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Here is a message to all of her artist friends from her husband, Gil:
At 4:30 today, April 6, 2010 my loving wife, Jan, peacefully passed on. She finally is at peace from the dastardly Alzheimer Disease. Bob, Cyndy, and I were by her side. Shelly (our wonderful caregiver), Hailey (her 8 year old angel of a daughter), and Beth (our warm hearted nurse from Hospice) were so kind and gentle as they guided us through this journey. Her passing was amazingly ethereal. Jan chose the time to pass as our dear friends Arlene Riba and Dave Busfield stopped by to check on her. Almost no one has such a supported parting.
We have had such a wonderful journey. What a rich life with Jan doing what she loved most in life. She was so creative and honest in her art. We get at least two or three emails a week from people saying how much Jan's art has enriched their lives. What a reward to be so acknowledged.
I am so proud to have been able to care for her at home and keep her out of a nursing home. It was a struggle, but not difficult, for her twinkle remained throughout. Shelly got a kick out of Jan's humor. She would tell me when Jan said, "get rid of that guy in the other room."
We loved Jan and did our best and giggled with her.
A few years ago Jan and I decided to donate our bodies to the U. of Michigan Medical School. Hopefully her gift may help medical science in the future.
There will be a visitation at the Staffen Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 N,. Main St Chelsea, Mi. 48118 734 475 1444 on Sunday, April 11, 1:00 to 3:00. Jan did not like being singled out even for an award. The visitation will be a celebration of her life in keeping with her wishes.
Sincerely, Gil, Cyndy and Bob.
We are thankful that Dad let go of the reigns a little and "has allowed" us to share a few thoughts.
Dad does not want flowers or donations. If you need to do something, please, please, help keep our dad out of trouble (take him out for a beer, road trip to gizzard city, phone calls late at night, golf (only if you think 7 is par) ). Our Mom was such a special person. We are so proud of the impact that she has had on the art world.
Cyndy and Bob
Thanks to Sandy Atkins-Moran for including me in the email message.
The event is really well organized - plenty of information given to the artists - it seemed that most of the artists there had done the show numerous times before.
- Move in is in 3 sessions to clear the way for vehicles. Parking isn't too far away.
- Artists are given sales books which you must use. Receipts for the art are collected at the gate. These receipts are reconciled later on.
- At the end of the show, you must reconcile sales with the organizer and pay 10% commission on your sales. You know this going in, so it's not a surprise. You cannot exit the grounds without an exit pass from the organizer after you've paid your bill.
- It helps to have 2 people - one to get the car while you pack the booth, and one to pay the bill while finishing up the packing. We were out the door in an hour and a half... not bad.
I know there were ads for the show - I'm sure marketing and advertising efforts were valiant. You can't see the show from the street. There was one electronic sign on a main street.
There were people at the event early Friday, but the crowd thinned out by 2. A few more on Saturday and Sunday... I wouldn't say traffic wasbrisk, but there were people. Most were retirees who live in the area, some were tourists. Not a lot of families with children.
Unfortunately, all I saw leaving the grounds were prints, handbags, small ceramic, pottery, gourds and of course, jewelry. My observation, too many jewelers. One in my area - who usually does quite well - sold absolutely nothing. A mixed media artist sold $10 worth of cards.
I think we all know the routine - lots of looking, admiring...not a lot of buying. I was told Sunday would be chock full of "bargainers" but I didn't get any...however, some of my neighbors were offered 25% of their asking price for their art - from digital wall art to jewelery to handbags.
I am sure some of the artists did quite well - especially those selling small items, and those with a local following. I overheard one artist tell my neighbor it was her best show ever - but she lowered her prices by 80% to make sales!
I didn't see a lot of bags, and no larger pieces walking around. However, most of the people I spoke to did not make their booth fee much less lunch money. I was one of those...but...
...all it takes is one patron looking at my site 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years down the road... deciding to purchase an original piece [it happens]. Or if the couple visiting from Canada really does commission portraits of their kids... it was worth it. Hundreds if not thousands of eyeballs saw my work [more than would have if I'd have stayed home], took my card, my brochure... you never know. Every single show is a crap shoot!
Just got back from the Chincoteague Island Decoy and Wildlife Art Show. The show is held every year on the Friday and Saturday before Easter. This year had a great selection of Artists, and the crowds were pretty good, too. It was a nice weekend to visit the Island, with warm weather and good sunshine. Chincoteague has a lot of “summer” cottages owned by people in the Mid-Atlantic area, and they all come to the Island on nice weekend. It’s also a popular vacation spot, and day trip destination. This all helps bring people into the show. A lot of them are repeat visitors, looking forward to the show every year.
The variety of Artists was good, with a mix of local talent and out of town talent, and also a good mix of decoy carvers and 2-D artists. Some of the carvers were really great. One specialized in hummingbirds, with a carved flower and the hummingbird beak in the flower. Nothing was holding the bird up except the finely carved beak! There was not an over abundance of jewelers, and the one’s there were all a little different.
The show is held in the Chincoteague Island “Combined” School cafeteria and gymnasium, and is put on by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. Friday is from 12 to 6PM, and Saturday is 9AM to 5PM, with an auction at 7:30PM. I didn’t make it back for the auction as I was trying to get a good sunset shot, but I understand the picture I donated of a wild pony went for a lot more that I’d have sold it for in my booth! For those not familiar with Chincoteague Island, it’s a old fishing village on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and adjacent to the Assateague Island National Seashore Park.
For me the sales were not that great. Saturday was OK, but I sold very little on Friday. There were also too many Photographers and they all specialized in wildlife. It wouldn’t have been too many Photogs, if we all had different specialties. My personal opinion, also, is that the show should be one day only, with longer hours (until after the auction). The out of town folks have to spend an extra night in a motel with very low sales on Friday.
The show is in a picturesque park in the lovely, established, Mandarin area of Jacksonville--one of the area's oldest and best-heeled areas. Surrounded by oak trees, chirping birds, and blue skies, what could be better?
As it turns out, a lot. Despite the best efforts of the HAE folks--and they did a TERRIFIC job--there just weren't a lot of folks buying what the artists were selling, near as I could deduce from the dozen-plus artists I spoke with. This was by far my worst show of the year, and my neighbors on both sides--a ceramicist and coin dealer-- concurred.
Saturday's crowd started slow, but by noon folks were browsing, and some, at least, were buying. Sunday brought a smattering of buyers fresh from Easter services, but the folks who went home and changed from their Sunday best before making the trip seemed to have left their wallets at home. It was a frustrating afternoon capping off a long weekend.
WHAT WORKED:
* The load-in started at noon on Friday. Although HAE has a reputation for 5 AM Saturday setups, this particular show's off-street venue made a previous-day setup possible. Staff did a fine job managing the logistics, and despite the rather convoluted arrangement of booths, things went fine.
* Signage to the event venue was well marked from nearby I-295 to the event venue, and all major streets leading to the site were very well signed.
* Alan did their usual fine job getting the word out in the local media, according to both the local artists and the customers who visited my booth. Alan also did a good job organizing a customer (and artist) shuttle, and my customers said it worked quite well...important, given the dearth of parking spots near this heavily-wooded, residential area.
* Load-out was exceptionally well-managed. Noting the show's very tight quarters, staff came around to individually explain the procedure:
- Artists were to break down completely beginning at 5 PM
- Upon completion of breakdown, staff would verify the breakdown and hand the artist a pass, enabling them to get their vehicle and be readmitted to the show venue...with the understanding that there may be a short delay while the path to their site was cleared of artists who were completing load-out.
Near as I could tell, this worked flawlessly. I was able to easily navigate my way to my booth site, pack up, and be on my way within 35 minutes after being admitted.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK:
* The artist parking was over one-half mile from the show venue. That was a long walk on Saturday morning (although the the foggy street lined with stately oak trees and Spanish moss was quite beautiful). But from a safety standpoint it was a bit dicey, since there were no sidewalks. Most artists eventually eschewed this lot in favor of the informal lots set up by local residents, who offered close-by parking on their lawns for $5.
*Although the local event organizers took the time and expense to print a full-color show brochure that listed the participating artists, it didn't include artist booth locations or a map. Although booth locations weren't determined until Thursday afternoon before the show, they could be provided by a last-minute, one-page insert. The map would be handy, given the jigsaw nature of the booth arrangements, which surely made it difficult for attendees to figure out if they had seen the entire show, and to find their way back to an artist whose work they were interested in.
* One of the print media--not sure if it was the Jacksonville Sun orsomeone else--listed the event as a Friday/Saturday event, when it was
not. How much that contributed to the rather sparse crowd on Sunday, I can't say.)
*Wishing to upgrade the caliber of artists at this long-time vent, Alan pointedly didn't get in communication with previous exhibitors before the show deadline, raised the show fee by $100, and--true to his business model--scrapped the artist amenities and the awards program. This may have caused some longtime artists to skip the event: one who DID exhibit this year told me that those were major incentives for her to participate in the show, even though sales and attendance had been flagging. But she wasn't having a good weekend, she said, and won't be returning.
.* Some customers, too, mentioned that they were disappointed to have not found their favorites. But to be fair, HAE was brought in to reverse the show's sagging fortunes, so some revamping of the status quo is to be expected. It may take a couple of years for long-time show-goers to make an adjustment, and for the show to find a new following.
In sum, it was a long trip for me, and next year I'll probably plan to exhibit at HAE's San Marcos show, held a week earlier and a little farther north in Jacksonville. The feedback I got this weekend from artists who had been there suggests that it provides a bigger crowd, and a buying one.
September 3-6on the streets of downtown
Royal Oak, Michigan
Deadline: April 7
Please consider joining us in 2010 as Arts, Beats & Eats presents its 13th annual event at its new location in downtown Royal Oak, Michigan.
If you remember the excitement surrounding this event in its early years with its wall-to-wall coverage in the media and the citizens of affluent Oakland County flooding in to enjoy the fine art, the elegant restaurants and both the nationally known and homegrown music on the stages then you will want to be part of this renaissance as Arts, Beats & Eats positions itself as THE cultural destination on Labor Day weekend for metro Detroit.
The new site not only continues the separation of the art from the food and stages that we instituted a few years ago, it also places it in a downtown full of unique stores, popular restaurants and theatres, a favorite destination for young professionals, families and residents
of the nearby cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy and Huntington Woods.
Our promotion is considered among the best of art festivals nationwide. You cannot be in the metropolitan Detroit area on Labor Day weekend without seeing specials about the arts activities on television, hearing artists' interviews on numerous radio stations and seeing comprehensive feature articles in the press, directed solely to the juried fine arts show.
300,000 peopleprojected over the 4-day weekend, based on last year's attendance, promotional media, event programming, reasonably good weather, and our wonderful new
site in downtown Royal Oak.
Artist Amenities:
- Onsite and overnight security provided
- Vehicle unloading and loading at booth
- Individual artist electricity (included in booth fee)
- $7500 in artist awards
Apply today: www.juriedartservices.com
For more info: www.artsbeatseats.com
Questions?
lisa@artsbeatseats.com
connie@artfaircalendar.com
For more info: www.artsbeatseats.com
Questions?
lisa@artsbeatseats.com
connie@artfaircalendar.com
Full disclosure: I am one of the art directors for Arts, Beats & Eats.
Peep culture: Marshmallow masterpieces draw crowds to Stevens Point
Stevens Point - It's fair to say most art galleries don't worry about visitors eating the artwork.
A few have adult themes, such as "Night of the Living Peeps," which portray Peeps oozing fake blood, as well as "Peeping Tom" of a bunny Peep taking a bath while another Peep ogles through the bathroom window.
As she walked through the gallery, Gingles pointed to a Peep bunny wearing a brown
hat, running from a large ball."A young kid did this, it's just amazing, it's Peepiana Jones," she said of the famous opening scene from "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
I don't know about you, but in closing I feel obligated to include this link to a rather sadistic video on the the demise of Peeps. http://www.jsonline.com/general/37714089.html?bcpid=8725036001&bctid=75569045001
Article by Meg Jones in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Have you ever wondered what customers want when it comes to customerservice? Of course! Aside from the many questions artists have onthis subject, one of the most asked is “is it something I said ordid that prevented someone from buying from me?” I have somethoughts on this topic.
Question 14 What kind of service do customers want?
Respect. Customers want to be treated with respect like a friend or familymember. Respect can easily be achieved through welcoming customerswarmly or recognizing them as a repeat customer and always lettingthem know you are available if they have any questions.
Trust. Patrons don't want to feel like a criminal, they want to betrusted. Letting customers know you trust them – “Sure, Iaccept checks” or “Feel free to try this on, I trust you.”goes a long way. The worst thing a craft artist can do is hover,guard your booth like a gargoyle, or follow a person around thebooth pushing them into purchasing something.
Be left alone. If you polled anyone what kind of customer service theylike, they'll most likely say – just leave me alone so I can shop.I say this each time I go into a shop at a mall. Before I put onefoot in the store I get accosted by 2-3 clerks asking, “Can I helpyou find something?” I recommend quick greeting those who walkinto your booth, and go about doing some simple chores letting themknow you are available to answer any questions when they are ready.This shows customers you trust them by giving him/her the power tocontrol the sale. This is very pleasing, don't you think? Also,don't interrupt customers while they are shopping they don't careand is a turn off to most. Only when a customer asks you a questionabout an item you make/sell, then is the time to win them overmentioning interesting facts about your work or testimonials (I justsold that very piece to a gal who loves the color blue too, let meshow you some other blue pieces I have over here...).
Don't ignore me. A big turn off customers have is being ignored. Far toooften at shows I see craft artists chat with their neighbors orco-worker, chat on their cellphone, or take too much time talking toone customer and ignoring those who very well might be ready topurchase something. This is rude. A solution might includeinterrupting the current conversation (say “hold that thought –let me assist a customer and I'll be right back) or simply makingeye contact with those who come in your booth to show you see themand will be right with them.
Be friendly. Customers are less likely to ask for help or buy from youopenly are having a bad day. Customers rarely buy from craft artistsif they over hear you complaining about a shows attendance or badsales as well as exhibiting negative body language (for instancesitting during, reading, or frowning or looking as though you areagitated say by a customer who rustled your feathers or whatever).One thing I learned back in my drama club days is “act” like youare having a good day even if you really aren't. Be kind and politeas well as jovial and enthusiastic about your work and being at theshow. People who are passionate about their work creates a positiveshopping environment which attracts even more customers.
Hopefully this helps to identify what customers want regarding customer serviceand how to achieve these results. Do you have a suggestion orexperience you want to share regarding this topic, do tell by using the comment button. Our next question will cover how GenX and Yr's affect how people shop especially at art and craft shows –this will be a fun topic! Happy Easter everyone!
Michelle, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
I have been juried into Manayunk or Corn Hill Art Festivals? I am wondering if I should do them after hearing from one artist that they are not that great. This will be my first year going up north. I will be up there for several shows in a row. I also applied to SoNo and Mystic Art Festivals. My medium is abstract nature photography. Any thoughts on these shows would be great.
Brett Miley
Last I week went humming down the coast to bring artwork to 2 galleries that represent me. They have been really hurting this past year due to the economy. The artist that they will hang onto are ones that understand the winter months are slow and differ payment until February, heck it is only 2 months and we don’t show until April anyways. It is a great boost to get supplies.
I walk up to the gallery with one of my fish paintings and WHAM! A lady with a camera scream’s “There she is!” She runs up to me with the gallery owner following her and is absolutely giddy. I proceed to back up slowly and want to run in the opposite direction. She is waiting to see the new artwork and want’s a photo with the artist. Now, my husband has watched the entire situation unfold. He is laughing so hard he can’t breath and the children’s eyes are as big as Oreo's. My son (8yrs) says,” Hey, Dad since mom’s famous can I take her for show & tell next week?”
The gallery owner is waving his hands with a check wanting more artwork. He is
stating that the sales due to the weather warming up have been outstanding. The medium priced work does very well. (Note He is not accepting any artist at this time, his wife paints and has 70% of the gallery, my stuff is in the back. This is ok because the mindset is the expensive work is upfront and the work they can afford is in the back, I love it.) I unload the car with only 8 pieces and watch out of the corner of my eye as a man picks one up being inventoried. My heart is beating outside my chest with adrenaline due to shear shock of such interest. I sit in the car thanking my father up stairs for the gift to paint. I have a check in my hand worth at least 2 shows. That old SUV couldn’t get home fast enough to hit the canvas, the idea’s were running in my mind.
So is the recession over? Or do people have the mind set change of season change of environment. Did they save over the winter to be able to spend or are the tides changing economically? I am not sure but, I will be riding on the high of that experience for years! Again, sorry to post about a gallery vs shows. Thought the positive note may be a glimmer of hope in the art business.
Happy Day!
Heather
is anyone doing the may 7,8,9 fest this year? i am looking for info on the load in, but noone returns my emails from the festival site? thanks for any response, denice
Traverse City, Michigan
Presented by Artcenter Traverse City
120 artists
Deadline: April 7
It is our 50th year and we want you to celebrate with us!
Artcenter Traverse City invites you to apply to its 50th Annual Outdoor Art Fair, to be held on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College in
beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. We offer spacious display areas, with ample parking to provide the perfect Art Fair atmosphere. Our juried fair seeks to maintain the highest standards for both the artists and the viewing public.
This is one of Artcenter's premier events and fundraiser, we are comprised of working artists and members who volunteer time, talent, and experience to ensure a quality show. We offer a cash award and a pre-juried complimentary booth for 2011, and we are continuing our 20% pre-jury invitation to selected artists.
In 2010 TC ODAF falls right in the middle of the Traverse City
Making it easy for you:
- Setup Friday night or Saturday from 6 am to 9 am
- Rooms available on Campus
- Reasonable fees - $25.00 entry fee
- $135.00, 10 x 10 booth fee
We also encourage you to participant in our image competition your artwork featured on marketing materials; print advertisements, post cards, event program, and TV PSA.
Contact us for further information: info@artcentertraversecity.com
Learn more and apply: www.artcentertraversecity.com
OK, so I submit my stuff on Zapp and pay the fees for my wife and I for a supposedly great show on Long Island. We get accepted and they take our booth fees. We arrange for dog sitting and all the misc. stuff to be gone for four or five days, make hotel reservations, and then get told: 'So sorry, we made a mistake and can't get any of our friends to attend because of a religious holiday on that weekend.' They did refund our money, but we lost out on a show we'd done several times before that had been at least productive. Why didn't they look at a calendar before scheduling this thing? Go figure!
Then there was the very big wine festival we did a couple years back when they insisted our 'banners in various stages of disrepair on bamboo poles' would not be allowed - over ten thousand people showed on the first day and they had no trash cans anywhere on the premises! When we came in on Sunday morning, the place looked like a war zone.
I can't begin to relate the number of shows we've been at that were to be "100% hand made by vendor", yet were unbelievably far from it. There was a lady two spaces up from us at one indoor show that had boxes clearly marked "Made In China" full of porcelain piggy banks that she'd use felt tipped pens to mark on and then sell. While she pushed the limit on handmade 'content' we've seen far worse many times.
A favorite gripe of mine is the set-up/break-down instructions that never are enforced, thus many artists (probably those that don't follow application instructions!) block streets with vehicles and trailers while still breaking down or zip in at the last second and are still setting up when the show opens.
Of course there are those that promote their event as being the greatest thing since sliced bread for the artist community! They've thousands and thousands of buying attendees! They've all sorts of wonderful attractions and rides for the kids! They've super security and music and whatever you can think of! What they don't tell you is that when you show up you find all the artist/crafter spaces are way out of the pedestrian traffic flow and you're lucky to see ten percent of all those attendees!
I could probably come up with a few more (like the being accepted and then being told we were on a wait list), but these are our personal top five. Anyone got some more?I can't begin to relate the number of shows we've been at that were to be "100% hand made by vendor", yet were unbelievably far from it. There was a lady two spaces up from us at one indoor show that had boxes clearly marked "Made In China" full of porcelain piggy banks that she'd use felt tipped pens to mark on and then sell. While she pushed the limit on handmade 'content' we've seen far worse many times.
A favorite gripe of mine is the set-up/break-down instructions that never are enforced, thus many artists (probably those that don't follow application instructions!) block streets with vehicles and trailers while still breaking down or zip in at the last second and are still setting up when the show opens.
Of course there are those that promote their event as being the greatest thing since sliced bread for the artist community! They've thousands and thousands of buying attendees! They've all sorts of wonderful attractions and rides for the kids! They've super security and music and whatever you can think of! What they don't tell you is that when you show up you find all the artist/crafter spaces are way out of the pedestrian traffic flow and you're lucky to see ten percent of all those attendees!
This show is very well run with everyone including the director asking if everything is okay. You couldn't ask for a nicer staff and numerous volunteers running around with water and snacks. This was good, 'cause the food court got very crowded, and we had no time to wait in line...
because we were too busy in our booths!
Friday was a little light on the attendance, but that's to be expected, nevertheless there were buyers scouring the show. Saturday and Sunday, perfect if breezy weather not getting in the way, were very busy and crowded. Patrons are bussed to the gate from remote lots, but this seemed to deter no one. 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, which for me reached a peak on Sunday, typically a bad day for me.
My shows in Texas have been among my best, Fort Worth being my best ever. This is my second year here in Memorial Park, and I doubled what I thought was a decent show last year. My neighbors also had good shows, and I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Just seeing if anyone else was considering this show, I have really cheap lodging there; but still have reservations. This is a brand new show that they are starting. Please offer some input. Thanks in Advance!!
Ben
I'm heading to Los Angeles for a week and will be checking in here only sporadically. It is time for some sunshine and to check in with family and meet with my mentor to keep "all things online" going well. Be prepared for changes upon my return.
In the meantime, I have been receiving messages from various members of the site who are not pleased with the somewhat adversarial conversations taking place in the discussion area. People are telling me they are not coming back because they feel attacked. I'm sure there are others who aren't telling me, but have crossed ArtFairInsiders.com off their list of places to spend time.
I need your help and input. Please tell me:
- How do you think this should be handled?
- Do you think we should have volunteer moderators who could monitor the conversations and keep them civilized? A moderator could be someone who keeps the discussion in the parameters of the subject.
- Should we put together a group to create a policy that will allow everyone to put forth their point of view within guidelines?
- Should discussions be closed out at two weeks?
- Any suggestions?
- Be nice
- Be generous
- Be ethical
