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Call for Artists: 4 Events in Chicagoland

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 3, 2010 at 10:00pm
D & W Events, Inc., is featuring four top notch Chicago area shows this summer. Debbie Netter, President and founder of D &W, has 20+ years of organizing events and knows how to make it less stressful for everyone!
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May 29 & 30 - Vernon Hills, IL
June 5 & 6 - Deerfield, IL
July 10 & 11 - Northbrook, IL
July 16-18 - Lombard, IL
Deadline: March 15

Top reasons to consider a D & W Events, Inc., show: (not in order of importance!)

1. Well run, organized and fun!
2. Attentive artist hospitality including booth sitters, hot and iced coffee both days, continental breakfast both days, indoor
restroom facilities, bottled water delivered to you frequently throughout the show, discounted
hotel rates, overnight security
3. Booth fees for all shows remains at $275.00, and jury fee, $25.00. Larger booths and corners available for an additional fee.
4. Wonderful attendance from a higher economic buying crowd
5. Advertising intrinsically placed to capture the high to middle economic crowd
6. Easy load in and out
7. Promoter who cares and will implement your suggestions
8. Booth fee checks not cashed until show acceptance (or returned promptly)
9. Smaller shows means less artist competition
10. Juried and judged by industry professionals

What the artists say about D & W Events, Inc.:
--We sold more the first day at Deerfield than 2 days last year at Port Clinton.
--My sales exceeded my expectations.
--Your shows are well run and organized. It's refreshing to work with a promoter who cares.

This festival kicks off the Chicago area season:

MAY 29 & 30D & W Events
Cuneo Gardens Art Fest

1350 Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Presented by: Cuneo Museum & Gardens
Deadline: March 15

Held in the sculpture garden of the historic Cuneo Mansion adjacent to the formal gardens and golf course
- Approximately 75 - 100 artists
- 5th year festival


June 5 & 6Art Fair Calendar.com
Deerfield Festival of Fine Arts
Deerfield Road and Park Avenue, Deerfield
Presented by: Deerfield Fine Arts Commission & Village of Deerfield
Deadline: March 15

Held in town, busy city-like atmosphere
- Approximately 125 - 160 artists
- 8th year festival


July 10 & 11Art Fair Calendar.com
Art in the Park - Northbrook
Village Green Park, 1320 Shermer Road, Northbrook
Presented by Northbrook Arts Commission in collaboration with Village of
Northbrook
And Northbrook Park District
Deadline: March 15

Held in beautiful downtown park, center of Northbrook
- Approximately 75 - 100 artists
- 10th year festival


July 16, 17 & 18 - New Event!Art at the Shops
Art at the Shops - Yorktown
Lombard

Held in the beautifully landscaped outdoor mall
- Approximately 75-100 artists
- Artist Preview Gala on July 15, 5 pm to 8 pm

Every D & W Events, Inc., fine art and fine craft festival features:
  • outstanding customer service
  • Friday afternoon set up availability
  • organization, coordination, proactivity
  • cash prizes
  • artist hospitality
  • free day and overnight parking
  • day and overnight security
Visit the D & W Events website for more information and to download
an application: www.dwevents.org

 More questions? Contact Debbie Netter at dwevents@comcast.net
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40 Questions Blog Series – Question 9: What new art forms are hot in the marketplace?

Posted by Michelle Sholund on March 3, 2010 at 8:43am

Don't confuse this topic the one discussed in question 7, how to find your niche. As we are on the topic of product development, I thought it might be fitting to devote some time to look at 5 current/new art

forms that are gaining in popularity at art fairs and why.

Question 9: What are some current and new art forms are hot sellers in the market place?


  1. Food. Many artists today are inspired by what they see going on with the Food Network, PBS cooking shows, and countless cooking magazines. Although artists don't make food, chefs do, the “art” used to
    enhance the food experience is hot. Glass bottles for oil and vinegar, quilted table runners with matching place mats, bowls with coordinating serving ware for serving dips and gourmet crackers, charms for wine goblets, wood turned wine stoppers and pepper mills,even crocks for cooking utensils are just a few of many popular examples of how art and food are a perfect match.

2. Games/Entertainment. Whether you are a kid or kid at hear, we all desire to be entertained. Some things I have noticed selling at shows are dolls and handmade doll clothes (these are a doll collectors paradise), wooden board games (cribbage and checkers for example), marbles, rocking horses, toy trains and swords, DIY scrapbook projects, and personalized kids chests (for storing games and toys). Granted not all of these are “fine art” items, they all are items that deserve to highlighted as items that are hot sellers at art fairs today.

  1. Nature art forms. I have been finding some neat art forms such as leaf sculptures, paintings on feathers - such as duck feathers or on crab shells, and drift wood sculptures. At one show I couldn't help but
    notice the constant flow of people who couldn't wait to purchase (as best as I can explain) imprinted, 2D leaf and fossil art. One artist I had the pleasure of talking to learned how to make small stone like planters using cement, peat, and a few other materials while at another the artist and husband sold out at another show made handmade spice wreaths. Having always wanted a fountain, I bought from

    one artist who specializes in leaf print stones (photo of is my leaf print disappearing water fountain) that can be used to make water fountains out of them or just be decorative in the yard.

  2. Recycled/Junk Art. I have seen some really cool “trash” sculptures such as a dog made out of old license plates and portraits of famous celebrities using plastic forks, broken jewelry, and toys. Although
    I can't say for sure if the artist is successful or not, but I did come across a person who recycled old records and made them into bowls for fruit or to be used as a sculpture. Other recycled art includes leggo and bottle cap jewelry, recycled bottle/sea glass wind chimes, vintage handkerchiefs made into quilts, reclaimed barn wood turned into furniture/bird houses, and scrap fabric made into rag rugs. Whether you are an “eco” nut or not, this art form appeals to both the young and old due to the endless possibilities
    it creates.

5. Combining mediums. I have seen a rising trend where two completely different mediums mesh together to form something completely new. An example of this is furniture using both wood and metalsmith craftsmanship creating a whole new world of beautiful sophisticated art. This is big with jewelery artists too combining things like pearls and polymer metal clay, and fabric and beading.

As more and more new forms of art are making their way into the marketplace,on thing is clear, people want to show off their individuality thus creating more demand for new art both in contemporary and traditional art forms. We must come to the realization that people are NOT wanting the same things artists have been making year after year. The influence of the Gen Y's and X's over society are dictating this and this is just the beginning. The change is present in galleries throughout the US as well as gift shops and boutiques, however not as much in art fairs. Don't believe me? Want to see more examples of this work the best places to look are websites
geared toward wholesale art shows such as ACRE, Philly Buyers Market or the Atlanta and New York Gift shows.


Please do not take this blog post as a “rant” on how everyone should stop what they are making and start creating art in one of these 5 styles. My point is to highlight what some artists are doing now and how it has worked to their advantage. It is my hope that this topic could give confidence, ideas, and hope to those artists who are at a crossroads seeking ways to make their work more desirable and with some luck, more profitable. To finish the topic of product development, question 10 will focus on advice for pricing one's work. The next set of questions will focus on customer service and the “art” of selling your work – DO NOT MISS IT!

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Call for Artists: ArtRapids! Elk Rapids, Michigan

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 2, 2010 at 11:30pm
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June 26
Elk Rapids, Michigan
Veteran's Memorial Park
10 am to 5 pm
75 Artists
Deadline: April 1

Where is Elk Rapids? Visit this link.

Elk Rapids is at the center of some of the most affluent real estate in northern Michigan, on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, near Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. This area has really blossomed with new homes, golf courses and galleries in the last ten years, making it a desired vacation, second home location, for people from Chicago and Detroit.

It is held in Veteran's Memorial Park, by Grand Traverse Bay in the heart of this charming harbor town. Patrons can walk two short blocks where they will find restaurants, antique shops and art galleries. Elk Rapids already attracts an art-loving clientele the year around.

Patterned after the very successful Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, the organizers have planned every detail including a reception (appetizers and wine) the night before for the artists and volunteers. The next morning volunteers are on hand with golf carts at 5 am to unload artists vans and help with setup. Then the sun comes out and the people show up. As they know this is a one day show so it is "now or never."

Prize money: Art Fair Calendar.com
$1000 Best of Show
$600 Honorable Mention
$125 Best Display
$125 People's Choice.

Space Fees:
1 space, 1 artist $125
1 space, 2 artists $175
2 spaces, 1 artist $250

Testimonials from artists:

--This was a terrific show, well organized, advertised, and well attended. Glad to be in the show.

--My compliments to all involved. The art presented was upscale. Very well done.

--Thanks for selecting fine art (as opposed to crafts). It's very difficult to find art shows, and if you continue to keep a high standard and accept only fine art, you will get that reputation and buyers coming with the knowledge that it is an art show and they are prepared to spend accordingly.

For more information and to download an application visit: www.artrapids.org.
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South Miami Rotary Art Festival

Posted by Andrea Olson on March 2, 2010 at 8:44am

This was my first time doing this event and I expected it to be equal to the South Miami Art Festival held in the same location in November. It was not! I was placed next to a charming fellow and his "Furry Puppet Farm" complete with the puppet outhouse. The show was non-stop and the kids loved it too much so the walkway was blocked much of the time. This was more of a family-kids event than an Art Show.....

The proceeds were very disappointing compared to the November show.

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Images patron purchase check bounced

Posted by Pat Falk on March 1, 2010 at 5:00pm
I am wondering if anyone out there has had the same problem with their patron purchase check from Images in New Smyrna Beach. I had a patron purchase after 3 p.m. on Sunday, therefore a check was not written to me that day. It was supposed to be mailed out on the following Tuesday. I received it about 2 weeks later and after taking it to the bank, it was returned for nonsufficient funds. The check was not large, $47.93, but I also got a $10 fee for the returned check. There went my profit. I emailed Nance at the show and also called, leaving a message, No response yet. This was my first time at Images and I am really upset!!!
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Estero Fine Arts Show @ Miromar Outlets (Feb 27-28)

Posted by Geoff Coe on March 1, 2010 at 4:00pm
"Snowbird Season" is in full swing here in SW Florida, and thankfully for our checkbooks, visitors and residents alike swarmed this show with their wallets open. This is the third February show at Miromar Outlets for Patty Narozny and HotWorks LLC (they have also done two fall shows). It's well advertised in both print and TV, and Patty always makes sure to send glossy-stock postcards touting the show to artists well in advance of the show date. Plus, Patty and her staff are very professional, well organized (with perhaps one exception, mentioned below) and just really nice people. So it's always a pleasure to do her shows.

Despite the "outlet" moniker, this mall features a fair number of high-end retailers and some fine restaurants, and it's nestled in the "sweet spot" of SW Florida, midway between Naples and Fort Myers.

The Friday setup started at noon, and it was easy to pull in to the parking lot area, or even to the connector road just behind your booth to unload. Heaven help you if the blue skies lured you into thinking that Saturday would bring calm weather, for a front rolled in overnight as predicted and ushered in dark clouds and chilly temperatures on Saturday morning.

Despite that, the crowd hit the gates aggressively at 10 AM, and my neighbors and I were plenty busy until just after noon, when the skies opened up with a downpour. Having kept a close eye on the radar via my trusty iPhone, I already had my spare inventory covered up with a tarp behind the tent. Alas, a half hour later the winds picked up to the 20-25 mph range and partially blew off the tarp while I was chatting with some folks in the next aisle. I dumped about a quarter-inch of water out of the plastic bin that housed my smaller prints, grabbed some paper towels, and began drying off the Clear Bags, hoping for the best. Ultimately, only a few prints had to be brought home for re-matting. But the rains deep-sixed the buying crowd,and some of the artists--about half, by my estimate--left around 4 PM.

Sunday dawned sunny and bright, and the show-goers began browsing well before 10 AM. Although some artists later told me that that they saw lookers, not buyers, the booths that I could see were doing a brisk business. Not that I had any time to visit--I had my busiest afternoon of the season to date, and had to get a booth sitter for 15 minutes so I could hike to my van and get another roll of tape for the credit card machine and extra inventory for the tent walls. And it wasn't just me--a painter near me sold several wall-sized originals for $2500 and up, and the fine jeweler next to me sold a beautiful necklace that was priced at, well, several mortgage payments.

That said, it wasn't ALL roses.
* The nearest port-o-john was somewhere south of Orlando, near as I could tell (I never did find it). So, like many artists and patrons, I found it a lot easier to visit the Dunkin Donuts than make that hike.
* There was some mixed messaging on Saturday afternoon about whether the show would close early: one of the assistants said she was "checking on it," but a few minutes later the promoter came by and said she wouldn't make a decision like that, because "I'm not running your business, you are." Yet still later, another helper came by to record the booth numbers of those who had left in order to remind them that "the show was open 10 to 5", I was told.
* Some of my customers mentioned that getting into the center and to the show parking was the "gridlock from hell", with cars bumper to bumper looping around the lot, looking for nonexistent spaces. So maybe some beefed up police/traffic presence would be a good idea for next year. (Whether there was any on the main roads into the mall, I can't say.)

But however long it took to get there, it seemed that the show-goers didn't mind lugging all those purchases back to their cars, however far away And for those of us who suffered through a lean 2009, that was good news indeed.
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Call for Artists: Art in the Park - Columbia, MO

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 1, 2010 at 3:21pm
June 5 & 6
Columbia, Missouri
Stephens Lake Park
presented by the Columbia Art League
105 Artists
Deadline: March 9
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Founded in 1958, Art in the Park is the oldest fine arts and crafts fair in mid-Missouri, attracting 18-20,000 visitors with art buying intent! Held in the verdant tranquility of Stephens Lake Park it features 105 artists from across the United States working in painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, glass, wood, metal, mixed media, fibers and more, Art in the Park aims to have something for every pocket.

Highlights:
  • free to the public
  • hundreds of free parking spaces available at the adjacent Boone Hospital parking lot
  • free shuttle buses running constantly between the parking lot and the edge of the festival
  • musical and magical family entertainment under the tented pavilion, festival food, children's art projects, art demonstrations
  • Art in the Park is the highlight of summer in Columbia.
Good news for artists:
  • Juried by an artists working in a variety of mediums, the event features 105 artists and newcomers are alwaysArt Fair Calendar.com encouraged to apply
  • A welcome party for the artists and event patrons is held at the Columbia Art League gallery on the Friday night
  • breakfast is provided on both Saturday and Sunday mornings and a lunch box on Saturday.
  • Booth sitters and volunteers are plentiful throughout the weekend.
  • Solid advertising in the run up to the event on TV, Radio, Newspaper, Posters plus Facebook, Yard Signs and billboards on I-70 help swell the traffic to this iconic summer event.
When asked how they would rate their Art in the Park experience in a 2009 visitor survey, the event received an overwhelming 100% positive rating.

Learn more and apply: http://artinthepark.missouri.org

P.S. I lived in Columbia for a few years -- this is a very cool place. CM
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Please Adopt-an-Artist

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 1, 2010 at 3:14pm
What does the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships have to do with the Des Moines Arts Festival? Expect them both to bring many people from out of town on the same weekend late in June. What does a mid-size city with limited hotel rooms do when faced with this bounty?

Barbara Kirk, a former travel agent, and stellar volunteer for the Des Moines Arts Festival stepped up to head a committee to match artists with beds. Barbara put out a call to friends and art lovers to open their homes during the arts festival.

An outpouring of support from residents has allowed Kirk to go a step further than merely finding the artists places to sleep: The artists will be matched to host families based on beds, pets and personal interests."People are so eager to do this that it's just amazing," Kirk said.

Read the story at the Des Moines Register: Des Moines art lovers will open homes as busy June fills hotels.

Des Moines has always been one of my favorite art shows, now we add another case of going "above and beyond." Good job, Barbara!

Are any of you going to be involved in this program? Or, have you participated at any other art fair in a program matching artists with art fairs?
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Show review: Kalamazoo Garage Sale

Posted by Peter William Katke on March 1, 2010 at 1:00pm
Well,

It's a garage sale alright. I loved it, it was hilarious to just throw stuff on tables. I heard the prettier you made your booth, the more you got laughed at. Met some more nice artists & made more contacts.d and got to finally meet the world famous Bonnie Blandford & of course see Connie again! This was only the third garage sale I've done in my time, but it was the most (profitable?)/money I've made at a show like this. I've changed my framing style for my photography for the upcoming year so I was glad to get rid of a lot of the older stuff. It was definitely worth doing and will be more than happy to go back next year assuming I don't sell out during the year.... down and dirty for sure. It's amazing the difference between 50% off and 75% off does for moving product. Happy Sales...
PK
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Economic Impact of Festivals on surrounding communities - Can you Afford Not to Host one?

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 1, 2010 at 12:00pm
According to studies prepared for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts by Forward Analytics, a Pittsburgh market-research consulting firm:

Baltimore's 2009 Artscape festival cost $860,000 and returned $25.97 million in art and food sales, taxes collected, hotel bookings and other revenues.

I'm impressed. Are you? Please notice before you get carried away thinking that the producers of the event are getting richer while you get poorer the high cost of putting on the event. Did that $25 million go back to the producers? No. Putting on art festivals is a very expensive venture, yet they are wonderful economic drivers for a region bringing in good money for not only artists and food vendors, but hotels, nearby restaurants, gas stations and tax revenues.

Bill Gilmore of the BOPA said his office had attempted informally to calculate the economic impact in the past, but this is the first time a market research firm was hired to study the events as they were taking place. The research group studied Artscape, the Baltimore Book Festival and the Inner Harbor New Year's celebration.

Read the rest of this article here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.artscape28feb28,0,6437681.story

What do you think about this information?
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48th Annual Art Fiesta, New Smyrna Beach FL

Posted by greta anthony on March 1, 2010 at 9:51am

Ok so this was the 48th Annual you would think with 48 years under their belt the artist infopacket would be a little more complete. In the acceptance letterthere weren't any directions to the show, show hours, hotelinformation or even a physical address to look up online to getdirections. So I had to search the internet for the address to theshow which wasn't easy, found it and went to rand mcnally got thedirections. Which were wrong by the way, thank goodness a friend ofmine got there first and by phone she gave me step by step turns toget to the show. We set up on friday, had to dolly a little way Iwas in the park on grass, thank you very much. As usual I just setup my tent curtains and display, didn't need the mad mat because Iwas in grass, yeah!! Oh and I didn't need the heavy weights becauseagain I was on grass. Since it was bike week in daytona most of thehotels raised their rates but we found a nice little family owned onethat gave Ellen and I good rate. Very clean and didn't have that oldhotel smell. When we went to bed the weather didn't look good forSaturday but didn't look too bad either. That of course changed bythe time we got up. The day looked really bad but being hardy artshow exhibitors we went to the show anyway and finished setting upour booths. And it didn't get bad till about 10am and then it wasjust miserable. So cold, and wet just awful. My hands were so coldthat I had 2 sets of gloves on, but my feet just got numb afterawhile. We finally called it quits around 1pm. I had one sale inthe morning a giraffe and that was it. A lot of my neighbors werealready gone at this point so we also closed shop. Went to a friend'shouse for most of the day and then out to eat. There are a lot ofnice local restaurants. While we were at the house the sun came outand another crafter that we know went to the show site to see if ithad reopened but he reported back that all the booths were closed andno one was there. So after dinner we just wasted time driving alongthe beach road and site seeing. Sunday proved to be a much betterday, but the drated weather man said it was going to be windy,considered getting the very heavy weights out of my van and puttingthem up but was too lazy to do it. It was sunny all day long and Ithought not windy at all, but apparently it was very windy out on thestreets but not in the park on the grass, again thank you very much.A tent tried to fly away with the wind, but of course it was an e-zup with not one weight. So the people did come out on sunday and Ihad a decent day, not great mind you but ok. I inched slowly all daytowards the black and finally made it. Also made a profit not a hugebut something I could live with. If we hadn't lost saturday the showwould've been ok. Not great but ok. Not sure yet if I'll go backnext year but I haven't cross it off my list. Break down went verysmoothly, got my booth and stock broke down then pulled the van up tothe sidewalk closest to my booth and dollied everything out to thevan. Some people drove their vehicles into the park but I didn'tfeel comfortable doing that and it was just a short distance that Ihad to dolly. All in all it was an experience, the bikers werenoisey going up and down the street late at night, but thanks to earplugs from wally world they didn't bother me too much. If you don'thave to travel a great distance this might be an ok show to do. I'monly about 2 hrs away from there, 1 tank of gas with some to spare,and I shared the expenses with a friend so the black wasn't too faraway for me. Ok that's it for this review, see you at theshows---greta

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40 Questions Series, Question 8: How can I prevent creativity burn out?

Posted by Michelle Sholund on March 1, 2010 at 9:26am
Before I get into Question 8, I want to thank all for any and all feedback I have received thus far. Keep it up! Whatever feedback you offer is valuable to all readers of these post as well as helps them in overcoming whatever hurdles they too are facing. Now let's get started.

Question 8: How can I prevent creativity burn out?

I will be the first to admit that I do suffer from creativity burn out from time to time. Sometimes it stems from doing the same thing over and over and just getting tired of it. Other times it could be caused by “writer's block” not sure what new things I can do with what I have. Let's face it, it is hard being an artist and on top of that, running your own business. When you are stressed it is only inevitable that it will affect your creativity to the point of contemplating throwing in the towel and retiring early.

The good news is don't do it yet until you have read these tips to help combat creativity burn out.

1.Walk away.
I said it – walk away. Far too often we coop ourselves up in our studios chained to our work area and forget to take the time to get out, this really hinders creativity. While not all of us can afford some tropical retreat for a week or two it only costs a bit of gas to take a road trip to no where. Take a stroll down your nearby “Main Street” boutique shops, visit a local museum, spend a night at a bed and breakfast, go to an art show as a patron – not as an exhibitor, or visit a popular landmark or even a park! The point is to get out and enjoy the little things as the little things can help inspire you.

2.Gardening.
Although not everyone has a yard, a day at a garden nursery shop or local botanical gardens can work well to help inspire and relieve stress though Mother Nature's art. Don't have a garden, start one either indoors or out. Simply planting herbs or making a container garden doesn't take much time nor money and will give you endless pleasure throughout the season. Try bird watching, letting out aggression through weeding, as well as picking flowers for a bouquet or harvesting vegetables (even at your local U-pick veggie farm) are some other ideas to open yourself up to the world around you by opening your eyes to possible new subject matter.

3.Take up a temporary new art form.
Artists have a great desire to want to learn and explore new things and can't always be satisfied being good at only one thing. I suggest taking a class at a local community college or art college in a different medium or even a cake decorating class (Duff with the Ace of Cakes t.v. show, started out as an art student first which led him to creating works of art with cake). Although I don't have time to take a class I have gotten books and watched t.v. segments learning basic components in doing paper marbling, flower arranging, and playing with polymer clay and had fun doing all of these. It's liberating and highly motivating.

4.Re-do/design your studio.
At a show I was selling at two years ago, a jewelry artist told me she was ready to call it quits – zapped of energy and desire to create until she looked at their studio and said it is time to do a make over. She went the home improvement store and bought a wild yet not too wild color of paint and re-painted the studio. Then created a different layout of how she wanted things in the studio, had fun exploring antique shops creating organizational shelving and organizational items, and before she new it she was in a whole new mindset and couldn't wait to get back to work. She claimed it helped save her business.

5.Create a “trash” project.
Now is the time to sift through the piles of treasured junk still hanging out around the studio and do something with them. Artists who have done this exercise and found out they were able to create a whole new line, a recycled art line, that not only has a new found use of unwanted materials, but creates a whole new selling product for next to nothing (after all weren't you going to throw them away eventually?).

6.Join a guild/group. There is nothing better than networking with your own peers to jostle new ideas, share in frustrations, and offer creative solutions. The photo included is from the 2008 CODA conference round table discussions - so much fun! Start by seeking out state and local directories for art associations that promote art guilds/leagues, craft groups, and clubs there are quite a few groups via online social networks such as www.artfairinsiders.com to check out too. Can't find a group – start one! It could be as easy as starting Facebook group page geared for your medium or even area – this could lead to meeting up from time to time at a coffee shop or social space in a local church.

The nice thing to know about feeling burned out, is it usually doesn't last long and you are not the only one who suffers from it. Have you been burned out? Share your story and how you overcame it via the comment button - I'd love to hear it! Our next question will focus on new and trendy art forms that may not only inspire you, but ponder if it

could be strong competition at future shows. Stay tuned for this discussion and more like it.
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Call for Artists: Lakeview East Festival of the Arts

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 27, 2010 at 3:00pm
Art Fair Calendar.comSeptember 11 & 12
Chicago
presented by EM Events
Sat. 10 AM - 6 PM
Sun. 10 AM - 5 PM
130+ Artists
Deadline: March 1


Beautiful fall weather brings you an event in a hip Chicago neighborhood, a great place to finish your outdoor art fair season in the Midwest.

The Lakeview East Festival of the Arts is Chicago's premier fine art and fine craft festival showcasing over 130 juried artists. Lakeview is located on the north side of Chicago, near Wrigley Field, north Halsted and Lincoln Park in a very diverse, culturally rich community with unique boutique stores, cafes and restaurants.

The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce has hosted this event for the past three years and has been rated as one of the top shows in Sunshine Artist's Magazine. More than 40,000 attendees are expected to attend this year's festival.

The festival is set on BroadwayArt Fair Calendar.comAvenue just north of Belmont Avenue. This event has a strong marketing and media plan and hosts an annual artist reception. Other amenities include:

  • artist reserved parking
  • vendor fee permit waived
  • Saturday night Artist Party
  • a full breakfast served Saturday and Sunday

Booth Fee: $400
Make checks payable to: Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce

Prints allowed

Download the application at: EMEvents.com

**********
Looking for more art fairs for your 2010 season?
Visit: ArtFairCalendar.com/callforentries
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Call for Artists: LaGrange, IL

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 27, 2010 at 3:00pm
Art Fair Calendar.comSeptember 18 & 19
LaGrange, Illinois
West End Art Festival
presented by EM Events
Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM
90 Artists

Application deadline: March 1

Celebrating its 15th year, the West End Art Festival is a LaGrange tradition whose purpose is to bring a quality, fine art event to the Village of LaGrange and surrounding communities and highlight the west end business district.
Artists from across the country participate in LaGrange's late summer festival that attracts art admirers and patrons each year.

This is an affluent community where 64% of the homes are priced from $200,000 to $500,000, located 14 miles west of Chicago.

Art Fair Calendar.comPresented by the LaGrange Business Association and held in cooperation with the Village of LaGrange, the festival is held in the shadow of the landmark Stone Avenue Station along Burlington Avenue between Brainard and Spring Avenues. The charming and historic West End area of LaGrange provides a picture-perfect setting to showcase art.

Other highlights include live music, food from local LaGrange restaurants and children's art activities for an event to be enjoyed by all ages.

Booth Fee: $285, Prints allowed
More info about LaGrange: villageofLaGrange.com
Make checks payable to: LaGrange Business Association

To download an application: www.emevents.com
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Call for Artists: Art in the Park - Pensacola

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 26, 2010 at 3:00pm
May 15 & 16
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola Museum of Arts' Art in the Park
Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
100-120 Artists
Deadline: March 26

Southern artists -- look at this great date! Are there any other art fairs going on in you neighborhood in mid-May? I like the looks of this: sponsored by the Art Museum and in a centrally located popular and
lovely park!

Art in the Park will be held in Pensacola, Florida’s historic Seville Park, located in Pensacola’s Cultural Arts District, adjacent to Pensacola’s beautiful waterfront and steps away from the Pensacola Museum of Art.

This event was formerly coordinated by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida, an organization which no longer exists. The Museum of Art has stepped up, turned it into a juried event and moved it to Seville Park, a beautiful park surrounded by lovely oak trees and just steps away from Pensacola Bay. The park is home to many art and cultural events take place throughout the year.

Artist Amenities:
  • $5000 in awards
  • Complimentary breakfast provided Saturday & Sunday morning
  • Water & Snacks provided throughout the day Saturday & Sunday
  • Volunteer Booth Sitters
  • (1) VIP Party ticket Saturday night, for all participating artist. Additional tickets can be purchased for $10. Juried awards will be
    presented during this time
  • Discounted hotel rooms
  • 24 hour security
Learn more: www.ArtintheParkPensacola.com

Apply today: www.zapplication.org

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Chicago B&B available in OLD TOWN

Posted by Ginny Herzog on February 25, 2010 at 4:38pm
I made a reservation for 6 days at a B&B in Chicago for Old Town, and a few days after- to enjoy Chicago before going to Lakefront. Sadly, I did not get into either Old Town or Lakefront so will be cancelling my reservation. However, I thought I'd post this info to see if any artists are interested in staying at this B&B.

The B&B is across the street from the school parking lot where the artists park. I have reserved the entire first floor which has 2 BR's, one bath, kitchen, DR and LR with a sofa bed. Kit. is stocked with food for making your own breakfast. There is high speed internet connection and parking passes for on street parking (saving cost of artist parking lot).

I have one couple that may be interested in one BR for Friday and Sat. nights only. The rate will depend on how many people and the length of stay - the range will be $215 - 300 per night. Give me a call or email me if you are interested.

Ginny Herzog
ginny@herzogart.com
952-920-4736
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Call for Artists: Saint Louis Art Fair

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 24, 2010 at 5:27pm
September 10, 11, & 12
downtown streets of Clayton, Missouri
Presented by Cultural Festivals
165 Artists
Deadline: March 1

Festival Dates and Times
Friday, September 10 - 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 11 - 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 12 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cultural Festivals, producers of the Saint Louis Art Fair, invites you to apply to be an exhibitor at the 17th annual Saint Louis Art Fair, a fine art and fine craft festival. Held in the central business district of Clayton, Missouri, one of St. Louis' most dynamic communities. Each year the Saint Louis Art Fair attracts over 125,000 art enthusiasts.

The Saint Louis Art Fair is ranked 2nd in this years Art Fair SourceBook's ranking of Top Fine Art Events for 2010 and ranked 5th in their ranking of top 25 Contemporary Craft Fairs nationwide.

In addition to the amazing visual art exhibition the festival will feature live performing arts ensembles on three stages, artist demonstrations, the Creative Castle featuring educational art projects for children, the Art Studio with hands on projects for adults and twenty of St. Louis' most delectable restaurants.

With artist average sales of $6988 (2009 survey from Art Fair SourceBook - Gross Sales Minus Show Fees & Per Diem) and cash awards totaling nearly $21,000, the Saint Louis Art Fair has even more to offer:
  • Discounted hotel rooms for artist
  • Complimentary snack and beverage delivery
  • Artist V.I.P. area complete with buffet, beverages, AC, indoor eating area and restrooms
  • Complimentary Artist Awards breakfast for all artist
  • A 10'x10' booth space with 2' buffer all around
  • 500 watts of electric provided free, no generators
  • 24 hour security with booth sitters
  • Free/Reserved parking
Please visit www.CulturalFestivals.com for more information on the Saint Louis Art Fair

Visit www.Zapplication.org to apply today.

*New this year, open jury process. Artist and Jury reception Thursday March 18 and open jury process Friday March 19 from 1pm to 5pm
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Gold Coast Art Fair Moves to Grant Park

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 23, 2010 at 9:27pm
Well, isn't this the year for lots of changes and moves in the art fair business?

The very latest, fresh out of Chicago, is Amdur Productions moving the granddaddy of all Chicago art fairs, the Gold Coast Art Fair, out of the River North where it has been for some years now to the larger expanse of Grant Park!

A couple of the problems that artists have had with the old location will be gone, specifically the constant flow of traffic near some booths and the crowded nature of the booth spaces.

Here are the details from the press release: Gold Coast Art Fair Moves to Grant Park

Have you participated in the Gold Coast? Have you ever attended this art fair? Tell us what you think of the move below. Please leave a comment.
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