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The artists have spoken and the Art Fair SourceBook has announced its Top art fairs for 2010 chosen on the basis of reported artist sales at the year's art festivals. Hundreds of art fairs receive from Art Fair Sourcebook pre paid green postcards that the event organizers pass out to their participating artists. In turn, if an artist feels like reporting their sales they can fill it out and mail it in. Some artists make it a practice to fill them out and others never do this.

When you are trying to determine whether or not to apply to an art fair what is your main criteria? I hope it is MAKING MONEY. Therefore, Greg Lawler, originator and owner of AFSB, decided that would be the main criteria of his list. Smart thinking.

Here are Greg Lawler's 2011 Art Fair SourceBook Top Shows:

Congratulations to these excellent events. These ten events range from the excellently well-run small town event in Belleville, IL, run by an entirely volunteer base to some lollapalooza big deal events such as the NO Jazz and Heritage Festival (a truly destination event that attracts international visitors) with a few other goodies thrown in. La Quinta is in a lovely setting in a wealthy area of Palm Springs with a $12 gate fee; Arts, Beats & Eats has resurrected the art fair business in Michigan with last year's blockbuster attendance; Long's Park is a favorite Labor Day weekend destination for people near the East Coast; Fort Worth's event is a big deal four day festival that brings visitors from seemingly recession-proof Texas; St. Louis is a purely art affair set in an affluent neighborhood "owned" by its community partners; Sausalito is a professionally run four-day event with $20 admission; Bonita Springs is set in an affluent neighborhood where the locals know they "need" to attend and collect the goods presented there.

Hmmm...three of these shows are on the same weekend! Five of the events are four days long giving artists longer to gather sales. Only two of them are two day events--got to make those days just lovely!

Art fairs love to boast about their ratings from AFSB. Here are a few recent articles:

Salem Art Fair, Salem, OR: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110211/OPINION/102110331/1048/This-week-s-winners-losers-news

Oklahoma City: http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-festival-of-the-arts-achieves-national-ranking/article/3534144?custom_click=lead_story_title

Salt Lake City:http://www.heraldextra.com/article_39593a6b-8550-506e-b8aa-5cd91e0cdcaa.html

Long's Park: http://blog.pennlive.com/go/2010/02/longs_park_art_craft_festival.html

La Quinta: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110216/LIFESTYLES0104/110216022/La-Quinta-Arts-Festival-gains-national-recognition?odyssey=nav|head

Note to self: The desert can get cold.  I don’t mean the kind of cold where you can bundle up and do fun aerobic activity in, like ice skate or have a snowball fight.  No, it’s a bone chilling cold that comes from sitting still for hours at a time in front of the easel in a tent that likes pretending it’s a refrigerator.  I was not prepared for this.  I brought one heavy wool sweater and I’m sick of it.  Paint takes on a tar-like consistency that mangles good sable brushes.  Paintings that I expected to set up overnight are still wet and sticky, so I now have six paintings going.  All wet.  That’s not a bad thing, but it makes maneuvering around my abbreviated studio area a dicey proposition, especially since I’m forced to also wear my nice coyote vest over said heavy wool sweater while painting, as it’s the warmest thing I brought. Factor in a pair of heavy sheepskin gloves, and you’ve got a rhinoceros trying to needlepoint.

I’ve been sitting here with a hodgepodge of half blocked in pieces, wallowing in the self-imposed peer pressure brought on by being surrounded by productive artists, and feeling the labor pains of a new style that wants a midwife.  I know we all struggle with our art, we all talk every day here under the big top.  It’s gratifying, in a small, small way, to know that others are struggling too, and I don’t mean that to say misery loves company.  But, being human, we have all absolutely convinced ourselves that no one is struggling quite as much as we are.  Everyone else here looks to me as if they are moving swimmingly and effortlessly along, blissfully turning out canvases like biscuits from a well-greased tray.  No one could possibly be feeling the angst that I am, the utter self-deprecation that cloaks itself in thoughts like, What was I thinking coming here?  Or, even better, in the voice of a certain influential family member, You’ll be selling portraits in Grand Central Station for a nickel...there’s a million artists better than you!   It becomes a bedlam that calls for large doses of Pink Floyd and vodka.

 But, open book that I am, I have confided my existential crisis to a few kindly souls, and relieved to know this twisting agony is not unique nor my own personal neurotic albatross to bear.  It comforts me and lets me continue in the face of struggle.  It also make me think, why the hell hasn’t a European tour promoter come up with a new kind of tour to supplement the mainstream cultural tours of Florence, Rome, Paris?  There’s Al Capone/Gangster Tours of Chicago, there ought to be a new Tours de France: Van Gogh in Arles: Assault of Gaugin and Institutionalized in San Remy.  I’d be first in line.  Just think, the unknown works of the Great Masters: the fits of pique and the holes punched in the wall, broken brushes and rent canvases, arrest records, psychologists’ notes (depending on the century and statute of limitations on patient-client privilege).  I remember withering upon entering the Uffizi, the Galleria dell'Accademia, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, and weeping over my own paintings later at night.  Oh, what a relief it would have been to this young artist to know Caravaggio was a criminal- a felon!   That Michelangelo’s father was disgusted with him for choosing art as a career and suffered from low self-esteem!  (The Agony and the Ecstasy would have been helpful reading.)  

The artistic struggle that exists within an often solitary work environment can break the budding artist unfamiliar and unprepared for this mine-ridden emotional psychological territory.  From what I can recall from art school days, the most the topic was ever addressed was maybe a fleeting, “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”  You might as well tell a teenaged girl that those five extra pounds make her look healthy and the glasses make her face unique.   I propose new classes at the university level:  how would a, say, Psychology of Creativity 101 go over?  Or, The Blank Canvas: You DON’T Need a Straightjacket and Lithium! ? My guess is those classes would be standing room only and there’d be a hell of a lot more well adjusted artists pouring out of art schools telling arrogant gallery owners to stick their attitudes where the sun don't shine.  Perhaps a cooking class: Ramen Noodles and The Food Pyramid? OK, maybe not.  But if we had Psychology for Creative Productivity classes maybe we wouldn’t have to battle the myth of the starving tortured artist so much.  Sure, there’s a bunch of books out there on the topic, self help books, but most of them are written by opportunists with a bent towards self-promotion and prey on us artists desperate for an answer.

Baloney.

No one can tell you the answer.

You just gotta go through it.

I’ve been here almost three weeks, at what some of us are affectionately calling the Fine Art Boot Camp Expo, and there’s no way out but through.  That’s a thought that actually comforts me, much as the Serenity Prayer gives a recovering alcoholic the strength to go on.  Then I can take a Xanax at 3 am and leaf through Georgia O’Keeffe’s abstracts until I finally pass out around 4 and Framer Dude awakens me at 8 with a chopsaw.  Yeah, I’m painting everyday. I’m an artist!  This is the life!  Would someone just get me another sweater to wear?

Two subjects on which I'd like to hear others' opinions.

1.  Is there any particular advantage in submitting a show application early in the process vs. later on?  In other words, does it help, in any particular way,  to submit an application as soon as it is available vs. waiting until the day before the deadline?  Of course these are the two extremes but, hopefully, I'm making sense.

2.  In shows such as Ann Arbor and St. James where there are several shows going on at the same time, I assume a person would have a much better chance of being accepted if they applied individually to each show.  Is this a correct assumption?  I suppose that, in a sense,  one would qaudruple their chances if they applied to all four shows in Ann Arbor.  Right?

Thanks for any input any of you might care to make.   

A little history about the first Tequila Report.  I joined AFI in January 2009, probably was member number 377 or something, Connie had just got this going in 2008.

This was my second blog, ever,anywhere in my life.  It was Superbowl Weekend in Tampa and I was having lunch at one of my favorite places in Ybor City,my home.

Yes, I realize I ran this last year too.  But guess what? There are probably at least 2,000 AFI members who never saw this original blog--and it was a goodie, full of wry humor and observations.  I think it is worthy enough of reprising once again.

For those of you who value my "Tequila Reports" read on, this was the beginning--and it is a dandy.

                                 SAW A NAKED COWBOY--originally posted january 28, 2009

Its Superbowl Weekend in Ybor City, my home.I was having lunch at Carmines on Seventh Avenue, one block from my 100-year-old home, one block off the main drag.

I was eating my black beans and a spicey crab roll--OK and also a little Patron Tequila (and that was how the TR started with that little phrase) and who strums by in his BVDs--The Naked Cowboy.  In case you have not heard, this dude has been strolling around the USA, in his BVDs,singing on his guitar, and stopping to let people take his picture.He is cuter than he is a singer.

So there he is in Ybor riding the Superbowl wave--anybody who has anything to sell is in town right now. Its crazy.  I wonder why Howard doesn't have a show here this weekend. It will be interesting tomorrow to see if he is still in his BVDs,singing, since it is only going to be a high of 55 degrees.

Oh well, I get to miss the Superbowl and travel to New Smyrna Beach tomorrow,Images Art Show,and set up in chilly,windy temps and then hope people come out to buy ( I made $600 that weekend). Aren't I lucky.

Well, anyways I meandered down Seventeenth to my house and saw the little woman.  She filled me full of sudden insight (what a way to ruin a true Patron high). She says,"You figure you are a photographer? WHY DON'T YOU HAVE PICTURE OF THE NAKED COWBOY?"  Well, when I go to Carmines I bring a book, not a camera.

But, I will try to describe him accurately. He was six-foot, well-muscled, well tanned, hair blonde down to his waist, and he had a cowboy hat on, with cowboy boots, and CLEAN BVDS.  That's all he was wearing.The BVDs were skin tight--nothing was out of place.

My wife, the little woman, is Ellen Marshall. She is a pastelist on the circuit, some of you may know her. She had a curious question. "Was he wearing a jock strap?"  Well STUPID ME--I am eating crab and swilling tequila (maybe that was the real beginning of the Tequila report) and--I was not close enough to evaluate such a close measure of manliness.  Oh well, next time I will bring my camera.  Aloha, Nels.

And from that humble beginnings was the Tequila Report.  I look forward to many eventful ones in 2011.  Webbie will probably show up in a few.  We are both in serious training to defeat the "Coldwater Michigan Champion Tequiler-Swiller of 2010.  That girl is going down even if it takes 35 shots.

At this time of the year I know you are deep into the planning for your 2011 art fairs. In that vein I am pleased to bring you a very cool list of events held in some of the nation's most prestigious neighborhoods in the East, from Cape Cod to Charlotte.

Paragon Fine Art Festivals is entering its third year producing art festivals under the direction of Bill Kinney. It is exciting for artists when a new promoter comes along, especially in the Northeast where there have been few events that showcase the fine arts. It is even more pleasing to view their objectives:

    1.    Attract the best fine art and fine craft artisans from the United States and abroad.
    2.    Treat artists with respect and appreciation.
    3.    Provide a fair and equitable jury system to select artists for the events
    4.    Ensure that all artwork is hand made by the artisans and that artisans are present at the
           shows
    5.    Create strong corporate and media partnerships to advertise and promote these events

 Read on. I'll bet you can find room in your art fair schedule to choose at least one of these!

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FAIRFAX FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
April 30 - May 1
Fairfax, Virginia
Number of booths: 75
Deadline:  February 25
Booth Space Cost: $395.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/fairfax

The Fairfax Fine Arts Festival will be held in Fairfax Corner in Northern Virginia, part of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.  A beautiful mixed-use development offering main street style shopping at both national chain stores and local boutiques, Fairfax Corner features a state-of-the-art movie theater and the best mix of restaurants in the area.  Combining retail space, office space and residential living make it the ideal location for a fine arts festival.

Fairfax County is the most populated community in the Washington Metropolitan Area and first in the U.S. to reach a six-figure median household income, lauding the second-highest median household income of any county with a population of at least 250,000.  The average income within a 10-mile radius of the Festival is over a $125,000 and over 30% of the population has graduate degrees.  In 2009, Forbes Magazine rated the City of Fairfax as #3 in the "Top 25 Places to Live Well." Fairfax Corner is a premiere location for a fine arts festival.

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DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
May 7 - 8
Silver Spring, Maryland
Number of booths: 100
Deadline: March 3
Booth Space Cost: $375.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/maryland

The Downtown Silver Spring Fine Arts Festival will take place on Ellsworth Street in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, MD.  Silver Spring is a major business hub situated at the north apex of Washington, D.C. and has recently undergone a spectacular renaissance adding major retail, residential, and office developments. 

Ellsworth Street typically draws 20,000 visitors on a non-event weekend in May.  The downtown combines a vibrant, laid-back atmosphere with fabulous dining and shopping, hosting outdoor concerts and patio dining.  The Downtown Silver Spring shopping district features an eclectic mix of entertainment, restaurants, retail and offices offering a diversity of eateries and retail. The show's proximity to the Washington D.C. markets and built-in local audience make this an ideal location for a festival.

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SCARSDALE FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
May 14 - 15
Scarsdale, New York
Number of booths: 110
Deadline:  March 11
Booth Space Cost: $395.00

Website: www.paragonartevents.com/scarsdale

The Scarsdale Fine Arts Festival returns for its second year to central Westchester County again hosted by the Scardsdale Chamber of Commerce.  The show takes place on the downtown Village Streets amidst elegant Tudor architecture, surrounded by numerous parks and extensive green spaces. The median income for a family is over $200,000.  We expect this festival to be the crown jewel in Paragon's lineup. Within a 25-mile radius are Manhattan, Armonk and Greenwich, CT.  Valet parking is being added in 2011  to accommodate our high end buyers.

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LONG ISLAND FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
May 21 & 22
Nassau County, New York
Eisenhower Park
Number of booths: 125
Deadline:  March 17
Booth Space Cost: $325.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/long-island

We are honored to be hosting the second fine art event ever held in Eisenhower Park.  In discussing our inaugural event in their August 2010 edition, Sunshine Artist reported that: "Given that Nassau County is a generally wealthy area, artist could expect to do well at this show. And they certainly did."

Eisenhower Park is a stunningly beautiful 930-acre park located in the heart of Nassau County only 20 miles from Manhattan. Not only does Eisenhower Park have easy access from every major highway that surrounds the park but easy accessibility to all portions of Long Island.

As of 2008, Forbes reported Nassau County to be the second richest per capita in the State of New York and 10th wealthiest county per capita in the nation.  Combined with the proximity to New York City where we will be doing extensive advertising for the event, we expect the event to draw the higher end art patrons and business clientele artists seek. 

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JERSEY SHORE FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
June 11 & 12
Ship Bottom, New Jersey
Number of booths: 110
Deadline:  April 8
Booth Space Cost: $325.00
Website:  www.jerseyshoreartfest.com

The Jersey Shore Fine Arts Festival returns for its third year to Long Beach Island, more familiarly known as LBI.  Located just a few miles north of Atlantic City off the Garden State Parkway, the show is a short drive from Philadelphia and New York City.  June brings summer crowds seeking pristine beaches, soothing environs and quality shops, services and dining. Thousands of corporate leaders and celebrities from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania bring their families to LBI to savor the beauty that this barrier island provides.

In its first year the Jersey Shore Fine Arts Festival ranked in the top 100 fine arts festivals with both the Art Fair Sourcebook and Sunshine Artist.  In 2010, severe thunderstorms threatened the show and our attendance on Sunday resulting in the show being closed early.  We believe 2011 will see the festival restored to it's top 100 ranking!
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NORTH SHORE FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
June 18 & 19
Roslyn, New York
Christopher Morley County Park
Number of booths: 100
Deadline:  April 14
Booth Space Cost: $375.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/roslyn

The North Shore Fine Arts Festival will be held in Christopher Morley County Park in Roslyn, New York.  Located on the North Shore of Long Island, the site is readily accessible to all portions of Long Island, located less than 0.25 mi from the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and about a mile south of the "Miracle Mile" on Northern Boulevard, well-known for its high-end shopping center called the Americana Manhasset. The show site is on the very visible and heavily-traveled Searingtown Road.

Counties along the North Shore bordering Long Island Sound are referred to as the "Gold Coast".  Historically, the Gold Coast is one of the most affluent areas in the country.  Neighborhoods including Manhasset, Roslyn, Great Neck, Sands Point, and Kings Point contain substantial wealth dating back to the late 19th century. Christopher Morley County Park is a spectacular setting for a fine arts festival offering unprecedented demographics.

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GAITHERSBURG FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
June 25 & 26
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Washingtonian Center
Number of booths: 100
Deadline: April 14
Booth Space Cost: $375.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/gaithersburg

The Gaithersburg Fine Arts Festival will be held in the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Located adjacent to the District of Columbia, Montgomery County is the most populated and affluent in Maryland with a median household income of $106,000.  The Washingtonian Center, opened in 1998, combines with the Waterfront and Rio Entertainment Center to create a 530,000 sq ft environment of retail stores and restaurants and over 200,000 sq ft of entertainment uses.  Residential communities such as The Crossing developed nearby attract high-end homeowners.  During summer, free concerts are held at the Waterfront of the Washingtonian Center.  Great demographics and a spectacular venue create the foundation for a great art festival.

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CAPE COD FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
July 16 & 17
Hyannis, Massachusetts
Village Green on Main Street
Number of booths: 100
Deadline:  May 12
Booth Space Cost: $325.00
Website:  www.capecodartfest.com

The Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District is sponsoring their third Cape Cod Fine Arts Festival on the Village Green on Main Street in downtown Hyannis, the commercial "Capital of the Cape".  For those that have attended this event previously, the Village Green is a delightful location: close, intimate, and easily accessible to the patrons.  For 2011 the event will be moved from its August date to the middle of July.  This will offer heavier tourist traffic, being more mid-season. 

Hyannis is an important tourist and resort destination for the Northeast attracting wealthy families, celebrities, and prosperous tourists. It's the primary ferryboat and general aviation link for passengers to Nantucket Island. The area offers historic homes, beautiful beaches, fabulous golf courses, exquisite dining and numerous attractions including the JFK Presidential Library located adjacent to the festival. These are the demographics most sought by artists.

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COOPER RIVER FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
July 30 & 31
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Number of booths: 100
Deadline: May 27
Booth Space Cost: $325.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/cherryhill

The  second Cooper River Fine Arts Festival is sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer and will take place along the scenic Cooper River. Cooper River Park (347 acres) runs through Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Collingswood and Haddon Township, among the country's most affluent suburbs.  Being a "bedroom community" within one hour's commute to Philadelphia, Camden, Trenton, and Princeton, the show draws heavily from all these communities. Camden County has a large college-educated population of doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses, pharmacists, and scientists. In 2006,
Cherry Hill was named among the 'Best Places to Live' in the United States by Money Magazine and ranked eighth safest place to live in the same survey.

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WESTHAMPTON BEACH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
September 3 & 4
Westhampton Beach, New York
Number of booths: 100
Deadline:  July 1
Booth Space Cost: $325.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/westhampton

The Westhampton Beach Festival of the Arts enters its third year, returning to the Great Lawn of St. Mark's Church on Main Street in Westhampton Beach.  2010 was a stellar year for the festival, experiencing steady crowds and buying energy past the close of the show.  Sales recorded by artists in 2011 confirm that the Westhampton Beach Festival of the Arts will be among the top fine art venues in the nation.

The Village of Westhampton Beach is located on the scenic south shore of Long Island in eastern Suffolk County.  Only 78 miles from midtown Manhattan, the show is readily accessible to New Yorkers with many of the patrons maintaining residences in Manhattan.  Westhampton Beach is considered by many to be the "First Hampton". Since its origins, Westhampton Beach has been one of the fastest growing communities on eastern Long Island while maintaining its laid-back reputation. Trendy shops abound on Main Street and celebrities routinely observed on the streets and in restaurants.  These are the demographics most sought after by artists.

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MARYLAND FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
September 17 & 18
Silver Spring, Maryland
Number of booths: 100
Deadline:  July 13
Booth Space Cost: $375.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/maryland

Once again we return to the same location as the Downtown Silver Spring Fine Arts Festival held in May.  Silver Spring is a major business hub situated at the north apex of Washington, D.C. and has recently undergone a spectacular renaissance adding major retail, residential, and office developments. 

Ellsworth Street typically draws 20,000 visitors on a non-event weekend in May.  The downtown combines a vibrant, laid-back atmosphere with fabulous dining and shopping, hosting outdoor concerts and patio dining.  The Downtown Silver Spring shopping district features an eclectic mix of entertainment, restaurants, retail and offices offering a diversity of eateries and retail. The show's proximity to the Washington D.C. markets and built-in local audience make this an ideal location for a festival.

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LONG ISLAND ART & WINE FESTIVAL
September 24 & 25
Nassau County, NY
Eisenhower Park
Number of booths: 125
Deadline:  July 21
Booth Space Cost: $325.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/liwine

We are honored to be hosting the third art festival ever held in Eisenhower Park.  Located on The Kite Field where the spring Long Island Fine Art Festival is held in May, the event will create a venue of high-end fine art and craft complemented by wine tasting from local, national, and international wineries along with selected gourmet foods set up under a separate tent.   As artists have long since learned, connoisseurs of art and connoisseurs of wine are typically one and the same.  In discussing our May event in their August 2010 edition, Sunshine Artist reported that: "Given that Nassau County is a generally wealthy area, artist could expect to do well at this show. And they certainly did."

Eisenhower Park is a stunningly beautiful 930-acre park located in the heart of Nassau County.  Only 20 miles from Manhattan, the park has easy access from every major highway surrounding the park and easy accessibility to all portions of Long Island via major interstates and parkways.

Forbes reported Nassau County to be the second richest per capita in New York and 10th wealthiest per capita in the nation with a median household income of $86,000.  In 2005 it was reported to be the "safest place in the nation" in the Forbes listing of "Best Places for Business and Careers." Combined with the proximity to New York City where we will be doing extensive advertising for the event, we expect the event to draw the higher end art patrons and business clientele artists seek.
 
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GREATER CHARLESTON FINE ARTS FESTIVAL 
October 29 & 30
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Number of booths: 125
Deadline:  August 25
Booth Space Cost: $375.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/charleston

The Greater Charleston Fine Arts Festival will be held at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.  A short 10-minute commute from downtown Charleston, Patriots Point is on the east side of the Ravenel Bridge that spans the Cooper River linking downtown Charleston with Mount Pleasant.  Patriots Point commands breathtaking views of downtown Charleston and Charleston Harbor and is currently home to World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, an extremely popular tourist destination.

The Charleston community has long been known for its support of the arts, home to over 40 art galleries and recently named a Top 25 art destination by AmericanStyle magazine.  Charleston is also a major tourist destination with numerous luxury hotels, bed & breakfasts, and award-winning restaurants.  Mount Pleasant is centered in an expanding arts community and boasts the largest urban redevelopment project ever undertaken in the United States. Mount Pleasant is ideal location for a fine arts festival offering unprecedented demographics and a superb, visible location.

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CHARLOTTE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
November 5 & 6
Charlotte, North Carolina
Symphony Park at South Park Mall
Number of booths: 125
Deadline:  August 25
Booth Space Cost: $350.00
Website:  www.paragonartevents.com/charlotte

The Charlotte Fine Arts Festival will be located in Symphony Park adjacent to the upscale SouthPark Mall, a Charlotte landmark and premier destination.  SouthPark Mall, opened in 1970, is the largest shopping mall in North Carolina and first combining retail, dining, and residential living, creating a unique lifestyle for the residents.  The SouthPark mall is anchored by Nordstrom, Belk, Dillard's, Macy's and Neiman-Marcus and luxury stores offer fashions such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton to casual staples such as J. Crew and Tommy Bahama.  The newest addition to SouthPark, referred to as "The Village" is a  48,000 sq ft specialty store complex. During October and November SouthPark Mall traditionally attracts over two million visitors. Symphony Park, currently home to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's Summer Pops series, also hosts several other outdoor festivals and concert events.  Symphony Park offers a perfect location for a fine arts festival.

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Wow! Isn't that a great group of art fairs? in great locations?
Don't miss your opportunity to be in the right place at the right time!
Apply today: www.Zapplication.org

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Looking for even more events for 2011? Visit www.CallsforArtists.com

As this blog series is nearly complete I want to make sure these last two questions are really insightful. One of the reasons I started this blog – not just the blog series, is through being frustrated seeing how some craft artists, both new and seasoned vets, consistently make many mistakes preventing them to reach their full potential. So, I thought I would take it upon myself and help those looking for help, ideas, and advice – hopefully everything up until this point has met your expectations! This question is one where I want to highlight common mistakes craft artists make.

Question #39 What Are the Top 10 Mistakes Craft Artists Make?

In no particular order, here's my top 10...

1. Underselling yourself and your work. While many feel the only way to grab customers attention is to have super low prices because the biggest competition are the Big Box Companies. Know this – YOU ARE NOT A BIG BOX CO.! The best way to compete is to offer great quality craftsmanship at a price fair PROFITABLE price. You have costs and you're only satisfied if you earn just the bare minimum, you will never earn a profit and stay in business as you have costs to recoup such as booth space, supply expenses, credit card processing fees, travel expenses, shipping fees, etc. This can't be done if you undersell yourself.

2. No website. A website, not an Etsy account or blog site, is crucial in this day and age to attract buyers. A website answers the who, what, when, where and most importantly the why's of your work. Costs of starting super low espeically if you do it yourself say with places such as weebly.com, squarespace.com, intuit.com, and many others. Choosing to not have a web presence drives business away from you and into the laps of your competition.

3. Set up your art fair display for the first time at your first show. Given the option, would you rather be stressed out trying to figure out how to set-up a new canopy or figure out proper placement of your tables or have a well thought out plan of action on how to set up your art fair booth? This is a no brainer – the efficient and fast way is my choice. The best way to do this is by practice setting up in your back yard once or twice. Also don't forget to be flexible with your display some shows offer odd space dimensions.

4. Dressing inappropriately. No, I'm not referring to dressing suggestively, but direct this to those who pay no head to forecasts and dress too casually. Know what the weather report will be like during the whole day of the show. For example, if it might turn cold, have a jacket or sweatshirt handy. The best advice here is to dress for both professionalism and comfort.

5. Ignoring customers. Most don't realize this but, customers hate it when they see you on a cellphone, reading a newspaper, texting, socializing with craft neighbors or old friends, etc. and ignoring their needs. Customers will not interrupt a person who is preoccupied – they just simply leave. One memorable experience I had was with a jewelry artist who chose to read a newspaper the whole period of a show. I stood in front of him staring for 5 full minutes at this guy who was hiding behind a newspaper and not once did this person look up or make any effort to ask if I needed any help. Don't be this guy as every missed selling opportunity is money lost.

6. Inconsistency. Craft artists who are inconsistent when pricing work – say one item has a web price, show price and gallery price – buyers will question the quality of your work. At the same time customers doubt the quality of an artist's work when one piece of high quality fiber art is perfect, but another is frayed or a photographers prints are faded due to exposure to the sun or due to poor quality paper. Quality control speaks volumes when an artisans work that is consistent will have more repeat buyers.

7. No Goals. Without having goals you cannot measure success nor find the ambition to strive to do better. Goals don't have to be financial goals, like some believe. Some simple goals include learning more about your target audience through online research, re-organizing a studio, apply to a different type of art show – say Renaissance Festivals, sign-up or explore social networking, or start an educational podcast. My most recent goal was to reorganize my whole workshop (photo included with this blog) as it was something always put by the way side. Seeing it get cluttered and disorganized hurt my business, but implementing the goal allowed me to get a rid of countless supplies that were just hanging around never to be used and have all items in one place making work flow more effeciently.

8. Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve. Artists, by nature, do not take rejection or criticism well. My favorite motto? It's nothing personal, just strictly business. A rejection letter from a juried show could mean the medium had been filled. A store/gallery may say they are not interested in carrying your work, but it could mean they just don't have room for one more thing, it won't fit the clientèle that normally comes in, or they just aren't buying as sales are down due to the economy. Don't take comments too personally, but find opportunities to grow from advice and suggestions given.

9. Be Fake. Customers, sales reps, art fair jury members - all these people can pick up on exaggerated sales numbers, handmade vs. made in China and so on. The same can go for artists when finding out info about art fairs they hope to apply to. Buyers are attracted to those who exhibit the 3 H's - honest, helpful, and humbleness. People really want to know why you like one piece over another or how something is made to see if you really know your stuff or possibly to see if your work comes from China. In other words, know your stuff and if you don't know, be honest and say, “I have never been asked that, I really don't know... but I do know...” changing the topic to take control of the situation.

10. Plain Jane. Nothing is more boring than a uninviting, plain booth display. Utilizing eye popping colors, shelving, highly visible large format photography (albeit jewelry or silk scarf on a model, a child hugging a handmade doll, an elderly person taking comfort in a warm handmade quilt...) or display theme will engage attract people verses repel them. You bought the space you can either make it look like something at a flea market or like a high end mini boutique people can't wait to enter and shop.

Have you made any of these mistakes? Have you learned from any of these mistakes? Do you know of other mistakes people make not mentioned in this blog post? I want to hear them! Share your thoughts on this topic using the comment button. Thanks for reading this not so quick blog posting. Take the time to catch up on older Questions before the last one becomes available – you won't want to miss it. - Michelle Sholund, www.quickcraftartitips.blogspot.com and www.bythebaybotanicalsonline.com .

This first piece that I saw of Susan’s shows what every twelve year old girl knows is the truth: horses are the coolest animals on earth.   The image of Kickin’ Up captures the spirit of the animal in an amazing shot of all four feet off the ground, and reminded me of the utter joy of being astride my first snorting steed.

She uses digital techniques to enhance a scene artistically –“painting “ within the digital darkroom, which creates flowing motion like Golden Mane:

Susan’s eye for the dramatic moment extends to landscape also, capturing swooping plains, soaring mountains, jagged natural shapes and vibrant color:

And Sunny Susan herself:

See more of Susan’s artistic photography at http://susanquinphotoart.com/

Well, I thought I'd throw my additional two cents in on this show --concerning the Friday nite optional setup for 50 artists in conjunction with the Artwalk put on in downtown that nite.

I have read a lot of rosy, vague, proclamations about how sales were that nite. In my humble opinion, I don't think they told the whole story.

There were 50 artists who paid extra money, around 40-50 bucks, to set up for the crowd that nite.  According to the local paper, more than 6000 showed up to nibble, drink wine, and hopefully buy art.

OK this is what I found out in my informal poll the next morning. I talked to about 20 of them, which is 40 per cent of the exhibitors, that nite.  That is a larger random sample then say, a Quinepec Poll does when surveying national issues.  Guess what?  I talked to the likes of big sellers like Scanlan, Fizer and Parker.  They didn't do diddle.  It was not worth the effort.  They made small sales, which would have been there on Saturday anyway.

My only point is this. I think it is very laudable to continue having a Friday nite preview, Limited to a few, but don't make the rest of us suffer through it too.

Plus, how are they gonna light the whole thing, without charging a lot more, and then there is the setup of all the artists.

Let the lucky 50 roll the dice. I'd rather eat good sushi with Capt. Lou and cruise on the river with boatdrinks.  

That is just my humble perspective.Nels.

This is a quick mention of the Florida Keys Art Guild web site update.

New artists and artists members are now added, along with new show dates.

Please visit www.floridakeysartguild.com

Thank you

Joey R. Smith

This was my first Florida show ever. I drove down from New Orleans left early Fri. morning, arrived right about 5:30pm which turned out to be just right, since my assigned set up time was 5:45pm as I found out from the person who handed me my info.

To pick up the artist info package I ended up having to park by a NO Parking sign which were everywhere. Nobody bothered me about that so I guess this is accepted. I picked up all the Info and followed the map to find my location. It was a little confusing and had to ask Police and security pretty much on every blocked street where to go, Luckely they were very nice and helpfull. Finally I found my spot which I was pleased with since it seemed to be on one of the main streets. Everyone had to park to unload on the right side( only one way in) of the street so others could still pass. To stop, unload and than move your vehicle to your assigned parking area which was close, was strictly enforced. I liked that since I had done shows before where unloading traffic came to a complete stop because of one person who is blocking everyone else. It was dark( bring a light) warm and humid during set up. Some volunteers came through with water and cockies. All booths are on pavement on either side of the streets facing each other. Some of the streets seemed quite steep and I would not have been able to level out my set up. I was lucky, my space was on more leveled ground than most and some folded cardboard under my table legs did the trick. But one has to defenetely bring more than your regular shimms to get even on some of the spots. The artist package did mention that, but there was no info about the show before hand. On zapp they just posted ," follow us on Facebook". You had to wear a name tag, on the back of it were phone numbers listed if you needed boothsitters. I worked alone but never used that service, my neighbors were kind and watched my booth when I had to go. Jurrors came through, talked to me and left their stickers. Other than that I never saw any other festival officials the whole weekend. I filled out a show feedback questionair which was supposed to be picked up on the end of the show, but never was. They did send volunteers arround sun. before closing to ask for donations for an auction their having in Nov. There is a hospitality room were you get coffee, water, softdrinks, fruit and muffins. No Artist dinner of any kind. Great prices though. $ 5000 best of show and others. Winners are announced sun. morning at a park in the center of the show.

Official hours of show are 10am -5pm. At about 9am I started having one sale after another.( I sell contemporary sterling silver Jewelry $ 25 - $500) I thought "this is it, this is the show I was waiting for, and it was, until the rain started about 12:30. It was'nt heavy rain, but it was non stop and it drove people away. So the rest of the day was slow in sales. Sun. was not a pretty day, rain was in the forcast but besides on short drizzle the rain stayed away. But so did people, needless to say my sales were not plentifull. Sat. before the rain it was people shoulder on shoulder. Sun. was also superbowl and I believe people went home to get ready to watch the game. All in all this show can be a good show, I had a taste of it the first half of saturday. a photographer next to me described his income as very bad, a potterer on the other side of me said he did good but not as good as last year. from some painters i heard they sold at least one lg. original which made it worth comming. 

The festival is surrounded by beautiful homes in a very good area. I stayed at a comfort inn and suites in Tavares 4 miles away was very clean.$ 80 a night.

hope I thought of everything there is to tell


April 15-17

Novi, Michigan
Spring Great Lakes 
Art Fair

Suburban Collection
 Showplace

(formerly Rock Financial Showplace) 
150 Artists
Deadline: February 11

Show: Fri. 1pm-8pm; 
Sat. 10am-6pm; 
Sun. 11am-5pm

Artist Reception: 
Saturday 6pm 


Lined up for the Great Lakes Art Fair opening

Please join us for the Great Lakes Art Fair, a unique fusion of lush landscapes, tempting food, and an optimal indoor venue create spring and fall events that are rapidly becoming established as the Midwest's premiere indoor art fair!
 
New for Spring:
    •    Ladies Night Out: Ladies will receive a free drink plus other surprises.  We will be continuing
          the Artist Fashion Show, a big hit with the artists and the customers!
    •    New marketing campaign planned with media partners
    •    Enhanced Grand Gallery entrance being shared with the Michigan International Wine Expo,
          featuring ice sculpting, chef demonstrations along with pieces from each artist.
    •    We are welcoming our new partners the Wine Expo. This partnership will allow for free entrance
          for all wine expo customers, bringing over 5000 high-end wine enthusiasts to the event.

What to expect:
    •    elegant entrance gallery showcasing your art
    •    delectable cuisine and relaxing entertainment
    •    community partnerships and other fresh components, to create a regional marketplace for
          artists and their patrons

The Great Lakes Art Fair believes effective promotion is as crucial to overall success as the selection of artists.  Our mission is to deliver a high quality experience for patrons and artists that will assure qualified buyers, return visits and exponential event growth.  A multi-level marketing and publicity campaign to promote the event throughout the region, including media partnerships in print, radio, television, direct mail and building awareness of this new regional event.


Participating artists are provided with custom GLAF discount coupons, e-mail blast content and other collateral materials to distribute to their patrons.  Drive up to your booth to unload and load.  Artist hospitality area and reception.


For more info:  www.GreatLakesArtFair.com
Apply: http://greatlakesartfair.com/artistapply.html

Last weekend, I believe me and many others (like Patti, Melanie, Geoff and others) heard a welcome sound, it was like a giant booming, cracking sound, it has been missing for several years, but I heard it big-time last weekend.  You know what that sound was? It was the sound of people taking their credit cards out of their wallets--and buying art, bigtime.  

This was my first time at this show, I usually do Mt. Dora.  Well, I am glad I came.  I think a whole lot of other artists are glad they came.

Mind you, I had serious reservations about this show.  After all, isn't the Ft. Myers area the king of real estate meltdowns in America?  Well, not exactly.  The meltdown is over more on the Cape (think Cape Coral) than in Ft. Myers.  Also, people with money are getting great deals on homes down here now, and they are decorating.

Here is the meat about this show.  It is held along the river, all of it is on concrete, you need weights.  Mostly everybody has room in the rear, and on the sides.  Show has roughly 217 exhibitors.  Staff is very helpful.  Plenty of free water, a nice artist lounge, meals in the morning, even food after that.  They have boothsitters.  It is a pretty easy setup and teardown, I have seen lots worst.  Demographics-wise, a lot of older people--but, they were buying.  They even had prize money this year and AFI-er Jim Parker got a nice award.

We were under edgy weather all weekend but came out smelling like a rose, which was not the same for Sarasota and Mt. Dora, which were both north of us.  Enthusiastic crowds came, free admission.  And the y bought--all kinds of work.  Traditional, edgy, vibrant colors.  I saw more work go out of this show in packages than I have seen in my previous four for 2011--this includes New Years Naples, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Images.  I think people are starting to loosen up and say,"What the heck! Let's buy some art now.  I had a killer show just like a lot of others.  Not everybody made big bucks, but they still pulled a paycheck.  Let's hope this trend contin ues for the spring in Florida, and then the midwest.

The highlight of my show, maybe even of my career in art, was when Capt. Lou Garofalo showed up in his 25-foot,seven inch boat at close of show on Saturday.  We then cruised home for five miles on the river.  That is the way to travel to an art show, and I even have a pic to show for it.

Okay art lovers and artists~ we didn't know that we were renting a house in Florida for the season- usually this weekend is an off weekend driving back-and-forth to Cleveland, our home...but, yeah, we are here for almost four months, and Hobe Sound had a special spot for us...there are two other art shows this weekend- Fort Myers and Mt. Dora- both well known shows...BUT, what about Hobe Sound, you ask?

It is on the "other" side of Jupiter Island, maybe eight stores exist there and small houses, not "Homes"...big deal! The wealth is hidden, and I mean "really hidden"...no big jewels or Prada handbags-

Set-up was easy, and get this,a Howard Alan show, and Friday afternoon set-up...Bob was am in heaven already!Break down just as smooth and easy- well run by Darrin Alan and staff..

Saturday was packed and sales were made- we were happy, but still anticipating the Sunday buyers. We sat all day with zero sales- but never let them see us sweat-and at 4:30p.m. we had two people buy five pieces..three shipped to Aspen , two to N.Y.C....who knew? Never give up the ship! There is more disposable income in this region than in the other two show areas where Fort Myers and Mt. Dora shows are held. Would we rather display our art in an area with large foreclosure rates in Florida and the other in an area where store fronts are vacant, or in an area that looks quaint and beachy but pulls in alot of wealth? Guess which????

Thanks Howard Alan Events, we love hidden wealth and an easy show to do with Friday set-up.

Connie mentioned in her review of the Krasl jury that the first image is the most important when being viewed for jurying.  When I've attended a few jury previews for ZAPPlications (e.g. Ft. Worth Main St.), I and several other artists who were looking at the hundreds of applications seemed to feel that the last image was the most important.  That is, if the images were all in a single line.

But what about images that are on two lines, maybe with three on top and two + the booth image, on the bottom? Which one would be the most effective, the most eye-catching?  

Or should the first and last image be the strongest?  And does the booth image overwhelm the individual images? 

Will the promoters/directors give this thread some feedback?  Artists?  

Hi everyone,

I tried to contact Salute to the Master's art fair for advice on how they worked their children's art center. All my searches led me to Art Fair Insiders. Is there anyone out there willing to give me some advice on how to add a children's center to our Second Annual Art Fair in Staunton, IL, held in Sept 2011. I have $1000 for supplies but could really use some advice on what works, what doesn't work, etc. 

My e-mail is gailscheller@yahoo.com and my phone number is 618-637-2144. I would really appreciate any insight you can give me.