Here are several news stories from the local press about the art fairs taking place in Florida this weekend. You can catch a glimpse of the ambiance surrounding them. Meanwhile, here in Michigan, the snow is piling higher and higher but we're still heading out and driving around. A little snow does not stop us!
Beaux Arts Festival, Coral Gables - probably one of the loveliest settings for an art fair, the University of Miami campus, from the Miami Herald:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/gables_smiami/story/840800.htmlCape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral - read all about it in the
Fort Myers News-Press: "In tough times, art continues to bloom in Cape Coral" Here's a little more about the Cape Coral Festival:
http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com Bonita Springs National Art Festival at the Promenade in Bonita Springs, details can be found at the
Naples News. This is one of the big art fairs where generally artists do pretty well selling to the well-heeled folks of the Naples area who mostly are second homeowners there. I look forward to reports from all of you participating on how it went. And, here is a bit of an update on Bonita:
http://www.news-press.com/article/20090110/NEWS0102/90110006/1075Read more…
As you may have read in Part I of this series I have signed on as a consultant for this new (revamped) event to be held in Novi, MI, April 17-19. The goal: to bring some fun and excitement to an area of the country that has been depressed for some time. The idea is that many people still have good jobs and all of us need something exciting to look forward to. Michiganders have always loved art fairs, having cut their teeth attending the Ann Arbor fairs and the others in lovely settings around all the lake shores and in small towns. Many fine artists have set up their businesses nearby and continue to thrive even in a challenging atmosphere. So here's the latest news: The application is posted on
zapplication.org, but inadvertently the Zapplication folks left the event off their newsletters and we really wanted to reach their audience. So the original deadline has been changed from January 26 to February 2. We are definitely jurying on February 6 and here is our jury panel:
Bonnie Blandford - Michigan jeweler,
www.bblandford.com, specializing in mixed metals, veteran art fair juror who volunteers many hours in artist organizations, Michigan Guild and NAIA
Tom Hale - Michigan painter,
www.TomHaleGallery.com, whose automotive paintings are widely collected, Gold Medal of Honor award winner from the A.W.S. and organizer of automotive art events around the country
Chris Roberts-Antieau - Michigan fiber artist,
www.chrisrobertsantieau.com, specializes in textile applique, poster artist Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, new book "Sew Far" featured in O, the Oprah magazine
Lisa Konikow, former owner of Birmingham's Xochipilli Gallery and art director of Pontiac's
Arts Beats & Eats Here's the rest of the news: *WDET the local public televison station and the NPR affilliate has signed on as a partner *talks going on with BMW as the luxury auto sponsor *a landscaper is almost signed to design the entry way to the event *a call for entries is going out for a small student art area to encourage emerging artists from the nearby colleges and universities *partnerships are in the works with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Cranbrook and others *the Friday night charity opening party is moving along, with talks going on with several organizations Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Stay tuned for more details... and in the meantime, apply to be part of this cool event:
www.zapplication.org, and more find info at:
www.greatlakesartfair.comRead more…
From my mailbox from jeweler Joseph Ignaczak:
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires testing for lead for any product intended for children 12 and under. Toys and clothing are particularly affected. Every single component has to be certified and then after it is assembled, the completed product has to be certified!!! This is going to severely affect the Art & Craft show business.
This law takes effect on Feb 10 '09 and is going to put thousands of small and home-based businesses OUT of business.
Here are a couple of links:
www.HandMadeToyAlliance.org and http://Blog.BuyHandmade.org
Save our business, write your congressman, get involved!
Read more…
In my mailbox:
BAD BILL IN CONGRESS - NEEDS TO BE STOPPED!
There is a horrible bill being passed in Congress regarding copyright laws in our country. If it makes it through both the Senate and House all artists may lose the rights to their artwork. Big corporations who have more money will be able to go around and buy up artists' work and keep them from selling their work or making a profit. Please sign the petition against this bill.
It was brought to my attention by a good friend and I'm passing it on to my group. If you are an artist, or know an artist, please send them the links below so they can sign the petition against this up and coming law that will hurt all artists, photographers, musicians, etc. Here's the link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Stop2913/petition.html
To find out more about what others are saying:
http://digg.com/business_finance/CORPORATE_THEFT_THE_ORPHAN_WORKS_BILL
http://www.owoh.org
The Orphan Works Opposition Headquarters
Read more…
One can get a touch of cabin fever in Michigan this time of the year, for entertainment--read others blogs. Do you think I lead a wild life?
Here is ArtFairInsider.com member Pat Sorbini's attempt to handle her off art fair hours:
Well, I ask you to open my studio door at the end of the season and not imagine a war having been fought there.
Really bad. Really.
So, I have some time off from the theater, my first app due in 10 days, a need to keep busy, a snowstorm outside. There will be cleaning.
I am going to organize. Again. There will be plastic bins and labels. Old storage stuff that never really worked is already at the curb. New shelves are ready to be filled with those labeled plastic thingys.
I have the most trouble letting go of things that I may use someday maybe if just in case I might somehow.....gone. Unpainted paper castings, A book that just need a repair...for 2 years now. Mirrors with designs that just didn't work. Cast bowls that never sold, the edges cracked from schlepping to show after show. Gone.
I started this year with the same cleaning spurt, but this time I am actually redoing things. For instance, my paper cutter is on a surface just about 6 inches too low so I always hurt my back when doing any prolonged cutting. That will be moved up. Things i had stored right near my work area will be stored away unless it's something I use daily. Stuff like that.
And so we start again. A clean room, a clean slate. A new calendar book. New plans.
Guess I should get up there. One more coffee.......
Pat's blog: View from the AtticRead more…
May 16 & 17
East Lansing, MI
downtown East Lansing
230 Artists
Deadline: January 31
Produced by Art Festival Board of Directors under the auspices of the East Lansing Arts Commission/City of East Lansing.
Established in 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival is held every spring during the weekend prior to the Memorial Holiday weekend. The popular Festival attracts 70,000-80,000 attendees from across the region. In addition to the 230 juried exhibitors emerging artists are also invited to participate through a competitive selection process. Emerging artists must be affiliated with an institution of higher education within the last 2-3 years.
East Lansing is a charming University town with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, galleries and the beautiful Michigan State University campus across the street.
What to expect besides the art:
Free performances on two stages highlighting a wide variety of music
Free arts activities for children and families
An international-style food court
Having exhibited in this art fair ourselves here is what else you will like:
*well-educated visitors, unaffected by the economic downturn in the State; professional people from State government and the University
*well-planned entertainment that enhances the art rather than distracts from it
*a festive mood as this is the kickoff of the art fair season
*affiliation with the Public TV and radio stations, bringing the right people to you
*a well-seasoned staff who "get it"
*easy load in and out
Message from the Arts Program Coordinator, Corinn Van Wyck:
We were rated 32 this by Sunshine artist in their 2008 top 100 fine art fair list. The 2008 festival was very well attended and our artist surveys indicate that most artists had very positive sales - doing better than expected regardless of the economic downturn and some nasty blustery conditions late on Saturday. The great thing we have going for our festival, now in its 46th year, is that this community really supports the event and the artists who attend. Our patrons are knowledgeable and dedicated - they look forward to the festival every and plan to come out and shop - regardless of weather or bad economic news! As a wise person said at an event I attended last week, "there may be a recession going on, but we have chosen not to participate!" I think that sums it up nicely.
Sounds good, doesn't it? Visit: http://www.elartfest.com/ for more information.
Then, don't dawdle visit: zapplication.org to apply. Today would be a good day to do that, don't you think?
Looking for more art fairs for 2009? Visit ArtFairCalendar.com's call for entries pageRead more…
From the
Obama Art Report website: Just a friendly reminder to all you artists (or friends of artists) out there... The Manifest Hope art contest is ending in just 6 days, so if you haven't yet, start submitting! Contest Basics: There are three categories for entry: Green Economy, Worker's Rights and Health Care Reform. Artists are allowed one entry per category. 15 pieces will be chosen for display during Manifest Hope: DC. Celebrity judges include
Shepard Fairey and
Spike Lee. This is going to be absolutely huge people, so break out the pens, pencils, brushes and spatulas...
Contest deadline is midnight Friday January 9th. To enter, or for more info please visit:
www.manifesthope.comRead more…
Once again the Art on the Square in little Belleville, IL, is highly ranked by Greg Lawler's Art Fair Sourcebook, and good for them! It goes to show what a small highly motivated community can accomplish. If more events were as community-centered as this one and their organizers had the manpower, energy and time to pull them together as excellently the newest generation of artists and art fair goers would see how this grand business got started in the first place.
Ratings of events in the Art Fair Sourcebook are base on reported artist's sales. This is a pretty reliable source for finding out if you will make money. The only drawback is who reports and how truthful they are, but a good indicator of your chances of earning.
Congratulations, Patty Gregory, your committee and the city of Belleville.
Read the rest of the story at this link: http://www.bnd.com/372/story/600810.html
Be sure to read the comments also, always a good insight into community attitudes and some times pretty funny.
Read more…
September 11-13
44th Annual Art & Apples Festival
Rochester Municipal Park
Presented by the Paint Creek Center for the Arts
250 Artists
Deadline: February 27
Calling all artists! Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) invites you to be a part of the 44th annual Art & Apples Festival, Michigan's second largest juried fine art fair. With more than 125,000 festival-goers attending each year, the festival is consistently ranked in the Top 30 of Sunshine Artist Magazine's 200 Best in the nation!
Interested artists may submit applications in the following categories:
2D & 3D Mixed Media, Baskets, Clay Functional, Clay Non-Functional, Digital Art, Drawing, Enamels, Fiber Wearable, Fibers Non-Wearable, Glass, Jewelry Metal, Jewelry Non-Metal, Leather, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Toys, and Wood.
The annual Art & Apples Festival is a program of Paint Creek Center for the Arts, a regional non-profit art center located in Downtown Rochester. Since 1982, PCCA has been dedicated to enhancing life in the region by promoting, encouraging, and creating opportunities to participate in and appreciate the arts.
September is a beautiful time of year to be in Michigan and Art & Apples is positioned between other well known events in the area, giving you a string of art fairs for your schedule with little travel involved.
In the heart of affluent Oakland County, Rochester area residents are the demographic you need for your fine work. Not sure where it is? Click here.
Download your application at www.ArtandApples.com.
Each category entered requires a $30 application fee and corresponding images on CD-ROM. The deadline for all applications is February 13, 2009 (a postmark date), with a late deadline of February 27, 2009 (a postmark date), so don't delay - submit your application today. All late applications require an additional $30 late fee.
For more information, please visit www.ArtandApples.com or call the Art & Apples Festival Hotline at 248-651-7418.
Read more…
Does Michigan need a new art fair? I can see the disbelief registering on your face right now. But you know, life goes on, people need entertainment and a break from the gloom. What are you doing in April? Look at this:
April 17-19 Novi, MI Rock Financial Showplace 200 artists Deadline: January 26 Full disclosure: I am consulting with the owners of this really nice exhibition building to help them create a classy event that will bring patrons in. If you know me you know I've been involved in the art fair business for over 25 years, wearing many hats: artist partner, show director, art fair organizer and have participated in over 400 art fairs. Why you should be interested: 1. Great date 2. Organizers who know the Detroit marketplace and have the energy and financial resources to create buzz over the event 3. A strong marketing team who market various kinds of events at this venue all year long 4. A quality exhibition space in a very upscale suburb of Oakland County, frequented by thousands just about every weekend 5. They are seeking to partner with arts organizations and charities to present an art fair that is connected to the local community 6. Fair booth fees There will be a spring and fall art fair. These dates were recently vacated by Sugarloaf who has decided not to come to Michigan again. The Sugarloaf event had many loyal customers who will be very pleased to see this new incarnation of the event. In addition to that the Rock Financial Showplace managers are planning a more upscale event to fit the local clientele.
Expect charity tie-ins, a show designer to make the venue attractive and low key entertainment to keep the patrons in the building and lots more. Visit:
GreatLakesArtFair.com for more information--the site is not quite beautiful yet...but will soon reflect the quality we anticipate. Apply at:
www.zapplication.org P. S. Early applicants receive free electricity and a chance to be have their images used in publicity. The question remains: will people come and buy art? A friend told me this morning when we were talking about whether or not this was a good move that during the Depression all kinds of entertainment sprang up (movies had their heyday) to entertain people. They needed relief. Do you know anyone who shops for fun? I'll bet you do. I'll bet you've met one or two of them in this profession. Am I suggesting people drive in from far away, or fly? Not necessarily. But there are a lot of artists within a near drive for this event, for whom the expenses won't be too bad. What happened to Sugarloaf? To the best of my knowledge they had a loyal cadre of exhibitors who traveled to their fairs who no longer wanted to come here, too expensive, so they pulled out. Their particular type of event had not really caught on with the Midwest exhibitors, so although there are a fair number of them eager to participate this April, it was no longer a sustainable economic venture for them (Sugarloaf). If I have this wrong please let me know.
Read more…
From yesterday's mailbag:
Hi Connie, I thought you should know about a story concerning Indianapolis' Penrod show. My Indy art fair friends said it was all over the news yesterday. The treasurer embezzled $380,000 of Penrod Society funds. Organizers say the 2009 show will go on, but artists have to wonder how much money will be available for advertising, etc. Also, does this spell a hike in booth fees in subsequent years. The gate fee for this year may also jump... Just FYI. L. H.
Early each September the Penrod Society hosts the
Penrod Art Fair on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Museum. It is a pretty classy event showcasing not only an art fair but performing artists such as the Indianapolis Ballet and all the arts organizations of the area. Read the whole story at the
Indianapolis Star. The comments below the story are interesting too, again discussing whether or not this is an "art fair" and what the guy (an accountant) did with the money. An acquaintance from college believes it is in the hands of bookies. And the wonders of the Internet, I even found this video:
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/crime/380K_stolen_from_Penrod_Art_SocietyRead more…
August 15 & 16 Michigan City, IN Washington Park 27th Annual Lakefront Art Festival Sponsored by the Lubeznik Center for the Arts Saturday - 10 to 6 Sunday - 10 to 5 Deadline: January 30 The Lakefront Art Festival will attract thousands of visitors from surrounding states to a festive, high-quality event held under shady trees in a grassy park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Because the festival is sponsored by the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, it is overseen by arts professionals, committed to making every aspect of the festival a quality venue for artists and visitors. Where is Michigan City? Visit this link at
Mapquest.com. Why this should be of interest to you: *small town art fair in the heart of vacation country *a weekend get away place for Chicagoans *sponsored by an art center *an art purchase program *volunteers who understand artists' needs *very reasonable booth fee These days there is a lot of talk among artists about keeping their overhead down. One of the best ways is to exhibit at local events and the Lakefront Art Festival is in the heart of where a lot of artists live. Expect a $125 booth fee and a $20 jury fee. When we are all talking about events that seem to forget the artists this is a small show that "gets it". All of us need smaller shows to keep us going between the big ones. The Lakefront Art Festival could be one of those secret ones that everyone can appreciate. Advertising will include press coverage, ads, and billboards throughout the area and through LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information and to download an application click on this link:
www.lubeznikcenter.orgRead more…
Dear Reader,
It is that time of year, maximizing deductions for Uncle Sam. If it has been a good year for you consider donating to CERF: Craft Emergency Relief Fund. Read below for CERF's annual appeal and news:
We invite you to look at our Yearbook 2008, which is a sampling of the artists we assisted this past year. Not only for these artists but for all of us, 2008 has been a roller coaster ride. An historic presidential election, which has inspired great hope and a fresh start. A global financial crisis, which has created much uncertainty and concern. And a new year rolling in with a mix of anxiety, hope, and promise.
In this atmosphere of uncertainty, two things remain constant. The first is that craft artists will continue to create tangible objects that are beautiful and inspired. The second constant is that some of those artists will face career-threatening emergencies that will challenge their ability to continue creating the objects we value.
Please consider a donation so that CERF can continue to assist artists in 2009 as we have in 2008 and over the last 23 years. Help us keep temporary setbacks for artists from turning into permanent silence.
DONATE
Many thanks for your support. Happy Holidays from all of us at CERF!
P.S. If you’ve already donated to CERF’s annual appeal, we thank you!
Forward this message to a friendRead more…
Posted by Connie Mettler on December 27, 2008 at 10:30pm
Peace and Love for the Holidays & the New Year Warm wishes for a glorious holiday to all my friends in art fair land. My hope for you in the new year is for you to live well, laugh often and love much. I hope Santa brought you everything you wanted. My sincerest gratitude to all of you who have contributed to the growth of ArtFairCalendar.com. With over 10,000 subscribers and a 'well hit upon' website it has been an exciting year for me. Thanks so much. Connie Mettler Publisher-ArtFairCalendar.com
It was another one of those 'driveway moments' this morning, listening to Scott Simon's story on NPR's Weekend Edition about Denver artist Bob Ragland. Bob has been supporting himself as an artist for over 40 years. His attitude about recessions: "People will spend money no matter how hard times are. People will buy less, but they will buy better."
As you listen to this inspiring four minute story you will find yourself agreeing with Ragland and it will restore your belief in yourself: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98754589
At the NPR website I found comments by Chicago artist, Joyce Owens, with her reflections on the Ragland story and her own ideas about making a living as an artist: http://monroeanderson.typepad.com/joyce_owens_on_art/
"Tough times never last. Tough people do." Bob Ragland
And, on that note, I came across this article from the Fort Myers News-Press about artist Chuck O'Neal, 77, who I know has been paying his bills a long time with his art. He was one of the first people we met when we started doing art fairs, and it was a pleasure to find he is still at it and doing fine.
Here's the link: http://news-press.com/article/20081227/NEWS0119/812270308
Everyone who makes a comments on this post will be entered into a drawing to receive a fr*e copy of my e-book, "Getting into Art Fairs: 20 Questions Answered". The best response will be the winner. Deadline: midnight December 31. Let us hear from you!
Read more…
My thanks to my friend
Jan Richardson who passed me the following information about well-known artist Drew Smith, and also to fiber artist
Jan Mayer for sending updated information with stories from Candiss Cole and Curtis Benzle (I can't believe, Curt, you are now a "professor emeritus") about this man who lived a great life:
Master Glassblower Drew Smith passed away of inoperable liver cancer on 12/21/08 in his home in Pacific Beach, near San Diego, California. His very loving and caring finance’, Linda Livingston was right by his side throughout the entire passage. Smith graduated with his B.A. from Ashland University in Ohio. He learned glass making from Henry Halem at Kent State University where he was a graduate assistant. He taught glassblowing at Columbus College of Art and Design from 1981 to 1986. Drew was as very well known figure in the American Crafts field from 1971 to 2002 where he was a regular exhibitor at the American Craft Council shows, The Buyers Market of American Crafts, and The Ohio Designer Craftsmen shows, among many others. Drew Smith was one of the leading glass blowers to come out of Ohio, and was highly regarded throughout the world for his creative genius with the medium of hand blown glass. His studio was based in the Hocking Hills- Logan, area, just outside of Columbus, Ohio for many years before moving it to Tampa, Florida. Drew received a lot of recognition in the Tampa community for upgrading his neighborhood with truly a magnificent art gallery and studio. From there he went to Jamaica, and then to Pacific Beach, San Diego. In Drew’s early career, he specialized in lamps, vases, and tablewear. Later on, he moved to larger scale work in sculpture, metal and glass furniture and ornamental iron and glass gates. In 1999 he was featured in an issue of Glass Art magazine as one of the four leading glass furniture makers in the world. Smith cast glass into metal pieces like doing large cloisonne’. Smith called his technique “Ferro Vitro.” Drew’s hand blown glass and sculptural works have been exhibited at numerous shows and galleries throughout the U.S. , Europe, and Japan, with permanent collections in various art museums including the Corning Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. Daniel Schreiber, a glass artist who studied with Drew said: “Drew taught me almost everything I know about working professionally as a glass artist, and operating a glass studio. Apprenticing to him in his studio in Logan, Ohio, was the richest and most rewarding period in my artistic development and I will always fondly remember not only the art, the glass, but the food and drink, the stories and experiences, and most of all his friendship, and generosity and always his very positive attitude about his life, despite its challenges.” Candiss Ann Cole, noted fiber artist, said: “Drew was one of the first craftspeople to take me under his wing and guide me into this world we live in over 33 years ago. Drew and I met at the Frederick Craft Show in Maryland. He always had a Big smile and was always willing to share, and always moved to his own drummer. I guess The Drummer finally called him to the big Glass Studio in the sky! Drew’s magnificient art work will live in the lives of his customers, but he will live in our hearts forever. Chuck Feil, professional photographer, author of 11 books, and owner of Panterra Gallery, was one of Drew’s best pals for over 25 years said the following motto sums Drew up best: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO what a ride.” Curtis Benzle, Professor Emeritus of Columbus College of Art and Design where Drew also taught, said “ Great ideas bubbled up out of Drew like fresh water from a spring. You could never quite know his source of inspiration but exciting new work just kept coming. Inspiration, ideas and always great execution were Drew’s trademarks. Drew knew as well as anyone that ideas without execution were just daydreams. Fortunately for us, Drew was also a master craftsman and he worked hard to fill our world with a lasting legacy of his artistic genius.” Jan Mayer, of Kriska painting on silk, another long term close friend of Drew’s, fondly remembers Drew as “one of the most loving, EXTREMELY COLORFUL, and giving members our artistic community has ever seen. If you ever needed a bed or a good meal or a helping hand, Drew never said no to anyone. Drew had a heart as big as the state of Texas. When the crafts business was booming, I used to organize outdoor recreational events for artists and gallery owners. These included white water rafting trips, ski trips to Utah and the French Alps, and houseboating trips on Lake Powell. Drew always volunteered to be my chef, pro bono! He loved to cook the finest creative meals possible with whatever he could dig up. He would often fly across the country with some of his ‘hand picked wild mushrooms’ or home raised chickens or turkeys. Appetizers would start around 5 p.m. and he would continue to feed us these utterly remarkable gourmet delights up until about 11p.m. For Drew, cooking and living were art forms just as much as glassblowing. One year during one of our artist ski trips to Alta, Utah, Drew presented every participant one of his hand blown glass goblets. I would have to say that all in all, Drew was as much of ‘ renaissance man’ as I have ever personally known.” Drew’s Mother, brother and daughter were all able to speak with him to say goodbye just minutes before his passing. Drew was cremated wearing a black shirt with brightly colored parrots and flowers at the top, black pants, purple socks and yellow crocs, resting on bright neon green pillows. Please log on and sign Drew’s guest book, and live a legacy for his family and many friends: http://www.legacy.com/Ohio/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=121898201 Donations in honor of Drew may be made to Craft Emergency Relied Fund. CERF is the one and only non profit organization that assists craftspeople with interest free loans and grants when disaster or illness strikes. Your donations to CERF are a tax deductible, charitable contribution. Drew had the utmost respect for CERF, as it is truly a heart based, no nonsense organization that really does help craftspeople in time of need. CERF(Craft Emergency Relief Foundation) P.O. Box 838 Montpelier, Vermont 05601 802-223-6484
Read more…
July 15-18
At the Tower
On the streets of Ann Arbor, MI
175 Artists
Deadline: January 15
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is one of the events that turned this whole art fair business into a business that now supports thousands of artists nationwide, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of a legend!
The Street Art Fair is one of the highest ranking art fairs in the nation and for good reason:
*It draws collectors who rarely attend art fairs
*It attracts the finest artists
*It works with many cultural community and educational institutions to produce exceptional community art activities
*It works throughout the year to be a blue ribbon presence in the Ann Arbor community
This is the original event on which the other Ann Arbor fairs have patterned themselves, as well as many other fairs across the nation. It is the creme de la creme of art events.
The Street Art Fair has an distinctive jury process, unlike that of any other art fair. Under the guidance of Shary Brown, the director, there are five separate panels jurying specific media or related categories.
There are 4 to 5 jurors per panel, one of whom is a member of the Jury Group. The Jury Group meets in a sixth session after all the panels are complete to review the submissions with high scores and determine invitations in each category, balancing the scores, the range of work and the strength of category.
Artists selected for the wait list are also determined at this session. They jury over two weekends in late January and early February with at least two sessions mid week. All images are projected, statements read with additional information available upon request.
The strength of this approach is that they have jurors (who are paid an honorarium) working 4 to 6 hours only in their own area of expertise, or related areas. Jurors see the work multiple times and are able to ask questions and to discuss the work, moving back and forth to compare it to other submissions in the category. Jurors are generally working artists and are often educators at area colleges or museums. They mix new jurors with experienced jurors.
The Jury Group member brings a familiarity with the fair and knowledge of the goals and programs from having juried the fair on site the previous year. They will bring the overall sensibility of the panel to the final session.
One of the unusual aspects of this jurying is that there is no booth slide required, but rather five images of your work.
For more info on the Street Fair visit their website: http://www.artfair.org/
To view the application and apply today, visit: http://www.zapplication.org/Read more…
My thanks to member Jean Thompson of
American Style magazine, an arm of the Rosen Group, for forwarding me this interesting article. After you have read it I'd sure be interested to know if you agree with the results of the poll.
America’s Top 10 Art Fairs and Festivals: Winners Announced Baltimore, MD (Dec. 10, 2008) Where do Americans prefer to go to view and buy art and fine craft in a festive setting? The answers are in the February 2009 issue of AmericanStyle magazine, which will reveal the nation’s Top 10 Fairs & Festivals, as determined by polling its readers. The issue goes on sale at newsstands on Dec. 16. Art collectors are willing to flock to places like Wausau, Wisc., and Midway, Ky. – crossroads far removed from better-known urban art centers. Despite the distance and the economic downturn, many of the top-rated art fairs and festivals boast crowd counts of more than 200,000 visitors – made up of tourists and locals alike. What keeps the crowds coming back? The
quality and
diversity of the art are top-notch. In addition, the nation’s best art events provide a noteworthy intersection of contemporary trends in professional art and craft and major current trends in retail, says Wendy Rosen, publisher of AmericanStyle.
“Discerning shoppers can ‘buy local,’ ‘buy handmade,’ ‘buy American’ and ‘support a worthy cause’ simultaneously at the very best art fairs and festivals,” Ms. Rosen says. “At the same time, they help the economy by supporting the small businesses of artists.” “They can feel good about making an investment in professional handcraft that has been carefully juried,” Ms. Rosen says, “and at the same time, soak up the fun atmosphere, the entertainment, the education and the collegiality that’s possible only at a gathering of like-minded art lovers. They can meet the artists and learn where the work came from and how it was made.” This year’s first-place winner blends three distinct events into a citywide arts extravaganza called Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend: Art in the Park, held in Marathon Park; the Festival of Arts, in downtown Wausau; and the annual “Birds in Art” exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art museum, a mecca for international wildlife artists.
2009 Winners list TOP 10 FAIRS & FESTIVALS Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend, Wausau, Wis. Kentucky Crafted: The Market, Louisville, Ky. Bayou City Art Festival, Houston, Texas Scottsdale Arts Festival, Scottsdale, Ariz. Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, Iowa St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, Ky. Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College, Midway, Ky. American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, Baltimore, Md. Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, Ann Arbor, Mich. Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Northport, Ala. SOURCE: AmericanStyle magazine readers’ poll, Feb. 2009 issue, on newsstands and at
www.AmericanStyle.com on Dec. 16, 2008. Are you planning a trip to one of these great festivals in 2009? Here’s the winners list again, in calendar order: February 21-22 Kentucky Crafted: The Market (2) February 27-March 1 American Craft Council Show in Baltimore (8) March 20-22 Scottsdale Arts Festival (4) March 27-29 Bayou City Art Festival (3* also see October) June 26-28 Des Moines Arts Festival (5) June 27-28
Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College (7) July 15-19 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (9) September 12-13 Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend (1) October 2-4 St. James Court Art Show (6) October 10-11 Bayou City Art Festival (3* also see March) October 17-18 Kentuck Festival of the Arts (10) The mission of AmericanStyle magazine is to inform craft enthusiasts and art collectors about the significance of handmade objects of art. Launched in 1994 by The Rosen Group, AmericanStyle provides art lovers with valuable tips on decorating, interior design, display and lighting ideas for everything from designer jewelry and art glass to collectible teapots, art furniture and sculptural ceramics. More than 250 arts festivals, gallery exhibitions and museum events are listed in the Datebook section of each issue. For more information, visit
www.AmericanStyle.com.
Your turn. What is your vote for the best art fair? Or, let's make it easy: what are the three best art fairs? Let us know.Read more…
May 29, 30 & 31st 53rd Year Prairie Village, Kansas 100 Artists Deadline February 13, 2009 Prairie Village Art Show is not located on a prairie but in the heart of the Kansas City metro area and surrounded by upper income demographics. It is celebrating its 53rd year and is the second oldest show in the city. The show is well attended and draws patrons from the entire metropolitan area. This is a small show with only 100 artists but they come from all parts of the country. This shopping area was developed by the same company that built the Country Club Plaza, location of the Plaza Art Show. What to Expect: *20,000 Upper Income patrons *24 Hour Security *Electricity included in booth fee *Friday Night Wine *Saturday Night Dinner delivered to booth *Artist's lounge *Parking nearby and overnight parking allowed *Discounted Hotel Rates
The Village in Prairie Village is one of those "lifestyle" shopping areas, intimate enough for ease of shopping yet anchored by well-known names such as Macy's and Starbucks with lots of restaurants. Does it sound as though your clientele will be showing up here? Then you know what to do. Publisher's note: small event, great date, check your calendars Application online at
zapplication.org For more info visit
prairievillageshops.com or contact Donna Potts 913-362-9668. Looking for more 2009 events to fill out your art fair schedule? Visit:
www.artfaircalendar.com/callforentriesRead more…
I'm sharing this email exchange I recently received and am very interested in hearing your opinions:
"...and the call for entries was over (in Miami). But I began a correspondence with the artist who put out the call.
Seems she is an ophthamologist's wife and wanted to turn the new office into a gallery.
Well, I thought that was a good idea, since my ophthamologist's office has very grim magnolias everywhere, from a local framed art warehouse. Horrible stuff.
I wrote a letter. They called, and it looks very good for me and my photography for just after New Years. So off I go to get some inventory and start matting and framing. I met with the assistant office manager today.
My work will be for sale with a donation to their favorite (and mine) charity, the local no-kill humane society.
We win all the way around, and I will be rotating my photographs - first in the main waiting room, then in the hallways and examining rooms."
May Lattanzio
Freelance Writer/Poet/Photographer
Author: Waltz on the Wild Side - An Animal Lover's Journal
www.thelensflare.com/u_may.php
My partner in all things web read May's email and said: "Excellent blog post story here!"
My response: "I don't think so. The artist does a lot of work, nothing gets sold and the only person who benefits is the opthamologist's office who gets free work. Michael does this all of the time...maybe a sale now and then, but most of the people I know are too busy making, working and marketing to spend time doing this, let alone letting their work molder in someone else's office."
His response: "Yes. Your reaction is even more interesting. Good pitfall for newbies to avoid. I was wondering how she made money out of this and figured she must not need to..."
Your turn. What do you think of this as a way to market your work?
Read more…
East Lansing, MI
downtown East Lansing
230 Artists
Deadline: January 31
Produced by Art Festival Board of Directors under the auspices of the East Lansing Arts Commission/City of East Lansing.
Established in 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival is held every spring during the weekend prior to the Memorial Holiday weekend. The popular Festival attracts 70,000-80,000 attendees from across the region. In addition to the 230 juried exhibitors emerging artists are also invited to participate through a competitive selection process. Emerging artists must be affiliated with an institution of higher education within the last 2-3 years.
East Lansing is a charming University town with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, galleries and the beautiful Michigan State University campus across the street.
What to expect besides the art:
Free performances on two stages highlighting a wide variety of music
Free arts activities for children and families
An international-style food court
Having exhibited in this art fair ourselves here is what else you will like:
*well-educated visitors, unaffected by the economic downturn in the State; professional people from State government and the University
*well-planned entertainment that enhances the art rather than distracts from it
*a festive mood as this is the kickoff of the art fair season
*affiliation with the Public TV and radio stations, bringing the right people to you
*a well-seasoned staff who "get it"
*easy load in and out
Message from the Arts Program Coordinator, Corinn Van Wyck:
We were rated 32 this by Sunshine artist in their 2008 top 100 fine art fair list. The 2008 festival was very well attended and our artist surveys indicate that most artists had very positive sales - doing better than expected regardless of the economic downturn and some nasty blustery conditions late on Saturday. The great thing we have going for our festival, now in its 46th year, is that this community really supports the event and the artists who attend. Our patrons are knowledgeable and dedicated - they look forward to the festival every and plan to come out and shop - regardless of weather or bad economic news! As a wise person said at an event I attended last week, "there may be a recession going on, but we have chosen not to participate!" I think that sums it up nicely.
Sounds good, doesn't it? Visit: http://www.elartfest.com/ for more information.
Then, don't dawdle visit: zapplication.org to apply. Today would be a good day to do that, don't you think?
Looking for more art fairs for 2009? Visit ArtFairCalendar.com's call for entries page
The annual Art & Apples Festival is a program of Paint Creek Center for the Arts, a regional non-profit art center located in Downtown Rochester. Since 1982, PCCA has been dedicated to enhancing life in the region by promoting, encouraging, and creating opportunities to participate in and appreciate the arts.
September is a beautiful time of year to be in Michigan and Art & Apples is positioned between other well known events in the area, giving you a string of art fairs for your schedule with little travel involved.
In the heart of affluent Oakland County, Rochester area residents are the demographic you need for your fine work. Not sure where it is? Click here.
Download your application at www.ArtandApples.com.
Each category entered requires a $30 application fee and corresponding images on CD-ROM. The deadline for all applications is February 13, 2009 (a postmark date), with a late deadline of February 27, 2009 (a postmark date), so don't delay - submit your application today. All late applications require an additional $30 late fee.
For more information, please visit www.ArtandApples.com or call the Art & Apples Festival Hotline at 248-651-7418.
It is that time of year, maximizing deductions for Uncle Sam. If it has been a good year for you consider donating to CERF: Craft Emergency Relief Fund. Read below for CERF's annual appeal and news:
We invite you to look at our Yearbook 2008, which is a sampling of the artists we assisted this past year. Not only for these artists but for all of us, 2008 has been a roller coaster ride. An historic presidential election, which has inspired great hope and a fresh start. A global financial crisis, which has created much uncertainty and concern. And a new year rolling in with a mix of anxiety, hope, and promise.
In this atmosphere of uncertainty, two things remain constant. The first is that craft artists will continue to create tangible objects that are beautiful and inspired. The second constant is that some of those artists will face career-threatening emergencies that will challenge their ability to continue creating the objects we value.
Please consider a donation so that CERF can continue to assist artists in 2009 as we have in 2008 and over the last 23 years. Help us keep temporary setbacks for artists from turning into permanent silence.
DONATE
Many thanks for your support. Happy Holidays from all of us at CERF!
P.S. If you’ve already donated to CERF’s annual appeal, we thank you!
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July 15-18
At the Tower
On the streets of Ann Arbor, MI
175 Artists
Deadline: January 15
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is one of the events that turned this whole art fair business into a business that now supports thousands of artists nationwide, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of a legend!
The Street Art Fair is one of the highest ranking art fairs in the nation and for good reason:
*It draws collectors who rarely attend art fairs
*It attracts the finest artists
*It works with many cultural community and educational institutions to produce exceptional community art activities
*It works throughout the year to be a blue ribbon presence in the Ann Arbor community
This is the original event on which the other Ann Arbor fairs have patterned themselves, as well as many other fairs across the nation. It is the creme de la creme of art events.
The Street Art Fair has an distinctive jury process, unlike that of any other art fair. Under the guidance of Shary Brown, the director, there are five separate panels jurying specific media or related categories.
There are 4 to 5 jurors per panel, one of whom is a member of the Jury Group. The Jury Group meets in a sixth 
session after all the panels are complete to review the submissions with high scores and determine invitations in each category, balancing the scores, the range of work and the strength of category.
Artists selected for the wait list are also determined at this session. They jury over two weekends in late January and early February with at least two sessions mid week. All images are projected, statements read with additional information available upon request.
The strength of this approach is that they have jurors (who are paid an honorarium) working 4 to 6 hours only in their own area of expertise, or related areas. Jurors see the work multiple times and are able to ask questions and to discuss the work, moving back and forth to compare it to other submissions in the category. Jurors are generally working artists and are often educators at area colleges or museums. They mix new jurors with experienced jurors.
The Jury Group member brings a familiarity with the fair and knowledge of the goals and programs from having juried the fair on site the previous year. They will bring the overall sensibility of the panel to the final session.
One of the unusual aspects of this jurying is that there is no booth slide required, but rather five images of your work.
For more info on the Street Fair visit their website: http://www.artfair.org/
To view the application and apply today, visit: http://www.zapplication.org/
