minutes of the show starting and a lot of the booths were crowded.  

We have some incredibly talented people at this website and today I was fortunate enough to meet 4 of them.

 Patti and Bob Stern have wicked senses of humor that are reflected in their work.  (ok, I admit it, I have a bit of a crush on ED) Their clocks and tables are made with so much imagination I am in awe of them.  And they are just the nicest people.  I'm glad I'll get to see them this summer as they do almost more Amdur shows than I go to!

Three booths down was Teri Causey with her wonderful paintings. While I visited with her, a lot of people stopped by her booth and said how much they enjoyed her work.  It is easy to see why.  She said she was having a good show already.

And a few booths down from her was Travis Lindenbaum.  Wonderful earrings, necklaces and bracelets.  In addition to talking to him, I could have spent hours at his booth looking at all the jewelry.  (Please remember that true beauty does not photograph well)

Back to the show--It is laid out in the middle of the street with the booths back to back and while this may make the store owners happy, the show gets crowded very quickly.  We got there fairly early but by noon, getting down the street was difficult so rather than taking one last swing through the festival, we decided to go home.  There is plenty of parking close by at a reasonable rate and we even sat by the river for a while taking in the cool breeze under some trees.  

The art was good but this weekend, for me it was more about the artists.

For those of you who are intrigued about what happens in cities before the big shows descend on them you'll find this article from the Royal Oak Tribune interesting. It is all about where residents and visitors will park during Arts, Beats & Eats, which is held on Labor Day weekend and draws 100's of 1000's of people to Royal Oak's downtown. Not only is the show promoter, Jon Witz, involved in the street layout, so is the Oakland County Executive, the mayor, the residents, the business people...this is a big deal.

• Who wins?
• Where will the show be this year?
• How much will the parking tickets cost?
• Who gets the revenue?
• What streets will be used? ...makes you glad to set up and get out of town with some fat pockets, doesn't it?

Residents defend festival parking: http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2011/03/03/news/doc4d7054514fc76792252001.txt?viewmode=fullstory