Fine Art at the Village
August 2 & 3
The Village Shopping Center
Saturday - 10 am to 8 pm
Sunday - Noon to 6 pm
100 Exhibitors
Deadline: May 31

The Village of Rochester Hills is THE place where the residents of Oakland County (the U.S.’s third wealthiest county) love to shop, stroll and dine. This art fair was developed a few years ago by Donna Beaubien, herself an exhibiting artist, but also an experienced fair producer. She provided the impetus for the Fine Art in Birmingham many years ago and has several other events in her resume.

When this upscale shopping area was built recently Donna knew it was the perfect location (just the right demographics) for an art fair and she has been a part of it ever since, taking over sole management two years ago. She knows what artists need and does her best to provide it.

The event is held twice a year making this a great place for you to establish a clientele who loves to shop and comes here to do it. Questions? Donna will be glad to answer them. Call her at 248-689-8734; or email her: dbobn29@comcast.net

Visit the website and download the application: www.fineartatthevillage.com

Interested in learning more about this affluent location? www.villageshoppingcenter.com

You know how it is when you hear from an old friend. Us old art fair folks have lots of friends who have retired or go on to do other things, so I was very pleased to hear from painter Peggy Brown last week. I’m sure a lot of you remember her and her husband, Jim, one of the original art fair couples.

Over the years we had lots of fun together traveling across the country to art fairs and rendezvous on the interstate in Missouri and Tennessee and we’d celebrate Peggy’s birthday at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival.

Recently Peggy was interviewed for an article and it was featured on this very cool website: www.createbetterpaintings.com, and she wrote to send me the link. Not only was it great to see her newest work, but also the web site was very intriguing. It is a subscription-based site for painters of all levels are striving to improve their work. There are step-by-step stories on how painters do their paintings, tutorials, and many great ideas for learning and networking.

The webmaster agreed to let me share the login information for free for the month of May. This is a very impressive business and a wonderful resource for artists.

Here is the information:
1. Start by going to www.createbetterpaintings.com
2. Click on the Member Log-in link in the lower left-hand corner
3. On the Member Log-in page, input this e-mail address: may@createbetterpaintings.com
4. Input this password: mayguests (all one word, no caps)
5. Click the Login button
6. At the top of the new page, click the link Go To Website Home Page
7. Back on the home page, please click any link to any article of your choice

If you experience any difficulty logging in to the site, please contact the editor, Jennifer King, at editor@createbetterpaintings.com. Please do not request a new password, as this will re-set the password and lock out all other guests.

And, if you’d like to see more of Peggy’s work or send her a greeting visit her site: www.peggybrownart.com

Lebanon, Ohio
Saturday - June 28
on the streets of historic downtown Lebanon
10 am to 6 pm
80 artists

Lebanon is located halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati in the rolling countryside of the Miami Valley. Visit this link to find Lebanon, OH.

From the director, Larry Stone:

We are excited about the progress we’ve made as a result of our commitment to a very high quality show that focuses on what matters to you, because we know that our success lies in our ability to set the stage for a pleasant, profitable day for our artists.

This event also coincides with the Lebanon Garden Club Tour and our Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad featuring an old-time steam locomotive. Lebanon merchants are also participating with arts related activities. Home of Ohio’s oldest inn, the Golden Lamb (in the picture below) and minutes from Kings Island amusement park, Lebanon is the place to go for tourists as well as art lovers.

What I especially like about this event is that it is presented by the Warren County Arts Council and that the related activities all enhance the arts.

Why should you apply to this fair?

• seasoned artists know that small events in historic areas bring them the patrons they want
• a dedicated non-profit arts group hosts it for all the correct “arts-related” reasons
• a quick one day event with low overhead
• good location between affluent suburbs
• carefully controlled quality and quantity of exhibitors to keep the event successful
• affordable

For more information and to download an application visit their web site: www.warrencountyarts.org

You just never know what is going to show up on the Internet. This recently landed in my mailbox:

Do you recognize this couple? Their daughter Kate, posted it as part of a college lecture she was giving.

Here is the challenge: the first person who can correctly identify this couple with their daughter at an art fair in Winter Park in l982 will receive free publicity in this blog for their next art fair. Leave comments below.

Last weekend the fabulous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opened with legendary acts including Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and Al Green and many, many more. You probably already knew this.

What may not have registered with you is that the festival also has several marketplaces where you can buy art including the Congo Square Marketplace which features an array of handcrafted original artworks reflecting the roots and dispersion of African culture and heritage in New Orleans and throughout the world.

Additionally there is the Contemporary Crafts Market with a wide range of music-related art, southern folk crafts, one-of-a-kind funky objets, quite unlike any other art fair in the country. It truly reflects the heritage and the soul of the event. It really brings out the collectors.

Read last weekend’s report at this link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/features/5734487.html

But that was last weekend…what’s up next? Don’t miss this weekend where you’ll find a whole new group of exhibitors to tease that wallet out of your pocket AND Stevie Wonder and Diana Krall. What a weekend to be in New Orleans!

For more info: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Here is a call to action from artist Jon Hecker.

Time to write! Please take action now! These proposed changes to the copyright law affect YOU! I just sent three letters to my two Senators and district Congressional Representative. I laid out the moving story of how this bill would affect our livelihood. As independent artists, we receive no pension and we view ownership of our copyrights as our primary job security. It is critical that we as artists battle this proposed legislation.

In case you’re not too familiar with the issues at stake here, this webcast interview with Brad Holland about the Orphan Works act bill, offers insight to the ramifications of this bill if it should pass. The mp3 webcast interview about the Orphan Works act bill can be heard at:
http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan.html

The changes in the copyright laws proposed under the new “Orphan Works” bill have been released and it will affect your creative career!

Write your Reps and Senators.
Refer to Bill H.R. 5889 when writing a House Rep.
Refer to Bill S. 2913 when writing a Senator.
Same Orphan Works bill, different #’s for Senate and House.

Go to: http://capwiz.com/gag/dbq/officials to get the contact info for your state’s officials.

This affects all of us, painters, photographers and designers alike and is getting fast tracked to get through now.

Please take time to write! Fax or snail mail in addition to any emails you’d send too please. A sample letter is below at the end of this email.

For more info on this matter go to:
http://www.illustratorspartnership.org

This was posted by Stella on “The Art of Licensing” Yahoo group and sums up the consequences if this bill passes:

“If we do not stop BOTH Orphan Works Bills NOW-
It does not matter that you created it.
It does not matter that you have a copyright mark on it.
It does not matter that it is registered in the Library of Congress.
It does not matter that you signed it.
It does not matter that you put a big fat watermark across it.
It does not matter that you put digital signatures on it.
It does not matter if you get a lawyer- you will get a pittance determined by the offending company and no reimbursement for legal fees.
It does not matter even if you do as they demand and pay to register it in the new registries that they will form - there is no real punishment for using your work for profit.
It does not matter that you do not want your image used on a product or to promote an agenda.
They can even sell your prints and make money!”

From Illustrators Partnership and posted on the Art of Licensing Yahoo Group by Stella too:

Here is a sample letter you can edit and send to your local and/or state representatives and Senators. These letters work best when you make your point clear, do not curse, and make them aware that you live in their district or state and can vote for or against them.

Feel free to make this personal with your story on how the Orphan Works legislation will harm your income. Stories are incredibly powerful.

Faxes work better than e-mails, as e-mails are too easy to delete.

Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator (their name)
(their contact info)
Fax: (their fax number)

Re: The Orphan Works legislation Bill # (either H.R. 5889 or S. 2913 depending who you’re writing)

Dear (their name),

My name is (your name) and I live in (your city, state). After reading about the Orphan Works bill, I am shocked and outraged that this could happen in our country.

This Orphan Works legislation, if passed, will severely impact my income and life as an artist. Not only will it give license for others to legally steal and use my work for free, it will be virtually impossible for me to afford the time and money to register my creations in all the potential new registries.

(your personal story if you wish. It should show hardship under the new bill)

I strongly urge you to vote AGAINST the Orphan Works bill and protect my rights, my copyrights, to all that I have and will create.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(your name)
(your address)
——

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERY ARTIST YOU KNOW! THANKS!!!

Thank you for joining with other creative image makers to get your voice heard!

Jon Hecker

Did you miss the recent ArtFairCalendar.com’s teleseminar? This is your opportunity to own a transcript of the conversation, 23 pages on 17 topics submitted by artists. Read the helpful insights addressed by industry leader by ArtFairCalendar.com’s publisher, Connie Mettler.

In late March we held our first teleseminar where I answered questions from my subscribers about art fairs. We recorded the session and it is now available as an e-book on the ArtFairCalendar.com web site for purchase –only $8.95.

Click here right now to purchase the brand new e-book “Teleseminar I - Secrets to Success in the Art Fair Business.” Look for the “Buy Now” button on the right sidebar.

Some of the topics addressed:

* getting started at art fairs
* finding and entering shows
* choosing a media
* jurying tips
* what sells and where
* pricing your art
* inventory
* choosing an art fair to apply to
* selling at the fair
* marketing

Here is what some of the participants had to say:

Just wanted to let you know I attended and found it to be time well spent. Please do it again soon. Mary

Good Morning, This is great!! Thanks for the opportunity to hear from a professional. E. Shanley

Hi Connie,
Good informative call for the beginning Art Fair exhibitor, and you used my question about pricing. Your networking point for obtaining information is very true, Artists are more than willing to share show information and offer suggestions as to what shows would be good for your work. George

Hey Connie,

Great job! I enjoyed the teleseminar very much… Both of you did well, gave good information, and were interesting to listen to throughout the program. If you’re considering doing other programs, I’d love to hear one dedicated to photography.

Thanks for including me! Carole

Hi Connie,

I make jewelry and I wanted to thank you for the teleseminar.

The best resource information that you gave me was for the PMA craft show. I went to their website and looked at the slide images and that helped me to see where the bar is set for jewelry slides in an art show submittals.

I have been in business for 2 years and have found that getting into the shows is very competitive. From what I understand, jewelry and photography are the 2 most competitive fields for these shows.

I would love to hear more category specific teleseminars. For me, one on jewelry would be great!
Regards, Angie Dresie

Thanks - it was a very helpful seminar.
I’d prefer seminars with a general selection of questions. I’m at a place where I feel I still need to know something about everything, rather than dig too deep into one subject. Paul Messink

Buy it now at ArtFairCalendar.com.

Hi Everyone,

Baskin-Robbins is honoring America’s Firefighters by selling ice cream for $.31 cents per scoop on Wednesday, April 30th between 5 and 10 pm.

Grab your friends, and/or the kids and have a cool one! This fundraiser for the firefighters is an important one for them, so let’s go out and have ice cream and support a great cause.

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Promotion/31cent.aspx

My thanks to subscriber Mary Mieke for passing this on to me!

Making ends meet is a continuous struggle so it is refreshing to see artists finding a way to reach out to new markets. Have any of you visited Etsy.com, “your place to buy and sell all things handmade”?

Etsy.com is an online site where artists and craftspeople can set up their own virtual shops to sell their work to buyers. It was founded in 2005 by photographer and painter Rob Karlin with the help of Chris Maguire and Haim Scoppik. Unlike eBay, where art and craftwork can be difficult to locate amid so much else, etsy limits its sales to artists and craftspeople. It also charges a much more modest fee (20 cents per listing; 3.5 percent commission) on sales.

I assume most of you are aware of this marketplace, but just in case you aren’t, did you know that there are 250,000 shop owners on this site who make and sell:

art
bags & purses
ceramics and pottery
furniture
glass
paper goods
woodworking
everything else!

And sales are being made! Here is a link to a story in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/16905686.html

Additionally, here is a whimsical blog entry, The Big Show, by an Etsy artist, Menagerie Studio, about participating in an art fair that took place this weekend in Texas.

It would have been a great weekend to be in Chicago as the mega event as Artropolis exploded at the Merchandise Mart.

“This annual Chicago-wide celebration of arts, antiques, and culture consists of five formal shows and innumerable exhibitions, performances, screenings, and panel discussions. Work on display is culled from both major museums and small, appointment-only apartment galleries sandwiched between the kitchen and the bathroom. The diverse array of paintings, sculpture, video, and installations on display aims to attract both hoity-toity art connoisseurs and hipsters-in-the-know.”

Part of Artropolis was a newly expanded event: the Artist Project, ” a satellite show featuring work by artists undiscovered by the gallery community. These unrepresented artists will exhibit and sell their work directly—and relatively cheaply. Their works are exciting and might even be within a college student’s price range.” At this event you may have encountered artists from the art fair world, dressed up and doing the gallery thing. Sure hope it worked for them.

Read the whole story at the Chicago Maroon.