This contest was designed for all artists of all crafts and abilities. All you have to do is create a project of your choice using one or more of the products from the Ring of Fire. You can also incorporate elements from your favorite craft.

*Offer valid April 28 – June 30, 2010. 15% discount applies only to the specific 10 products selected for the Ring of Fire contest. No substitutions. Multiple use allowed and can be combined with other offers. Offer good for retail online purchases only. Not valid on previous orders. Enter FIRE15 coupon code during checkout.

Click here to learn more about the Ring of Fire Artist Challenge.

In attendance were:

Karen Thomas, Stan Hywet/ Ohio Mart, Akron

Jennie Thewlis, Beadtini Boutique, Copley

Tony Durtschi, Celebrative Arts, Mansfield

Deb Selden, Stan Hywet/ Ohio Mart, Akron

Bryon Decker, Fluxusmetalworks, Canton

Kristina Malcolm, Fluxusmetalworks, Canton

Paula Atwell, Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Shaker Heights, Cleveland

Bud Graham, Canal Fulton Glassworks, Canal Fulton

Katie Mullins, Bonya’s, Seville

1. Gallery Hop and Bus Tours

Several people had talked about how to get in touch with tour (bus) groups in Ohio.  Bud Graham said a list of tour groups can be found at “Adventures in NE Ohio”, http://adventuresinnortheastohio.com/index-2.html; look under the Adventure Map for a list of Touring Companies.

Additionally, after the meeting, I did a Google search and came up with the following:  http://wwhttp://www.pctbus.com/, http://www.trails.com/list_19158_bus-tours-out-cleveland-ohio.html.

The idea of contacting these companies is to make them aware of your company or event in order to be added to the list of stops.  Paula Atwell and Bud Graham both spoke about their experiences with bus tours and underscored that the tour group should be one that wants to buy or do a workshop, otherwise you end up with a store full of lookers.  You can’t just say “Here I am” without offering something – workshop, event, history, etc.

(During my Google search, I came across the following site:  http://www.artofohio.com/.  Since there’s a “list your gallery” button on the right top of the page, thought I’d pass it along to all of you.)

2. Artists lists of needs from promoters and gallery owners

Kristina Malcolm and Katie Mullins, as the only artists present, both agreed that knowing what the criteria for a shop or show is – as in style, level of expression (craft? fine craft? art?) helps tremendously.  Feedback from promoters and show judges help artists improve, and receiving a standard one size fits all rejection letter doesn’t help.  Tell us why.  The only way we can improve is if we know what we need to change.  It would also help if the judges on the jury had experience with the art/fine craft they’re looking over and if we knew the level of experience they have.

3. Gallery, shops and promoters lists of needs from artists

Artists need to promote the event, show, shop & gallery, too.  Artists should participate in promoting with rack cards, listings on their websites, their mailing and email lists.  Galleries, shops and shows need feedback from the artists just as the artists need feedback from them.  Let us know what shows you’re going to be in and we’ll put your rack cards out or link to your site from ours.  If we tell you we need more of a specific item, create more of that item – NOT a completely different piece.  READ THE INSTRUCTIONS on the show application.

4. Suggested topics or demos for future meetings

Bud will look into the possibility of using the Akron Marble Museum for the May meeting and report at the April meeting (website: http://www.americantoymarbles.com).  Paula Atwell also offered her gallery for a future meeting & everyone agreed the idea of meeting at members locations sounded like a great idea & one we will explore fully in future months.

5. Next meeting

April 19th, 4:30pm @ Panera Bread, 2855 West Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2855+west+market+street+fairlawn+ohio+44333&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=2855+W+Market+St,+Fairlawn,+OH+44333&gl=us&ei=li22S5eKJsL-8AbC15mfAQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAcQ8gEwAA

6.  Follow up for the April meeting.

A. Bud is to provide a list of Google sites & forms.

B. Katie will invite representatives from Visit Akron-Summit, Cose Art Network and Cleveland Film Society.

C. Deb and Karen will contact a representative of the Cleveland Film Society to inquire about the possibility of doing some cross promotion (advertising/email lists).

We started talking about how we could help each other get more sales online, and drive more traffic to our art shows. Lots of introductions all around, and some talk about improving traffic to our existing websites. We are going to meet again at the same location on Monday February 14. If you would like to join us, please contact us through the contact form on this website.

Where Ever the Wind Blows by lakeerieartists
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