>Hi! I’m Jeane. And I’m an Art Fair Artist.

Yes, it IS a bit of an addiction. We Art Fair Arists pursue that ideal fair — NEXT weekend –that will bring the collector who just can’t live without our work. At every show there are fellow artists who seem to unwittingly find each other and have an impromptu AFAA meeting — Art Fair Artist Anonymous. I’ve almost got my 5-year pin. At the “meetings” we swap stories about the great sale, the stupid comments from that odd person who thinks it’s sport to poke fun at an artist, the set up or tear down in the rain, the greedy promoters who treat us like like we have deep pockets and no sense. Ahhhhh, promoters. Don’t get us started.

Then we talk about the shows that treat us like royalty. The show we can’t wait to do again.

The art fair circuit is not easy. It looks glamorous: the travel, the adoring public, the “getting-up-at- 5-am-to-set-up-in-the-dark only to work a 15 hour day” — but it’s hard work. I’m not complaining. I love talking to people about my work. But it’s a hard job. So we really appreciate it when an art fair staff coddles us — even a little bit.

I thought I had been treated well at some shows in the past, but nothing — I mean NOTHING – compares with the welcome we got in Sioux City’s ArtSplash over Labor Day Weekend. It’s a long drive from St. Louis to Sioux City — about 8 hours (ok- I did it in 7.25, but don’t tell!) It’s also a long 3-day show. But from the moment I got there they fed me, kept me hydrated in the heat, bought from me and oohed and ahhed over me. They made me think I deserve to be pampered!

Thank you, Sioux City! The South may think then know hospitality. You really DO hospitality. I can’t wait to come back next year!

And, if that weren’t enough, I got to see my friends Michael Wyland and Margaret Sumption, who have a nonprofit consulting firm in Sioux Falls, SD, just an hour away.

Again, thank you Sioux City! I know the economy is hard right now, and dollars are tight. But thank you for making it worth my time and energy to discover your wonderful city and amazing welcome!