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Call for Artists: Artsfest '10 in Maryland

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 19, 2010 at 3:30am

September 18 & 19

Solomons, Maryland
Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park & Arts Center
In Association with the Smithsonian Institution

Saturday 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
September 19, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
150 artists (140 outside/10-12 inside)

Application deadlines:

Artists: March 31

Performers: June 30

Food Vendors: June 30

Organizations: June 30

Established in 1993, Artsfest is an annual juried arts festival organized by Annmarie Garden - a public sculpture park located in Solomons, Maryland - about an hour from the Baltimore-Washington Metro area.

Recognized as one of the top /font>

outdoor arts festivals in the Mid-Atlantic region, Artsfest will bring together some of the country's most accomplished artists for a weekend of art, music, food, wine and micro brews at beautiful Annmarie Garden. Bands and entertainment acts perform
continuously throughout the Garden. Artsfest has a loyal crowd.

There are three booth areas - the Tent Circle, the lovely Wooded Path, and indoors in the award-winning Arts Building. Booth space prices range from $25 up to $150. The event is well run with great volunteers who are available to booth sit. We hope you will make Artsfest a must-do on your list of shows!

To apply download the application form: http://www.annmariegarden.org/Events/Artsfest/index.htm

Who, What, Where, When, Why and How???

Posted by Bill Ronay on March 18, 2010 at 12:17pm

Have been reading the comments regarding lack of location information on event applications and marketing efforts by various shows, fairs and festivals. This is nothing new. However, it is amazing, in this "Age of Information", there is such a noticeable frequency of omitted detail.

Forest Park??? Yes, there is one in Illinois. However, there is also a similar place in Georgia near Atlanta. You would quickly (and fortunately) learn there is no Art show to speak of in that city of the same name.

As publishers and providers of event information across the Southeast, we receive information from glossy multi-fold brochures and Marketing portfolios...down to the hastily scrawled messages on the backs of re-cycled letterheads. It's amazing to imagine what the sender has on his/her mind as the envelope is sealed and sent to us. Partially obliterated Fax sheets are less common but still received.

"B.I."...Before Internet...it was more prevalent. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Google and the plethora of search engines, bots each combined with the more savvy folks beginning to dominate the Marketing committees, the info is more forthcoming and detailed. But not to the extent most of us would like to see.

Yes, there is a tendency for events to assume those receiving the information know more than they actually do. No way to get around this. Just be aware these folks are working as best they can with the limited abilities they may have acquired through osmosis.

Note to show promoters... what state is your show in.....?

Posted by dawn rasmussen on March 17, 2010 at 4:30pm

By state I do not mean... as in state of disarray. Is it just me or do other artists find themselves scouring webpages and applications to find out what state some of these shows are in? I just recieved an art show application for a show in Forest Park. Where is Forest Park? Perhaps, if I read it again slowly I will find the information. I realize that I can google the Forest Park chamber and name of the show and eventually figure this out, but am I whining too much by saying that it should not be that difficult? Show promoters would be wise to list the city and state right up front. So please, any show promoters out there reading this blog... go check... can the artist see, immediatly, where your show is if the artist reading the application is from out of the area?

Downtown Syracuse Art show?

Posted by lisa ark on March 17, 2010 at 9:44am

Its been years since my husband and I have exhibited at the Downtown Syracuse Art show, today is the deadline any feed back on how this show has been the last couple of years? Can anyone recommend another show late in July in the east .thanks Lisa

Currituck Art Extravaganza

Posted by Dave Hinde on March 16, 2010 at 8:07pm

This past Saturday was the annual Currituck Art Extravaganza. This is a small indoor show put on by the Currituck County, N.C., Arts Council. The show was just 5 hours long, but they had a steady stream of visitors, and I saw a lot of work being carried out the door. The Arts Council does a great job with this smaller show. They have a good balance of styles and just the right amount of Artists. Last year this show was my best one day show, and topped several two day shows I did. This year my sales weren't that great, but I'll definitely be back in 2011.

The Arts Council sets up large A-Frame displays for the artists, so we don't have to set up display racks. You get your choice of an A-Frame or a table spot (I took one of each). The really great thing about the show is the support they get from the local people, and the large number of volunteers. The Boy Scouts were there in force to help us unload and carry stuff into the school. When the show was over, the volunteers had the room cleared of tables and A-Frames almost before the artists had their stuff packed up!

The Currituck Arts Council definitely deserves a big "Job Well Done" from the artist community. It's one of those shows that's a pleasure to do, even without big sales.

American Style Magazine Chooses Top Ten Art Fairs

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 16, 2010 at 3:30am

I always love reading these lists of Top art fairs. The Sunshine Artist seems to be the most inclusive, spotlighting events across the country, Greg Lawler's Art Fair SourceBook, the most true, and American Style's list always includes some events I've never heard of, which always intrigues me. Here are their top ten:

1. Kentucky Crafted, The Market, Louisville, KY
2. St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY
3. Paradise City Arts Festival, Northampton, MA
4. Scottsdale Art Festival, Scottsdale, AZ
5. Francisco's Farm Arts Festival at Midway College, Midway, KY
6. Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Northport, AL
7. Bayou City Art Festival, Houston, TX
8. The American Craft Council Show, Baltimore, MD
9. League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fair, Newbury, NH
10. Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, IA

Read the details at this link: www.AmericanStyle.com

Who knew Kentucky had three of the top ten festivals? Who knew that virtually there was no art west of the Mississippi? (well, a little) Who can tell me more about these events?

Comments below, please!

"Springfest" at Anna Maria Island, FL (Mar. 13-14, 2010)

Posted by Geoff Coe on March 15, 2010 at 12:00pm

After a 10-week slog through wintry cold fronts, pelting rain, and howling winds, "Springfest" on Anna Maria Island delivered a Florida-postcard weekend--and some decent sales for most of the 95 artists who made the drive to this charming barrier island west of Bradenton.

"Springfest" is a low-cost, low-key, and well-established arts and fine crafts festival put on in Holmes Beach by the Anna Maria Art League (which also produces "Winterfest" each November). The entry fee was only $150 (with a $20 jury fee), plus a request to donate work for a Sunday-afternoon raffle to benefit the art league's young artist program.

The show is held on fairgrounds adjacent to the municipal building. Nominally, setup was scheduled for Friday afternoon starting at 1 PM, and Saturday morning starting at 7, But 5-plus inches of torrential rains soaked the Gulf Coast from Thursday night until nearly 5 PM on Friday, so about half of the artists chose to show up an hour or so early on Saturday. Wisely, show director Joyce Karp did the same, and the sandy fairgrounds miraculously absorbed nearly all of the deluge, so the show launched in good shape at 10 AM. Booths were arranged in groups of six (two back-to-back rows of three booths each), which gave four artists corner spots. It worked well, particularly at load-out, which was easy as could be.

This event is not just an art show, but a community festival, with plenty of food vendors and music starting at 11 AM and continuing through both days. The organizers did a nice job controlling both: Food vendors were organized into a "food court" just inside the show entrance (adjacent to, not commingled with, the art). And the music started mellow and amped up the energy appropriately in the afternoon (featuring a country/Cajun-style rock band with one of the best honky-tonk piano players I've ever heard). At no time did the music ever cause problems talking with my customers, but it might have been an issue for artists closer to the band than I.

For such a small show, the quality was surprisingly high, with a good mix of media. Even more surprising (at least to me), was the number of artists who had traveled hundreds of miles to do this show (my neighbors included folks from Indiana and Tennessee). The judge visiting my booth stayed less than a minute, asked no questions, and made no comment on my work (always perplexing to me), but I can't argue with the top-shelf quality of the winners. Awards were handed out across the board (that is, no categories by medium), with a best-in-show gift of $500, four awards of distinction, and 10 merit awards. The top prize winner was a first-year exhibitor here, so you can't say the judges had "pre-race favorites."

Sales were mixed. Folks were in "browse mode" early on Saturday, but luckily, I had brought a set of unusual pelican photographs on an island where they're plentiful and loved by the residents, which led to a happy feeding frenzy most of the afternoon. Most of my neighbors sold well, too. But on Sunday, the crowds were lighter, arriving later, and a bit drowsy (due, perhaps, to Daylight Savings Time). Or maybe they were waiting for the St. Patrick's Day parade that kicked off at 4 PM from the fairgorunds. It seemed like everyone was struggling a bit, though after the parade wrapped up, there was time for folks to come by and make last-minute purchases, saving the day and weekend for some of us.

A travel note, if you decide to give this show a try next season: There aren't any big-chain hotels on the island, so if you usually forego mom-and-pop hotels for those listed on Priceline, Hotwire,and their ilk, you'll need to stay on the mainland, a good 20-30 minutedrive away. )

I was happy enough with my results, and the show had a low-key, artist-friendly community vibe that lent a nice change-of-pace to the big festivals that come with high season in Florida. One area of concern for the future: Several locals told me that the town leases out the fairgrounds most weekends, including to groups who also put on art shows of far lesser quality. Whether that will dilute the market in this small town remains to be seen. As for me, it's hard to say if my pelicans will fare as well next year. But if they'll have me, I'll be back.

40 Questions Blog Series - Question 11 - How do I add value to my art?

Posted by Michelle Sholund on March 15, 2010 at 10:30am

40 Questions Blog Series: Question 11 – How can I add value to my art/craft?

I am having so much fun doing this blog series. The past question has yielded some great discussion and has lead to more questions. Since
pricing is such a talked about topic, and some people are not able to
lower the price of their work, I thought this would be a great
question to answer.

Question 11: How can I add value to my art/craft?

I have compiled my top 16 list of ways to add value to your work with the help of fellow artists, suggestions I have seen on other websites as
well advice from Wendy Rosen's book Crafting as a Business.

Educate. Sharing important information about your work such as how to properly clean jewelry or that you donate a portion of your sales
to a local charity is something that customers eat up.

Use better quality materials. Better quality materials equals better quality art. Example, a fiber artist who switched from using fabric
from Jo Annes to material from a local quilt shop. The upgrade
allowed her work to last longer, thus adding value to her work.

Sign your pieces. Often over looked. Seeing initials or a signature makes your work officially yours and all the more special. Also
adding a business card or simple sticker with your contact info on
the back of 2D art also helps the buyer find you again.

Extra benefits. Using things like signage or hang tags to inform customers of the benefits of buying your art/craft is excellent.
Let customers know that your work brings tranquility to all those
who buy it or how it is functional as well as beautiful are some
just ideas.

Creative statements. I have seen nice artist statements at in their booths highlighting the artists talents, how they started in their medium,
and how the art makes them feel. A great attention getter and helps
authenticate your work too.

Awards. Show off your awards. Granted bragging isn't something people want to hear, but informing how a piece is inspired by another piece that
won an award or featured in a magazine is very appealing.

Promote hometown/geographical locations. Statistics show that patrons love to support and by locally made work. This is evident at shows from
the Florida Keys to Kutztown, PA.

Offer warranties. A warranty that states if your the work is ever broken for any reason, that you will fix it for free will also opens
people's wallets especially if your work is considered high end.
Showing that you stand behind your work will make for satisfied
customers.

Demonstrate/Inform. Showing customers painting techniques, how your throw pottery, or even video (using a portable dvd player) are powerful tools. This
is yet another way to show authenticity especially when so many
items now at show are often considered re-sale.
Proudly Made in America. Patrons are more prone now to buy Made in the USA. People want to know their money is staying within the USA
and backed with good quality craftmanship.

Discuss the history of the art form. Whether your work is a new art form, like raku pottery or old such as traditional wooden furniture,
people are always interested in the history behind art.

Be the Best. Testimonials are one way to do this or letting folks know you have been dubbed the Best “___”, also appeals to buyers.
Inform your customers why others love your work. Showing off your
best seller adding once you buy one, you'll be back for more.

Uniqueness. There is something to be said to knowing what makes your work better than the “cookie cutter” artists like that in your
medium. Talk about or show off the unique features of your work and
this will make people gravitate towards your work over your
competition. The photo is of the incense I make stating the how mine may be different from others on the market.

Draw a better circle. I read this on a website, I can't remember where, but it makes perfect sense. While others in your medium are all
painting/drawing circles sometimes you have to draw a better circle
to attract customers and most importantly buyers. This means, keep
your work fresh and new, it works.

Limited edition work. Customers love knowing they have a one of a kind piece and knowing there is just a few out there causes a sense of
urgency to buy now, because it might not be around later.
Presentation. Presenting your work well and in nice packaging is also key. Quality framing, nice gift bags, and so on are great
examples of this. I will go more into this in a future question.

Are you doing any of these things? Have they worked? Do you disagree? Please share your ideas and stories – use the comment button! Have
friends ho could benefit from this blog? Tell them, they will thank
you! Question 12 will be cover how to determine if a product/artwork
will sell or should be phased out. Then we'll get into a more
entertaining topic, customer service – what is it all about, how to
do it right, why it is important, and so much more. Stay tuned!

Michelle, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot,com

Call for Artists: Historic Shaw Art Fair

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 15, 2010 at 3:30am

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October 2 & 3
St. Louis, Missouri
Located on the beautiful tree-lined parkway of Flora Place at Tower Grove
Avenue
135 Artists
Deadline: April 15

The Historic Shaw Art Fair is highly rated by artists for warm hospitality, a beautiful setting, hard-working volunteers and good sales. It is held in one of St. Louis' finest historic neighborhoods, the Shaw Neighborhood. Stately homes along a tree-lined parkway provide a gracious setting for artists and visitors.

The Art Fair will take place during The American Arts Experience St Louis, a city wide celebration of The Arts, and on the same weekend as the Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden, which is within walking distance of the Art Fair.

The Art Fair is promoted to the entire metropolitan area via direct mail, newspaper, television and radio advertising, Web sites, posters, and stories and interviews in the St. Louis media. Last year, 135 artists exhibited at the Art Fair, which was attended by approximately 10,000 visitors. The lovely urban location, the new food court, the great music and, of course, the fabulous art all add to a fantastic visitor experience.

Learn more and apply: www.shawartfair.org

Artist of the Month: Amy Flynn, Mixed Media "Fobots"

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 14, 2010 at 2:30pm

Artists who are challenged by the economy these days will find great hope in the story of this month's Featured Artist.

Amy Flynn has had a successful career as a professional illustrator since college, working for a variety of greeting card, paper, children's book publishers and gift companies.Then the recession hit, clients stopped paying and suddenly the concept of a "starving artist" hit home....not any more!

"In the past 18 months, Flynn, 49, has gone from underemployed illustrator to successful creator of unique robot sculptures. Except for a few nuts and bolts, the 10- to 20-inch-tall creatures are fully made from her vintage findings at flea markets, yard sales ...The "Fobots," as she calls the found-object robots, are artistic, humorous and totally endearing," reports Diane Daniel in the Raleigh News-Observer.

"In Raleigh, she's world famous!" As a result of her work appearing in the Anthropologie catalog Amy Flynn's work had a cameo role on the March 10th episode of "Ugly Betty!" This means she is the "favorite daughter" in her home town of Raleigh, NC, and was featured in a news story there last weekend.

Amy applied for her first art fair a year ago. The uniqueness of her creations has landed her in the nation's best art fairs, notably this month's Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, March 19-21, in Winter Park, Florida.

The Fobots (found object robots) are taking the art fair world by storm! Read Amy's amazing story: ArtFairCalendar.com/featuredartist

(Amy and her husband Phil Crone are both members of Art Fair Insiders. They have shared their story with us on this site and we look forward to hearing the rest of it!)

The option to manage my application on Zapp after submission

Posted by Nurit & Mick Vagner on March 14, 2010 at 2:00pm

Dear artists!

Here is an e-mail I have sent to Zapp today, Please read and help to make this change happen in their web site, The JAS are doing it since the beginning.

My husband and me are jewelry artists who participate in at list 30 shows a year,

We apply to at list 80 shows a year to be able to do that.

Most of the shows we apply to are via Zapp, some via JAS and some paper or via show web site.

I e-mailed you two weeks ago about a feature that you don't have in Zapp and your colleagues from JAS have.

I didn't get any respond from you.

The Feature is:

The option to manege my application after I have submitted and paid,

and before the application's deadline.

We are artists, we create new works everyday,

we also change our booth setting from time to time.

We want to apply early to shows, if we can afford to pay early,

so that our application will be reviewed,

as early as possible among the other hundreds of applications.

In the JAS web site we are able to that.

we are able to replace images,

edit our descriptions,

replace our booth image

and edit our artist statement,

after have we have applied and paid the application fee for a show.

We artists really need this flexibility.

I am sure that your experts can work on this feature

and keep our applications unlocked until the application's deadline.

It will allow us to submit better applications and to correct mistakes if those happen

I'll look Forward to your response.

Thank you

Nurit A. Vagner

Nurit & Mick Arts

Awards - March 13-14, 2010 Bonita Springs National Art Festival

Posted by Barry Witt on March 14, 2010 at 6:30am

AWARD	ARTIST	CATEGORY	CITY, STATE
Best of Show	Scott Wilson	Watercolor Painting	Kansasville, WI
Best of 2-D	Ning Lee	Oil/Acrylics Painting	Livingston, NJ
Best of 3-D	Nnamdi Okonkwo	Sculpture	Fayetteville, GA
Distinction	Jeffrey Cannon	Pastels & Drawing	Austin, TX
Distinction	Carol Ferony	Pastels & Drawing	Defuniak Springs, FL
Distinction	David Gordon	Oil/Acrylics Painting	Greenfield Center, NY
Distinction	Holly Hambrick	Mixed Media (3-D)	Ormond Beach, FL
Distinction	Jack Hill	Sculpture	Beverly Hills, FL
Distinction	Bruce Holwerda	Oil/Acrylics Painting	Birmingham, AL
Distinction	William Kidd	Clay Works	Miramar, FL
Distinction	Michele LeVett	Jewelry	Durham, NC
Distinction	Kevin Liang	Oil/Acrylics Painting	Brooklyn, NY
Distinction	Steve Radtke	Other	Monroe, GA
Distinction	Dale Rogers	Metal	Haverhill, MA
Distinction	Glen Wans	Photography	Kansas City, MO

Call for Artists: 9th Annual Berkshires Arts Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 12, 2010 at 3:30am

July 2, 3 & 4

Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Ski Butternut
175 Exhibitors

Deadline: A Few spaces left

For artists who are not familiar with the Berkshires Arts Festival it is an east coast show in one of the country's Premier Cultural Resort Areas. If you visit www.Berkshires.org and explore a bit you will find abundant reasons why the Berkshires is a summer haven for affluent art lover from NYC and its surrounding communities, as well as Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut.

This is a sweetheart of a show at a beautiful ski resort with attendance of around 8,000 who gladly pay the $11.00 admission. The director limits the number of exhibitors to around 185. He is looking for extremely talented new artists who are not going to Cherry Creek and could use a good show that weekend. He has space for about 20 more artists.....

The Berkshires Arts Festival is part of a suite of shows run by American Art Marketing which produces some of the finest fine art and fine craft events in the country. The Directors Richard and Joanna Rothbard are artists who have established themselves not only as innovative show promoters but are also the owners of An American Craftsman Galleries, one of the finest contemporary craft showcases in the country with galleries at the Sheraton Manhattan Hotel and at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Learn more about this arts festival: www.berkshiresartsfestival.com

Apply: www.AmericanArtMarketing.com

need fresh ideas

Posted by cate woolner on March 11, 2010 at 3:04pm

I am a photographer, have a 10X10 tent and display walls to go with it. I am not thrilled with my set-up, how I display etc.. Ideas? Especially from photographeers but all ideas welcome.

Ephraim, WI vs Antioch, Il

Posted by David Hipwell on March 11, 2010 at 6:30am

Many weekends we all have to choose between shows.

The weekend is June 19 and 20, 2010.

I have done Ephraim, Wisconsin lots of times...and average $450 over 3 years.....$75 entry fee....about 75 booths.

Now I am tempted to try another show this weekend....it is Antioch, Illinois where they say 10,000+ people, 150 booths, $95 entry....

Anyone have experience with Antioch?

St. James Art Show poster contest wants your work

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 10, 2010 at 9:23am

From the Louisville Courier-Journal comes the announcement for a call for artists to submit their work for the St. James Court Art Show poster contest with a top prize of $1000 and your art being exhibited on the souvenir t-shirts and sweatshirts.

This is one of our oldest art fairs, established in 1956, and the poster contest has been around since 1981, The show organizer, Marguerite Esrock said that the contest receives about 88 entries last year. Deadline is June 18.

Learn more at this link: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100310/ZONE07/3100311

I'd love to showcase one of our member's work on this site as the "poster child" for St. James.

Call for Artists: 35th Annual Outdoor Art Show in Pennsylvania

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 10, 2010 at 7:00am

August 21 & 22
Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania
35th Annual Outdoor Art Show
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua
265 artists
Deadline: April 1

Jury Fee: $25.00 per application
Booth Fee: $350.00 per 10' x 12' space

In mid-August as many as 18,000 festival-goers will plan on enjoying a weekend of art, crafts, entertainment and gourmet food.

Where is Mt. Gretna, PA? Visit this link.

Every year, during the third weekend of August, this community of some 700 homes and cottages suddenly springs to life, welcoming 265 artists chosen through juried competition and
20,000 visitors who-by their presence acknowledge the role that
art plays in their homes, hearts, and lives.

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And every year, as thousands of art show patrons return, many others discover Mount Gretna for the first time. For everyone who comes, it is a return to an earlier era: a time when neighbors greeted neighbors from their front porches, when going for ice cream meant going for a stroll rather than getting into an automobile, and when life itself pulsed at a rocking chair pace.

New this year:
20 fewer artists and booth sizes increased to 10 x 12

Very nice things were said about Mt. Gretna at ArtFairInsiders.com by this year's participants, including, "I will certainly sign up for the Mt. Gretna, PA show again."

Learn more about the event at: www.mtgretnaarts.com
Contact them at: mtgretnaart@comcast.net
or 717-964-3270

Apply online at Zapplication.org

"Art by Faith'

Posted by Katherine McNeill on March 10, 2010 at 3:02am

Newly published paper back book written by Katherine McNeill.

Through a blend of poetry, schripture and life accounts, this true story offers readers, a positive outlook for a positive outcome. In an intimate collection of short stories in a chronological format, showing how love and determination is the fuel that enables the impossible, why faith inspires personal growth, how social customs affect our interaction, and how setting positive examples for our children create a solid foundation for a more enriched life.

Now availabel from author House

www.authorhouse.com

888-220-7715

comments

It gives people hope.

Makes you want to work harder to beable to fullfill a dream

Never stop trying

Makes me want to go back to church

heart warming

February's "Art Stars"

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 9, 2010 at 4:02pm

Many thanks to these members who your votes chose as the most helpful and generous members at Art

Fair Insiders this month. These three, plus all the rest of you who contribute to this web site, are bringing transparency to our business. Your willingness to share the "good, the bad, and the ugly" at the art fairs on the streets of America is making Art Fair Insiders THE place to be online.

Many thanks to:

Linnea Lahlum for her insightful comments that go way beyond the facts - member since February 2, 2009
Larry Berman who "has been there and done that" on just about all topics and steps up to the plate with quick answers - member since March 22, 2009
Bob Stuart for his initiative in starting the first "regional" group, bringing answers to all the Carolinians online with us, and his continued presence - one of the very first members - November 19, 2008!

Last month's winners Nels Johnson, Paula Johnson (not related) and Michelle Sholund, continue to be vital to the communications on the site. Many thanks to them!

Keep your reports and questions and answers coming. Today we are 2241 members strong, hosting 4941 photos and discussions all aspects of the business in over 400 topics.

If you haven't done it yet, please join the ArtFairInsiders.com Facebook "fan" group. Help keep this site alive and well! Visit here: www.facebook.com/artfairinsiders

ArtPrize returns for 2010

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 9, 2010 at 3:00pm

THE big art story last year was the fabulous city-wide exhibitions last September in Grand Rapids, Michigan, called ArtPrize. What it is:

ArtPrize is a radically open competition which has no formal jury, curator or judge. Winners are decided by public vote using mobile devices and social media. In ArtPrize 2009, more than 1,260 artists from all over the world participated in the unprecedented competition that awarded nearly $500,000 to the prize winners. More than 334,000 votes were cast during the 16-day event. Artist Ran Ortner won the competition with his large-scale painting, Open Water No. 24.

"No matter who wins, the 17-day competition has spurred a lively debate in Grand Rapids, a city of about 200,000 with a tradition of interest in art."
- Micheline Maynard
NEW YORK TIMES

"To those of us who believe that art has the power to inspire and enliven our communities, [ArtPrize] was a glorious example."
- Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
THE HUFFINGTON POST

"If urban leaders are paying close attention, they will use DeVos' art inspiration as a way to transform the way they do business."
- Carol Colletta, CEOs for Cities
GOOD MAGAZINE

I attended -- there were artists participating that you and I know from the nation's art fairs, Kiaralinda and Todd, Jerry Berta, Madeline Kaczmarczyk, Michael Combs - and I'm sure others I missed. It is very cool, lots of fun and the great place to be.

The details for participating:

Venue Registration for 2010
Open: Monday, March 15 (Noon EDT)
Close: Thursday April 15, 2010 (5:00PM EDT)

Artist Registration
Open: Monday, April 19 (Noon EDT)
Close: Thursday, May 27 (5:00PM EDT)

Artist/Venue Matching Period
Open: Tuesday, June 1 (Noon EDT)
Close: Thursday, July 1 (5:00PM EDT)

ARTPRIZE 2010 Event
September 22 - October 10

Information: www.artprize.org

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.