September 25-27 Itasca, Illinois Usher Park 100 artists Deadline: June 7 The first annual juried Fine Arts and Wine Festival will take place in historic downtown Itasca in scenic Usher Park near the gateway to its newly created River Walk. September is Illinois Wine Month and Itasca is taking advantage of it. There will be music in the gazebo and the winding walkways of the park will combine wine tasting, fine art and painted iron benches. What to expect: --$5000 in prize money --Free parking, electricity and a hospitality area --Volunteers for setup, takedown and boothsitting --10 x 10 booths offset so you may use up to 2' on either side of your booth for outside display; 3' maximum of storage space behind tent
What else? Benches on Parade Some years ago Chicago's Cows on Parade (340 life-size cow statues on the city streets) set off a craze over the entire country. Streets in dozens of cities are now adorned with life-size or larger-than-life figures of people, animals or things. Here is Itasca's plan: Twenty-five, 6 ft iron benches with wooden slats, will be offered to the accepted artists interested in decorating one. The benches will be auctioned off on the weekend of the festival with 50% of auction price going to the painter of each bench, the other 50% to support the arts in Itasca. Fine art, fine wine and live music make a great combination. Starting a new event can be a challenge, but from these early plans it looks as though Itasca is taking it on. This is a great time of the year for beautiful outdoor days in Chicagoland. Worth a try? For more information visit:
www.itasca.com/artfestival or email:
artfair@itasca.com, or call 630/773-0835. Apply today:
www.zapplication.orgRead more…
Usually there are very decent relationships between art fair organizers and artists, but two different sources sent me this info recently about the Virginia Highlands show in Atlanta, Ga.
From Sally J Bright at the NAIA forum:
This weekend an artist told me he was on the waitlist for the Virginia highlands show, which had a $300 booth fee. He said the show contacted him and offered him a space for $400! He is now a new member of NAIA.
Another artist member, upon hearing this, told me about his last experience with the same show. He was offered the opportunity to set up one day early, if he paid approximately $50 additional. Considering the congested area and set-up hassle, he decided to do so but when he pulled out his check book, the show staffer told him cash only. After a few words he relented and told her/him to give him a receipt. That person had the audacity to say no, that could not be done. The artist refused to pay cash without a receipt and the show finally gave him a hand-written 'receipt'. He has not applied to the show again.
I'm pretty surprised, and I'd guess you are too. Can this be the whole story? Let's see if we can get an answer.
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Please send me your reports - really I'll take not-so-good reports also. But it is June and you know what that means across the upper part of the country! Art fair season!! So far this year we haven't had the torrential rains that were an every weekend occurrence last Spring. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Amy Amdur reports from Chicago: Arlington Heights..Great weekend, huge crowds, great sales..happy artists. I have had direct contact from artists on this also. Hopefully this one, as well as the Deerfield Festival last weekend, are the harbingers of a great season in Chicago. Arlington Heights Art Fair See you at 57th Street this weekend? Always an interesting event in a terrific old neighborhood.
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September 26 & 27 Bloomsbury, New Jersey on the historic Main Street 80 Exhibitors Deadline: June 15
This sounds like the September art fair for which you have been looking: "This is a community run festival and all proceeds go directly to our local elementary school, funding the cultural arts program. We have a very small school (pre-k thru 8th grade, one class for each grade) and a correspondingly very small budget...the festival provides for cultural and/or educational assemblies that our children would otherwise go without. We've had local artists in for an Artist's Day, authors in to do readings & workshops, dance/music assemblies and many more.
The festival was started 10 years ago by a former art teacher at the school, and when she moved last year community members took over the running of it. It's an enormous undertaking & many many people are involved & committed to its success. Bloomsbury Fine Art/Craft Festival is in Hunterdon County, NJ, a very affluent area of the state, and is easy to get to, directly off a main highway about 1 1/2 hrs from both NYC & Philadelphia. We usually attract artists from NJ & eastern PA, but have had people travel from further away (Florida, Ohio off the top of my head). The festival is held on Main Street, which is lined with old trees & Victorian era homes. Local non profit organizations (churches, PTO & the FD Ladies Auxiliary) run food booths, all featuring home-made goodies...we have a stage & feature 5-6 different musical acts throughout the weekend, and also have a children's area with various activities (magic, story telling, face painting etc.) that are run throughout the festival." --Lisa Thomas, Chair Visit their very nice web site for more info and to download an application:
www.bloomsburyartsfest.com *********** Looking for more art fairs for 2009? Visit:
ArtFairCalendar.com/callforentriesRead more…
Fine Art at the Lakes - New Event! Friday - July 31 Saturday - August 1 Walled Lake, Michigan 100 artists Deadline: June 15 Nestled in the lakes area of affluent Oakland County, the 1st Annual Fine Art at the Lakes Art Festival will be held on the grounds of Walled Lake Central High School in Walled Lake, MI. Don't miss this opportunity to participate in this new juried addition to the summer fine art show calendar which will feature some of the finest local and national artisans exhibiting their work in finely crafted art pieces. You will be pleasantly surprised by the level of organization of this new art festival and the attention given to every detail. The committee is chaired by an experienced artist with years of art fair experience and extensive knowledge of the needs of the artists and what it takes to host a first-class art festival.
The Walled Lake Central Marching Band is hosting this event and is supported by the Walled Lake School District with a Art Fair Calendar.compopulation of over 15,000 students and families. An intensive ad and publicity campaign will be held to promote the event throughout the region, including advertising in local and major newspapers, radio and television promotions, local cable stations, e-mail blasts throughout the school district, direct mail, and outdoor media. What to expect: * Lots of free entertainment highlighting a wide variety of musical talent * Free art tent for children and their families * Food court featuring local restaurants Our hospitality committee will assist artists by providing: * Friendly volunteers to help load and unload vehicles * Volunteers to booth sit throughout the event * Security throughout the event and on Friday evening * Plenty of free parking * Artist hospitality booth including hand-delivered lunches, booth signs, and much more. For more information: 1. visit the website at
www.wlcbands.com 2. contact the
Fine Art at the Lakes hotline at 248-956-4981 3. and apply on line at
www.zapplication.orgRead more…
Bar Codes by Robert Robert Carriveau(I want to pass this on as I got this email this morning). Thought it would be appropriate to pass on in this forum especially those looking to have a "leg up" on the whole "Made in China" stuff.)Very good info! I'm not buying anything else Made in China . We had 2 foreign exchange students from China living with us & they always checked bar codes. They would put some things down and say 'no good - not same as in China ' When we asked them about that later, they said China sends the inferior things to the U.S.A. , for what its worth.Bar Codes Identify Country of Origin - Be Sure to Check ThemThe whole world is scared of China-made 'black hearted goods'. Can you differentiate which one is made in the USA ,Philippines , Taiwan or China ?For example, the first 3 digits of the bar code reflect the country code where the product was made.All bar codes that start with 690, 691, 692, thru 695 are MADE IN CHINA.Bar code items starting with 471 are Made in Taiwan.Chinese businessmen know that American consumers don't prefer products 'Made in China ', so they don't show from which country it originates any longer.However, you may now refer to the barcode. Remember if the first 3 digits are in the range 690-695, then it is Made in China .00 ~ 13 USA & CANADA30 ~ 37 FRANCE40 ~ 44 GERMANY49 ~ JAPAN50 ~ UK57 ~ Denmark64 ~ Finland76 ~ Switzerland & Lienchtenstein471 ~ Taiwan480 ~ Philippines628 ~ Saudi Arabia629 ~ UAE ( United Arab Emirates )740-745 ~ Central AmericaPlease inform your family and friends.It is our human right to know, but its not the government's job to educate the public, just to rake in the taxes.Therefore, we have to protect ourselves & make everyone aware.
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Our second year at this 4 day fair in Downtown Denver over Memorial day. After the Texas shows (Bayou, Main St. Cottonwood) had my concerns about the economy in Colorado.The show was one of the most efficiently run to date. Jim Delutes is a show circuit alumni that runs the thing from the perspective of the artist. Load in, load out was a breeze with volunteers everwhere to help. The crowds were there, a testiment to Jim's marketing effort, a huge improvement over last year.The weather (rain all four days) and the Nuggets in the playoffs affected sales, but despite these obstacles we did close to our goal of 5K. I can see this one developing to a major show if the economy ever improves (sorry guys, just because it's off the front page and a few Bozo's say things are looking up, this is gonna take more than a wave of Obama's magic wand to fix). The show is in a fabulous location off the 16th St. Mall, Coors field just a stones throw away. It winds thru the Denver Pavilions, a "lifestyle" type shopping district that is a destination for tourists, the bars, eating establishments draw the locals.For us, to sleep in our own beds, cook our own food, was a rare pleasure.The motel life gets old fast. This one stays a keeper on my schedule. Mark Zurek
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Adjacent to the 8th Annual River Raisin Jazz Festival
August 8 & 9 Saturday 10-6; Sunday 12-6 in the newly renovated Historic Downtown of Monroe, Michigan Presented by the Downtown Monroe Business Network Booth fee: $100 Deadline: July 17 The 6th annual Downtown Monroe Art Fair is fast becoming one of the areas nicest places to pick up some fantastic artwork. Located in Monroe's newly renovated Historical District, the atmosphere is beautiful and relaxing. Booths are located around the scenic Loranger Square. There is live jazz in the pavilion located in the Square. The art fair is also held at the same time as the extremely popular River Raisin Jazz Fest whose main stage is two blocks away. These two events bring in a crowd of 40,000 plus people. Accepting all forms of fine artwork, and jurying each entry to obtain the best variety of exhibitors, the Monroe Fine Art Fair is a show you surely don't want to miss out on. Expect: * Booth sitters * Curbside loading and unloading * 24 hour security * Electricity and table rental available. Download an application:
www.dmbn.org Monroe is
easily accessible by many of my readers, located in southeastern Michigan. From artist Christy LaRoy:
This is the weekend to be in Monroe, they have officially estimated 40,000 in attendance to the Jazz Fest, and I know we have our own following just for the Art Show also, but I'm not sure on any exact numbers beside talking to all the people that come buy my tent. (I'm my own little pollster). Last year despite some bad weather some of the sales for some of the return artists were even better than any other year. There was a pottery lady right down from me who sold almost every piece she had. But we have good food, lots of restaurants and bars surrounding us and I haven't been to a street fair with such nice volunteers, even the artists seem extra nice at this show. Nice combination: jazz and art. This sounds like a good place to spend an August weekend - near to many of my readers, very fair booth fee, plus great hospitality. For more info and an application:
www.monroemainstreet.com Email:
monroeartfair@gmail.com or Jennifer Fountain at 734-242-1472
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How is that for an upbeat headline? We are just not going to let the economy get us down.
Last week I was interviewed by Chris Coates of the Suburban Journals that cover the St. Louis vicinity about my feelings about economic conditions and their effect on the summer fairs.
It is a pretty comprehensive story that includes new details on the recent Belleville, IL, Fair on the Square, plus prognostications for the future.
Who would have thought I would become an expert after all the years spent putting up the art fair booth in sweltering, torrential or freezing weather, dogs peeing on the tent, sweeping the streets to keep the booth clean and the rest of the unglamorous tasks associated with the art fair business?
The people Chris talked to discussed not only the economy but what they are doing to combat it for their fairs.
Ask Roy-el Catering co-owner Sherry Nungesser what's to blame for stagnant sales during the annual Art on the Square festival last weekend in Belleville, and the response is quick.
And, for once, the recession is off the hook....
The subtle difference is an important indicator to the legions of mostly volunteers who plan, budget and execute dozens of local community and church fairs across the region every spring and summer. Many take months of coordinating and huge sums to pull off, all with the goal of boosting community spirit, raising money or both.
Such conditions would seem to put community fairs in the crosshairs of the current recession, which has cut revenues for numerous groups, especially for nonprofits.
But many planners are adamant that won't be the case. The reason: More people are avoiding vacations and staying home, making them a prime customer for summertime festivals oozing with community spirit.
Read the rest of the article here, keep your chins up and hope for the best: Summer fair planners hope locals stay localRead more…
Our setup in Decatur was a bit awkward because no one was allowed into the park before 6:30, even with a dolly. Angie Macon said that next year they will be looking into allowing artists to set up in the early morning hours by appointment as an option to the later setup time. We had dropped off our stuff the evening before right next to our spot. When we tried to put the tent together at 6:15 a muscular, tattooed cop with a buzz cut asked us to wait another fifteen minutes. We had to admit, though, that she was really nice about it. There were loud complaints from artists at first (no, really.. artists were actually heard to COMPLAIN) but it all worked out. I got the impression from the organizers that they will make a major effort for smoother setups next year. Rain had been predicted for both days, but we only got about an hour's worth on Saturday and a shower on Sunday. Unfortunately, the Sunday shower came right at teardown. When it was apparent that storms were imminent, the staff and police threw away the script and started routing traffic like a well oiled machine. Our sales were off by about thirty percent. The crowds weren't bad, but most of our sales were little stuff. I am too embarrassed to reveal our average sale. We would do the show again next year. If we cut out all the shows that disappointed us so far this year we would be out of a job. Job?
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Always great to hear about art fairs making money. Here is a press release from Bayou City Art Festival in Houston, TX:
What: Art Colony Assn. (organizers of the Bayou City Art Festivals) to make check presentations totaling $60,000 to 16 Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park Nonprofit Partners and present Top Ten Volunteers Awards
Where: Capital One Bank Plaza – 5718 Westheimer @ Bering Drive (1st Floor, Main Lobby)
When: Wed., May 27, 6:30 p.m. CHECK PRESENTATION
Who: Art Colony Association Board of Directors, Local Nonprofit Partners, Capital One Bank City President Annella Metoyer and Houston City Council Member Peter Brown and
Nonprofit Partners: Over the past 38 years, Bayou City Art Festival has raised close to $2.5 million for local nonprofit organizations and the City of Houston. The 2009 Nonprofit Partners to receive checks are: Art League Houston, Bering Omega Community Services, City ArtWorks; Diverseworks, Downtown YMCA, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston Center for Photography, Lawndale Art Center, Memorial Park Conservancy, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Several Dancers Core, SPARK School Park Program, Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts, and Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA).
Festival Producer: Art Colony Assn. Inc., a 501c(3) org., Kim Stoilis, Exec. Dir.
The Festival is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance
The City of Houston, Budweiser Select, Capital One Bank, Legacy at Memorial, Houston Parks & Recreation Department and KTRK-TV are the Festival sponsors. The Festival is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.
Congratulations to Kim Stollis, Kelly Kindred, and the staff at the Art Colony. We're counting on Texas to stay strong and lead the rest of the state and then the nation to strong support of the arts.
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Weary of huge, impersonal summer art fairs? Come claim a grassy plot in downtown Farmington, MI, at Art on the Grand - southeast Michigan's artist-friendly alternative. July 17th, 18th & 19th Farmington Hills, MI Fri & Sat: 10am-9pm, Sun: 11am-5pm Application deadline: June 1 Art on the Grand is the fine arts section of the 44-year-old Farmington Founders Festival, located right on Grand River Avenue in the heart of Farmington. The Festival is the community's premier event with the weekend's many, varied events including nearby concerts and performances, children's activities, and food vendors. This art fair really is for you - past participants at Art on the Grand tell us how much they appreciate the special attention they receive, and feel they are not lost in the crowd. The committee does everything they can to treat you right: * Provide assistance the day of set-up and the evening of take-down * Put our reliable staff at your disposal, to relieve you for breaks * Offer donuts, bagels, and coffee in the morning, and cold bottled water or lemonade for the sultry afternoons The committee says, "the artists have told us how much they enjoy this fair, as opposed to a massive, impersonal fair setting, where they get lost in the crowd of exhibitors. They love the special attention they receive both from us and the crowd that attends, calling this a "gem of an art fair". Art on the Grand is a juried show, accepting applications in any artistic medium, provided it is
* fine * original * handmade (original prints may be sold) Art Fair Calendar.com At stake is a $500 "Best of Show" prize, as well as two honorary Mayor's Choice awards from the mayors of Farmington Hills and Farmington, plus, of course, whatever sales you make (all commission-free)! Cost for a 10 X 10 booth for all three days is only $250. This art fair is for you: with one of the nation's highest SEVs, Farmington and Farmington Hills vigorously support the arts, and welcome you to our community. Download the application at:
www.ci.farmingtonhills/artonthegrand For further information, contact Farmington Hills Cultural Arts, 28600 W. 11 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48336 Phone: 248 473 1870 Fax: 248 473 1871 E-mail:
ncoumoundouros@fhgov.comRead more…
I always loved doing one day art fairs - you get there, you set up, the people come, they buy and then you are on the way home! No dithering or waiting for people to make decisions. They know you won't be there long. The art fair is their destination for the day and they have made plans to buy. What's not to like? Here are my two favorites:
1. 'Round the Fountain Art Fair, Lafayette, IN-- always held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This is undoubtedly the best quality art fair in Indiana. Lafayette is a university town, home of Purdue University. The event is held around its beautifully restored courthouse. In fact it was started to raise funds for the restoration of the courthouse some time ago! Small, 80 artists, with an audience who is loyal and who buy every year. It has the advantage of a well-loved tradition in a more or less rural area that is full of people who love it. Here is a good story, including video, from the local television station:
Sunny skies make a perfect day. Here is another story from the Lafayette paper:
Art patrons score at fountain art fair. Wood artist LeRoy Bayerl of Marshfield, Wis., won best of show. My old friend jeweler Jack Forney earned second place honors and Randall Harden of Noblesville came in third.
2.
Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, Charlevoix, MI -- always on the second Saturday of August I loved this one because it was a chance to get "up north" on a beautiful summer day, eat fresh whitefish, see the playground of the well-to-do, hang out a little on Lake Michigan, and do some very decent sales. In fact, we had our best one day sales ever at this event. The fair is set up on the waterfront of a beautiful harbor. There are some fabulous boats docked there. The owners would host parties on their boats and then come into the park to shop and take their goods back to the boat. The art fair weekend is the biggest one all summer in Charlevoix. The committee is all volunteer and terrific. In the morning expect homemade muffins, coffee and http://www.charlevoixwaterfrontartfair.org/seeing your friends, gathered here for the festivities. Plus, if the committee likes your work there is a good chance you will be reinvited for years to come. The weather is invariably fabulous and was a reminder of why we live in Michigan. Do you have any favorite one day art fairs? Tell us about them.
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Sunday July 19th Kenosha, Wisconsin Kenosha Friends of the Public Museums Art Fair 10 AM - 5 PM 200 Exhibitors Late Deadline: June 10 (late fee $25) Does the city of Kenosha, WI, have a place in your art fair future? Located
between Chicago and Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, Kenosha lures city people to this verdant community on this summer weekend. One day art fairs are great. Visitors await them all year and know that the buying is "now or never." Art fairs associated with a cultural institution bring the audience you are looking for. This is a beautiful park setting with up to 10,000 people in attendance. It is one of the most popular art fairs in the area with cash prizes of $1250.00. The art fair is the Friends of the Kenosha Public Museums largest fundraiser of the year. Artists return year after year due to its popular appeal. What's not to like? * one day - you will be in and out * beautiful time of year for weather * spacious booth spaces: 10 x 16 * great booth fee: $100 There is also fun for the whole family with a children's activity area and great local food. For more information about the Public Museum and the art fair and to download an application visit:
www.kenosha.org/museumRead more…
My 1st year at this show and I was very impressed. I pull a trailer so I am usually early. Booth #'s were in chalk and rain washed them away. Staff was right on it and had remarked in record time. The wind was horrible Sat.. 2 glass artists lost most of their inventory, felt awful for them. Could hear things breaking throughout the day. My trimline anchored by my stones and display fixtures was a blessing, I wasn't going anywhere! Sat. sales were constant with small items being the majority of sales. Didn't make it to the artist reception, cold and beat up by the wind. Sunday was beautiful! Had many high end sales. Did around 4K for weekend..Thanks Michigan! Crowds were constant and very heavy at times, lots waited to come out Sun due to weather. E Lansing organization was awesome. Easy load in/out, volunteers everywhere. Jeweler found that Sat night someone threw up in back of his tent, he called head of show,within 20 minutes they had it cleaned up for him. Artists for the most part were happy with sales. Hope I am fortunate to be invited back next year. Kalamazoo is next for me,will let you know how it goes.Kevin
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A web photo. We must live in a wild life sanctuary. The night before last night...coyotes. We live in a suburban townhouse! Coyotes skulking across the lawn?
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Let people know your work is made in the USA!Do you get people asking if you are a local artist or if your work is Made in the USA? If you are a local artist and the materials you use are from the good 'ol US of A, you need to let people know it.In today's market there is a HUGE demand for locally made products - honey, produce, gifts with local flair such as souvenirs, recycled nostalgic crafts, culture influenced art and crafts.... The tourism industry - which is profitable in any market - is one many artist/crafts people are targeting and getting their name out there regarding their homegrown work. Pottery made locally with hometown names on them, Christmas ornaments, rag rugs, purses, recycled jewelry (like earrings made from local sea glass) - they are all in high demand. Why? Because consumers are more likely now than before to want to support people who do create items Made in the USA. With many toys made in China being recalled, USA jobs going over seas, are all pushes to drive more Americans to buy local in order to support the American economy. Inform anyone willing to listen that you are a local artist and supporting local artists (with items made in the USA) also helps build and is an investment in local economies.How can you show that your work is made locally or made in the USA? The easiest thing to do is have an 8x11 sign (bigger might be better) in your booth stating "My art is PROUDLY made in the USA" or "Locally Made Products Sold Here". Sometimes the sign alone will draw people in to see get a better look at what you make. Another idea is to make (or use) labels and use them as apart of your pricing stickers/hang tags. Try displaying a few small American flags with a tag stating Made in the USA. Put Made in the USA on all your promo material - websites (every page), business cards (on the back if you don't have room on the front), and on brochures or fliers that you give out to people for your up and coming shows.Of course this can help with Memorial Day events and the weekend shows leading up to Independance Day, this is something that should be done year around to remind the public that it is important to buy items made in the USA.Michelle Sholundwww.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.comCome visit my website, www.bythebaybotanicals.com
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