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This weeks "Question of the week" springs from a discussion we had in last weeks QOTW, and  from the question put by one of our forum members. How can we find out where a show is we maybe want to participate, or a contest we want to send in a piece, etc. Paul Chenoweth hinted at a topic and here it is:

 

Do you have brilliant (or just normal) ideas about how to find out about events?

 

I want to bring to your attention again the Potters Council Juried Show and the Potters Council calendar - really great opportunities to show your work to the world!

 

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/potters-council/2015-potters-council-juried-show/

 

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/potters-council/calendars/

 

 

Have a happy week!

 

Evelyne

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Hey Evelyne,

My state has a tourism bureau and they have an Alabama Calendar

Of Events published yearly. The event calendar lists all the major

craft shows, their web sites, and who to contact to participate. The

event calendar also lists events non craft related also.

I never go to a juried event, but if I do its one I can

sell if I demonstrate. I seldom leave the state.

See ya,

Alabama

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Well, this apparently isn't the hottest topic of all times.... :unsure:

 

Nevertheless I looked up some links to contest sites and I hope one or the other forum member can use it:

 

 

I try to find more.

 

Alabama: yes, of course, a tourism bureau is a fine place to find events. Thank you for the tip!

The link in my first post, to the Potters Council Juried Show, is where you can send your application and, if you win, you don't have to leave the State, but you have to send your piece to Ohio and then it will be exhibited at the next NCECA. Isn't that a treat?!!

 

Well, people, don't let Alabama and me discuss this topic all alone! Come on....

 

Evelyne

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I generally do 12 to 14 "shows" a year; most are in the Fall and Winter (August through December), with a couple in the Spring.  The Spring shows tend to be flower and garden events -- as I primarily make ikebana and other vases.  The Fall/Winter shows tend to be more craft fair type events.  Some of the events were found through visiting them to see the crowd demographic and attendance; some were referrals from customers at other events, some were found doing an internet search for local events, some were referrals from other potters, some were sponsors asking to participate.  The furthest is about 80 miles from my home.  All are in Virginia (mostly a choice to keep tax filings easy).  Entry fees range from $50 to $165; two are based on percentage of sales (both excellent shows).  Three are indoor; the rest outdoors. 

 

I usually do not apply to juried exhibits, etc.  Not my thing and I see no need to burn dollars on entry fees.  I have submitted work to one gallery/studio in the area for a themed exhibit (e.g., 6"x6"x6") . . . mostly to show work I've done in partnership with my Chinese brush teacher (price ranges are above what you can expect at a craft fair).  The idea behind that was to get a different style of work out for public view (and, she has studio space in that gallery). 

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When I suggested this topic, it was an expression of frustration with a number of print periodicals that would arrive in my mailbox with a Call for Entries for something that looked interesting, but AFTER the actual deadline to apply. Now, in their defense, the entire process for pulling together a magazine and getting it to press then distributed can take several (6-7) months...easy enough to see the problem.

Having vented my frustration (see above  :rolleyes:  ) I began asking around and found sympathetic ears among craft and art friends who directed me to other sources:

  • ZAPP (https://www.zapplication.org/applications.php) allows artists to create a profile, set up a gallery, sort through all kinds of shows/regions, and actually submit an application on-line.
  • If you are a Twitter user, there are several people who have accounts dedicated to alerting visitors of upcoming events and providing tips for shows. I follow @CraftshowDates, @Potteryshow, @Craftori, @ArtProfiles, and @craftshowtips.  I'm sure there are others.
  • In Tennessee, Tennessee Craft (formerly TACA) sends out email alerts for local shows and exhibit opportunities.  Some of these are last-minute things, but they are often close enough that the events are at least possible to engage.  I would check with my state/regional organization to see if they are doing the same thing.

-Paul

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Well when I was green in the early 70's we had a publication by subscription put together by feedback from fellow artists called the crafts fair guide.A really nice clown selling balloons at the shows by the Name of Lee put it together as a side business. About two decades ago he retired and gave it  all up.This was a west coast deal only.

 

Now in its place for professionals is the art fair source book-its spendy but if you make your living at shows its worth it.

For me personally after 40 years of shows I just have to ask fellow professionals -but since I'm not expanding Its really does not apply as I do not want any New shows
In fact I'm cutting a few of the ones I have done for decades

All my shows except one are tightly juried

I do do a few zapp shows but I'm not juried as most are as I'm for the better term grandfathered in sort of (Not really but its to complex to explain in short)

Mark

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Got an email from the ...lights artisan Fair the other day. I really hate the term "artisan".

anyway, They said that they really want my work in the show as a past exhibitor.

Next sentence. "We don't have any knife makers in the venue."

I don't make knives either.

TJR. :blink:

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bciske: thank you for the Virginia insight. 14 shows a year is much, isn't it?! Are you doing competitions? Not every juried show or competition comes only by paying a fee. There are free-of-charge ones too!

 

Paul: I still think it's a good topic! I wonder though if maybe most of the forum members/users aren't participating in shows or in competitions?!! There are competitions where one doesn't have to pay a fee and where one only has to send pictures (not the object itself). Easy, and one gets attention! Or is there maybe to much fear in people to participate in contests? I'd like to know! Sure, Paul, a magazine should not advertise a contest that's already closed. That's stupid. Are those magazines also online? Hey, I just "liked" your fb page.

 

Mark: you talk about past shows and that you'll cut those and are doing less shows in future. Are you more disposed to participate in contests after you cut the shows, do you think??

 

Tom: I can just imagine your face when writing that post above :D That's too hilarious. Maybe that's a hint to start making knives? How about that? (Just pulling your leg....)

 

Thank you all for participating in this QOTW topic. I appreciate that!

 

Evelyne

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Are you doing competitions? Not every juried show or competition comes only by paying a fee. There are free-of-charge ones too!

 

 

I don't enter competitions; not a part of why I make pottery.  Last year I did a display at an area library; they have asked me to do another next year. 

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(Mark: you talk about past shows and that you'll cut those and are doing less shows in future. Are you more disposed to participate in contests after shows)

Absolutly not-no reason in the world-to say I have zero interest is overstating it.

I have done showsd for 42 years now-I peaked at 15 per year settled in for decades of doing 12 per year.{part of My drive comes form selling ceramics (and that means for me lots of ceramics at a show) not exibiting ceramics in a art gallery setting with a pot on a pedestal

I'm down to 7 shows and these are mostly very large shows. All my shows are the same shows-I have not done a new show in over a decade or two.

Sending in two pots for show makes no sense to me 40 years ago and less now.

Peer respect from a fancy show also means zero to me. I have the respect of the folks who sell at shows like me thats plenty for me.

Yes I have been in a few art shows with ceramics but its been years. I do go to openings now and again and the last show I was in was last year a one man 30 year retrospect of my underwater photography. Nothing was for sale.

A shows dwindle for me I still have a very strong income market via two other ceramic income streams. I do not want to be setting up my booth in some distant city when I'm 70-I do not need to. I have had a very good career in ceramics and been able to save up for slowing down or stopping if I want when I want.

Mark

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there are many goals for potters.  some want to make "ART"  and be recognized as artists.  some want to have a good time and make things their friends and families like.  some want to make something out of clay to sell and support the habit of making something out of clay.  some want to run a business and making something out of a raw material called clay might bring in money.

 

the exhibiting of ceramic art seems to be a specialty niche for those who are trying to make "ART" and need recognition to believe they have done it.

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bciske: fair enough.

 

Mark: I feel you are very determined and I think that's good. Slowing down or stopping whenever YOU want (and not the market or health reasons) is perfect IMO.

 

oldlady: ah yes,  the "old" question of: is it ART or CRAFT? Am i an ARTISAN or an ARTIST? I think I will do a QOTW topic one day about that.

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