Posted by Connie Mettler on September 16, 2009 at 4:18pm
One of last year's big art fair stories was about the volunteer at Indianapolis' popular Penrod Arts Fair, sponsored by the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Said volunteer stole $380,000 from the organization's treasury. Now what would this theft done to most art fairs? You've got it -- devastation, anguish, cancellation. But not in Indianapolis!
The show must go on! And on it did go last weekend, bringing thousands of people to enjoy all the arts on the lovely grounds of the Museum of Art. Proceeds from the event go toward non-profit grants to help art organizations in the community. Penrod Art Fair Chairman Bill Leppert said, "We're on great financial ground right now."
Read the rest of this story here: Penrod Thrives Despite Theft
Anyone reading this participate in this year's Penrod event? We'd love some feedback from you.
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Posted by Bert Herrera on September 14, 2009 at 7:45pm
The show takes place in the downtown area of Clayton, which is a suburb of St Louis. It's on the street with artists back to back, down the middle of the street. The show spreads to a couple of streets, including side streets, with 160 lucky artists present. There is about 4-5 feet between the booths, so plenty of space to hang on outside walls if you need/want to. Electricity runs through the rear of all booths, so we can plug in for the evenings. Show hours are Friday 5PM - 10PM, Sat from 10AM - 10PM and Sunday from 11AM to 4PM.While this show has music, entertainment, and community booths, art is clearly the king here. I'm talking about art which is truly of remarkable quality!One word sums up this show for me - BEST. It's the best run show I've ever participated in. The committee doesn't overlook anything -- starting with a very thorough packet they mail to you sometime before the show. They even come by the booth the evening before and give everyone a printed weather forecast for the next day! The crowds were the best I have ever seen in terms of energy, interest, attitude and caring. Oh, yeah, and sales - you guessed it, the best I have ever done. For me, Saturday was a killer day, especially in the evening. I had folks waiting to buy stuff on Sunday 30 minutes after the show officially closed. Some artists, who had done the show in the past, said their sales were down some, but were happy nevertheless.From my perspective, I really cannot say enough good things about this show. I would say to any show co-ordinators out there reading this, if you want to learn how to do it right, come here to learn. These folks have it!I don't have a tequila report, but there are lots of restaurants in the area, and I'm sure some have great tequila! My wife did enjoy the house Merlot at the Sharaton, and their long island iced teas weren't bad either. But after getting back to the hotel (4 blocks away is the Sheraton which is the show hotel), at about 11PM on Friday and Saturday night, all I wanted to do was crash - and hope I can get back in sometime!
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Posted by Moira Coon on September 13, 2009 at 1:58pm
I’m officially registered for exhibit space at the art shows at both WindyCon and Midwest Furfest.Now I just need to buckle down and produce some work! *laughs*
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Hello, My name it Teressa and I have been building a website for my jewelry that I have hosted from fatcow.com and I need some feed back on it. Can you let me know if it looks professional and if there is something that should be added or changed?Thanks,Teressawww.stylingwithbeadscrystalsandsilver.com
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Posted by Connie Mettler on September 11, 2009 at 3:37pm
It is a beautiful fall weekend and here is where you should be right now:
1. Atlanta Arts Festival, September 12-13, beautiful Piedmont Park, 200 artists Lots more info here from the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution online Here's
even more info for you about the art. Competing with Atlanta for the top artists in the country is the very prestigious
2. St. Louis Art Fair, September 11-13, downtown Clayton, MO, 160 artists New show director, Cindy Lerick, steps up to the plate to hit a home run on this one (that's my bet anyway). Get more details at the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch and another story from the
Belleville News-Democrat with more tantalizing info.
3. A Fair in the Park, Pittsburgh, PA, September 11-13, Mellon Park, 100 artists This luscious park hosts one of Pittsburgh's most popular events. More info at
PittsburghGalleries.com4. West End Art Fair, LaGrange, IL, September 12 & 13, Burlington Ave in front of the Stone Ave. train station, 125 artists This 14th annual fair presented by the LaGrange Business Assn., learn more at
LaGrange Today.
5. Westport Art Fair, Kansas City, MO, September 11-13, in Historic Westport, 120 artists The opening of the fall art fair season in KC is this event, held specifically to showcase local Kansas City artists.
Learn more. The last time I did one of these wrap ups of the weekend's art fairs I had some wrong dates. My challenge to you: are these correct? Are you going to be there? If you are participating will you let us know about it afterward? Which one would you most like to be participating in? Comment below.
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Posted by Connie Mettler on September 11, 2009 at 11:04am
Michael Craven, a 30 years+ photography veteran, died in June after a long illness.
Michael was a great guy and his fine work was an asset to the art fair business. He really knew his way around a camera and a darkroom. He was a photojournalist and commercial photographer before he started exhibiting at art fairs. The integrity of his images made his work stand above many of his contemporaries. The work was original in concept and always great to see. No cookie cutter images here, just great conceptual pieces photographed and printed in the traditional manner.
"Leaks" by Michael Craven Here is his website:
http://brainfoodphoto.com/ and here is another site I found that has more of his imagery:
http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/a/artychoke/ Many thanks to photographer Robert Barab for passing on this information.
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Posted by Connie Mettler on September 10, 2009 at 11:37am
So here we are, everyone (and I mean everyone) working hard to keep up the spirits in a downtrodden economy, all the artists looking sharp with beautiful booths heading into what we all hope will be a profitable weekend. Everything is in place.
The show opens at 3 pm on Friday. Already on Friday evening we are hearing reports from the artists that one of the artists is announcing to everyone within hearing distance of his booth that he hasn't done a show this bad in 35 years. We continue to hear this on Saturday. When I visit his booth I hear him pissing and moaning. I look over his work (a jeweler) and think it's pretty nice, maybe I need some new earrings (did you ever meet a woman who didn't?) He starts in on his lament and finally I say, "don't you think it would be better for your sales if you weren't so negative? Maybe I was going to buy something here."
His retort was that I wouldn't be the first person to walk away. Already someone else who had the money ready had left him behind.!!! Geez.
Then we received this email in the Arts, Beats & Eats office on Tuesday:
I first would like to say our family has made it a point to travel from Northern Michigan for the last 3 years on Labor Day weekend to enjoy your wonderful festival. We love the atmosphere, and we do all of our school clothes shopping at Great Lakes Crossing mall. This year, however, I was very upset with the attitude of a certain vendor at your festival, namely XXXX XXXXXX. My 18 year old son recently enlisted in the Army and my husband was wearing one of his shirts that said "There's Strong and then there's Army Strong". I walked away from him for a moment to look at X's booth, and as I approached I heard him say to me (I was the only one there at the time) "Oh, there's an army guy. Why don't we all join up and go over to Iraq and steal all their oil and kill some people!" I was extremely offended at this comment and could not even respond. I simply walked away. I decided it would be better to let a committee member know the inappropriate comments made by this vendor, and my hope is that when I look at your listing of vendors for next year's festival he will not be on it. If he is, I and my family will not attend, and I will be sure to pass his name along to all I know. I'm sure you agree this was an inappropriate venue to air his obvious hostility toward the soldiers who are simply following the orders of command and risking their lives so vendors like him can safely sell their wares on the streets of Pontiac.
Thank you,
She included her contact information, which, of course, I am not including here.
What do you think? Any advice for this guy, or for us?
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Posted by Connie Mettler on September 10, 2009 at 11:22am
It is official, the Brandywine Arts Festival, Wilmington, DE, is not taking place this fall. A change of organizers, back money owed for the event and three venue changes have stopped the event in its tracks after 48 years.
There seems to be a pattern of miscommunication along the way. The new organizer, Janie Blanch "said Friday that she would be calling each artist who paid for a space. She said she needed at least 100 artists to make the festival a go.
She didn’t get them.
Blanch said she cannot refund fees to the estimated 150 artists and craft makers who paid up to $360 a space to participate in the festival.
“That is impossible to do. We spent money on advertising and all this other stuff you spend money on, like the Web site,” she said. “I’m going to get in touch with a lawyer and find out what I do next.”
Read the rest of the article here: DelawareOnline.comRead more…
Sunday morning brings the artists breakfast where Lisa and I get to have our little party visiting and
feeding the artists. We love to pass out the awards and our ceremony includes lots of stories about artists and art fairs. I do believe a good time was had by all. This show starts with setup on Friday morning and then runs from 3 pm to 9 pm that day; 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday and 11 am to 5 pm on Monday. It is an easy setup, drive up to your booth for unloading and loading up again. Free parking is nearby. Show fee includes 1000 watts of electricity so the show looks beautiful in the evening, like a small village. We have a terrific PR team and artists are interviewed on various TV stations, radio stations and thoroughly covered in the Detroit Free Press. The streets are full of viewers all the days. Now the tricky part, sales. No one will be surprised to hear there are economic challenges in this part of the country. We have made the show smaller each year to correspond to this. From a high of 195 exhibitors some years ago this year we had 135 spaces. We listen, we hear and do what we can. I got involved in this event in 1998 because I wanted to help
build a quality venue where artists could make money. There is no shortage of art fairs, what there is is a shortage of top-notch events where artists can count on decent sales. This year's festival walked the usual line with some artists having their best show ever, many in the middle, and some not so happy. We had beautiful weather until 4:30 pm on Monday just when those last minute sales were heating up. I'd guess that Monday is the best sales day. There is no lack of an audience. There are plenty of qualified buyers in the crowd and Michigan's knowledgeable art fair lovers. ABE is set in the heart of Oakland County the nation's third wealthiest county. If you've got the stuff you can find a buyer here. Our many thanks to the members of this forum who joined us this year: Jim Parker, Peter Katke, Mike Barnes, Jan Kaulins.
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You know it is time to be thinking about your 2010 art fair schedule. Today's newsletter brings you a great kickstart to the search listing 32 festivals presented by Howard Alan Events, art fairs that can be the backbone of your festival season.
Las Olas Art Festival, Fort Lauderdale, FL These popular outdoor festivals are consistently ranked among the top art shows in the country. Located along some of the most charming streets in the nation, Howard Alan Events brings the unique creations of hundreds of award-winning artists to thousands of art enthusiasts across America every weekend. For over 25 years Howard Alan Events has produced award winning art affairs throughout the US. Howard is known for always having something new to tempt both you and the art festival patron.
Howard Alan Events October-May Festivals October 03-04 20th Anniversary Hyde Park Village Art Fair 10-11 21st Annual St. Armand's Art Festival 24-25 22nd Annual Las Olas Art Fair
November 07-08 22nd Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival 14-15 Coconut Point Fall Art Fair (Bonita Springs/Estero, FL) 28-29 10th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Weekend Art Fest
December 26-27 14th Annual Downtown Naples New Year's Weekend Art Fair
Art Fest by the Sea, Jupiter/Juno 2010January 02-03 2nd Annual Ft. Myers: Art Fair at the Bell Tower 02-03 22nd Annual Las Olas Art Fair Part I 09-10 13th Annual Downtown Dunedin Art Festival 09-10 23rd Annual Boca Fest 16-17 21st Annual Downtown Delray Beach Festival of the Arts 16-17 20th Anniversary Indialantic Art Festival 23-24 City Place Art Festival in West Palm Beach 30-31 7th Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival 30-31 16th Annual St. Pete Beach Corey Area Art & Craft Festival
February 06-07 9th Annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts Point Art Festival (Estero) 20-21 22nd Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts 27-28 20th Anniversary Downtown Stuart Art Festival 27-28 46th Annual Key Biscayne Art Festival
District Art Annual, downtown Kansas City March 06-07 9th Annual Downtown Venice Art Classic 06-07 22nd Annual Las Olas Art Fair Part II 13-14 22nd Annual Art Fest by the Sea (Jupiter/Juno Beach) 20-21 6th Annual Coral Springs Festival of the Arts 20-21 22nd Annual Naples Festival of the Arts at Pelican Bay 27-28 13th Annual San Marco Art Festival (Jacksonville)
April 10-11 21st Anniversary Hyde Park Village Art Fair 24-25 32nd Annual Siesta Fiesta
May 15-16 2nd Annual Birmingham Art Fair at The Summit (Birmingham, AL.) 22-23 National Harbor Art Festival (Washington, DC) 29-30 2nd Annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour For more info:
www.ArtFestival.comVisit Zapplication.org Today to Apply Howard Alan Events produces multiple shows therefore they have an ongoing jury process that meets twice monthly and juries by category. SHOW DIRECTOR'S SUGGESTION: We recommend that you apply EARLY as the show and/or most categories will fill quickly. Apply:
www.zapplication.org For more info:
www.artfestival.comRead more…
Posted by Connie Mettler on September 8, 2009 at 10:30pm
Normally pretty loquacious on this site, you haven't heard much from me lately because I've been up to my elbows in art fair preparation since late August in Pontiac, MI, where I am one of the art directors (along with Lisa Konikow) for this rambunctious festival.
Now I have to tell you, I'm feeling pretty intimidated writing this. Nels Johnson has set such a high standard on entertaining, yet informative, show reviews ... what's a girl to do?
First of all the tequila report -- oh, oh, I was too busy to get around to sampling the tequila bars in Pontiac. Suffice it to say a little Bud Lite Lime during the marking of the streets for the booth spaces does not count. Nor, a few glasses of red wine consumed at the wine bars available within the show site. Ever hear of "Little Black Dress" wine? Not bad.
Here's the behind the scenes report: there is limitless paperwork to be done for an art fair, applications, acceptance letters, databases, press stories, lists of artists, directions, maps, site access passes, rules and regulations, show information, credentials, booth signs, press releases, lists for the newspapers, lists for the printers. You get the idea. Readying it, writing it, proofing it, getting it printed, collated and stuffed in packets seems an endless job.
Finally it is Thursday afternoon, the materials are ready. We set up the check in area (we - Lisa Konikow; Farah Darwish, my daughter who has driven in from Kentucky to be our assistant; her daughter, Mariah, our go-fer) with check-in packets, maps, layouts, sign in information and the staff is ready to go with walkie-talkies and golf carts.
In the final hours there are four artist cancellations so the map, layout and databases have to be altered.
They finally close the street and a volunteer and I take the map, the layout, the chalk and the measuring wheel and spend three hours squatting in the street marking spaces. Definitely the most glamourous part of the job.
Late to bed, up at 6 am to meet the staff and be ready to let the artists setup. This is a very urban area, we are very strict about security and want to protect everyone and their property so we are sticklers about the rules. No one sets up without checking in.
We deploy the street team -- Farah, Lisa, and three volunteers. The rest of us meet and greet -- my favorite time as I get to meet new artists and visit with old friends. Everyone is happy at check-in because there is great hope for the weekend ahead.
New this year -- because we have lost the financial support of Chrysler this year we have gated the entire festival area, at least eight city blocks, so we can charge admission. The festival site includes two long blocks of art booths, around seventy restaurant booths, six stages, a carnival, a children's art street and a "Green Street." The large parking lot has large booths with automobiles from the Big Three. As a visitor there is a lot to see and do. The community loves the festival and attends in full force, usually around 250,000 people over four days.
For the staff Friday is the hardest day because we are there from 6:30 am until around 11 pm. The art section closes at 9 pm but there is always paperwork and phone calls to be made for problems that occurred during the day and also to prepare for the next day.
We had a new electrical company this year. The new generators were diesel and the fumes were pretty noxious and the sound not so great either. I spent most of Friday afternoon talking with the artists and the electrician, moving generators, deflecting exhaust and easing tempers.
On Saturday we had to shut down a quarter of the show's electricity while the electricians rerouted the wires and reconfigured the system. On Sunday we had to shut down another area while they moved a generator to another area. Finally by Sunday afternoon all the electric was meeting everyone's needs. (See I told you this wasn't going to be as interesting as reading Nels.)
Saturday starts early for us because we meet the jurors to get them started for the jurying. It always amazes me how thorough and conscientious the jurors are. We usually have one of them be an art fair artist because we feel they will "get" the whole art fair thing. This year we had jeweler Adam Shirley, who was taking the year off from art fairs to get his MFA at Cranbrook Institute. Our other juror was Maureen Riley, former director of the Detroit Festival of the Arts.
The winners: Best of Show - Clifton Henri, photographer
First Place - David O'Dell, printmaking
Awards of Excellence:
Bruce Holwerda - painting
Neptune Hot Glass - glass
Walt Majewski - drawing
Laura Junge - painting
Robert Trisko - jewelry
Paul Adams - painting
Zhou Yu - painting
Andrea Anderson - fabric
Spirit of the City Award - Jan Kaulins
We always give a cash award and a ribbon to the best artist helper, the Golden Dolly Award. James Greene, partner and schlepper for fiber artist Deborah Greene was the winner this year. It is represented by the traveling trophy, a bejeweled cart that is painted gold and signed by all past winners. Last year's winner, Bill Beaubien, presented it to James, complete with Bill's embellishment, a bicycle bell. My advice: keep your ears tuned at your next art fair, James may be rounding the corner with a load of goods!
More tomorrow.
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Posted by Connie Mettler on September 8, 2009 at 10:13pm
Saturday, November 21
Plymouth High School
8400 Beck Rd.
Canton, Michigan
Sponsored by the Plymouth-Canton Music Boosters, a 501c3 organization
90 exhibitors
Canton is in the metro Detroit area, right here.
Several years ago, with funds from the school district drying up that supported a nationally recognized band program, the parents rallied and started fund raising so their children could continue to be enriched by participation in the music program. Their drive to provide an excellent music program for their children is illustrated in their similar efforts to provide a quality craft show.
The juried arts and crafts event is held annually to support the music/band programs at the Plymouth Canton Educational Park. A bake sale, raffle, concessions, and entertainment will also be available. All funds raised go to the band programs at all three Plymouth-Canton High Schools, including the nationally-acclaimed Plymouth-Canton Marching Band that ranked 7th in the Nation in 2007.
What does this mean for you?
-a small quality event
-low booth fees
-easy in and out in one day
-solid support by the community, resulting in a day well spent by you
Interested? Visit their website: http://www.pcmb.net/artcraft/Read more…
If I knew now what I knew then... Ever said this? Personally, I think I have said it too many times. Despite that, we all learn from our trials and tribulations as well as things you wouldn't change for the world when it comes to learning the ropes when it comes to selling at art and craft fairs.I have to say there is a pattern many fall into from their first year to their second and so on down the line. If you don't mind taking a stroll down memory lane with me, here's how I see "the pattern" and how some of it relates to my experience - can you relate?The first year. Have you ever met a craft person who isn't more motivated to want to start their own art/craft business than during your first year? "You" are gung-ho! Motivated! The more research you do the more you find yourself believing you are on the right track or finding the tools to be on the right track as things fall into place. Then you apply for your first show and get in! The first show is the most nerve racking experience you have ever been in your life thinking "will I make money, will people buy my stuff, and worrying if you are prepared enough". Then you get there, set up and it is one of the most eye opening experiences. First, you pinch yourself - you've made it selling at a show with other people who have "made it". The next thought? Wow, there are some other displays that are much better than mine and you start talking to neighbors who are more than kind enough to play mentor to you as you take mental pictures of displays and craft objects. Third, you make your first sale! While holding in the excitement, your first customer is proud to be your first customer too (as usually you have to let them know they are your first customer). You might make a few more sales, but end up with a whole lot of compliments - a real ego booster. Then at the end of the day you are tired yet pleasantly happy it is over ... and can't wait to do another show. As you get more shows under your belt you feel more at ease talking to show patrons, talking and getting tips from your craft show neighbors, your products are improving and incorporate those mental photographs of displays to your own display.The good and the bad of "year one". The biggest lesson is learning about how shows are run and that each one is different - different size booth spaces, the "ease" of loading and unloading is different, learning how to properly price your work, and the list goes on. Another lesson is finding out all this info is something you just can't learn in a book, but have to experience. Why, because each person and their art work is different with the results being as equally diverse - there is no cookie cutter, sure fire way to get rich quick. You find that when you thought shows would be easy, just isn't as easy as you first thought and underestimated the stresses that can occur (like making stock up until midnight the day before the event or the frustrations of packing a car last minute).After my first show, I was bit by art and craft show bug. At that show my husband helped me out - I was nervous. I ended up selling out of many things - I first started out selling my homemade jams, bread and butter pickles and pumpkin and apple butter (it was during Fall show season). I did two other shows that year - both street festivals. One was good with a nice visible space but the other was in a gutter like alley and no one was able to approach my table. It is embarrassing to look back on what I considered a "good booth". One of my early embarrassing photos of my display is the one featured with this blog post. But with getting bitten by the bug you then get a sense of over confidence - wanting to apply to A LOT of shows without taking the time to know what they are really about as well as adding to your expenses - wanting better displays and so on.The second year. Most exhibitors learn what a vendor show is compared to an art and craft show put on in a high school as well as art festivals and street fair craft shows, as they branch out to try and find more of a niche. Also you start seeing hearing about shows called "juried shows" and want to learn what they are all about, if you haven't already. What usually takes the cake though is deciding if branching out to do out door fairs is worth while and the old question - which canopy should I buy enters in. Another realization is networking at shows and on craft/art websites becomes a staple in your everyday life. Meeting new friends, reading reviews of shows, learning more about the medium you work in and finding new shows to apply to, and a chance to vent or share frustrations with "on-line co-workers" helps you feel connected and not alone in woes or joys.How does this experience par with your own? Similar? Maybe in some parts but not others? So, as I am in my 7th year of doing shows, if I were to do things differently, I would probably do a little more research into shows before signing up to them. Because of this I am a big advocate in telling people check shows out first. Go to them, read reviews, email/talk to past exhibitors about their experiences - not only can you save time (wasting a day at a lousy show), you can save money too (money that can go into buying more supplies or a different show). I wish I had better table coverings than cheap cloth from Jo Annes fabrics - bed linens, professional table covers, and other similar products work so much better. Anticipating my expenses more, would be another thing I would have paid more attention to because I fell into a category of - awesome I have money, now I MUST spend it. Aside from a few shows that were truly bad, I can't say I have any regrets. I love my life of being my own boss - yes the days are longer than first expected, but the work is fun and rewarding. I have met so many awesome friends and peers that have made some of the worst show dates delightful and we look out for each other too - suggesting shows and truly getting to know each other (even their families).I hope this stroll down memory lane is either educational or at the very least entertaining. I think we all have moments of - why did I do that and learned from those experiences. Please share any of your experiences here (or on my official blog - www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com). Have a great Labor Day weekend - don't work too hard! - Michelle
October 17 Walled Lake, Michigan Presented by the Walled Lake PTSA Walled Lake Central High School Gymnasium 1600 Oakley Park Rd. 10am - 4pm Deadline: Sept. 17 Walled Lake Central PTSA is featuring the area's most prestigious vendors & caterers! Being an exhibitor at this show gives you a chance to promote your business to people who are ready to buy. This exclusive show has one purpose, to put you the "seller" in a room with hundreds of buyers. This is not some intimate affair! You'll be alongside the areas top merchants and caterers, plus be right in the midst of a fashion show! This is the Shopping Extravaganza our Community won't miss. What's in it for you...Exposure in our program directory; this is the tool for the shopper...Make your company name one that they carry with them everywhere they go!!! Let's not forget a $100 Dior Gift Certificate for the most Extravagant Vendor Display voted by other exhibitors! Important Information: · October 17, set up from 6-9am · Free overnight/day parking · Easy load in and out
Sponsor Package - $250 - includes: * Your Company Logo placed on all of our marketing & advertising * Premium location inside our venue - 10x10 Booth Space * ½ Page Ad featuring your Company Name & Contact Information in our program guide that will be distributed to all attendee's
Vendor Package - $100.00 - includes: * Premium location inside our venue - 10X10 Booth Space * Your Company Name & Contact Information in our program guide that will be distributed to all attendee's * Options: o Booth spaces near electrical outlet are available; $25.00 additional charge. o An additional connecting 10 x 10 space is available; $75.00 additional cost. Visit:
http://www.wlcsd.org/webpages/wlcptsa/ for more info. Email application requests to:
shoppingextravaganzaptsa@gmail.com Tabitha Stasie @ 248-921-4531 or Suhair Kallabat @ 248-420-7123
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Posted by Connie Mettler on September 1, 2009 at 10:57am
1. Open Clay Studio Facilitator, Reach Studio Art Center - Lansing, MI: Reach Studio is currently recruiting an Open Clay Studio (OCS) Facilitator. OCS is a fee-based, drop-in ceramics program open to all ages. The OCS instructor will handle all aspects of running the OCS sessions for which they are scheduled. Major responsibilities will include instructing participants in clay building (wheel and hand building) and finishing skills, orienting new participants to the studio and clay building processes and rules.
For more information 2. Kresge Foundation to Provide $200,000 for Arts and Community Grants: The Kresge
Foundation of Troy, Michigan, is piloting a new community arts and engagement project in Detroit, Baltimore, and St. Louis that encourages residents to use art and culture as a tool to address issues in their communities. Individuals and groups are encouraged to apply. The foundation is investing $200,000 over two years in each city. Grants will range from $2,500 to $10,000.
More information 3. Ann Arbor based Artist-in-Residence, Martin Soo Hoo is screening and interviewing qualified candidates for
artists and art support technicians to assist in the production of
world class murals and associated decorative painting products for a client seeking multi-year commitments. Email Martin Soo Hoo for details:
soohoolm@gmail.com 4. Rust Belt to Artists Belt II Conference Dates: September 17- 18, 2009 - Cleveland, OH RBAB2 is a continuation of the conversation that began at the From Rust Belt to Artist Belt summit about how artists and community developers are partnering in their efforts to reinvent the industrial Midwest. This year's event will be held in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood.
Click for more information on RBAB2 or to register for the event. 5. News about the world's hugest
Art Prize: $500,000! 1,261 artists get matches for next month's ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. To be human is to often wait until the last minute. ArtPrize participants are not immune, even with $449,000 in prize money on the line. The competition has seen accelerated matching numbers. By the last day for artist-and-venue matching, more matches were registered.
Read full article.
6. A wonderful new tool from
Larry Berman's digital brain: a fr*e service anyone can use - a web site designed to help artists improve their jury presentation. It answers the two most asked questions artists have. Which images should I choose and what order should I put them in. Create a free account and upload your ZAPP or JAS images. Oh, no, did jurying just get easier? Check this out:
www.juryimages.comRead more…
CALLING ALL ARTISTS: the 2010 Arthritis Introspective Gathering Committee is calling all artists for Cover Art, Brochure Art, and the like. This years Gathering is in Tempe, Arizona on April 9-12, with the Theme: "El Festival de Amistad : The ...Festival of Friendship". Please submit rough draft artistic representations digitally to Pete Fischer at pjfischer@hotmail.com by September 15th, 2009.Some info can be found on their website - www.arthritisintrospective.org/2010gathering.htm and/or www.arthritisintrospective.org/ to learn more about the organization. I do recommend contact Pete for more info.Pete is a friend of mine and does a lot of work for Arthritis foundations and is an architect by profession. If you find you might not be able to help do cover art, at least pass this info on to friends or others whom you may think would be interested. Thanks a bunch - Michelle
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Sometimes it does the soul good to do a small community event for a change. I found myself with an open weekend and in my desires to get back to Michigan for a week of photo taking, I signed up for a lovely little weekend event. I will say that this is not a typical one for most "seasoned artists". Not one for those with only high price point items. I normally would not have given this one a thought. That being said, this "art show/business expo" was one of the delights of the summer and I would highly recommend to those "newbies" who are searching for a first show to get their feet wet.Keego translates to "Big Fish", thus the name. Keego Harbor is a suburb of Detroit in a recreational area with many lakes. I sent my $50 entry fee to the organizer, John and followed it up with an email asking for places to stay as this particular trip I was bringing my dogs. Only in a small community would the the organizer offer an artist the opportunity to stay at his home - dogs & all. I declined the offer, but was immediately impressed with John and the efforts he has made to carefully grow this event each year. Held on the grounds of the local school, the event is divided nicely. Artists on one side and a business expo tent on the other. Between the two is a row of yummy food vendors. At the far side of the schools parking lot, behind the business tent, is an entertainment stage. Between the entertainment stage and a Detroit radio station playing great tunes all day, I found myself bee boppin to the music all weekend. John - you sure get my award for excellent choice in music for this event!Set up was easy with drive up unloading/loading. Spaces were allotted on a first come/first pick basis. The artist booths were filled with a variety of art and crafts. Two first time show photographers shared a booth and hubby & I spent much of the weekend filling them in on presentations at art shows. I do hope they continue as they have great composition - just in need of better equipment and some art show polish. This is the second show in Michigan (Plymouth the first) where the community actively involves their children in the pursuit of fine art involvement. I was chosen to be a judge for the events art contest held for kids from the age of 4 thru 18 and was only too happy to comply with the request. Another local artist (painter) judge and I were blown away at one 17 year old girls talent and we were thrilled she overwhelmingly took first place. Her talents were far above many adult artists I've seen. The local artist has decided to set her up in his gallery and will be working on a scholarship for her.One of the reasons I find these small community events so delightful is the attention given to the artist. John's assistant in charge of the artists, Charlese (sp?) checked with us nearly hourly. She was absolutely fantastic as were her assistants. Attendance last year was 2,000 but I expect with the cool temps and on/off rain showers that weekend, it was down a tad. I nearly made the mistake of bringing only my lower price point items. I'm glad I brought some of the pricer framed pieces as my overall profit, after expenses, was just under $1200. I must note here that many artist/crafters I spoke with did not do as well - some nothing at all. It has been my belief that artists must carefully consider location of event and how it relates to their art. However, surprisingly this little event supported my week of photo shoots throughout Northern Michigan & the U.P. It did my soul good to not only remind myself of the small events that got me started, but also support this great little community event.As my practice, a You Tube video taken by hubby can be found by clicking LINKHappy Fall Shows Everyone!Linda Andersonhttp:www.andersonphotoworks.comRead more…
Here's an update on the Brandywine Arts Festival first reported here on August 18.
It seems as though the second site at St. Anthony in the Hills is NOT going to be the site for the 20,000 visitor event coming up in two weeks, September 12 and 13, reports the Delaware News Journal in its DelawareOnline.com.
Okay, art festivals get cancelled, but the event which advertises 230 exhibitors has cashed all the applicants checks at around a hefty $350 apiece. Just do the math on that! Artists are scratching their heads and holding their collective breath as they await word from the organizers about the location.
As you all know the booth fee isn't the only expense incurred by the artists, most have also bought materials and produced artwork with expectations of earning at the event. A friend recently told me that if she had a $400 booth fee she would have to sell $4000 worth of goods to break even. Food for thought?
Here is the rest of the story: Second Site Brushes Off Art Festival
Do any of you participate in this event or have more information? Please comment below.
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Welcome to the world of fantasy painter, Bruce Holwerda. Walk into his booth at an art fair and you are suddenly whirled away into another dimension. His human figures are all off on one wacky adventure or another. Put yourself into one of those images, rolling off into space, or soaring through the cosmos and consider what it must be like to live in Bruce's imagination. A painter for over 35 years, Bruce says every painting is a struggle between the balance and form the eye understands and the emotional investment in the work. Exposing the work to the art fair public adds another dimension from their comments and involvement with the images. "I've always loved working with the figure and so combining the human form with simple ideas, energetic poses or surreal portraits is fuel that generates my art," says Bruce. His media is acrylics on different surfaces; canvas, wood panel, and acid free papers. See Bruce and his work: August 29-30 in Highland Park, IL, at the
Port Clinton Art Festival September 4-7 in Pontiac, MI, at
Arts, Beats & EatsLearn more about Bruce and his painting.
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