What's In and What's Out 2022
To create this list Art-Linx has researched the trends discussed in home design, fashion and art. Wishing everyone a year filled with creativity and inspiration.
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IN
- In Person Art Shows
- Art Supply Scarcity
- Green
- Wall Murals
- Color Minimalism
- N95 Masks
- Neon Art
- Curvalicious Furniture
- Gender Neutral Fashion
- NFT's as Political Grift
- Outdoor Shows
- Purple
- Flat Soles
- Dopamine Dressing
- Dresses
- Motion Design
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OUT
- Virtual Art Shows
- Titanium Dioxide
- Gray
- Quirky Wallpaper
- Abstract Psychedelia
- Handcreated Facemasks
- Monochrome
- Boxy Furniture
- Everything Checkerboard
- NFT's as Art
- Indoor Shows
- Blue
- Stilettos
- Neutral Tones (Clothes)
- Luxe Sportswear
- Static Images
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March 13-15, 2022
Sheraton Suites, Old Town Alexandria, VA
Reserve your space today!
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This two and half day professional development event brings together show directors and those connected to the industry for learning, discussion, inspiration and networking opportunities. This conference is tailored to individuals who are involved with
the planning of art fairs or festivals, including board chairs, council or chamber staff, and volunteers. Reserve your space today! For more information on speakers and topics Click Here
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2019 Art Festival Director Conference |
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We are proud to announce that Dr. Brea Heidelberg will be our Keynote Dinner Speaker, Sunday, March 13th discussing How to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Using a Blind Jury Process.
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Last Chance to APPLY: Click logo for more information!
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Lincoln, NE
June 18-19, 2022
Application Deadline 2/18/22
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Geneva, IL
July 23-24, 2022
Application Deadline 2/1/22
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Chicago, IL
June 11-12, 2022
Application Deadline 2/13/22
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Redlands, CA
May 28-29, 2022
Application Deadline 2/11/22
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New Year - Choosing the Right Shows |
I love New Year’s Resolutions – they focus the mind and hopefully create a plan to make the next year better. In the spirit of the New Year, some suggestions on choosing and applying to your 2022 shows:
Choosing the Right Show: Most artists are loyal to their favorite shows and patrons, but what happens when you are not accepted to the show? or your sales are not what you had expected? or when you want to expand to a new market? To choose the shows that work best for your art, consider the following.
- Always familiarize yourself with what the show is about and what they’re looking for before you apply. Really read the Call to Artists information (sent by Art-Linx) to get a clear description of the event.
- Double check the show requirements before applying.
- Look at event history. Is it a new art show, or has it been around for years? While an event’s longevity is certainly a good indicator of success, don’t stop there. Check into how well the event has been publicized in the past and if the show organizers have a good reputation or not. If you know of another artist that has attended in the past, reach out to them and ask about their exhibiting experience.
- Consider the timing. How many shows can you realistically do in season? Cancelling at the last minute because you have run out of inventory is a great first world problem for you but a real issue for the show promoters.
- Look at the show cost, travel expenses and sales potential.
- Apply to the show with images that are high quality, in focus, well-lit and color corrected to show the true likeness of your artwork. Keep your media consistent, with similar colors and style, so that judges get to see a complete and strong body of work.
- Apply with a booth shot that is appropriate for the show. If you are applying to an outdoor event, have an outdoor booth photo. Your booth image should convey your style and scale of work. The canopy should be white, and all three walls need to be visible in the picture. Shows that have blind juries will often disqualify you automatically if you have identifying information or people in your booth photo.
- The artist statement is very important. It should give the jurors a clear idea of what you are doing and the concept behind the work. This statement can make the difference in a competitive process where the jurors need to narrow down the good artists.
One pet peeve of show directors is applications that do not use correct capitalization. The information downloaded from the application is used to create artist lists, signs, programs, website listings, etc. Having to correct the capitalization is time consuming and annoying. Please make sure that your information on the applications sites is current, including your email, website, social handles and cell phone number.
Wishing you a creative and prosperous 2022!
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Spotlight on Show: Stone Arch Bridge Festival and Art at Bayfront Park with Sara Collins |
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Talk about your philosophy in managing both the Stone Arch Bridge Festival and Art in Bayfront Park: Our priority is the people. First, the artists are paramount. Every idea we brainstorm and decision we make must go through the filter of the artists’ perspective. If it’s good for them, it’s good for us. Second, our team. We have a very unique situation because our leadership team has been together for many years. We come together each summer with a big sense of pride and respect for what we’ve built in our communities. Every year artists tell me that working with our team gives them peace of mind that things will be taken care of, organized and they know we really value their participation. Nothing beats a trusted familiar face! And last but not least, our attendees. We have a strong commitment to producing a safe, inspired and fun event! Fun and fresh are really important elements to keep folks coming back year after year.
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Minnesota loves festivals and hosts some of the best art shows in the county – what differentiates your shows? One asset our two festivals share is LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION. Stone Arch Bridge Festival is a legacy event – this will be 27th year. Our location is unbeatable. We’ve been a part of the development of the Minneapolis riverfront and seen lots of growth and changes. It’s a thriving neighborhood of metro meets residential. Art in Bayfront Park is in one of Minnesota’s best known and beloved areas right next to Duluth’s Canal Park and Lake Superior. Frankly there is not a better place to be in August than Duluth Minnesota. We benefit from a supportive Duluth/North Shore arts community and weekend tourists/vacationers.
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What are you looking for when an artist applies to your shows and what advice would you give?
My advice for applicants is: Don’t underestimate the impact of your photos. At this point, it’s something you can't skimp on or assume the jury knows more about your work than what you are representing in your photos. The competition is strong so put a lot of thought into what you show the jury. My advice for participants: Maximize your experience by engaging with your customers. Last summer I had a conversation with an emerging artist who told me they were so happy they got the opportunity to participate because they learned what people were drawn to. Because he was just getting started, this was very helpful to him. For all artists, if you are engaging in selling your work, feedback is important. Festivals offer a terrific opportunity for this.
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How has COVID impacted your shows? Have you made any changes? After re-launching and successfully hosting both festivals last summer, we came away feeling very hopeful. The community came out in full force to support the festivals and get back to having a great time. Throughout the summer and through the winter, we’ve seen pop up markets everywhere. I’m not sure how this will impact the larger shows but right now artists seem to have more opportunities in different formats. Also many artists developed their online sales which proved to be really positive. From my perspective as a businessperson, these developments provide artists the opportunity for overall growth especially if used together to support the artist’s ‘brand’. At our core, we support artists so what is good for them, is good for us. We need to ensure that what we bring to the table is current and a benefit to their business. From my experience, nothing can replace the energy, grassroots development, exposure to new customers, comradery among artists and fun you find at large public art festivals. Logistically, we all really liked the flow created by giving each tent a bit more room by spacing them out more than we have in the past. I’ll continue to do that.
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When you think about the future of art shows, what do you see 10 years from now?
Wow – good question. I think art shows at their core are about inspiration. I watch attendees strolling the festival, pausing wide-eyed to look at a work of art and discuss it with a friend. I’ve seen people who look like they have discovered a pirate's treasure within an artist’s tent. The conversations that happen when someone asks the artist, “How do you do that?” can last 2 - 20 minutes or more. I’m not sure how the format will change or evolve but I don’t think there is an end to bringing art out to the community. It’s the ultimate vehicle to move someone from an admirer of one of a kind, original artwork to an owner. I find that once a person experiences the specialness of owning hand selected work of art whether it’s in their home, or a piece they wear, it won’t be their last.
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The Art-Linx website has the most current Call to Artist information
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