Here is the latest news from Juried Art Services' President Paul Fisher:
On January 12th Juried Art Services experienced a server crash. All systems have been restored but some data was lost. We have taken the necessary actions to prevent this kind of occurrence in the future.
In greater detail, here's what happened: We had been replicating data to a second hard drive to provide both backup and disaster recovery abilities. The data loss occurred when the data on the first drive became corrupted, and due to a hardware failure, this condition was
then replicated to the second drive. We immediately had the servers couriered to one of the nations leading data recovery firms (used by Dunn & Bradstreet and NASA.) They were unsuccessful and all data entered after Dec 24th was lost. Because this was a hardware failure, not a system crash, all software and functions remained fully intact.
We have now brought a new server system online to ensure future security. We have switched hosting companies, upgraded our services, added load balancing services to address both traffic fluctuations and hardware failures and now have an offsite backup server in place.
Applications, new accounts and images uploaded between December 24th and January 12th had to be re-created. All applicants who had paid their applications were notified quickly by JAS and/or the respective shows to alert them to check if their application was affected and
information had to be re-entered. After going "off air" on January 12th the site was back up on the 17th with a prominent notice on the home page of our web site explaining what happened and what action needed to be taken. We then took three days to re-check and
thoroughly de-bug the system and on January 20th notified everybody in our system and placed notices on Internet forums and art show web sites. We extended all customer services so that we could quickly respond by phone or email to everyone. To make the process easier we
implemented a new e-mail address for artists to send us their images, which we then resized and upload for them.
JAS is totally committed to providing the best application and jurying process in the world. We have made a substantial investment in our infrastructure and staffing and we are very excited about the upcoming release of great new features and innovations later this
year. Together we will provide every possible advantage to our artists and shows to help them prosper and grow. And as of today, all shows have nearly met or exceeded the number of applications from before the incident.
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If you've never attended an art fair jury session, or seen a zapplication jury the Columbus Arts Festival will be doing an open jury on February 6-8. You are welcome to attend. Attending a jurying can be an eye opening experience. You will see why some people seem to get into all the art fairs and definitely see why others don't even stand a chance. It is especially helpful to see the competition in your particular media. It will be held in Upper Arlington at the City Manager's office at 3600 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington, Ohio, 43221
For more information you can call the Columbus Arts Festival office at 614-224-2606
My thanks to Larry Berman from his Digital Jurying Tips newsletter for this info.
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Associated Press - January 25, 2009 5:05 PM ET
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A chance find by a Goodwill worker in Nashville turned up a 100-year-old original water color painting worth more than $6,000. Read the rest of the story here:
http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9729541
Artists who have been in this business for awhile know that their work turns up at garage sales, thrift shops, on eBay, and at auctions. I personally receive inquiries about my husband's work -- too often the owners want to sell it back to us :) A typical story is similar to this one by Carol Weber, wife of painter, Michael Weber:
I was in an antique mall in Leesburg, FL, found one of Michael's paintings and bought it for around $5.00. The following weekend we hung it in our booth for sale and sold it for several hundred dollars!
I know there is outstanding work at the art fairs, but that most of us will have to be dead before it brings the deserved price.
What about you? Do you have a story to contribute to this?
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Posted by don crozier on January 25, 2009 at 11:46pm
Anyone going to Buyers' Market in Philly in February?http://www.americancraft.com/BMAC/We are planning to drive from St Louis, a little risky this time of year, but last year, we made it okay. Hotel rooms were fairly easy to get on Priceline, which could be a bad sign. Has anyone heard anything?
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Hey fellow artists-Can anyone tell me where there are "juried" art fairs in MIchigan in Janand Feb., 2009? Looking to attend a couple before taking the plunge inearly Spring/Summer.Much appreciatedJeffrey
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D & W Events, Inc., is featuring three (3) top notch Chicago area shows this summer. Debbie Netter, President and founder of D & W, has 20+ years of organizing events and knows how to make it less stressful for everyone! Top reasons to consider a
D & W Events, Inc., show: (not in order of importance!) 1. Well run, organized and fun! 2. Attentive artist hospitality including booth sitters, hot and iced coffee both days, continental breakfast both days, indoor restroom facilities, bottled water delivered to you frequently throughout the show, discounted hotel rates, overnight security 3. Booth fees for all shows remains at $275.00, and jury fee, $25.00. Larger booths and corners available for additional fee. 4. Wonderful attendance from a higher economic buying crowd 5. Advertising intrinsically placed to capture the high to middle economic crowd 6. Easy load in and out 7. Promoter who cares and will implement your suggestions 8. Booth fee checks not cashed until show acceptance (or returned promptly) 9. Smaller shows means less artist competition 10. Juried and judged by industry professionals
What artists say about
D & W Events, Inc.:
"This is our 7th year returning to the festival in Deerfield. D & W runs a great show. Nothing is left to chance." Christine & John Strobel
"Your organization, attentiveness and hard work makes your festivals successful." Karen Joyce
"I've consistently done well at D & W festivals. That's why I return every year!" Devin Somerville This festival kicks off the Chicago area season:
MAY 23 & 24 Cuneo Gardens Art Fest 1350 Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL Presented by: Cuneo Museum & Gardens Deadline: March 15, 2009 Held in the sculpture garden of the historic Cuneo Mansion adjacent to the formal gardens and golf course - Approximately 75 - 100 artists - 4th year festival - Median home price - $530,000
MAY 30 & 31 Deerfield Festival of Fine Arts Deerfield Road and Park Avenue, Deerfield, IL Presented by: Deerfield Fine Arts Commission & Village of Deerfield Deadline: March 15, 2009 Held in town, busy city-like atmosphere - Approximately 125 - 160 artists - 7th year festival - Median home price - $825,000
JULY 11 & 12 Art in the Park - Northbrook Village Green Park, 1320 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL Presented by Northbrook Arts Commission in collaboration with Village of Northbrook And Northbrook Park District Deadline: March 15, 2009 Held in beautiful downtown park, center of Northbrook - Approximately 75 - 100 artists - 9th year festival - Media home price - $625,000 Visit the
D & W Events website for more information and to download an application:
www.dwevents.org More questions? Contact Debbie Netter at
dwevents@comcast.netRead more…
I have had this conversation with other art fair directors. Occasionally we receive phone calls from groups who want to start an art fair - they think this would be a fun way to make some money. Please, folks, this is anything but fun! Lots of hard work, heartbreak and not much profit. Think really hard about it.
On the other hand, I just ran across this event taking place this weekend in Howell, MI. Please take note that this community is in the heart of the 10.6 unemployment rate of metro Detroit.
Popularity of "Project Runway" harnessed for creative art show
"I've been a 'Project Runway' junkie myself," said Mary Rettenmaier, community coordinator for the Women's Resource Center, the agency organizing the event.
Rettenmaier was approached by The Opera House officials with a request to host a different kind of art show. Her goal was to involve as many people as possible, including those not typically on the art scene. Once the idea was pitched, help rolled in from many area businesses, said Rettenmaier. Clothing and accessories were donated, makeup and hair stylists volunteered to dress up the models, and members of the Livingston Arts Council, which owns The Opera House, offered the space.
The event:
• What: Livingston County's Project Runway Repurposed is a community art project initiated by the Women's Resource Center to introduce the art of clothing design and sewing. Products are made from secondhand materials with added trim and accessories.
• Who: Event will feature works from 46 designers from Livingston County and beyond.
• When: Sunday, January 25, at 2 p.m.
• Where: The Opera House, 123 W. Grand River Ave., downtown Howell.
• Admission: $5 per person.
• Details: On the Web at www.theoperahouse.us.
I love that they are using recycled materials, presenting the "art show" in a new way. Don't you think there are other ways to use the arts to re-energize people and bring them out for fun and profit?
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Last weekend took me away from talking with you. Leaving Michigan I met up with my sister in Indiana and we trekked to
Washington, D.C., for the inaugural festivities. Her son was marching in the Parade so we had some good connections for parties and lodging. Who could resist being part of this historic occasion?
Among other things we visited the Mall (full of smiling happy people), the
Freer Gallery, spent an hour in line to view the iconic
Shepard Fairey original poster of
Barack Obama at the
National Portrait Gallery. The museum was mobbed, all the galleries full of people including the very cool Lincoln room.
After reporting on the
Manifest Hope exhibit since July in these blogs we had to go to Georgetown to view that show. Again...long lines, wrapped around the block to get in! Is this good news when the galleries are full to bursting.
The
Manifest Hope: DC Gallery celebrates the artists across the nation who used their voices to amplify and motivate the grass root movement and carried President Barack Obama to victory. It was full of images of Obama in all media and it was packed with people who had come to see them.
There is an interesting discussion on where the photo came from that Shepard Fairey used as the basis of his image of Barack Obama, was it okay or was it plaigiarism? Thanks to
Duke Klassen at the
NAIA Forum for sending this link:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-sto...t-famous-photo/ Getting up in the dark and walking through the dark to the Metro station at 6:30 am as part of a growing group of
people came out of houses and joined us on the street was magical. Dark, cold and quiet, yet once inside the Metro there were huge groups of people and the excitement was building. We had a good vantage point from inside, out of the cold, but after the motorcade had passed through the crowds dissipated and we could reach Pennsylvania Avenue and cheer for the parade. Wish you could have been there, so much good will and happy people meant good spirits for all. We talked with strangers from all over the country, laughed and danced. How can we keep this good feeling going?
P.S. The only celebrity sitings were David Arquette, who was in line with us to view the Fairey print at the Portrait Gallery and Garrison Keillor who we ran right into at the Parade. Also we saw Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow at the Michigan reception where I welcomed my brand new congressman, Mark Schauer, to his new job.
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Recent news is of the demise of these art fairs for 2008:
Cancelled - Wheaton, IL, Fine Art Fair, held annually in downtown Wheaton in July. I do not have confirmation from the organizers, but from a reader who has been trying to contact them.
I appreciate any information I receive such as this. Keeping the calendar up to date is a continual work of art!
With the economy taking such a nose dive, I'm hoping this won't be happening a lot. I heard the Michigan governor, Jennifer Granholm, saying today (as Michigan hit double digit unemployment figures) that this state had never recovered from the tech bust of 2000. Those of you who have been doing art fairs can attest to the change in the sales at the local events. Nonetheless, the people still come and are looking for your one-of-a-kind goods and looking for you.
I have had a record number of inquiries from art fair organizers in recent months. The art fairs are going to be there and I hope you will too!
One of my phone calls was from a new art fair organizing near Flint, MI, at Swartz Creek with the community organized behind it to be held in late August. Stay tuned for the good news too!
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Posted by don crozier on January 17, 2009 at 2:43pm
Don's note- This is a wonderful opportunity for midwesterners to learn about the business end of art. This workshop is being conducted by top professionals in the St Louis area. Alton is just a half hour north of St Louis.Framing your life as an artist:Saturday, January 24, 10:00 – 3:00Jacoby Arts Center627 E. BroadwayAlton, IL 62002618-462-5222info@jacobyartscenter.org$40 fee.Advance registration recommended. Please call if you are interested, the workshop is filling fast.Since making art is only one aspect of our lives as artists - The goal of this workshop is to address those other areas of concern, identify resources, and explore a wide range of possibilities which exist, allowing us to move forward and sustain ourselves as artists.Agenda9:30—10:00Registration Coffee, Juice, Bagels10:00—1130Welcome: Susan Bostwick & Kate PossPanel: Opportunities, Options & StrategiesCharity Davis-Woodard, artist; Ken Konchel, artist; Laura Miller, St. Louis Art Fair; Mary Giles, artist; Kathryn Nahorski, Artistic Director Jacoby Arts Center; Emily Blumenfeld, VIA Partnership11:30—12:30Lunch*Networking, Building Tours(There are 4 restaurants & fast food chains within easy walking distance, or you can bring your lunch.)12:30 – 1:30,Panel: Law & ArtSue Greenberg, Executive Director VLAASteve Dawson, Bryan Cave LLC1:30 – 3:00Bookkeeping & TaxesSue Greenberg, VLAAStella Vivod, H&R Block1:30 – 3:00Photographing Work, Submitting Digital Images, Utilizing the WebJoseph Gruber PhotographyJim Cook, studiojmcResume & Artist Statement ReviewIf you would like feedback on your resume / bio, provided by John Harvey & Susan Bostwick - bring your documents (along with images of your work) on a disc or jump drive. There 15 available slots – first come, first serve. Comments will be emailed. Please include contact information / email address along with your materials.Portfolio ReviewKate Poss will provide brief portfolio reviews between 12:30 & 1:30.There are 8 available slots – first come, first serve. Sign up with paid registration.Please register by calling 618-462-5222Payment accepted via credit card, by check (payable to the Madison County Arts Council), or in person.Jacoby Arts Center627 E. BroadwayAlton, IL 62002
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I am heading out momentarily for a five day trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the inaugural festivities and will probably not be posting here for awhile.
While I'm gone, please continue to talk among yourselves and invite your friends to join us. It's been great to watch this site begin to take hold. Welcome to everyone. Don Crozier, I'll bet you have some good ideas for some posts and I challenge the rest of you also. It is freezing here in Michigan, I am thinking of good friends (like David Bigelow above) and the warm and sunny days of art fairs.
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In addition to the problems engendered by the crashing of the computer servers at Juried Art Services this week that halted the applications to the Chicago area Amdur Productions events, here are a couple of other events that have extended their deadlines.
Krasl Art Fair, St. Joseph, MI - July 11 & 12, new deadline: January 18
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI - July 15-18, new deadline: January 19
Amdur Productions, 12 Chicago area events, new deadline: January 28
In recent weeks I have had the opportunity to receive some administrator training on these online services. What is probably obvious to you, but what only just dawned to me, is that now that applications are online, when a deadline says "June 2 - midnight", that that is what happens. At that time the computer receiving the data closes the application. Long gone are the days when applications were actually closed when the postman dropped off the mail at the art fair office, allowing a nice piece of "wiggle room" in the deadlines.
There is a nice list of art fairs with their calls for entries at my other website: ArtFairCalendar.com/call for entries. These events support this site and ArtFairCalendar.com whose mission is to bring patrons to art fairs. Please visit that page and take a hard look at the opportunities presented there. Thank you.
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From the Pittsburgh Business Times today:
"The 50th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival will be a 10-day affair, instead of the nearly three-week event of years past.
“In response to feedback from participating artists and audiences, we have decided to change the festival to a new 10-day format,” J. Kevin McMahon, president and CEO of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said in a statement. “Given our planning timeline and current budget, the concentrated period will allow us to focus on ensuring the quality of the programming.”
The festival will be held from June 5 to 14. It will include an Artists Market, live outdoor concerts and events for children.
McMahon said he expects attendance to be robust regardless of the shortened length of the festival. Past attendance estimates have ranged from 400,000 to 600,000 people."
This is an interesting development. In the past the event lasted for 21 days with three shifts of artists exhibiting their work, one group for each week. This seems to me like a good way to revitalize the event, albeit making a more challenging application for the artists.
What do you think? Is this a good thing for artists? for Pittsburgh? Let me hear from you.
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From Amy Amdur:
January 15, 2009 6:16:48 PM GMT-05:00
Dear Artists:
The company handling our digital jury, Juried Art Services (JAS) experienced record volume on January 12 which caused their computer server to crash beyond repair. JAS reports that most of the applications received after December 24 were lost. It is necessary for artists to go to www.amdurproductions.com and hit "Apply Now" and confirm that your application is complete and correct. If your application is not retrievable, it will be necessary for you to apply again. If you have paid previously by credit card or check, hit the new button that says: "Previously Paid."
To give everyone a fair chance and the time to apply or reapply, we will waive all late fees, and extend the deadline to January 28. Notifications will go out as planned by email by February 9.
We are so sorry for the inconvenience. We have more than 2000 places for artists at our summer shows and hope to see you this summer.
Please feel free to call us with any questions at 847-926-4300.
Amy Amdur, Amdur Productions
To apply to our festivals, please visit www.AMDURPRODUCTIONS.COM
Application deadline has been extended to January 28. All late fees have been waived.
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This press release is just in from the
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair:
The Board of Directors of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair has announced that long time Executive Director, Shary Brown, will be retiring in September of 2009 following the 50th Anniversary of the Original of the Ann Arbor Art Fairs. A lifelong resident of Ann Arbor, Brown, the granddaughter of Mayor William Brown, Jr, led the Street Art Fair organization for the past eleven years. During her tenure she helped relocate the Original Fair to a new location around the Burton Carillon Tower, developed many innovative community partnerships and new activities for the Fair, while continuing to build on the Fair’s many strong traditions. With the board of directors of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair she launched the popular Townie Street Party, a kick off to the Art Fairs. On a national level, she helped create ZAPPlication, an online artist registration and digital jurying process. Four years later the system is used by more than 40,000 artists and nearly 300 art fairs. She has been consulted by many of the major art fairs and events across the country, is often called upon by new shows seeking to emulate the Street Art Fair’s success, and served as a juror for a number of top art fairs and exhibitions, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Old Town Art Fair in Chicago. On a state level, she most recently worked with the Michigan Festivals and Events Association to host the 2008 spring seminar in Ann Arbor, and over the past year helped develop the recently launched festivals economic impact survey with Michigan State University and the State Department of History Arts and Library. Locally, Brown is a founding member of Arts Alliance, the Cultural Leaders Forum, served on the board of the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, the Main Street Area Association and is currently a member of the Washtenaw County Accommodations Ordinance Commission. She started her work at the art fairs more than twenty years ago as the Art Fair Director at the Guild of Artists and Artisans, producing annually the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, developed the Greektown Art Fair and the Holiday Art Fair in Farmington Hills. “I have learned so much about art and the creative process over the years,” says Brown. “But the greatest pleasure of my work at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair has been building friendships with artists. Working to connect them with our community has been a truly rewarding experience.” Shary Brown will complete her tenure at the Street Art Fair this fall following the 50th anniversary Fair, July 15 – 18th, 2009, and fifth ever Townie Street Party, July 13th, 2009. Here is Shary as the Art Fairy. Shary and her staff welcomed and dismissed the artists each year "en costume." I've known Shary since her days with the Michigan Guild and stood back while she led the Street Art Fair through its huge wrangles with the South University Association. What a situation she stepped into there! With great tact and persistence she prevailed, with wonderful results. The Street Art Fair now has a beautiful site on the U-M campus where the fine art gathered there can be shown off appropriately. Has it only been eleven years, Shary? You have done a terrific job with the premier art fair in the country and you will surely be missed. Thanks so much for all your services to the artists. You are greatly admired by them and also for other art fair professionals around the country. Can't wait to see what you do next. Many, many people will miss you.
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July 8-11 48th Annual Wyandotte Street Art Fair downtown streets of Wyandotte, MI sponsored by the City of Wyandotte 250 Exhibitors Deadline: February 2 Where is Wyandotte, MI?
Visit this link. Here is what artists are saying about last year's Wyandotte Street Art Fair:
I have heard only really good things about this past fair. Word on the street is that everyone at Wyandotte was up (myself included). Best year we have had at Wyandotte and we are going into the 7th year. Everything went smoothly in our opinion, plenty of set up time and we really appreciate the girls that come around offering water and food. Looking forward to next year! - Cheryl ButtonsI want to thank you and your staff for allowing me to be a part of the festival this year. The show has been my best all year. I am sorry we did not get a chance to talk longer however, as you can tell people were standing in my booth waiting to give me their money (Ha Ha). Shows this good are hard to come by these days. Many thanks and have a Blessed year!!!!!! - Jody Walker, The Art Gallery (3-D)We really enjoyed the Art Show this year. Had several comments from patrons as well as exhibitors. Congrats on a great show. - Tina Willis Wyandotte is the second longest running and second largest art fair in Michigan. It is well established and very well attended. This is one of the 'biggies' in Michigan and for many customers their favorite. It is usually held the week before Ann Arbor giving artists who are traveling some distance two events back-to-back. It is also one of those fairs where you hear people say that they don't go to Ann Arbor, giving you access to a different clientele. Over 200,000 people from around the metro area and Canada attend. The city really turns out to host the event and take pride in it. If you want exposure to a new group this may be the place. Are you feeling adventurous? Ready to get your feet wet in a strong established art fair? This may be the one for you.
Expenses are low: the booth fee is only $225 for a four day event, less than $60 a day, quite a bargain and housing in the area is reasonable. More good news: * pull up to your booth to unload and load * awards for best of show, best new artist, best booth * showers for artists, booth sitters, water * great hospitality to keep you comfortable during the fair Detroit area art fair audiences are some of the best. For more information and to download an application go to:
http://www.wyandottestreetartfair.org/Read more…
From Amy Amdur and Amdur Productions:
UPDATE January 13, 2009 4 pm cst: JAS reports that the damage to the server caused by an unprecedented demand on their system January 12 was beyond repair and an entirely new server must be utilized and all data migrated to the new server and system. This will take 3 days. JAS hopes and plans to have the system operational by Saturday, January 17. When the server is ready, JAS will send an email announcement to all on its email list. Amdur Productions will send an email out to its list as well. Additionally, the
www.amdurproductions.com home page will announce that the JAS system is operational. Deadlines are extended to January 23, 2009 and ALL LATE FEES ARE WAIVED. There will be no special handling fees, nor any additional fees for applying up through January 23. We are so glad that so many artists are applying to our 12 shows, and want to assure you that we have room for more than 2000 artists at our summer festivals. We are so sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please feel free to call the office between 9 am and 5 pm central time Monday through Friday, or email me at
aamdur@aol.com with any questions. Amy Amdur, Amdur Productions
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Dear Artists: Juried Art Services (JAS) the company managing our jury has had continued problems getting their server operational after it crashed January 12 under extremely high artist application activity. THE JAS SERVER IS STILL DOWN. All efforts are underway to bring the server back up so that our application process for our 12 summer art festivals may continue. An exact time of problem correction is not known. Please check back the afternoon of January 13 for an update as well as the NEW EXTENDED DEADLINE which at this time will be January 14, midnight pending that the JAS system is operational today. We will give artists time to finish applying without incurring any late fees. I am so sorry for the inconvenience and extend my personal apology to all. Amy Amdur, Amdur Productions, Inc. 847-926-4300
aamdur@aol.com Deadline extended through Jan. 14th, 11:59 PM Central due to technical difficulties. Late deadline remains Jan 23rd.
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Here's a message I picked up from photographer Walt Pinkus:
Quincy Jones has started a petition to ask President-Elect Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. While many other countries have had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, the United States has never created such a position. We in the arts need this and the country needs the arts--now more than ever. Please take a moment to sign this important petition and then pass it on to your friends and colleagues.
Sign me up! www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.htmlRead more…
From the Pittsburgh Business Times today:
"The 50th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival will be a 10-day affair, instead of the nearly three-week event of years past.
“In response to feedback from participating artists and audiences, we have decided to change the festival to a new 10-day format,” J. Kevin McMahon, president and CEO of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said in a statement. “Given our planning timeline and current budget, the concentrated period will allow us to focus on ensuring the quality of the programming.”
The festival will be held from June 5 to 14. It will include an Artists Market, live outdoor concerts and events for children.
McMahon said he expects attendance to be robust regardless of the shortened length of the festival. Past attendance estimates have ranged from 400,000 to 600,000 people."
This is an interesting development. In the past the event lasted for 21 days with three shifts of artists exhibiting their work, one group for each week. This seems to me like a good way to revitalize the event, albeit making a more challenging application for the artists.
What do you think? Is this a good thing for artists? for Pittsburgh? Let me hear from you.
Expenses are low: the booth fee is only $225 for a four day event, less than $60 a day, quite a bargain and housing in the area is reasonable. More good news: * pull up to your booth to unload and load * awards for best of show, best new artist, best booth * showers for artists, booth sitters, water * great hospitality to keep you comfortable during the fair Detroit area art fair audiences are some of the best. For more information and to download an application go to:
http://www.wyandottestreetartfair.org/
