Here’s an Extensive Guide to the Top Art Fairs across the U.S

No one can deny that the art season is in full swing. We cannot be happier with the joy these things bring to the artists. There are so many options for art shows to choose from that you are sure to get overwhelmed. With hundreds of fine art fairs and art festivals popping up across the country, most of them are incredibly outstanding in terms of attendance and atmosphere.

The detailed list of art shows and festivals that we've rounded up can make you choose the best one. After all, the better the show, the better chance you will have to connect with your audience and exhibit your art.

1.    Park Forest Fine Art Fair

Tall Grass Arts Association in Illinois operates this regional art gallery located in Park Forest. Juried artists are invited to the art fair held here every September. This platform allows the artists to display their work in the gallery at least once a year.

2.    Plaza Art Fair

This is one of the most ranked art festivals in North America, with three live music stages and over 20 featured restaurant booths. This platform is undeniably the best one for people celebrating art and each other.

3.    Gold Coast Art Fair

It is the third-oldest and undeniably one of the most attended art festivals in Chicago. This place invites hundreds and thousands of art enthusiasts from across the U.S. The dates for this festival are June 16-June 17. The deadline to apply for this is May 27.

4.    Port Clinton Art Festival

This high-calibre festival welcomes more than 10,000 loyal attendees and buyers every year. It is one of the most acclaimed art festivals in the country. This art show is located in Houston and is welcome to all art enthusiasts.

5.    Kimball Arts Festival

This one is Utah's longest-running visual arts festival, one of the most highly regarded art events in the West. This art festival proudly features more than 220 of North America's finest artists across 13 disciplines. This platform provides visitors with an opportunity to meet and purchase art from a wide variety of talented artists.

This list is sure to come in handy if you are in search of art shows in 2021. We hope that you apply for them to exhibit your art. Art shows can allow you to showcase your art in front of a large audience.

Should I Attend Juried Art Shows Or Non-Juried Art Shows?

Many newbies have this question in mind — Should I attend juried art shows or non-juried art shows? Well, both are good in their own ways. To make a sensible decision, you need to understand the basic structure and potential of both.

Juried Art Shows  

Juried art shows are the shows that require exhibitors or vendors to submit an application and display the product samples or present their work to participate in the show. Your application will be juried by an organizer’s jury, and only selected vendors are allowed to participate in the show. This type of show is ideal for vendors who have some experience in selling at art and craft shows.

Juried art shows have high participant fees that can range up to $1000. The major advantage of juried art shows is that it offers you plenty of selling opportunities as these shows are quite popular and well-advertised.

Non-Juried Art Shows                       

Non-juried art shows are the ‘first come first serve’ type shows. There is no need to display your work in front of the jury in advance. You just have to contact the manufacturer to apply for the show as a vendor. This type of show is great for newbies.

Non-juried art shows have low participant fees. You can attend a non-juried art show typically for $100 or less. If you have a good art catalog, you can easily make profits in these shows. However, this type of show is usually a local show that may or may not be well promoted.    

The Takeaway

If you are new to attending art festivals in North America, non-juried art shows are a good bet. On the other hand, for experienced players, juried art shows hold great selling opportunities.

Serving Food at a Food Festival? Here are a Few Tips you need to Read

Food truck events are among the most incredible opportunities for vendors to connect with customers and make sales. Even though some restaurant owners groan at the thought of serving their food at events and festivals, it is generally hard to pass up a chance to put yourself in the middle of a large crowd of residents. Not only does participating in food truck events and festivals put your brand in front of your target audience, but it also allows you to showcase your products. 

One of the most critical steps of entering into an event is locating one you would like to attend. Make sure it is not brand new. Starting your event operations with a current event is the way to go. New events and festivals in North America pop up all the time. However, you need to determine whether it will be profitable without any event history.

To make the food events lucrative for you, here are a few tips and tricks.

• Visit Events Beforehand

Before you delve into showcasing your food products, you need to find the one that fits with what you want to accomplish. And checking it out for yourself is the best way to make the determination. Every festival has its own vibe to maintain. While some events are set up to allow vendors to operate before a big sporting event, others cater to music goers' needs.

• Learn The Rules

You need to check with organizers beforehand to see what types of menu items, tables, and selling methods they have adopted before you get started. Learn the rules are as critical as selling your products at the event. You would not want to make any mistake when it comes to exhibiting.

•            Keep Detailed Checklists

Being organized and keeping detailed checklists is the need of the hour for a food vendor. You must make a checklist that includes everything you need to bring to these events. This will include everything from the actual products to the things you need to set up a truck and display your food.

• Do Not Forget The Essentials

Things like water and snacks for yourself and your companions are some of the things you must never forget to carry to the event. The last thing you would want while working is to be hungry and comfortable.

•        Make Eye-Catching Signage

If you wish to attract the eye of food truck attendees, you must use additional signage outside your truck. You need to let them know precisely what they can expect from your menu items.

•  Being Friendly and Talkative Would Help you Go a Long Way

The best thing you can do at food truck festivals is greet them in a friendly way and make sure they know you are available to answer all their queries.

Handy Tips to Prepare For Art and Craft Shows

If you are an artist who wants to showcase their talent, build a fan base, and make some great money, craft shows are the ideal options for you. Arts and craft shows provide an opportunity for budding artists to show their creativity to the world. If you want to sell or show your talent to the audience, you must start the preparations beforehand.

Craft shows provide an opportunity to showcase your products to the target audience. Craft shows allow you to create a good following, but to achieve the benefits of craft shows, you must do your homework first and prepare before sending out the vendor applications.

Arts and craft show is not just about bringing your inventory and selling. If you don’t know what you are doing, you will end up with a booth with no sales and will incur loss instead of obtaining profitable returns on your investment.

 

Here are some things you need to consider when preparing for the arts and crafts show

 

Indoor or outdoor

 

Check the weather and type of product you are selling and determine which setting is ideal for you. Outdoor shows are great if the weather is mild, and no extreme weather conditions are expected. During the spring and fall, outdoor events are great. If you want to sell perishable items, avoid outdoor events, or ensure the booth is protected to sustain extreme weather conditions. 

Stock up the product 

 

 First, find out how many people are expected to show up at the event to get an insight into the product quantity you need to stock for the event. Know the estimate of event attendees to determine the safe number of items you want to bring.

 

Booth essentials 

 

Mockup a booth at your home to get an idea of how the booth will look like at the craft festival. Make sure your table has all the accessories you need to stand out and attract customers.

Latest Trends for Art and Craft Shows in 2020

If you are an artist looking for art and craft shows to promote your brand, this blog is for you. Art festivals provide an opportunity for artists and businesses to promote their brand. There are many indoor and outdoor shows and season shows where firms can interact with their audience. But, is it that easy to promote your brand is an art and craft show? Trust us; it takes a lot of time and effort to get your brand in focus. The key to promoting your business is to gain insight into the upcoming art and craft shows your target audience visits. You have to choose the right event to increase your product's visibility and make new connections with potential clients.

 

After choosing the event where you want to showcase your products, the next step is to prepare your stall, get your product pricing right, and encash the opportunity to meet new customers.

 

Here are some art and craft trends you should watch out for in 2020, to get your business booming.

 

• Vintage designs: Customers love anything vintage, especially items with flowery designs and lace. Vintage things carry a classy and timeless look that people love. If you are thinking of adding new products to your stall, vintage items are what you should be looking out for.

• Patterns: Patterned fabrics and paper designs are in trend in 2020. They are simple, eye-catching without being overwhelming. Many classic patterns are eye-catching without being overwhelming. You can also add more edgy and modern patterns with geometric designs at art and craft shows.

• Calligraphy: Old school calligraphy items are not the thing of the past. They are making a come-back are here to stay. Typographic is in trend at upcoming juried art events. Whether it’s a t-shirt with a handwritten message or a beautiful wallpaper, calligraphy comes in different shapes and forms and is loved by people of all ages.