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Kristin DeSantis & Marc Kriewaldt

Medium: Sculpture
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2018
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $10,000+
Price Range of your Work: $400 - $12,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
5-10 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 10,001 - 50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
ArtFest has been a consistent show for us over many years. Since we first started doing this show, the city has really fixed up the waterfront area and the location of the show is a fantastic setting.

Crowds have always been solid even when the weather is not perfect. Patrons enjoy art, look forward to the show and don't try to beat you up on the price.

The organizers are great people who want the show and the artists to be successful. They have also put together a group of volunteers that are super helpful and friendly.

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
Better coffee & pastries ?!?!?!?

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Be patient during load in. It's pretty organized but can get a little tight at times. Remember, your setting up a day BEFORE the show starts NOT the morning of the show, relax a little.

Additional Commentary on this Show:
ArtFest works for us. You have to show up and find out if ArtFest will work for you and your medium.

Ginger Reuling

Medium: 3D mixed media
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2018
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5,001 - $10,000
Price Range of your Work: $70 - $90
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
2-3 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
This is held in a beautiful place, on the water. The crowd here buys!

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
Nothing

Edward Loedding

Medium: Digital Art
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2018
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5,001 - $10,000
Price Range of your Work: $2,300 - $5,100
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
3-5 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: 5-10 years
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 3
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 10,001 - 50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
It is as well run as a show can be. The quality of exhibitors is consistent and high. Great layout. Good amenities. Strong attendance.

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
Nothing. This is a very diverse audience, and I perform better at a show with a very targeted audience.

While there are a fair amount of qualified buyers who attend, this is also the show with the highest percentage of sticker shock to my work of any show I attend anywhere.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
This is a show where volume sales could do very well because it is well attended, so if you have lower (sub-$1,000) priced items, include them in your booth.

If you rely on big-ticket sales (as I do) this show can be pretty hit or miss.

BUT... Fort Myers is REALLY trying to make their downtown a desirable destination, and they are succeeding admirably.

So stick with this show. Fort Myers is definitely moving in the right direction!

The URL of your profile on ArtFairInsiders.com.
http://www.edwardloedding.com

Petty Shepard

Festival very organized, employees/volunteers very friendly. Very nice location and fantastic breakfast. Shoppers come to spend money!!

Chris Seeman

Medium: Metal
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show:
2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $2,001 -$5,000
Price Range of your Work: $400 - $4,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
5-10 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 5
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 4
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 10,001 - 50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The director and volunteers are super nice.
Very nice location.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
It gets better every year.

Christine Reichow

Medium: Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $10,000+
Price Range of your Work: $25 - $3,500
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 10+ times!
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: Not really sure

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Great advertising that brings out a huge crowd, many buyers who come back every year, helpful well organized staff, my best show of the year!

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
The Sunday morning artist's breakfast/award ceremony had poor quality food.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Try to have a variety of prices so that everyone can buy something. Be present in your booth talking to customers as much as possible. Customers arrive early so be open early!

Additional Commentary on this Show:
The Fun Run is early Sunday morning and this also brings early customers to the show.

Ellen Negley

Medium: Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5,001 - $10,000
Price Range of your Work: $40 - $1,450
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
2-3 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
5-10 years
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 4
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 10,001-50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The communication from the festival staff is very good and I feel like they're enthusiastic and really want to accommodate artists and help them succeed.

The jurying process seems very fair and artists are encouraged to attend! The volunteers who help with set up are also very helpful and friendly.

The recommended hotel is great and is nice to go back to after a long day at the show.

The people that come to the show are very nice and truly interested in art. The majority of my sales are prints but it's consistent and I have sold large originals.

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
The set up is tricky but the festival staff handle it the best way possible. It's a lot of vehicles trying to get into a very tight space.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Have patience during set up and break down. Consider doing the Friday night show to guarantee a good space.

Clayton Swartz

Medium: Sculpture
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: - $10,000+
Price Range of your Work: $1500 $10,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
5-10 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
5-10 years
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 3
Sales: 4
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: Not really sure.

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The Staff are awesome to work with.

Beatgriz Kelemen

Medium: Glass
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5,001 - $10,000
Price Range of your Work: $500 to $5,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
5-10 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 4
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Easy to set up, great artist welcomed.

Music stage is controlled to 1.

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
Not to give prime double corner spots to commercial and or sponsors next to ONE OF A KIND artists.

Quality control for artists media. Image verification as well. Artist should be present.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Bring a balance price point for greater sales.

Tate Hamilton

Medium: Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5,001 - $10,000
Price Range of your Work: $35 to $6,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
2-3 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 10,001 - 50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The show staff does a great job of advertising and promoting this show. There has been a consistently great attendance to the show and my sales have increased over the 3 years I've had the pleasure of being in it.

Not only are the crowds great, there seems to be an assessment by the crowds that this is the place to come to, to buy their art!

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
I love the way they have organized load in and load out now. Previous years it was a little rough, but they hammered out those issues.

I think the show is doing its best!!!

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
I don't think there is a "bad" booth space at this show.

It seems like the other artists I've talked to have loved their booth spots.

My advice, bring your best!

Additional Commentary on this Show:
love the show

Mel Fleck

Medium: Printmaking
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $2,001 - $5,000
Price Range of your Work: $36 - $895
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
3-5 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 4
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 4
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
The volunteers are plentiful, friendly, and helpful.

The art show committee apparently does a good job of advertising since I talk about my artwork to many new people each year.

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
I have talked with several artists who complain about the load-in/tear down procedure, but my space is near the end of the show, so I have never had any problems in this area.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
ArtFest is always one of my best Florida shows. I enjoy the beautiful setting of the show, the way the show is run, and the consistency of my sales.

Celeste Theodore

Medium: Pottery
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: Rather not say
Price Range of your Work: $65 - $1,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
10+ times!
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 4
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Great promotion and community support. This is a waited for annual event and the public always shows up to buy.

Quality artists and a professional staff to run the show along with the buyers makes this a dependably outstanding Art Fair.

Teri Causey

Medium: 2D mixed media
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $10,000+
Price Range of your Work: $350 - $2,700
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
5-10 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
5-10 years
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Organized and easy day before set up. High Quality art work. Good artist amenities. Fantastic staff. Artist hotel discounts. Beautiful down town setting on the water.

They partner with local television and newspaper to provide tons of advertising. My best two day show this year and one of my neighbors best shows ever.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Consider participating in the Friday night VIP gala if you have high end work. I know several artist who made big sales that evening.

Additional Commentary on this Show:
Make sure your jury images are stellar and take advantage of their open jury if your available.

Rasa Saldaitis

Medium: Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5,001 - $10,000
Price Range of your Work: $300 - $2,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
10+ times!
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Fantastic committee, good advertising, phenomenal sales!

My best art show of the year, 10 years in a row.

Bob Osborne

Medium: Painting
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $5,001 - $10,000
Price Range of your Work: $295 - $1,995
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
5-10 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
ArtFest Fort Myers is an excellent organization, with very helpful volunteers.

The setup and take down is well organized allowing the artist to drive to their booth for setup and take down.

This show draws very knowledgeable art patrons from many areas and they purchase. My sales over the years have been very consistent.

The location is a wonderful setting right along the Caloosahatchee River in the heart of Downtown Fort Myers. Excellent show!

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
Hard to beat what they are doing now!

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Bring a lot of inventory!

John Costin

Medium: Printmaking
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2017
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: Rather not say
Price Range of your Work: $20 - $16,000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
5-10 times
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall:
Forever...
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: Not really sure

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Great advertising; billboards and other media. Brought in customers from as far away as Naples.

What could this Art Fair have done better?:
Seems to always be a bit of confusion and delay during set-up day which is staggered over several hours. We had to wait almost an hour past our scheduled time to begin set-up.

Please provide a closer place for artists to park at. The shuttle idea is a hardship.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Though expensive items do sell; many people are looking for reproductions (if you sell 2-D) or inexpensive items.

Kurt Ruby

This is one of my best and favorite shows of the year! Well organized and well attended, I continually end up with a successful bottom line year after year!

Jay Lana

Medium: Metal
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show:
2015
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $2001-$5000
Price Range of your Work: $200 - $500
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show:
1st time
Number of Years You have been doing Art Fairs overall: 1st year
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 5
Location: 5
Facilities: 5
Ease of Participating: 5
Sales: 5
Overall: 5
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Good
Estimated Attendance: 50,001+ people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Artist corner, good advertising, high end art, art buying patrons.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
None in my opinion.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Talk to your clients, be in your booth and not in the back on your chairs...

The URL of your profile on ArtFairInsiders.com. www.artfairinsiders.com/profile/JayLana

Bert Herrera

Show Name: Art Fest Ft Myers
City and State: Ft Myers, Fl
Your Medium: Photography
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2010
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $501-$2000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 2-3 times
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 4
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 1 (poor)
Overall: 2
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Poor
Estimated Attendance: 25,001-50,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
Great artist treatment, nice location, though affected by weather due to proximity to water. Set up and tear down relatively easy.

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Poor sales, awards withdrawn without artist prior knowledge.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
Some years this show has been good, others, not so good. Heard the whole gamut, regarding sales.

For more of my commentary on this show please click on my name below to visit my blog on ArtFairInsiders.com."

Barb McLaughlin

Show Name: ArtFest Fort Myers
City and State: Fort Myers, FL
Your Medium: Jewelry
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2011
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $2001-$5000
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 1st time
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 4
Facilities: 4
Ease of Participating: 3
Sales: 4
Overall: 4
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Okay
Estimated Attendance: 50,001-100,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair: *
Kept catagories balanced, not to much of any one! Setup drive to booth to unload, (not setup). Food was plentiful at the artist hospitality area, with real!!! bathrooms.

They do keep the show fresh!

Bad Things about this Art Fair:
Parking, especially for RV's not easy at all. Can't set up from your vehicle, must unload and move.

Advice to Other Artists Considering this Show:
No guarantee that you will get in year after year, as they pride themselve for a fresh show every year. Must win Best of show to be in every year.

Barbara Umbel

Your Medium: Jewelry
Year you most recently exhibited at this Show: 2011
Your Estimated Sales at this Show: $10,000+
Number of Years You have Exhibited in this Show: 3-5 times
Attendance: (1 is poor, 5 is great) 4
Location: 5 (great)
Facilities: 5 (great)
Ease of Participating: 5 (great)
Sales: 5 (great)
Overall: 5 (great)
Booth Fee vs. Your Sales Ratio: Great
Estimated Attendance: 5001-10,000 people

Good Things about this Art Fair:
We have shown at this one since 2007 and Rick and I consider it to be one of the best run shows in the country.

The committee does an outstanding job of preparing for the event--since its conception, their mission has been to make it the #1 art fair in the US. They have done their research by visiting the most prestigious shows out there--and not just in Florida. In 2006 they showed up in my booth in California- I said, "What are you doing here???" They told me they visit all of the best shows to see how it's done. Totally refreshing.

They advertise like mad--billboard, print and TV. They take care of the artists--indoor restrooms, breakfast, and a discount at the swank Hotel Indigo (within walking distance). Free parking for us too--and your RV if you need it--just let them know.

All of the show info is on a special website dedicated to the exhibitors. Easy peasy.

This year they held a Friday night opening- and it was packed! It was coupled with the River district's First Friday Art Walk, and billed as an added attraction. Admission was free for the public, but patrons could buy a VIP weekend pass for $75 that included drinks and hors d'oeuvres under the big tent at the preview, and a VIP lounge throughout the weekend.

I was surprised at the strong turnout, and made some sales, too--covering most of my expenses that night. It was limited to 50 artists--we had to request a space, paid an extra $40 to participate, and they brought in two big generators to light us up. It was done right.

The layout of the show was changed for the better as well this year. The "main drag" is on Edwards along the waterfront, and there used to be an additional section out on the pier, in the center of the show.

This year they reversed the smaller arm of the show to extend up Hendry one block into downtown--where the galleries, restaurants and people are. That's where we were, and traffic and sales were great.

And we got some appreciation from the judges as well! Can't wait to do it again next year.

nels johnson

See my review of the 2011 show that just happened. It will be in the Blogs section of the AFI site.

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