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Winter Springs, Florida

Posted by Alison Thomas on October 18, 2010 at 1:00pm

This show should be better. Some people mentioned that they didn’t hear any radio advertising but there were huge banners across the main highway and good signs pointing to the event. If you got close to the show you couldn’t miss it. It is a nice location with perfect entertainment that encouraged people to listen but still walk around. The weather was a little warm but very close to perfect. The area is not super rich but good solid middle class. The quality of artists was very high. Yet I spoke to a lot of artists who sold either nothing or very little. I’ve done this show for three years and it has always been an “almost good” show. They have had trouble nailing down a date for this show. The first year they picked an empty weekend only to have Maitland move to the same weekend. So they moved it and ended up against the Mount Dora Craft show. They moved the date again this year and I don’t think anything major was going but the crowds just weren’t quite there. There was a fairly steady stream of people though and I did do better than the previous two years.

The treatment of the artists is great. Breakfast and lunch both days. I didn’t go to the artists’ dinner but I heard it was quite nice. Setup and breakdown are fairly simple for most spaces. Some spaces you can park right behind or close to your booth. The booth spaces are good sized and you can get a fake corner for $25 extra. They have patron dollars which made a difference in my bottom line.

It is obvious that the promoters have put some effort into planning this show and making it artist friendly. I don’t expect to be in Florida next year at this time but if I am I will give this show another try.

Fly on the Wall

Posted by David Plank on October 18, 2010 at 8:04am

This is my first "blog" that was inspired by Mark Zurek's Bye Bye Bayou blog. Mark, if you see this - thanks. I enjoyed the honest personality that came through in your writing. Had we stayed in Ft. Worth, we may have met and become friends. At this point, there's not enough money on this earth to get my family back to Texas despite making some great new friends. But that was our Texas.

One positive after a horrendous series of events is being forced to get back to the passionate basics of creativity that compelled me to leave a secure science career to become a freelance editorial and architectural photographer in Boston. That lasted about three expensive rent payments before I moved back home to Pennsylvania where I grew that auspicious start through several business models to a ten person ad agency over 25 years. Then I outlived forty-two clients by 9/11 before taking what I thought was the best of three opportunities in 2003 and relocated my family to Texas.

Oops.

We enjoyed the Tex Mex food, if my belt size was any indicator, and the Ft. Worth Zoo, Science Museum, art galleries and downtown art fair. The career-wise and lifestyle bar fell somewhere below sea level after a hit and run in a Lowe's parking lot, and the $4,400 online identity theft of my personal account that was traced by Bank One back to a vendor cheated by my employer; the FBI agent laughed since $25,000 was their minimum to investigate and the Ft. Worth(less) police were too busy waiting in line at the donut shop to bother despite my not being able to buy a bottle of water for my kids' survival with everything locked up. Giving credit where it's due, the security guard at the bank stayed well back during my loud discussion with the branch manager who allowed a 9 month old debit slip for $183 to be the basis for a $4,400 online withdrawal; the bank manager did, reluctantly, give me the information about who and how, and the Ft. Worth police did stay away after my irate suggestion that I take care of the issue myself. It was resolved by me by the following day with no injuries, and before their donuts were digested.

Combined with an occasional vacation visit to galleries or fairs in the Northeast/New England, that experience moved from the back of my life-damaged mind to the front to the point where I have actually started the very early stages of (again) becoming an artist. The current value of my $30,000+ of film equipment and ad agency printers, now nothing more than costly outdated paper weights, along with forced early retirement, prevents me from investing in the most basic start-up materials (printer/tent) for my new goal of creating exhibition photography and digital art for art fairs. So, I'm keeping busy by going through 30 years of highly edited photography files and scanning images I think may be suitable as fine art. That, and feeding apples to the deer that visit daily; and cat food to the raccoons on the deck and trash to the skunk, all of which visit daily in our Pocono Mountain yard.

Unlike the armadillo that tore up my shoelaces in Columbus, TX, while minding my own business, more or less, the four bears I met in our yard since crawling back home to Pennsylvania didn't attack. Things are looking up.

We didn't vend there, but I'm left wondering why anyone did . . .

Posted by Walt Bennett on October 17, 2010 at 7:38pm

One of the two wood turning clubs I belong to likes to have booths at local events to promote the club. This was their second time at this two day one nearby that was held near a somewhat rural town about ten miles from the club's 'home', a moderate sized city in the Mid-Atlantic area. (I really don't want to be more specific than this.)

This 'craft' event had about sixty five 'vendors'. At least five or six were commercial or political. Another ten were obvious buy/sell, with another ten very suspect. I was there with three other club members, two who sold their work. We didn't pay anything for our booth as a civic organization, but were provided power for our equipment and were allowed to sell. One other club member and I had several items on display Sunday (I wasn't there on Sat.), but the mediocre crowd wasn't buying much of anything from anybody. Although I talked to five nearby people that I could tell made what they were selling, none sold much of anything. None of them claimed to have made much more than booth fee. My club was looking for new members (and I think we found a few), paid no money, so we were very 'profitable'. Why was anyone else even there? Why did they think they'd sell anything there?

From my experience, my wife and I know this event would not be a profitable one for us, even with a booming economy. Although not far from what is a reasonably urban environment (not metropolitan), this one is much more blue-collar. An Internet search of the median income statistics of this area shows it. Although we do have low priced items, our average price points were way above what an average person there would want to spend. We'd just never consider this as a potential venue as our 'product' just wouldn't fit what they'd buy - they'd rather get it at a *-Mart cheaper.

What was obvious today was that the area has been really affected by the economy. Those that came had little to no discretionary money, and although many picked up some of my pieces, they put them back down when they saw the price tags. They weren't poor, homeless or in rags; they just couldn't spend anything on even functional art. Instead, they spent it on their kids or grand kids - face painting, balloons, pony rides, food. I believe a few of the vendors were newbies, but at least twenty had been around the proverbial block. I'm left wondering still why they were there, other than the old 'keep trying, only harder!' thing, but then I wonder about a lot of things some times.

40 Question Craft Artist Blog Series - Question #34 How do you spot re-sell at Art Fairs?

Posted by Michelle Sholund on October 17, 2010 at 5:41pm

40 Questions Blog Series - #34 How can you spot re-sell at Art Fairs?

Simple question - how can you spot re-sell at art fairs, right? There aresome simple answers however you'll need to make sure that handmadeart is not being mistaken as re-sell too. For an art fair to be atrue art fair, it should have handcrafted art work made by theartists who is selling at the show. If someone isn't following thoserules – especially if it is outlined in the application – thenrecognizing those who aren't following the rules and bringing that tothe promoters attention is something artists can do to help promotersrecognize such culprits. Here's a few ways you can recognize re-sellat a show...

Question #34 How can you spot re-sell at Art Fairs?

Like all artists applying to a show, especially high end juried art fairs,you send in photos (or use Zapplicaiton) and go through a juryprocess. A jury is as good as it's jury members and they can be madeup of all kinds of people and could be jurying for different thingstoo. Even the best of juries can make mistakes especially if theperson who is selling re-sell does everything in their power to tryand fool juries. If a re-seller wants to be in a show they willcheat and lie on their application as well as send in false photos oftheir work to make it look like they are the ones making the work.It is only if you are familiar with that work or look closely andnotice that you don't see the persons head, just their hands workingon a pottery wheel or whittling wood, then this should raise a redflag.

Spotting re-sell, at a show can be easy. One of the easiest things you canspot are tags/stickers stating a product is made in China or someforeign country. Be careful though, while you might see a stickerit could very well be price stickers that someone is switching out.Another sign are obvious knock offs – such as paintings that yourecognize as copies of famous art work. While some can be “inspiredby famous paintings” if they are priced at $20-40 most likely theyare copies. On the topic of prices, seeing a lot of items pricedpainfully low are most likely re-sellers such as cheap jewelry pricedat $10 or those that have kookie “info-mercial” sales. Simplyasking the exhibitors questions about their work like what propertiesmoonstone has (if the person sells moonstone jewelry) and not gettinga straight answer is also another possible sign the person is are-seller. This happened when I asked questions to a “jewelrymaker” and the person just said “my wife makes it and she issick, couldn't be here so I am taking her place” is definitelysomething that raises concern, but can't easily accuse him/her ofre-sell either.

There are some signals that might seem like re-sell but are not. I hear alot of people assume that if you see a many multiples of one itemand all are without blemish, it is a sign that is mass manufacturedover seas. While this can be a sign, I have known some artists, suchas potters and folk art painters , who are able to make identicalpieces – each and everyone by hand – and get them prefect becausethey do it so often days, months and years on end.

All in all it is important that if you do suspect someone selling re-sell,that you do have some sort of proof – a sticker saying mad in Chinafor instance – to show those in charge to hopefully help weed outre-sell. There is a time and place for that type of market, but at atrue art fair, it is unethical. I wish you all a great sales andgreat weather at your upcoming art fairs. I am finally back into theswing of doing art fairs as I have one this weekend. I hope to sharethat experience and others in future blogs. If you have a questionyou would like me to answer for the last remaining 5 blog posts,feel free to use the comment button and ask away! Best Wishes,Michelle Sholund – www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com

Call for Artists: Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park

Posted by Connie Mettler on October 15, 2010 at 11:00am

March 25 - 27, 2011
300 Artists
Deadline: October 29
Juried at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston by an invited panel of artists, collectors and industry professionals.

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park is the nation's premier spring outdoor fine art event, held in Houston's prestigious Memorial Park.
Ranked in AmericanStyle Magazine's "TOP 10 Festivals" for the past two years
"Best Gallery in Houston" in March of 2009 by readers of Click2Houston.com
"Best Festival in Houston" in the 2008 Houston Press' "Best of Houston" magazine
Consistently ranked in Sunshine Artists Top 50.

Conveniently located five miles from downtown, two miles from the famous Galleria area and neighboring the elegant residential communities of River Oaks and Memorial, Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park is an artist's dream.

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

Winners receive: Art Fair Calendar.com

Best of Show: Ribbon and $1500 - jury exempt status for two years
Second Place: Ribbon and $750 - jury exempt status for two years
Third Place: Ribbon and $500 - jury exempt status for two years
Best Booth: Jury exempt status for two years

Applications are currently being accepted via ZAPP:

www.zapplication.org - Entry Fee: $30

Learn more: www.bayoucityartfestival.com

"My booth was close to the gate, and I saw more art work being carried out of the show than I have seen anywhere in the last 3 years.. There was a sense of real buying energy...." -Michael Wommack, Artist, Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park 2010, Langhorne, Pennsylvania

"If the art buyers in Houston are any indication, the recession is rapidly moving to the rear view mirror. I sensed a feeling of optimism and an energy that has been lacking at some shows across the country the last two years." -Larry Stephenson, Artist, Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park 2010, Andover, Kansas

National Shrimp Festival - Gulf Shores, AL

Posted by Beverly Smith on October 15, 2010 at 9:49am

Set up and take down were well organized. The weather was perfect, 80's with low humidity. I was in the fine art section and the promoter was there during set up, parts of the show, and take down to handle problems. There were no booth sitters and this is a long show. They provided coffee, water and soft drinks, but you had to go to the hospitality tent to get them. The awards were generous and seemed to be well placed among the artists with jewelers receiving the most awards. The show has three sections - fine art, craft, and buy-sell. The fine art is the smallest section. Crowds were steady, although I was told not as high as previous years. This was my first time doing this show.

I am a painter and felt a little out of place here. I have only originals and I noticed all other painters had lots of prints and sold mostly prints (with some original sales). Also, most work was beach oriented, mine not so much. That said, I did sell enough to cover all expenses for the trip and make a little. I received three patron/purchase awards which helped. The patron/sponsors seemed to be more interested in original work. Otherwise, I sold mostly small canvases. If I do this show again, I will take prints, cards and other small items. I talked with some wonderful people that walked through my booth.

On either side of me were a high end jeweler and a metal worker who made fish and masks. Both had good shows and both won awards. I have a friend in the craft section that does pottery and she had a good show. All three of them have unique, good work. Most of the artists I talked to said they had an ok show, but sales were very slow. It was a mix of returning artists and new ones like me. One of the organizers told me the artists were telling her the same thing - sales were slow. This area took a big hit over the summer with the oil spill, so I don't know how to compare this to other years. My take is that crafts, low end art items and jewelry are the best sellers. It has a little bit of a carnival atmosphere.

The Best Fancy Pants Restaurant in the World is in Houston!

Posted by C. L. Cunningham on October 14, 2010 at 1:49pm

Okay -- I know you don't have the time (or the money) to splurge on 5 star cuisine, but if you are having the killer Texas show of all time in Houston, you MUST experience Tony's on Sherman. It is easily one of the best restaurants in the world, yes, the world. Get the apricot souffle if they offer it -- impossible to describe in words and unforgettable.

I did not have the killer show of all time in Houston. A quick shower, dressing up and going out on Saturday night was not what I wanted to do either, but Mitch persuaded me after hearing one of my dearest friends in Dallas rave about the place for almost an hour before the show (they actually fly down just for dinner sometimes -- no kidding!).

That's all I've got from Houston. After offering impecable service and treating the senses of others all day at space #somethingerother, go have it reciprocated -- you will not mind the check when it arrives just after the silver strawberry tree...

Cheers!
Cynthia

Winter Park Autumn Art Festival

Posted by Alison Thomas on October 14, 2010 at 11:33am

I was a little apprehensive about this one after Maitland just up the road turned out so poorly. I was also apprehensive about my location right by the entertainment because the last time I was close to that spot I sold nothing at all while the entertainment was going on. I was pleasantly surprised with one of my best central Florida shows so far. The entertainment seems to have been toned down since the last time I was close to it. For the most part I could speak to and hear the people in my booth.

Setup was fairly easy although as I have found in the past, if you show up for setup when they tell you to (1PM) you will find a lot of people already setting up and have a hard time finding a spot to park. I showed up at 11:30AM and found people already setting up but a few times around the block got me a parking place near my booth. Locations in the back of the park can be driven to which makes a very easy setup. I did have to parallel park on the street.

Breakdown was well done and supervised with the main street closed until 7:30. For some reason I ran out of steam and took a lot longer than I usually do for breakdown. At 7:30 I had to repark my van so the street could be opened. A couple of artists helped me finish up and probably saved me from being there until 9. I know them but I don’t know their names and I hope they know how much I appreciated the help.

Sales were pretty steady throughout the day both Saturday and Sunday. Neither day was better than the other. The crowd was smaller than in past years but still pretty heavy.

Amenities were scarce. I got one tiny bottle of water on Saturday and two tiny ones on Sunday. If you were counting on the show to provide your water, you were awfully thirsty. Bathrooms were a bit of a hike but I’ve seen worse and they were at least clean. Breakfast was the usual doughnuts etc. and they were rationing them on Sunday. Weather was very nice. A little warm during the afternoon but not oppressive.

$250,000 prize to one of our gang!

Posted by Connie Mettler on October 13, 2010 at 9:30pm

September 22-October 10 there was a fine exhibition of art throughout the downtown public buildings and museums of Grand Rapids that brought thousands of people to stand in line to view art and talk about it with their friends. It is called ArtPrize. ArtPrize is a radically open competition. Open to any artist in the world who can find space. Open to anybody in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who wants to create a venue. Open to a vote from anyone who attends. There was almost $500,000 in prize money at stake and is sponsored by the De Vos Family, founders of Amway. 2010 was its second year.

Over 1700 artists displayed their work in over 300 locations. Anyone could vote to choose the prizewinners. You had to go to Grand Rapids to register, then you could vote at your leisure on your computer or at various balloting places around the city.

So why am I telling you about this again? The winners were announced last week and it has just sunk in on me that the big prize winner, Chris LaPorte, winner of $250,000 is someone I have met! Where? at an art fair!! Don't you just love it? The public speaks and who do they choose? Someone who draws portraits and caricatures at art fairs. Granted this was not caricature, but rather a huge graphite drawing 8 ft. x 4.4 ft., a pretty amazing drawing.

Read about Chris' life as an artist and learn about the drawing at ArtPrize.org. Here is 90 seconds with Chis LaPorte, a video: http://blog.artprize.org/2010/10/05/90-seconds-with-chris-laporte/

Read a little more here: Democracy comes to the art world

Yes, I am telling you about this because Chris has lived your life, but also because maybe, just maybe, you'll start thinking really big about where you are going with your art next...I can't wait to see it.

Bye Bye Bayou

Posted by mark zurek on October 12, 2010 at 8:29pm

Yeah, I'd be smilin' too

My first blog this year was about me just about throwing in the towel, quitting on two Spring shows in Texas (with trailer loaded and all). The result of the hangover from the final show I did last year, just a terribly painful experience. This one is about ending up on a happy note (despite the bad SJC show the week before).

Texas was like a best kept secret for a while, then the ecomony crashed and the word got out that Texas was really Shangrila in the Southwest. Overall, I think it's been good for both the shows and the artists to find what life is like down here. Not perfect for sure, but overall a good place to keep on considering for a while.

Bayou City

This was my first downtown Bayou City show, did the Spring show the year before last and did right fine. Knew this one was different, more cityfied but the same deal, pay for entrance. The Art Colony folks promote the bejezzus out of the event, and people come to buy. You know, right off the bat that as a new artist, odds are you will not receive a prime spot.Get juried in next year and you can have a chance to choose where you plunk the tent down. Seems fair to me.The show has a series of arterial streets that feed the main area, several gates that people head into.These areas have the traffic, but lack the buzz and energy that helps create that buyer frenzy (read piranhas on a pork chop).It often feels like what it is, folks heading right by on their way to the main areas.Means you have to work the crowd a bit more than normal,something my son and partner does much better than I at times.

We were on Lower Bagby, not the best but by no means the worst place. Unless you consider my back 40.....

Ever had that eerie feeling of being followed?

Our sale were good, the better part of $5K which was my goal here. Those around me did "OK", met Gary Siddel and his lovely wife Rita, and these guys just killed it.Don't think Rita would allow it any other way.Spent some time with Nels (in his undercover tourist persona), saw Josh T., Oscar Linares, Mark Mckinnon,and quite a few others.

Photography catagories here are broken down to film, digital and then computer manipulated art, and this is about as fair a shake as shooters get. No moaning about life not being fair. Overall quality, can't complain about this either as the work was all top tier.

So the year ends for me, only 5 shows but did an average of $4200. No real big time events, but all in all pretty happy with the outcome.More importantly, I regained my own personal energy and optimism. I tweaked and tuned and refined my work, and while there are other subjects I shoot, the ones I show are from the soul. Not just something I think will sell or looks pretty on a wall.

I chose to stay positive this year, to learn about the people behind the work, not judging them on what they might show. I made sure I was a good neighbor, that the directors heard my opinions rather than bitch to the dog when I got home.I made some good friends, ones that I will look forward to seeing again next year.

The year was about perspective for me, understanding participation is a priviledge. Nothing guaranteed from acceptance, to weather or sales. I gave it a good shot and came away feeling a bit better than I did to start.

I will take that for what it is.

Call for Artists: Des Moines Art Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on October 12, 2010 at 5:12pm

WINNER OF THE 2010 GOLD GRAND PINNACLE AWARD
from the International Festival & Events Association

June 24-26, 2011
Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa
185 Artist spaces
Deadline: October 31, 2010

Artist Reactions to DMAF:

"Once again - a stellar show! The art was great, the venue beautiful, patrons plentiful & enthusiastic. It was an honor to participate"

"The organization was near flawless. You have a great community spirit and willingness to buy art. We sold to many individuals who said they came intentionally to purchase a special piece for their home or office from this fair."

"You have our best interests at heart. Thank you for that."

"This show is perhaps the best run shows I have ever done. The city cannot do anything
more to make a person feel more welcome."

The City of Des Moines invites you to be part of the award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival. The Des Moines Arts Festival is one of the nation's most respected arts events hosting 185 of the nation's top artists in a beautiful urban setting surrounding the 4.4 acre John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The outdoor Festival of arts and culture attracts more than 200,000 people each year to its downtown location in Iowa's capital city and largest metropolitan area. DMAF is a show dedicated to the highest standards and works diligently to maintain a positive environment for artists and their clients.

The Fact Sheet

AVG. SALES: Gross Avg. = $7,236 (Source - 2010 Artist Post-event Survey)
BOOTH SPACE FEE: $350/$450
CASH AWARDS: $10,000
BOOTH SPACE: 10'x10' with 1' buffer all around
PRODUCED BY: Downtown Events Group, 501(c)3 Non-profit corp.

Artist Information and Benefits

Projected Attendance - 200,000+.
$10,000 in Cash Awards at the time of publication.
Official Festival Program includes color thumbnail image of each exhibiting artist.
Web site includes full-color image with name and live link to artist Web site.
Free WiFi throughout Festival site.
Free reserved parking and electricity
Hospitality Area with air-conditioned restrooms
Exclusive "Express Lane" concessions.
24-hour Security.
Leisurely set-up (full day is available).
Booth sitters and energetic volunteers.

About our jury process 6a00e54fba8a7388330133f27261ed970b-pi
The jury is scheduled for November 17-19, 2010. The location for the projection jury is the Arthur Davis Conference Center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Applying artists and special guests are invited to a special Jury Preview on November 17, 2010 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Projection of images for the jury begins promptly at 6 p.m. The jury preview is an opportunity for artists to view their images at the same time and in the same manner the jury will see them.

Should you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to call Stephen King, Director, at 515.286.4927 or email stephen.king@desmoinesartsfestival.org.

We value your participation and look forward to seeing you in June 2011!

For more information: www.DesMoinesArtsFestival.org

Don't wait! Apply today: www.zapplication.org

*************

Looking for more art fairs?

Visit ArtFairInsiders.com/callforartists

Beware of galleries that are miss-representing what they really are

Posted by Debbie Sampson on October 12, 2010 at 1:50pm

I just learned a great expensive lesson.Beware of 'gallery owners' that approach you and tell you wonderful things about what will happen. Always go and check out the place and make sure it is what they say. He highly exaggerated what they sell, was treated with disrespect, they used some of my equipment without my permission, left the artists alone at the booth that he was representing to sell t-shirts.....yes I said t-shirts....I have high end oil paintings and was there just to demonstrate my work only. The booth looked like a flea-market, I should of left the first day I saw the bad display that was very flea-market like. This was a 16 day event in Kentucky that I drove 2 days to attend. Needless to say after much frustration trying to speak with the guy who was always too busy name dropping, I packed up my stuff early, took all my stuff out of the gallery and went home. In my 30 years of being a professional artist, having my work in many galleries, museums, world sporting events and highly respected in my field I have never, ever been treated this badly at an event. I have heard from others that have been sending me emails that have dealt with this 'gallery' to beware and now that I made an expensive mistake I want to put out the 'Artist Beware'. I'm tired of getting ripped off and being taken advantage of. For now on, I will be visiting these places before I make any decision.

ArtsFestWest, Sue Stookey event, West Des Moines, Iowa Oct 9-10

Posted by mark oehler on October 12, 2010 at 12:52pm

1st time show.
About 100 exhibitors, 13 clay related.
Good quality professional show, evidenced by no trash left behind during tear down.
Attendance was the biggest or least problem. Sue used many advertising venues and banners and road signs. Oh well. The wished for numbers never materialized and most were disappointed with slow sales. The artists I spoke with made their expenses and little more.
She had discounted motel rooms at the Drury Inn just next door and that was great.
I thanked her and her spouse, Dennis, for their efforts and I plan on supporting them again next year, jury process allowing.
Mark Oehler

Autumn Arts Festival-----Fernandina Beach, Fl

Posted by James E. St.Clair on October 12, 2010 at 11:58am

I violated a rule of mine to participate in the first Autumn Arts Festival this past weekend. The show has potential but like all shows it takes time to build up. Fernandina Beach which is on Amelia Island, Florida is known for the annual Shrimp Festival in May. I highly recommend that show but would hold off on the Autumn show until a few years from now. Unless of course you are in close proximity to the show and would not have to incur travel and hotel expenses. As one exhibitor said to me at the end....'We are among the lucky ones who broke even". It was nice to meet some fellow artists and hang out with fellow Art Fair Insider member Lynda who was actually my next door neighbor. Small world. Peace, Saint

Stowe (VT) Fall foilage Festival

Posted by Edwin Schmidt on October 11, 2010 at 10:34pm

Show is prodiced by Craft Producers the second weekend in October for three days with setup on Thursday. Held at Top Nothc field which is just a large field about two miles west of 'Stowe. Nasty weather Thursday with heavy rain with small hail off and on. Large indoor heated tent for approximately 100+ artists. Remainder outside. Weather was cold Friday and Saturday but nicer on Sunday. Heavy rain all night Friday just after show closed. Field dried out and mulch was put down in wet areas so all areas were acceptable. Sales reasonable on Friday. Saturday cars were lined up as far as you could see. People from all over the country there to see the colors which were fantastic. We had customers from Tennessee and Texas ans well as the whole New England area and beyond. They bought like no tomorrow on Saturday. Sunday slow to start but got busy early afternoon. Hours 10 to 5 each of three days. Show turned out to be our second best after Port Clinton. Did not have time to talk with many exhibitors but those that I did had really great sales also. We were outside near the entrance/exit so could judge approximate sales by people leaving with packages and there were many. Wide variety of quality of artists but as a whole reasonably good. Some questionable possible buy/sell but not many. Good mix of various media. Not overloaded on any category anthough a good number of good photographers. Have seen some of the artists from our Chicago shows.

One nice thing was portable trailer toilets. Heated and/or air conditioned depending on weather. Also running water and flush tiolets. Not bad. Ont tent with vendors selling Vermont products. Good variety of food vendors and reasonable priced. Even had a portable ATM machine on site.

Well worth the 900 mile drive do do the show. Local lodging in Stowe quite expensive. We chose to stay in Burlington and drive back and forth. Approximately 45 minutes each way. Worth he drive time. Great variety of restraunts in Stowe. Some quite expensive others reasonable. Great Mexican place with reasonable prices.

Show to move to a new location closer to town in two years. Will be a better layout and hopefull even etter crowds.

Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival Report

Posted by Terri Drake on October 10, 2010 at 8:30pm

Althought geared as a Festival dedicated to raising funds to help preserve and restore our nation's lighthouses, it is also a great art, craft, photographer's and author's dream. There is something for everyone from stain glass to collector's wines, from crocheted works to wood arts, from traditional photography to photography on pottery, glass, and handmade jewelry that was just exquisite.

Being a photographer and fiber artist, I had lots of pictures, watercolor paintings and handwoven baskets for sale. Although I didn't make a ton of cash, I don't think I did too poorly for my first venue as a vendor. I'm taking into account that I was also working the show as their Official Photographer (I also sold CD's containing pictures of the entire 4-day show, plus events) so I was doing double duty, not to mention taking photos at all the dinners. Let's just say that some of those dinners were simply outrageous with fundraising gimmicks, like shaving one gentleman's head while he was dressed in a squaredancing dress (for that the GLLF raised over $1,000). The weather was just fantastic, not too hot and not too cold with plenty of sunshine. I did generate a lot of questions with my ribbon regarding Patron for the Artfair Insiders! Hopefully, more people will visit to see what it's al about and join.

Some of the vendors did great while others did not so hot, but again, it depended on presentation, how affiable the sellers were to the public and how willing they were to ask questions or just chat. Sometimes those chat sessions turned into "sell" sessions. I sold quite a bit of my photo's that way and they were ones that didn't have a lighthouse in the bunch!

Looking forward to doing it again next year and will have a lot more items geared to what I noticed sold and didn't sell. I'll also be making a return visit as their Official Photographer! So I really had a win-win situation.

Hope that if you didn't get to be there this year, you'll be there next year.

Terri at the Drake's Nest in Ossineke, MI

Site: www.drakesneststudio.com

Blog: www.drakesneststudio.wordpress.com

Is there a level playing field with Zapplication?

Posted by Christine Green on October 10, 2010 at 11:39am

I like Zapp. It has become easy to enter shows. No going out and making expensive slides, no SASE for a lot of shows with potential to miss the mailing deadline. Just click, click, click click and you're done.

What I don't like is the same thing many artists talk about. "I can't get into the shows I have been doing for a long time." Let's look at some reasons this may be happening. There are now more applicants than ever. Digital images can be professionally created by anyone to show a beautiful image. The problem is are some people applying on Zapp who do not do their own work?

If you are a promoter who has integrity and a mission statement that focuses on true original art, it would be interesting to hear how you decide from Zapp if the artists are authentic or buy/sell enterpreneurs. Many of us who make a living from creating art from raw materials find it appalling when we find individuals selling 'art' that we know they did not make. It's the same old story: how did they get into the show? What screening does the promoter do? Is it our job to critique the show for the promoter?

If anyone has information on this topic it would be helpful to know!

2010 Fairfax City Fall Festival - a one day show with CROWDS!

Posted by Walt Bennett on October 9, 2010 at 9:11pm

We'd vended here for five years until being invited to the National Folk Festival in Richmond, which we were at for three. Then we got a Light Dome and stopped doing one day events. This year we decided to drag out our EZ-up and try a few one day shows including this one. The attached are North and South views at show opening (10AM) and at almost closing (4:30PM). Sales were down from the last time we were here, but still well into good profit areas. A newbie on one side with photo prints didn't quite make booth fee, but the the other side was very happy, and two others we knew made reasonable revenue. There were several empty spaces, quite a bit of commercial vendors, and some buy-sell, but still at least one hundred folks that actually made what they were selling. Four other wood turners than myself, eight other 3-d artisans, six painters, at least five photographers and I refused to count the jewelry makers. Many others were in the craft category, but not half.

Although it's a one day show on very metropolitan streets, it's extremely well managed by a hoard of volunteers and many city police. You are told to drive in a certain direction, drop everything off, go park you vehicle, and THEN set up. Ditto in reverse for break down - and the city police WILL tow anyone trying to bring in a car/truck BEFORE completely breaking down. Sounds very totalitarian, but it really does work to make this a relatively pleasant experience - unless you can't seem to follow their rules!

And 1/2 hour before the end:

Featured Artist: R. Michael Wommack, pastel drawings

Posted by Connie Mettler on October 8, 2010 at 7:00am

When Michael Wommack graduated from art school over 30 years ago there was a recession, no teaching jobs available, but he took his skills to the streets -- painting murals, race cars, vans, using an airbrush on anything that would hold paint. His friends were horrified, but he was able to extend his education, admittedly in a way that the nation's art schools would never have taught him.

His skills with the airbrush led him to be contacted by the Postmodern architect Robert Venturi and a 25 year collaboration with his firm ensued that included several exceptional commissions. Michael continued doing his own work, which was sold through galleries and art representatives.

As times changed he became frustrated with the gallery owners who sometimes didn't want his new work. Watching his wife, Nina, taking her work to the street, he decided it was time for him to give art fairs a try, intrigued with the idea of interacting directly with potential collectors and removing the filter of the galleries.

Always inspired by a sense of the light, the increasing suburban landscape and his childhood upbringing in Levittown, several glowing dreams made him pull out his soft pastels and he began drawing from memory. He says, "the colors in my dreams were incredibly vivid, and it turned out pastel was a perfect medium due to the pure pigment used in making them."

You are going to enjoy Michael's interesting story: www.ArtFairCalendar.com/featured artist

Meet him and view his work:
October 9 & 10 - Bayou City Art Festival - Houston, TX
October 16 & 17 - Bethesda Row Arts Festival - Bethesda, MD

Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival and Art Show

Posted by Terri Drake on October 7, 2010 at 9:31pm

The 15th Annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival is now in full swing in beautiful Alpena, Michigan. It is being held at the Thunder Bay Recreational Center October 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2010. There will be artists, photographer, music, helicopter rides, plane rides and boat rides to Middle Island. Visit the Great Lakes Lighthouse Museum and the wonderful lighthouses of the Sunrise Side of the state.

I am doing my first show PLUS I'm the Official Photographer for the Festival so not only to I mind my booth, I'll be running around taking pictures. Tonight was the welcome dinner and silent auction, which was a lot of fun and the food was delicious. I'll let you know how I do when the show is over.

Terri at the Drake's Nest in Ossineke, Michigan

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.