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Where Do Art Fair Artists Go? Back to the hills

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 3, 2009 at 11:00am

Many of you remember photographer Jack Stoddart, aka Hippie Jack. A fixture at art fairs for about

20 years, in recent years he was pulled back and become a music producer and hosts music festivals in the hills of Tennessee, way back in the hills! And that's not the whole story! Teaming up with his son Jason, they have videoed the "roots" music that is performed

on their stage and the result is a PBS program, "Jammin at Hippie Jack's" hosted on over 115 stations. Next: Jack becomes a Renaissance Man and his photos, prints of the men, women and landscape of Cumberland Plateau are collected by the Tennessee State Museum with a retrospective of the body of work that opened last week at the Museum in Nashville. Read all about the music festival: www.myhippiejack.com Read about Jack's images: www.jackstoddart.com Read about the exhibit in Nashville: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091129/ENTERTAINMENT0507/911290302/Jack+Stoddart+s+photos++films+find+a+special+place+at+Tennessee+State+Museum" Renaissance Jack

Get answers from an expert about making money with your website - Listen and participate online!

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 2, 2009 at 2:00pm

Here is a cool opportunity to get your website and e-business questions by best-selling author Scott Fox, who does happen to be my son.

I know, I know, most of you are disappointed in the failure of your website to add $$$s to your coffers. Here is an excellent chance to find out why: Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 1, 2009 -- December 3-18 Scott Fox is hosting a “12 Days of Christmas” Online Tweetathon at www.ScottFox.com. The show is raising money for underprivileged kids, helping small business owners learn the latest social media marketing strategies, and promoting Fox’s new book, e-Riches 2.0: Next Generation Online Marketing Strategies (AMACOM, 2009). Small business owners, online marketers, and web site entrepreneurs will want to tune in to: - Ask their online marketing questions of e-commerce expert, Scott Fox, live via web video - Tweet about the show to trigger Fox’s $1.00 charity donations for every tweet - Automatically be entered to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes including dozens of copies of Fox’s two books (Internet Riches and e-Riches 2.0: Next Generation Online Marketing Strategies), a Flip Mini Camcorder, an Amazon Kindle e-book reader, conference passes, logo design packages, and much more. The 12 day online “Telethon” will air at ScottFox.com on weekdays from 3-4pm ET December 3 -18. The online TV show will be streamed live using Ustream.tv. If you missed it today, tune in tomorrow. You will learn a lot. If you're not into the "tweeting" visit the Telethon anyway to get help with your web questions. I'll see you there today at 3 pm EST. Visit the site now and get ready.

Call for Entries: Omaha Summer Arts Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 1, 2009 at 10:25pm

June 25-27, 2010 36th Annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival Downtown Omaha, Nebraska 135 Artists Deadline: January 20, 2010 The 36th Annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival invites you to be a part of one of the most lively art festivals in the Midwest. Located in downtown Omaha alongside a beautiful park, the award-winning Summer Arts Festival draws a diverse crowd of 80,000 people for a weekend of unique visual arts, great music, tasty food and hands-on children's activities. Festival patrons enjoy browsing and buying an eclectic mix of functional and non-functional pieces by 135 artists in 14 media categories. High-quality work in the $50 to $200 range tends to sell most frequently, but, of course, higher priced artwork does not go unnoticed (or un-purchased) by Omaha's fair share of art-lovers. This is an excellent, well-organized festival," one artist said. "I have my highest sales here and always encounter enthusiastic, loyal customers. In addition to $2500 in cash awards, artists can expect hospitality and concierge services that are a step above the rest. The Festival offers you: **discounted hotel rates

**complimentary snacks and beverages **an Artists' Awards Brunch on Saturday and an Artists' Meeting on Sunday with continental breakfast **an air-conditioned lounge with indoor restrooms **booth sitters; water delivery; overnight, indoor storage **24-hour security **reserved parking and electricity Artists also reap the benefits of the festival's substantial marketing efforts and media coverage. [The Omaha Summer Arts Festival] is my favorite show to do; and [the] treatment of artists is the best! said one artist. Not many shows do anything for artists anymore-it is very important to us. This year, the Festival has transitioned to ZAPPlication, an online jury management system. Complete information about applications and digital submissions can be found on the website at www.SummerArts.org. Paper applications are also available. "The Omaha Summer Arts Festival is introducing an online application this year to streamline the submission process for artists and jurors, alike," said Vic Gutman, Festival Executive Director. "We are committed to making our Festival enjoyable from beginning to end!" Interested artists may visit www.SummerArts.org to apply today! The deadline for applications is January 20, 2010. For more information about the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, please contact Carly Barth, Visual Arts Coordinator, at (402) 345-5401 or cbarth@vgagroup.com. At the NAIA Conference in Peoria, IL, in September I spent some time with Vic Gutman from the Omaha Summer Arts Festival and was very impressed with his professionalism and commitment to the festival. Read very closely this call for artists from Omaha today. Only 135 artists! What does that say to you? The word is that Omaha is an affluent community and a good place to spend the weekend. ************************** Find more art fairs for your 2010 season at: http://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/call-for-entries.html">www.ArtFairCalendar.com/callforentries

Yokohama Art Fair Report - no tequila

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 30, 2009 at 6:00pm

Hopefully you read my earlier posts

about this first ever outdoor art fair held in downtown Yokohama at the end of October. I had a long chat with David Bigelow one of the U.S. artists who participated in the event and also photographer Larry Oliverson. When Midori Ueda-Okahana returned to her country after visiting the Ann Arbor Art Fairs determined to hold an art fair she approached the City of Yokohama because in Japan Yokohama has declared itself to be a fine arts city. Yokohama was celebrating its 150th anniversary and the fair was held on the amazingly restored waterfront. The city was very clean and safe. There had been excellent PR and good attendance. The waterfront in Yokohama is where Commodore Perry opened the doors to the West. It has classically been considered the place where East meets West, therefore a natural place for the American and Japanese artists to meet one another. David Bigelow with customers in Yokohama. Japanese artists have only had access to galleries to exhibit their work and the outdoor experience where they could meet collectors face to face was revolutionary. They don't have the opportunity to represent themselves. David told me about one artist who had assemblages who couldn't even figure out how to price his work. Finally on the third day of a four day show he came up with a price. There were twelve U.S. artists and twenty-four Japanese artists. One of the things David had been concerned about ahead of time was how to get his credit card machine to work over there. He needn't have worried. All sales were in cash! He made his largest sale ever, 90,000! (yen, that is). Larry told me that although the event was not well-attended by U.S. standards, what he really appreciated was the high percentage of buyers to the ratio of viewers, with many transactions taking place. "Probably the highest ratio ever!." Larry gave a presentation to an audience of City of Yokohama officials, sponsors and artists about the art fair business in the U.S. The Japanese are very cautious people and discussion does not take place at a presentation usually. But questions were actually asked and an interchange took place, to the Japanese artists surprise. Japan has a great history of printmaking and David, being a printmaker, had hoped to see some good collections. But he says because so much of Japan is made of paper (think shoji screen construction) the cities would burn and many historical objects do not survive. Surprisingly one of the best places to see the famous 19th century prints is in Boston, where a man named Bigelow has a wonderful collection. Would they go back? "In a minute," said David. "In a heartbeat," said Larry.

Why did they go? David said, "There was just so much interesting stuff going on I thought it would be a shame not to go." Did you intend to make good sales? "As I thought about going I rationalized that if we made any money it would be a surprise." Larry spent three weeks in Japan, including the week in Yokohama. Expect new images the next time you encounter him at an art fair. Photograph by Larry Oliverson Finally I asked the question, was this trip sponsored or did it all come out of their pockets? It seems there was a sort of a "street jury" at Ann Arbor and several artists were invited by the organizers from Japan. Not everyone accepted the invitation. The invitation included a round trip ticket and shipping of the art from Chicago to Japan. I found out that a few other people I knew were in the group, Michigan glass artist Vince Pernicano and printmaker Mathias Muleme from Ontario. Read another story about Ann Arbor meeting Yokohama at AnnArbor.com.

A QUICK HISTORY ABOUT CANOPIES--AND ONE LITTLE LADY WHO COULD NOT KEEP HER FEET ON THE GROUND

Posted by Nels Johnson on November 30, 2009 at 12:00pm

Recently, I did Cape Coral down on the west coast of Florida.

At the show's end this young guy, who looked vaguely familiar, stopped at my booth. He looked at it real carefully. Eye-balled my 10-foot wide aluminum trusses.

He smiled. He said, "Wow! An original Newton's Port-Booth."

His father was Jim Newton who made these revolutionary canopies way back in 1985. This was in Ft. Myers.

Clyde Butcher, long off the circuit and well-known as the "Ansel Adams" of swamp photography in Florida, had first commissioned Jim to make him a custom canopy.

It was a free-standing unit. Eight metal panels linked together (mesh with white covers over them) all held together with four trusses that fit on top of the panels. Good zippered sides. A zipper on front and rear for additional canopy cover. Sturdy, able to withstand winds up to 40 mph.

I bought the third one in 1986. Best investment in art I ever made. Still got it.

Here is the story of how I came to get it.

It involves old KD canopies, a wee little woman and a vicious wind storm at an art show in Miami Beach.

Read on. It is a funny story.

EARLY CANOPIES

In the good old days (like the 1970's) everybody had their own homemade canopies. There were no commercial versions yet.

I came back, fresh from Hawaii in 1979, and started doing outdoor shows.

I had pegboard panels nailed together with 1x3s. Even had an orange tarp for the roof. Gave all my photos that sepia-toned look. Even the color ones.

I remember coming back from the Gainesville show in the spring of 1985. I was cruising home in my Datsun station wagon. My racks were fastened on my roof. Or so I thought.

I happened to look in my rear view mirror and noticed cars behind me were juking all over the interstate--trying to avoid my panels that had flown off the roof.

Naturally, they were smashed to smithereens. The panels, thank God! not the cars.

Well, being a smart guy I built some more of them--even used 1x4s this time--and stronger bungee cords.

This was the time of the KD canopy.

They were revolutionary for us. Instant shelters. Went up in a minute. Didn't cost a lot

and we looked like professionals.

Off course there was a major down side to them as we all quickly found out.

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Alexandria King Street Art Festival

Posted by Melanie Rolfes on November 30, 2009 at 12:00pm

This is the first time I have been to Alexandria and I feel in love with the town as I was driving in. I always get anxious when I do a show for the first time. I worry about set up, logistics, lots of other stuff but I arrived early on Friday so I had all day to play before I had to start my worrying. I was able to have the best tourist day in Alexandria and even took the water taxi over to Maryland (I had been to 45 of the States and Maryland was one I needed to add to my list, so now I am at 46 :) On the water taxi ride and from many of the rooms a

Roomie needed for Winter Park

Posted by C. L. Cunningham on November 30, 2009 at 11:46am

Any chics out there want to share a room for Winter Park? I have 2 beds at the Winter Park La Quinta for $51 per night, Thursday through Monday, any or all nights ...Thanks!Cynthia

Can Art save a Mall

Posted by Donna Beaubien on November 26, 2009 at 1:12pm

Connie, thank you so much for your comments about the Village Fine Art Gallery, Rochester Hills, MI.The shopping center contacted me October 14 and asked me to open a gallery in an empty store. November 16, I opened and started selling November 14.The first customer who purchased before the gallery opened, was so happy to see the gallery, that she brought me homemade cookies. She has been in 2 more times since then.Yesterday, I was there alone. I thought no one would be shopping at the gallery, as they would all be in the grocery store or home cooking. Not so. I was unbelievably busy. I had a line up, to purchase, at one point.Debbie LaPratt's store at Laurel Place Mall, should be an inspiration to us all. She has had a temporary store for over 4 years. Last December Debbie's store topped all other stores in the mall, for total sales volume. Way to go Debbie. I wish you repeated good luck this year.I will send photos later. Have to run and cook. After all it is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for.Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Help Me Choose a Logo, Please

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 25, 2009 at 4:30pm

My main website, www.ArtFairCalendar.com, went live in 2004 and has wonderful success with great Google rankings, often #1 for "art fairs", "Chicago art fairs", "Florida art fairs", etc. It also has 13,000 subscribers to its timely noozles that bring the latest fine art fair and craft show news to art fair aficionados across the country. It has been thrilling for me as its publisher. HOWEVER, I have never gotten around to having a professional logo made for the site. The time has come! Last week I went to LogoNerds.com for logos and submitted my information. Here is what they sent me. Will you please look these samples over and comment below on your favorites.

In case you can't read the numbers they are numbered 1 through 6, with 1-3 on the left hand side and 4-6 on the right hand side. What do you think?

Call for Entries: Buyers Market of American Craft

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 25, 2009 at 4:00pm

February 12-15, 2010 (Jewelry Preview: February 11) Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia Deadline: Applications are reviewed throughout the year, until the show is full Why apply? -No application fee (and only a $10 fee for online applications) -Gain access to thousands of buyers from stores and galleries in search of handmade products -Free membership in NICHE Marketplace - our online, year-round tradeshow -Tenure for accepted exhibitors - you are guaranteed space each year without reapplying The Buyers Market of American Craft is the nation's largest wholesale marketplace bringing together more than 1200 American and Canadian craft artists with qualified retailers. Between 7,000 and 10,000 buyers representing about 3,000 companies attend the show each February. Attending buyers include craft galleries, museum shops, specialty retailers, catalogs, gift stores, boutiques, jewelry stores, judaica shops and art galleries.

The Buyers Market's unique selection process for first-time exhibiting artists may seem a bit overwhelming. The information you provide helps us determine how much support and information you will need to be successful. Every new exhibitor is a valued partner in a long-term relationship. Each application is reviewed, and references and suppliers are called to verify that the applicant's information supports the pledge: "My work is made in the U.S. or Canada." We believe that you should never be forced to exhibit in an environment where imports and foreign manufacturers could erode your ability to earn a living. A career as an artist has never been easy; the life of most studio artists is an all-consuming 55-70 hour weekly effort. It has always been our mission to make that life a bit easier, providing you with tools and systems that keep you in the studio doing what you love, while at the same time making a good living. Today, artists can choose to spend more of their time making work and less time on the road ... you don't have to work harder-instead you can work smarter. My business continues to grow through the Buyers Market, with my work in approximately 175 stores throughout the country now. Craft shows in the Northeast are consistently popular and draw buyers from all over the country. I have sold my work to stores in Alaska and Hawaii after taking the orders at the Philadelphia show. - Barbie Levy, Barbie Levy Jewelry Design For more information and to download a paper application and prospectus: www.americancraft.com or: info@rosengrp.com, 410-889-2933 To apply online via Zapplication: www.zapplication.org ABOUT THE BUYERS MARKET AND THE ROSEN GROUP The Rosen Group is an arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm based in Baltimore, MD. Wendy Rosen,

founder and president, started her business in the classic entrepreneurial way: she saw a need others had overlooked, and she moved quickly and decisively to fill it. Twenty-five years ago, a potter at a local craft show informed her that craft artists desperately needed business assistance. Her interest piqued, Rosen set out to learn more about artists' business needs. Within weeks, Rosen had uncovered a market for providing business services to artists and the Buyers Market was launched. The Buyers Market of American Craft (1982) is held biannually, and offers artists the opportunity to create long-term business relationships with over 3,000 galleries throughout the United States and Canada. Rosen says she sees her company more as an economic development organization than an arts organization. "What we're really doing is helping individual artists and craft retailers succeed in business, which stimulates local, state, regional and even national economies." Learn more at AmericanCraft.com.

Food for Thought: Can Art Save the Mall?

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 23, 2009 at 2:59pm

Thanks to my friend, Denny Schroeder, for sending me this link from Sunday's Parade Magazine: Can Art Save a Mall? When too many stores came up empty at a large mall in the St. Louis area the owners decided that instead of demolishing it they would offer the spaces to artists for their use at $100 per month, plus utilities. You'll enjoy reading the various uses to which it has been put: art gallery, dance studio, museum, etc. Not only does it give the arts groups a home but it also increases traffic in the mall for the other stores and restaurants. There are lots of empty spaces in the nation's shopping centers this season and entrepreneurial artists are taking advantage of this empty real estate. The organizers among them have rallied their friends and acquaintances to fill the spaces for the holiday time. My brother, Michael Mettler, is hanging his photos in a gallery at Jefferson Pointe along with about twenty five other artists. This is a "lifestyle" mall of upscale stores in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The gallery is next to the Barnes and Noble, a nice location. My friend Donna Beaubien, has gathered the work of around forty artists to fill a lovely space at the Village in Rochester, MI, including my husband (Norm Darwish) fine art photographs. Donna reports sales were being made before they had even opened. Now neither of these places are going to become arts districts, but we all know, where the artists settle gentrification occurs and their appearance is often the prelude to better days for the nieghborhood. Don't believe me? Then read one of my favorite books, Richard Florida's, The Rise of the Creative Class. Are you participating in one of these "temporary" galleries this season? Tell me about it and I'll add the info to ArtFairCalendar.com.

BBAC AND NEW PARTNER TAKE ANNUAL JURIED ART FESTIVAL TO THE STREETS

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 23, 2009 at 1:32pm

It's official! Been wondering about the Birmingham, MI, spring show? Here is the press release:

BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Nov. 23, 2009 – The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center today introduced a new partner, a new location and a new format for its 2010 fine art fair. The 2010 Art Birmingham will be produced by the BBAC in association with The Guild of Artists and Artisans, a Michigan-based national leader in art festival events and programming. The 2010 festival will take place at the “gateway” to Birmingham, May 15-16. The new location on Old South Woodward runs south from Maple to Hazel, and allows for greater interaction among the city’s civic and business community, artists, visitors and volunteers. The event features work for sale from more than 150 artists working in a broad spectrum of visual media. “Our new collaboration will help us continue our mission as a regional resource for the arts, artists and art education,” Jane Linn, CEO of the BBAC, said. “With The Guild, we bring in a team of expert art event producers, with nearly four decades of resources and experience. The partnership ensures this premier arts event will continue to be effectively produced and provide our patrons with the highest festival quality.” The non-profit BBAC has produced an annual art fair for the last 27 years as the Birmingham Fine Art Festival. In 2009, following reworking by the creative team of The Henry Ford, the event became Art Birmingham. Artists will be able to submit an application online when the Call to Entry opens January 1 and runs through Feb 15, 2010. Details are forthcoming. The BBAC, like other nonprofit organizations, has been streamlining operations and focusing on effective delivery of its services. The new partnership with The Guild means that the BBAC can continue to concentrate on and deliver the educational and cultural programs that fulfill its mission to the local, regional, and national community. ABOUT THE GUILD OF ARTISTS & ARTISANS The Guild of Artists & Artisans is a non-profit, membership association of independent artists, founded in 1970 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its mission is to develop and present art fairs to provide marketing opportunities for its members which also serve as educational, cultural and entertaining events for the community. The Guild of Artists & Artisans is best known for its award-winning Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. For more information visit TheGuild.org. ABOUT THE BBAC The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, providing “art for all” since 1957, is a regional non-profit art center committed to promoting the visual arts with classes for all skill levels. Each year more than 500 classes are offered for 4,000+ students from Pre-K to seniors. The BBAC campus features nine classroom studios, four galleries with free exhibits open to the public, art camps, and a retail gallery shop as well as a dynamic, growing outreach program. For further information about BBAC programs and events, visit BBArtCenter.org or phone (248) 644-0866. # # # Melissa Mengden Bunker (313) 886-9074 office (313) 432-2611 fax marketwrite@comcast.net

Job hunting? Festival looking for a new director

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 23, 2009 at 11:20am

Newnan, GA. The Powers Crossroads Arts Festival, soon approaching its 40th anniversary has an opening for a new director. The festival is part of a Coweta Festivals, Inc., including the Powers' Country Store. It is made up of five non-profit organizations: the Newnan-Coweta Art Association, the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, Coweta County 4-H, and the Pilot Club. As a special offering to expand the use of the festival grounds, the country store -- stocked with a wide variety of Christmas gift items made by Powers' artists -- will be open every weekend through Dec. 20. Does anyone here have any experience with this festival? Let us know, and for heaven's sakes, it you are job hunting contact them. Read more: Coweta Festivals looking for new director.

Longwood Arts and crafts Festival in Fl.

Posted by Michael Lee on November 23, 2009 at 10:27am

So much for doing my homework on this show. Over the past few years I think I know how to pick the right show for my work. I am an oil painter and my paintings are bright colorful and certainly affordable to the right crowd.I deserve a bad grade for choosing this show. If you create art that can be mounted on a stick, pole, rod, rebar, pipe etc then this would be the show for you. If you are a fine artist working in 2d then I would stay away from this show.I must give credit to the volunteers who run the show, they did an excellent job of managing the show. I made a total of $46.00 on prints and magnets. I paid $25.00 to park so that gave me a total of $17.00 When I calculate my show cost, hotel, gas, etc then I am really in the red.My advice is if you normally do Fine Art Shows as I do then you will be a fish out of water at this show. Oh well hopefully I can regain my losses at the Space Coast Art Festival the weekend after thanksgiving.I am not one to complain about shows or promoters I just wanted to pass along my opinion to other 2d artist. The crowd was huge both days they just did not come to buy fine art.I am sure some artist/crafters did well I just was not one of them. So live and learn and I will try a different show next year.

Help Building Traffic for your Website?

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 20, 2009 at 10:20am

I know many of you are interested in making your website work smarter for you and would love some help with your

online marketing. An excellent offer was made today by best-selling author Scott Fox. Scott's expertise is the marketing of online small business. He is offering his Traffic Building School free to the first 100 subscribers. Subscribe and you’ll get access to 50+ daily videos that introduce you to dozens of proven online marketing techniques you can use to grow your business online for FREE. Here is the link to find out more: www.how-to-increase-traffic.com

Call for Artists: San Diego, California

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 18, 2009 at 9:22pm

April 24 and 25, 2010 Downtown - Little Italy San Diego, California 300 Artists Deadline for Applications: January 8, 2010 We invite fine artists to apply for the 2010 Mission Federal ArtWalk Festival. This two-day fine art festival is now in its 26th year and is Southern California's largest art festival, attracting 120,000 attendees from throughout the region. Our mission: to encourage people to purchase original fine art, and to enhance that experience by interacting with the artists who create the pieces. What began as a local art event in 1994 has become the best known art festival in the region,

attracting artists from across the country and from across our southern and northern borders. Each year, the festival attracts seasoned collectors as well as first-time art buyers. The event takes place in San Diego's hip and historic Little Italy district, well known for its artistic community, outstanding restaurants and picturesque streetscapes. Filling 16 blocks of Little Italy with fine art of all kinds, many participating artists consider it their highest-grossing event of the year. Mission Federal ArtWalk provides high quality 10' by 10' tents that are also 10' high. Load-in and load-out are made simple, as you can drive your vehicle directly to your tent. Your registration fee includes: --Access to more than 100,000 annual attendees --A page on the Mission Federal ArtWalk web site that will remain up until 2011. Check it out: www.artwalksandiego.org/artist/ --Listing in ArtWalk Magazine and Event Brochure/Map --Featured Artists receive prominent placement in the event's publicity campaign --An opportunity to have priority space selection in 2011 (for past participants that are among the first 150 artists to apply.) What artists say about us: It was a pleasure to participate this year - as always. Somehow you accommodate the artists so accurately - not to mention the thousands of attendees. The weekend event was a blast - people really enjoyed themselves; that was obvious. Thank you for all your hard work...AND the patient, kind HELPFUL assistance of you and your staff. Awesome. Moni Blom Now I'm spoiled! As always, you and your staff were the most welcoming, friendly and supportive of all the many art shows I do each year. Suzette Hodnett Bravo to you and your team for making artwalk a wonderful event *again*. We had a blast, and the show was a success for me - even in this dicey economy. Kudos to you and your staff for making it so. Belinda DelPesco Artists who participate in Mission Federal ArtWalk find that they sell artwork long after the event as a result of the comprehensive web page dedicated to each artist that can be updated as frequently as you wish. You can upload new artwork images, change your artist statement, etc. This living gallery is a unique feature to this event and one that many artists have stated "is worth the price of the

registration fee." There is no upfront jury fee. We typically receive approximately 1000 applications, and we accept 300 artists. To apply, go to: www.missionfederalartwalk.org/register If your application is accepted, payment is due within 72 hours of your acceptance. The festival is embraced by San Diego's Mayor and numerous corporate sponsors, as THE celebration of culture in the region, and a must-do each spring. Learn more about the San Diego ArtWalk & its activities: www.missionfederalartwalk.org ***************** Looking for more art fairs? Visit ArtFairCalendar.com's call for entries page

Conference for Artists, Arts Managers and Arts Supporters - Looks Like a Winner

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 18, 2009 at 2:08pm

November 24, Ypsilanti, Michigan - Convergence 2009 Plan to converge on Ypsilanti with your cultural colleagues from around the county for the Arts Alliance's first half-day Convergence Conference. The county-wide cultural web portal is waiting for you to give it a test drive. Free legal information...Breakout sessions on social networking, the future of fundraising, and ArtWalk among other topics...Breakfast...Lunch... And your arts colleagues from all around the county. All this for only $35 for Arts Alliance members; Others - $50. (For membership information, click here) Register online HERE. DATE: December 1, 2009 TIME: 8:00a.m. - 1:30p.m. LOCATION: Eastern Michigan University, Student Center 900 Oakwood Street, Ypsilanti, MI For a map of the area, click here. What's in it for me? -Chance to win free advertising space on the new arts and cultural web portal -Chance to win free ad space in the Arts Alliance e-newsletter -Free one-on-one meetings with Miller Canfield attorneys (advance sign-in required) -Inspiration and insights into the Arts Alliance's new Creative Economy Initiative to help the cultural sector become more financially viable Schedule: 8:00 Registration & Light Breakfast 8:30 Welcome & Opening Presentation 9:15-10:30 Breakout Sessions (Click here for session details) 10:30-10:45 Break 10:45 - noon Breakout Sessions (Click here for session details) 12:00 Lunch; Table Top Discussions 12:40 Keynote Address (Stuart Rosenfeld, Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. ) 1:30 Program Concludes *Plus music, dance, visual arts and poetry! Convergence is being co-hosted by Arts Management and Administration Program at Eastern Michigan University. It is being sponsored in part by the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. Arts Alliance 202 East Huron St., Suite 202 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104

Let's Say Thanks

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 18, 2009 at 1:44pm

From artist J.R. Rossman at the NAIA forum:

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING SPECIAL If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a few seconds. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say thank you enough. Thanks for taking the time to support our military!

3 Art Fairs in Transition: Good, Better, Best

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 18, 2009 at 12:00pm

Making art fairs happen (and profitable) seems to get tougher all the time. That is why I am pretty pleased to bring you updates on three art fairs that are moving ahead for changes with plans to strengthen their events for themselves, their cities, artists and their sponsors. 1. Good. Jonathan Witz, producer of Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac, MI, is in talks with the City of Royal Oak, MI, to bring the huge event to downtown Royal Oak. After twelve years of working with the city officials in Pontiac a contract has not been signed for 2010. Witz, an organizer of many huge Detroit area events (Super Bowl XV operations, Final Four activities, Winter Blast and River Days) knows his region well and wants to keep his flagship event viable. Here's a link to the story in the Detroit Free Press, and another in the Royal Oak Tribune. What do you think? Is this a good idea? 2. Better. Corning, New York, for many years has hosted an arts and crafts festival in its Gaffer District in late July. "For the sixth time since 1976, Corning was host to the Glass Art Society's international conference in the summer of 2009. During this event, glass enthusiasts and artists from around the globe converged in Corning for a four-day celebration of glass that included technical demonstrations, artist exhibits, and lectures from world-renown members of the international glass community," says Scott Nichols in the WETM-TV website. Building on the success of this event and the Corning's renown as "Crystal City" the Gaffer District has decided to replace the festival with GlassFest, an event that will include "all artists of the fire arts (artists that use heat or an open flame), including glass, ceramics and metal," says Michael Melaro, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Gaffer District. "The GlassFest event takes place May 27-30, 2010 and celebrates what is easily the most well-known piece of our city's history. From outdoor glassblowing demonstrations and neon displays to glass artists and local exhibits, this event truly captures the essence of Corning in a four-day event." Read more here: www.wetmtv.com/news 3. Best. The Guild of Artists and Artisans in Ann Arbor is in the final stages of putting together an agreement with both the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Association and Common Ground to provide the operations and staging for the two non-profits popular art fairs that take place respectively in May and September in Shain Park in downtown Birmingham, Michigan. As anyone in this business knows the once thriving art fair business in Michigan has been severely challenged in recent years, yet the enthusiasm for art fairs has not flagged among the affluent in the Birmingham/Oakland County area of metro Detroit. This fall Shain Park was closed because of new construction and the fall Birmingham art fair moved to a parking lot. This was a stopgap alternative at best. Enter the Michigan Guild who runs the popular Ann Arbor Summer Fair and several other art fairs in the Midwest. With their year round seasoned staff they are in a strong position to take over the management of the events and leave the non-profits to do what they do best. In the case of the BBAC to bring cultural activities to their community and for Common Ground providing a mental health sanctuary that provides a lifeline for individuals and families in crisis. When all the paperwork is approved an announcement will be made and the fair will move from the Park to Old Woodward, in the heart of downtown Birmingham's shopping district. The dates of mid-May and mid-September will remain the same. I like this location and the partnership. What do you think?

Downtown Festival and Art Show - Gainesville

Posted by Bert Herrera on November 17, 2009 at 12:30pm

Show takes place in downtown Gainesville. Streets are wide, and set-up (Sat AM) and tear down are usually fairly easy because of the width. Show is put on by the City of Gainesville, run by Linda Piper (who does a great job, in my opinion) and usually has a real good turnout. If you're doing a show in G'ville, usually this is the one to do. They have bagels and drinks on Sat AM, and they bring you lunch to your booth both Sat and Sunday!Gainesville is home for me, and as most know, it is the home of the University of Florida. There are over 40,000 studens, with no money to speak of, so they're not the ones you're selling to, unless you have items $20 and under. The town lives and dies with the Gators, who are currently riding a high in the football world. The weather was absolutely as good as it gets. With everything going in the positive column, we all hoped sales would be as positive. Unfortunately, for a lot of folks, they were way down. Saturday was very slow for me, but Sunday was decent. My numbers were down about 30% from last year, but still respectable, especially when I can sleep in my own bed. One photographer who was here who said this used to be his 3rd best show in Florida, said his numbers had nosedived. There were lots of folks, but not too many packages walking by.RC, I hope your Sunday improved for you.For folks traveling to the show, there is a brand new Hampton Inn right in the middle of the show, which I understand had a decent artist rate for the weekend.

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Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.