Big art festivals are not always better!
For new artists, try a show with 100 artists or less. These shows are more relaxed. For artists who are still figuring out how to display and how to sell, a small show is a nice environment to start with. New festival artists, check out these smaller shows to start with: Barrington Art Festival, Wild Art Show-Animal Themes, Wild Art Show-Nature Themes, Promenade of Art Arlington Heights, Art Center’s Festival of Fine Arts, Southport Art Festival, Lincolnshire Art Festival, Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival, Deer Park Art Show, Third Ward Art Festival, Highwood Starving Artists Show, and the Arboretum of South Barrington Art Festival.
Some more experienced professional artists may consider shows with 150 or less artists because their art will stand out more. In addition, the customer is more inclined to “come back” in a smaller show footprint. Professional festival artists, check out these medium-sized shows where you can stand out at: Barrington Art Festival, Promenade of Art Arlington Heights, Art Center’s Festival of Fine Arts, Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival, Millennium Art Festival, artfest Michigan Avenue, Glencoe Festival of Art, Art at the Glen, Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival, Fine Art Festival Oakbrook Center, Third Ward Art Festival, and Printer’s Row Art Fest.
Big shows are fun and exciting so if you have your heart set on a big show, we strongly suggest you have someone with you so you can take bathroom and lunch breaks and for security purposes. If you want to try a big show, we’d suggest Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago and the Port Clinton Art Festival!