October 16, 17 & 18 Rock Financial Showplace Novi, Michigan 150 Artists Deadline: July 31 In case you missed it this Spring, the Great Lakes Art Fair (fall) is returning and you can be there too. What a visitor said about the April Great Lakes Art Fair:
I just got home from the Rock Financial Showplace and the Great Lakes Art Fair. What a wonderful look and feel that new show has! I hope you are able to keep it going and growing, as it has all the earmarks of a stupendously successful show. The quality of the work is phenomenal, the atmosphere is classy and the artists are saying great things about the coordination, management and detail handling of the people putting it on. What a great way to start a new show! I want to exhibit in the show in the fall. Hope I'm good enough to get in!!! What a patron said:
I just wanted to let you know this was a SPECTACULAR event for me. I spent more $$ at this Art Show than all the others I've attended put together. The artisans were sensational! There was no over-abundance of jewelers. I raved to several vendors who told me to be certain to "tell someone" how much I enjoyed myself. I wasn't sure to whom I should relay this to, so please pass along my appreciation for such a wonderful event!Location: The Rock Financial Showplace is located in Novi, MI, in Western Oakland County, one of the nation's most affluent areas. Although spring 2009 marked the inaugural Great Lakes Art Fair, the Rock Financial Showplace has become familiar to patrons as a premier indoor venue for specialty arts over the past ten years. Jeweler Anita Spencer
Attendance: Over the past decade the Showplace has been host to premier indoor art fairs each year, during the months of April and October. Attendance figures from these fairs have averaged in the tens of thousands. With the increased investment into advertising, promotion, and production, attendance is projected to easily grow and exceed the performance of past events.
Advertising & Promotions: The Great Lakes Art Fair believes effective promotion is as crucial to overall success as the selection of artists. The GLAF's mission is to deliver a high quality experience for patrons and artists that will assure qualified buyers, return visits and exponential event growth. The superior local media and marketing relationships enjoyed by the Rock Financial Showplace will contribute enormously to the overall success of the Great Lakes Art Fair. A multi-level marketing and publicity campaign will be launched to promote the Great Lakes Art Fair GLAF throughout the region, including media partnerships in print, radio, television, direct mail and outdoor. There is also a strategic web marketing campaign aimed at building awareness of
this new regional event. the famous "diner guy" - Jerry Berta Now, don't you want to be there? I will. Full disclosure: I am a consultant for this event. Apply:
www.zapplication.org For more info:
www.greatlakesartfair.com ****************************************** Bonus: a great artists reception!
If you are doing art fairs, thinking about running an art fair, or are already running an art fair, you should find this article interesting. From the Belleville, IL, news comes this information:
The numbers are in and the survey says -- nearly half the people attending Art on the Square in Belleville in May were from outside St. Clair County.
That means the promotional efforts and publicity have been a success said Patty Gregory, executive director of the annual downtown art festival.
Read the rest of the article: Survey says Belleville Draws the Wealthy and Educated
In case you are out of the loop, Belleville's Art on the Square is very highly rated and attracts top artists. Supposedly they sell $1 million dollars worth of goods in this small Illinois town every May.
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In my mailbox today:
Connie....would you check the below link..our new intro and a new group we are featuring.......and then the question is....would you reach out to your contacts for me and help me further promote my show.......I would owe you big time......you name the rewardhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAtWnsmGTXU&feature=channel_page T
he above link is one of the groups we will be featuring this fall on Public T.V. across the country. At this point we have 115 affiliates broadcasting our show, and we'd like to get the rest. If you would take a moment to contact your local PBS affiliate and ask them to offer the "Jammin at Hippie Jack's" Americana Roots Music series.........it would be a great help. Below is a link to PBS station finder that will give you contact information...Thank you for your help........we will endeavor to persevere... Jack
http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html Do you think you can help an old hippie out? Bet'cha can! At the very least you can pass this info on to someone who can. (I'll bet a bunch of you remember photographer Jack Stoddart - now a music producer!)
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Brought to you by the NAIA
National Association of Independent Artists "The Collective Voice of Art Fair Artists" The NAIA 2009 Stimulus Plan: Project ART!
The 9th Art Festival Directors / Artists Summit Conference, organized by the National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA) will be held Thursday & Friday, September 24 - 25, 2009 in Peoria, Illinois, immediately prior to the Peoria Fine Art Fair. This unique event is the only one of its kind that is geared directly to the needs and issues of arts festivals and artists, and provides an unparalleled opportunity to meet, network, problem solve and energize with show directors from around the country. It is open to all show directors, staff and board members on Thursday and Friday.
Open to all artists on Thursday. If you've never been to an NAIA Conference, you owe it to yourself to be there. And if you've attended one or all of our past conferences, you'll find this one is targeted to provide as much valuable information to the "veteran", as it is to those who may join us for the first time. To register for Thursday's artist sessions at the $25 artist rate, click on the link below for the main conference page. In the left column is a link to artist registration.
Register NOW!! P. S. Personally I have attended at least seven of these conferences - they are professionally presented and chock full of strategic and helpful information. Plus, you have time to meet other artists and the show directors in an informal situation where you don't have to get back to your booth to sell something! ;) How cool is that? Yes, I'll be there too and look forward to meeting you.
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Can't get enough of the Ann Arbor news? Here are some good articles: Who won the prizes? Here are the winners reported by MLive.com:
Art Fairs winners announced The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair presented awards of excellence and originality to 10 artists Thursday morning. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is located on Ingalls Mall and North University. Here are the winners: Booth A109, Leon Niehues, Fiber, Baskets Booth A133, Julie Fremuth, Mixed Media Booth A146, Robert Hessler, Clay Booth A225, Paul Eshelman, Clay Booth A226, Chris Roberts-Antieau, Fiber & Drawing Booth A232, Susan Hill, Fiber Booth A233, Shellie Bender, Jewelry Booth A256, Frederick Warren, Glass Booth A272, James Skvarch, Printmaking Booth A281, Donna D'Aquino, Jewelry Mark Traughber (Booth A157, Painting) was named as the 2010 Featured Artist. His original art work will be featured on the Street Art Fair merchandise next year for the celebration of the Art Fair's 51st Anniversary. Awards jurors for the event were Don Bacigalupi Ph.D., President, Director, and CEO, Toledo Museum of Art and Reed Kroloff, Director and Campus Architect of Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum. Awards were also presented at the State Street Area Art Fair. Here are the winners: 3D Best of Show: William Kidd - Ceramics - Miramar, Fl. Booth 301 Honorable Mention: Marcia Engeltjes - Leather - St. Paul, Mn. - Booth 305 Honorable Mention: Randi Solin - Glass - Brattleboro, Vt. - Booth 220 Honorable Mention: Andrew Madvin - Sculpture - Detroit, - Booth 619 Honorable Mention: Rosario Garcia - Jewelry - Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - Booth 532 2D Best of Show: James Parker - Digital Art - Rochester Hills, - Booth 633 Honorable Mention: Karyn Debrasky - 2D Mixed - State College, Pa. - Booth 206 Honorable Mention: Carroll Swayze - Printmaking - Englewood, Fl. - Booth 611 Honorable Mention: Li Wang - Painting - Palm Coast, Fl. - Booth 536 Honorable Mention: Danielle Desplan - 2D Mixed - New York, N.Y. - Booth 230 Here are the award winners for the 2009 Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, presented by The Guild of Artists & Artisans. State Street Area Best in Show: Bonnie Blandford, Jewelry, C027 First Place: Jan & Mel Fleck, Printing/Paper, C072 Second Place: David Larkins, Painting, C111 Honorable Mentions: Char TerBeest-Kudla, Fiber/Fabric, C099 Peter Czuk, Wood, C045 Peter Katke, Photography, C106 BJ Jordan, Jewelry, C063 Main/Liberty Streets Best in Show: Ari Gradus, Printmaking/Paper, D241 First Place: John & Debra Sosnowsky, Jewelry, D154 Second Place: Xiao Xia Zhang, Fiber/Fabric, D295 Honorable Mentions: Chas Gerding, Sculpture, D226 Jim Mullan, Jewelry/Mixed Media, Booth 324 Stan Baker, Ceramics, D308 Richard Miranda, Jewelry, Booth 260 Beloved Street Art Fair Director Shary Brown wears her tiara proudly as she receives accolades from the artists as she moves into retirement. Shary, we're going to miss you! Read the story here:
A tearful, tiara farewell I loved this techie item:
'Ann Arbor Art Fair' ranks among Google's hottest search termsRead more…
Living in the Midwest and being active in the art fair business basically the year is divided into two parts, B.A.A. (before Ann Arbor) and A.A.A. (after Ann Arbor) with a four day lull in between. As an artist is sort of like the first day of school, or the 1st of January, planned for all year and always waiting in the shadows. This year I attended the fair on Thursday (traditionally the quietest day with the smallest crowds), meeting Erin Woody who I work with for the
Great Lakes Art Fair and her intern Liz. We covered all of the State Street Area Assn. Art Fair, the Guild Show on State Street, the South University Fair, and about half of the Street Art Fair, seeing only about half of the exhibitors before the sun set. I missed most of Liberty Street and all of Main Street, but have good reports from friends. Although the crowd was light on South U. (when I was there) it was bustly on North U. the whole stretch and Bonnie Blandford reported that the streets were full all day on State Street. I also heard reports that every parking place was full at Briarwood Mall where shoppers can catch the art fair shuttle. My friend from
Arts, Beats & Eats, Lisa Konikow, visited on both Friday and Saturday said there were good crowds both days. Why not? The weather was just about perfect, with temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's, great art fair weather. Comfortable not only for the artists' long hours but also cool enough to make the lake loving Michigan audience decide it might be a great day to go to the fair instead of swimming.
Always great to run into old friends, this is Mary Strope, Vice-President of
WholesaleCrafts.com who was scouting the fairs for artists for their June event in Las Vegas. The crowd seemed small that day and the afternoon brought streets that looked like this:
South University Art Fair If you are an artist and have always wanted to be part of this fair you should be able to get in. Viewing the State Street Area fair, although there were some excellent artists:
Erin Woody learns about wood from the master,
Matthew Hatala
painting by
Reif Snyder there were some empty spaces, some bad spaces (Thompson, in particular) and many, many jewelers. An artist told me that that a third of that fair was jewelers. Not good for the jewelers, maybe for the shoppers, and a sure sign that the organizers were having problems filling the show. I heard that GM had continually promised the South University Fair $28,000 and then two weeks before the fair told them it wasn't coming. How's that for bad news? Sales reports I received on Thursday (remember, this is less than half way through the show) had some sad people, but a few who confided in me they were doing well, "I had a great Wednesday", and the smart folks who had a wide range of prices were moving right along. How about you? Please add your reports!! Some photos:
Fiber artist
Mimi Damrauer at the State Street Area Fair
A beautiful sight at the fair, a customer writing a check to fiber artist
Shekina Rudoy.
One of the great things about art fairs is making new artist friends, here painter Kemper and glass artist Lynn Corrie enjoying a new friendship
Michigan painter
Jeff Condon at the South University Fair, who announced, "I just made booth fee!"
Krys Leiffers meets Erin Woody--cool weaving I hadn't seen before, South U. Fair
Metal work by
Robin Washburn, at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair
I am one of the patrons of an art festival that everyone is always talking about. I love art festivals, if I miss one, I am sure that the perfect piece of art will be at that festival and I won't be able to get it. Consequently, I go to a lot of art festivals. I have been known to shedule vacations so I can go to art festivals in other parts of the country. I live in Miami and just purchased a 2nd home north of Chicago, where I have lived a good portion of my life. I get to go to art festivals pretty much year round.Since I have to furnish a new place from scratch, I have enjoyed festivals more this year than usual. However, as a retired person, I have to watch my budget more closely to match quality and quantity as much as possible. I have noticed that a lot of artists have a wider variety of price points which makes it easier for patrons to purchase art. Others offer quantity discounts which is helpful to me and the artist. If I pay in cash, a lot of artists have absorbed the tax which in Cook County, IL is now an aggravating 10%. Other artists have offered me payment schedules or to negotiate the price on a piece. I appreciate all of this.(I have taken classes in various art mediums because I was curious how things were made and frankly, I was curious why some artists seemed to charge so much for their work. Understanding a process made me more cost conscious from the artist's point of view but I have also found that some artists are inordinately "proud" of their work)I go to the majority of Amy Amdur's shows. She is the largest show producer in the Chicago area. It is hard not to go to one of her festivals. For those of you considering doing a lot of her shows, keep that in mind. While Cantigney is southwest of Chicago, the majority of her festivals are on the north shore and in close proximity to one another. I am not the only one who puts off buying from an artist who I am going to see 2-3 more times in a season. Her layouts are the same at all festivals limited only by the physical limitations of the site. The artists are usually excellent and there are artists at each show that you have never seen before although I have probably seen atleast 50% of the artists at multiple festivals.DW events is finding a lot of artists that I hadn't seen before but their festivals are very small. Cuneo was a total bust, I was out of there in 20 minutes. Deerfield was good and I bought two pictures there. Northbrook was not very good but I found one of "those" pieces that made the show worthwhile for me.I have had a lot of success finding wonderful things at the independent art festivals. For sheer quality and imagination, the Suburban Fine Arts Center Fine Craft Festival in Highland Park, Il is a consistent winner. It is a 3D only festival. Through the years I have consistently had to return to my car to put away art because I couldn't carry it any longer and was not done buying.The Schaumburg Arts Center had a very nice show. It was a little inconsistent but there was plenty to see at a wide variety of price points. The Fountain Square Art Festival in Evanston was the usual mix of artists similar to the demographics of the city. I always find wonderful things to buy there from a wide variety of artists. Monument Square Art Festival in Racine, Wisconsin is back on my list. The quality this year was uneven but I somehow spent more there than anywhere and made several trips to my car.I have atleast 13 more festivals to go to this summer including Morning Glory in Milwaukee, Port Clinton in Highland Park, Il, Lake Forest, IL (most improved the last two years), Art in the Barn, Barrington, IL and Mt. Mary Starving Artists in Milwaukee which is the most fun and nervewracking festival to go to ever.Of course I will probably have most of the house decorated by the end of the season but there is always room for one more shelf for that irresistible piece of glass or pottery, room on the wrist for one more bracelet and a girl can never have too many earrings.Keep doing what you do, I will do my best to keep buying it.
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Any chance that you got into the lineup to audition for the new Sarah Jessica Parker and Magical Elves casting call for the new reality TV show, Untitled Art Project? The casting has taken place in four cities, LA, Miami, Chicago and NYC. There is still one day left in NYC to lineup up for your chance to be a TV star and an art star.
Artist Aneta Glinkowska decided not to audition but instead took her video camera and visited the lineup in NYC. Check it out to see if your friends were there: http://www.nyartbeat.com/nyablog/2009/07/sara-jessica-parkers-untitled-art-project-ny-casting/
I am looking forward to this program. It should be interesting. Better than Top Chef? Project Runway?
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In case you missed it, July 15-18 are the dates of this year's Ann Arbor Art Fairs.
I'll be attending on Thursday, making 34 years of perfect attendance for me. How about you? Meet me at 10:30 at State and North University. The press loves this event, I'd guess the most popular event in Michigan all year. Here are some recent articles to help you get there, understand the hype, and get to the root of this old rock star who just keeps on rocking: From the
Detroit Free Press:
Ann Arbor Art Fairs have come a long way since 1960, a historical look Inclusive article with interviews with three of the art fair directors, Shary Brown, Kathy Krick and Maggie Ladd. Good background on what people are thinking, from the
Ann Arbor News:
Ann Arbor Art Fairs organizers, participants try to keep sunny outlook despite economy From
MLive.com: Main Street Area Association director:
Downtown businesses strategize to take advantage of Ann Arbor Art Fairs, excellent article from the business section - how can a business make money off the art fairs? I believe Ann Arbor wins the award on this one. From the
Chicago Tribune:
4-days of summer art fairs kick off in Ann Arbor, details about the event
From the
Absolute Michigan website:
50th Annual Ann Arbor Street Fair, July 15-18, 2009, great links for information For all you oldies out there, you'll like this story from the Detroit Free Press:
Potter J.T. Abernathy exhibited at the first Ann Arbor art fair; they're both going strong. "At 86, he remains the dean of Ann Arbor potters, putting in seven hours a day in the studio and relentlessly exploring new ideas, materials and techniques. "The same things still intrigue me that have always intrigued me," he says. "Ceramics is such a fascinating medium. I'm never bored with it. It has unlimited possibilities." A great overview with tips on negotiating the fairs at
MLive.com:
You've been warned: It's Ann Arbor Art Fairs time Painter Dale Rayburn meets the admiring public at the Street Art Fair
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A little quiet here on the homefront today as artists are deep in their nests readying their nerves for the Ann Arbor Marathon that starts Wednesday morning. Those not in Michigan are recovering from last weekend's big events in Plymouth, Chicago, State College, Madison, St. Joe, Cleveland Heights, Wyandotte -- the big Midwest art fair weekend.
Here's the news from them:
Madison, WI - Big storms came in Friday night that wrecked booths, taking out some entirely. Travis Lindenbaum reported on the NAIA forum: Booths were down in every part of the show, and not just easy-downs. It seemed very random and wide-spread. Several artists were on-site at 3 AM, minimizing damage as best they could for the people who were not there. To add insult to injury the storm dropped hail on the East side of town, where many artists were staying, causing extensive damage to vans.
Matthew Hatala reported that at 2:24 in the morning hail "broke car mirror's and i have a crack in my winshield. took out about 10 booths Ann london, Steve O, Micky Cunningham, and others."
Here's a story from a blogger about Madison: Art Fair Weekend And here's a report from the Madison TV station, including a video of the event.
Any have any sales reports? anybody??
Speaking of storms, the Denver Black Arts Festival was held also this weekend and it sounds like it had a whopper of a storm, much damage. Read this sorry story and see the video.
Krasl Art Fair in St. Joseph, MI - Here's a good wrap-up in the South Bend Tribune. I was so sorry to have to miss this one this year. It is always beautiful weather and it is a great spot for a show on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan.
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College, PA - There is always something interesting going on at this event. The organizers know how to please a crowd and bring them back again - Street painters allow festivalgoers to get look at creative process
Read more: http://www.centredaily.com/116/story/1393191.html?storylink=omni_popular#ixzz0LIEbVsih&C
Wickford, RI's, big festival - nice report with discussions about the economy in the East.
Plymouth, MI - here is a local news story about this big event (400 exhibitors): Plymouth's Art in the Park
My thanks to those of you who made reports on last weekend's events. But what about the rest of you? We need to know from you. I know a lot of you were busy preparing for the next show, but by the end of this month I need to see a lot of reports! Nels, where are you? What about the rest of you? Please give us your slant. Tell us the best thing that happened.
I know, tell us the dumbest thing someone said to you. Let's make this a contest. The best story wins a copy of "Internet Riches" by Scott Fox. Deadline July 24. Comment below.
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I greatly enjoyed the 30th anniversary of Art In the Park. The weather cooperated for the 3 day show except for a downpour Saturday morning from 8 to 10. The show opened at noon and closed at 8pm on Friday, but I had patrons in my booth by 9am and did not close up until 9 as the crowds kept coming. Ditto for Saturday - closing time was 7pm but patrons lingered. My neighbor reported he did not close up until close to 10 as his booth remained busy. Thankfully on Sunday, the lovely people of Plymouth did not linger and everyone could start take down at 5. The Sunday Plymouth paper announced "Record Crowds Predicted" and I believe they were correct as the streets were filled all 3 days as was my booth.I found set up and tear down very well planned and drive up to booth was great. There was no “check in” – You received your booth assignment, and unloading instructions in the mail. Once you were set up, a volunteer brought you the booth tag. I found it nice that the food vendor area had their own street as their large trucks did not venture into most art areas.I talked with several artists and their list of complaints included:Entry fee too high (I agree)No booth sittersNo one giving out water (I will add that the local high school band had a couple of water booths and several times walked around offering to sell water – this was their major fund raiser and perhaps the reason organizers did not offer the water)Music in the center core too loudCrafters and commercial businesses were interwoven with artists. Evidentially this used to be fine art only, but there was a varied cross section of booths.From what I observed, the layout for approximately 400 booths was as good as possible. The core of the event was at a downtown intersection and booths spread out on adjoining streets. I was 3rd from the end of one of those streets. Typically I may have groaned about paying my dues as a first timer at this event, but patrons actually entered from all points of the perimeter. Greyhound type busses ran continually from various park & ride locations and dropped patrons off at one of the less desirable ends. I’m not sure if it was the design of the show or the very experienced event patrons, but I’m fairly sure any patron that attended came down to my end. It was nice to have an active booth, even though not all were buyers. They may be one day.Kellogg Park takes up an entire block and one corner is at the event’s core. The entire park was dedicated to a variety of creative, hands on, kid’s art activities including a kid vendor area where kids sold their art. Throughout the weekend I was thrilled with the higher than average amount of teens & preteens that visited my booth, initiated great art savvy conversations and even purchased some of my photography. I did not make the connection until late Sunday when I realized this lovely community is quite active in its efforts to get kids involved and comfortable with art at a young age. How great is this?Two school lots served for artist parking and ours was approximately 5 blocks away. Overnight parking for those sleeping in motor homes or vans was allowed. The organizers had arranged for discount rates at several hotels. Several of the nearby restaurants dropped off menus and offered booth delivery. Security was provided by city police – not rent a cops. A great majority of the people I spoke with (now remember, I do like to talk) had been severely affected by the problems within the automotive industry and my heart goes out to them. Having said that, I had quite a profitable show. No framed items sold, but I nearly sold out of my 8x10’s and 16x20’s. I also have (9) 18x24 & larger orders to complete when I arrive home Tuesday. I’m thinking I’ll get better gas mileage with (4) empty crates in my trailer!I do so enjoy Michigan & its lovely people. I think I’ll take the long way home to Wisconsin via the U.P. rather than deal with the high van/trailer tolls in Chicago. Yes – it’s probably a wash with the extra gas, but I get to enjoy Michigan for just a tad longer.Bottom line – Entry is high and it is not an all fine art only event. For me, it was an enjoyable show and I will return. I’ll have my typical videos on YouTube later.
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My husband, sculptor Jim Goshorn, had one of those "I think I'll try that." moments with this first time show in Dickson Tennessee. The show was held the last weekend in June and they did a lot of things right. As is always true of first year shows, there were some mistakes. But overall Jim and I think the show was a good one. Despite over 100 degrees heat index and low, low attendance we made some sales. Firefly must have done a pretty good mailing to get such a concentrated art buyer crowd. Load in and load out was easy. Those of us in the shade were hunky-dory, those in the sun were offered help to move Friday evening.Pluses included the Renaissance Center - a fabulous art center; Snacks and water all day long, Dinner Friday night and breakfast on Sunday. A REALLY nice acceptance package and some good publicity.On the downside, parking for the patrons was a mess -- we were told Patrons would have access to the paved parking lot next year.Pretty good score for this event... hope they keep improving...At any rate, we made more at this small venue than we did in East Hampton the following weekend!
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Yes, it seems like it is way too soon to be thinking about the Florida art fair season, yet you know if it is July the winter applications are not far behind.
What a surprise it was to read that the Downtown Naples Association has broken with Howard Alan Events and is joining with the Naples Art Association to put on events in downtown Naples beginning in 2010.
"After 21 years with an out-of-town company, the Downtown Naples Association has joined forces with the Naples Art Association, to produce Fifth Avenue South art festivals.
“With the Naples Art Association administering shows, it will get bigger,” said DNA chairwoman Cathy Christopher. “Being local, they have a huge impetus and great incentive to reach out into the community and make these shows sensational.”
Shows have averaged 30,000 visitors who spend $1.2 million in restaurants and shops, she said.
But as proponents called this a perfect marriage, the DNA’s separation from long-time partner Howard Alan Events could be called a bad breakup."
Read the rest of the article here from the Naples News.
The article says Howard Alan has secured another venue north of the area.
What do you think? Is this a good thing for the artist who has been participating in the HA Events?
Are you more likely to apply under the sponsorship of the DNA?
Do you think this is a good move for the DNA?
Is this good or bad?
Comment below.
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Do you ever watch Antiques Roadshow on PBS and marvel at the prices that the pottery brings? Pay attention. Today I am bringing you an opportunity to have that kind of pottery in your own collection. I bought my first art fair art from Madeline in l976 and have been watching her journey as a ceramicist ever since. She is one of Michigan's most popular artists, exhibiting her pottery at top fairs and galleries, teaching classes and workshops and consulting. Her work has appeared in
American Crafts Magazine, the
New York Times,
Ceramics Monthly and is coveted for private and public collections.
"Mardi Gras Teapot" clay and seed beads- 14"x8"x4" She says,
I was the little girl who always made potholders on a plastic loom on the backyard picnic table. I am the daughter of Irene who baked the fabulous cakes with four tiers of frosted roses, fiber optic lights and fountains. I am the granddaughter of Francis who crocheted tablecloths for the bosses at Ford Motors so her husband could keep his job during the Depression. This month you'll find Madeline in Cleveland Heights, OH, at the
Cain Park Arts Festival and in Ann Arbor, MI, at the
South University Art Fair. Learn more about her and her work as an artist:
ArtFairCalendar.com/featuredartistRead more…
My many thanks to all of you who have added my link to your websites, blog posts, etc. This helps
me get great SEO and carry on my mission of bringing patrons to the art fairs to see and buy the works of your hands. If you haven't done it yet, please add my link to your site. Here is where to
get my links for your site. Linking helps everyone's google rankings and brings more "eyes" to our "pages." Here's my latest publicity coup. Many thanks to Liane Pruchnik of Chicago who did a great write up of my site ArtFairCalendar.com in the Examiner.com:
Summer Art Fairs: Read this article and you won't miss one, no matter where you live! Here is what she says:
"Across Chicago and the suburbs there are amazing Art Fairs open to the public that draw artisans from all over the United States. Food, drink and entertainment can make the outing an all day event. The only problem comes with finding out where the Art Fairs are and when they are taking place! There is a wonderful site that can help you plan your outings - ArtFairCalendar.com." Read the rest of
Liane's article here. Thank you, Liane. I hope to see you at one of the art fairs some day soon.
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Ann Arbor, Michigan
Wed. - Friday, 10 am to 9 pm
Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm - never on SundayWhat else can you expect? This annual extravaganza is the most exciting art fair for the year. The entire center of the city is taken over by four recognized art fairs, plus just about every other square foot of space is taken up by "squatter" shows and artists. Seems like just about everyone who owns real estate in Ann Arbor makes sure they have a slice of the revenue.
What does this mean for you? You can hit the sales and the merchants and find great bargains, and/or you can be wowed by some of the nation's best contemporary artists and find one-of-a-kind treasures to cherish for a lifetime.
Do not be intimidated by the logistics! Everyone works together to make it easy for you to attend. You can park near the fairs or park at Briarwood Mall (I-94 and State St.) and take a shuttle.
For more information:
www.ArtFairCalendar.com/Michiganartfairs
Bet you'll like this story from last year about the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, photos, links and all the info, ArtFairInsider.com
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Find many more art fairs around the country:
www.ArtFairCalendar.comRead more…
Good fortune has allowed us to do Cherry Creek for 13 years - not consecutively. After not being there last year we had hoped that things would be good. It was the first time EVER, anywhere, that we sold only one piece over $100.00. Sales were not anywhere near what they should be for a show of this caliber. Interest however, was amazing. I don't remember both of us talking this much- but it was like pulling teeth. We also gave out MANY business cards. Have had two call backs for larger pieces so it may work out yet. People seem to be very cautious and need some time to think about their purchases.Friday night had torrential rains that didn't help anything. We had close to 10 inches of rain flowing through our booth. I swear there were whitecaps in the middle of the street and surfing was a distinct possibility. Denver had about 1.15 inches of rain in less than half an hour. We stood across the street from our booth in a yoga clothing store with all the skinny people. I wanted to run out to the booth but Jim held me back. I decided to distract myself by looking at the sweet yoga frocks, knowing full well I was safe. Nothing would fit anyway.............
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We did the Des Moines art fair last month, this is only the second time for us. The last time we did it was six years ago. Our sales figures were pretty much the same which is okay with us. Of course when it comes to sales, mediocre is the new good. The show is great about communication, advertising, volunteers, load in and out. They had water coolers behind the booths so you could fill your glass and not accumulate all those plastic bottles. Snacks all weekend (though not much in the healthy department). The weather was hot and humid and sometimes threatening but nothing big happened. The hours are lonnnnngggg so we skipped the breakfast. Wifi at site though some had to move around to find it. Several reports of theft from booths but I think they were resolved.It's all in all a great show and they really try to accommodate the artists in any way possible and if the economy ticks up a bit it will be great!!
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We are asking artists to donate their time and talent to create a piece of art that will be sold at the Gala on October 23, 2009.Details:1. Gather a 6”x6” canvas, piece of paper or other light-weight medium.2. Paint, assemble, or create your work. The only requirement is size—6 inches square.3. Return your finished work along with the completed bottom portion of this form by September 30, 2009 to NCCC, 238 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY 13601. Please be sure to print your full name on the back of the work. Artists will be recognized in the Gala program and on the North Country Children’s Clinic website.4. Works will be sold on October 23, 2009, Gala at SUNY Jefferson Community College. They will be priced at $20 each.All proceeds from the sales will help to “open the doors” to a better quality of life for North Country children.To learn more about either organization visit www.childrens-clinic.org or www.ncaccess.org or call (315) 782-9450.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Detach and return this portion taped to your work- - - - - - - - - - - - - -Artist contact information:Canvas Information: ___________________________________________________________________Artist’s Name ___________________________________________________________________Title ___________________________________________________________________Street Address ___________________________________________________________________City/ST/Zip Medium ___________________________________________________________________Phone Email ___________________________________________________________________I give permission to NCCC and NCAC to reproduce my art for the purpose of promoting the 6x6 Art Opens Doors project with credit to the artist available upon request. ___________________________________________________________________Signature…
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Ann Arbor, Michigan
Wed. - Friday, 10 am to 9 pm
Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm - never on Sunday
What else can you expect? This annual extravaganza is the most exciting art fair for the year. The entire center of the city is taken over by four recognized art fairs, plus just about every other square foot of space is taken up by "squatter" shows and artists. Seems like just about everyone who owns real estate in Ann Arbor makes sure they have a slice of the revenue.
What does this mean for you? You can hit the sales and the merchants and find great bargains, and/or you can be wowed by some of the nation's best contemporary artists and find one-of-a-kind treasures to cherish for a lifetime.
Do not be intimidated by the logistics! Everyone works together to make it easy for you to attend. You can park near the fairs or park at Briarwood Mall (I-94 and State St.) and take a shuttle.
For more information:
www.ArtFairCalendar.com/Michiganartfairs
Bet you'll like this story from last year about the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, photos, links and all the info, ArtFairInsider.com
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Find many more art fairs around the country:
www.ArtFairCalendar.com
