Amdur Productions Announces 2018 Juried Art Festivals and National Call for Artists

[Brigitte Martin]

CHICAGO, IL– Amdur Productions, a nationally acclaimed art festival production company, proudly announces its annual call for artist for its 2018 festival season. Celebrating its 35^th year, Amdur Productions has produced many of the Midwest’s most respected and popular juried art festivals including Chicago’s award-winning Gold Coast Art Fair, Highland Park, Illinois’ Port Clinton Art Festival (also an award winner), and Milwaukee’s Third Ward Art Festival. This year’s festival lineup includes 24 shows in the Chicagoland area, as well as one in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

“The success of our shows is based on the quality of artists who participate,” said Amy Amdur, president and founder of her namesake firm.  “We are always happy to see artists apply year after year, as many of them do, and we welcome those who apply for the first time,” she adds. “Art is definitely our passion,” she continues. “It makes the world a richer and more beautiful place to live, and we’re proud to offer so many opportunities for artists to showcase their work.”

 

Effective immediately, Amdur Productions is offering artists the opportunity to apply online for their 2018 line-up of art festivals. Artists can visit www.amdurproductions.com and click “APPLY NOW,” then follow the prompts to submit their work electronically.  Artists should submit four images of their work and one image of their booth. All applications must be received by midnight on Friday, January 26, 2018 to be considered for Amdur Productions 2018 art festival season. After jury review, artists will be notified of their status online on Monday, February 26, 2018.

 

Artists may apply to participate in any or all of the following Amdur Productions art festivals. Many of the shows feature artist demonstrations, live entertainment, food offerings, and fun activities for kids; appealing to an even wider audience. 

 

Friday Art Markets at Daley Plaza: Chicago, Illinois

May 11, June 22, July 13, August 10, 2018

Booth Fee: $175 | 8am-6pm

 

The Friday Art Markets take place one Friday a month (May through August) at famous Daley Plaza in the “Loop,” which is in the heart of downtown Chicago. More than 500,000 people live, work and visit this dense and very popular area every single day. Artists are located around the spectacular 50-foot tall Picasso, one of the most famous sculptures in all of Chicago. Artists are welcome to participate in one, two, three or all four Friday Art Markets! All original media and price points are welcome. This is a great opportunity for artists to sell their art outside of typical weekend festivals, and presents a chance to reach a broader audience.

 

Barrington Art Festival: Barrington, Illinois

May 26 – May 27, 2018 | Memorial Day Weekend

130 Booths Max| Booth Fee: $395 | 10am -5pm

 

 

The 9th annual Barrington Art Festival is held Memorial Day weekend on the Village’s closed charming streets. Year after year, the community flocks to this festival to buy original art, while enjoying Barrington’s intimate cafes, boutiques and popular restaurants. Known for its grand mansions and beautiful horse farms, the affluent and vibrant suburb, located just 30 minutes northwest of Chicago, boats a wealthy population with a deep appreciation and buying history of art. During this festival, artists will have the opportunity to interact with the public through art demos and booth chats. This show was rated as #48 of the “Best Fine Art & Design Shows” by Sunshine Artist Magazine! All media of original art is welcome.

 

Wild Art Show - Animals: Brookfield, Illinois

June 2 – June 3, 2018

100 Booths Max | Booth Fee: $295 | 10am -5pm

 

Amdur Productions and the Brookfield Zoo proudly announce the Wild Art Show, a new show at Brookfield Zoo this June 2 and 3! Held on the grand esplanade at the world famous Brookfield Zoo west of Chicago, this show will feature all media of art that is animal themed. All booths will be positioned on grass, adjacent to wide sidewalks, allowing artists to drive up. Parking is easy, too! Brookfield Zoo has a member base of over 120,000 and millions of visitors flock to the zoo every year making this festival a high-traveled event. Original art of all price points and categories are welcome to exhibit.

 

Promenade of Art: Arlington Heights, Illinois

June 9 – June 10, 2018

135 Booths Max | Booth Fee: $425 | 10am-5pm

 

Celebrating its 16th year, the Promenade of Art Arlington Heights is a longstanding tradition for the 76,000 residents of this prosperous western Chicago suburb.  The festival takes place on the lively downtown streets amid upscale high-rise apartments, boutiques, cafes, theaters and popular restaurants. Arlington Heights is the 12^th largest municipality in Illinois and is a unique blend of old and new. Original art of all media has sold very well here. Many artists have been “found” by those looking for large art installations for businesses and have gone on to create special commissions for these clients.

 

Gold Coast Art Fair: Chicago, Illinois

June 16 – June 17, 2018

300 Artists Max | Booth Fee: $625 | 10am-6pm

 

The “Granddaddy of American Art Festivals” returns to Chicago’s glorious Grant Park! Now celebrating its 61^st   year, the award-winning Gold Coast Art Fair is the country’s 3^rd oldest and by far one of the most well attended art festivals in all of Chicago. Located within walking distance of the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, The Bean, and Buckingham Fountain, the Gold Coast Art Fair draws hundreds of thousands of art enthusiasts from Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, and the entire Midwest! The Gold Coast Art Fair features 300 artists showcasing hand-made and original art in a spectacular setting with both lake views and vistas backed by the Chicago skyline. Paved walks lead to every booth and every artist is on the main loop or at a festival entry. Food, beverage and music oases in each corner of the festival provide welcome respites for artists and visitors.  A robust advertising program also brings in tourists who purchase art as a memory of their special time in Chicago. This show was rated as #80 “Best Classic & Contemporary Craft Shows” by Sunshine Artist Magazine.  Artists have an opportunity to win cash awards! 

 

Festival of Fine Arts: Highland Park, Illinois

June 23 – June 24, 2018

125 Booths Max | Booth Fee: $430 | 10am-5pm

 

The 20^th annual Festival of Fine Arts takes place in the eastern section of this affluent Chicago suburb, just north of Chicago.  Highland Park is a community of 30,000 with more than 52% of the households having incomes of $100,000 or higher. About 22% of the households have incomes of $200,000 plus. The high income levels combined with advanced education levels and love for the arts make Highland Park a wonderful place to exhibit and sell. A new layout launched last summer puts this festival on the boutique and café lined street surrounding The Art Center and features incredible hand-made, original art in both functional and non-functional categories. The festival is loved and well supported by the art collectors who live in the area and beyond. All artists are eligible for cash awards!    

 

Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival:  Glencoe, Illinois

June 29, June 30, July 1, 2018

100 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $675 | Friday: 4pm-8pm Members Preview Party, Saturday & Sunday: 10am-5pm

 

The magnificent 8^th annual Chicago Botanic Garden sets the stage for this botanic-themed original art festival. Located 30 minutes north of Chicago, the festival showcases the work of 100 unique artists in a pristine setting overlooking a lake, spectacular gardens and 385 acres of nature’s majesty. Attendance to the Chicago Botanic Garden peaks during the festival weekend with crowds flocking from all over the Chicagoland area. With a membership base of 50,000, and an annual attendance of one million people, The Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the premier gardens in the United States and is an ideal location for an art festival. This show was rated as #51 “Best Fine Art & Design Shows” by Sunshine Artist Magazine. 

 

Millennium Art Festival: Chicago, Illinois

July 6, July 7, July 8, 2018

130 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $550 | Friday: 11am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday: 10am-5pm

 

Located two blocks north of Chicago’s bustling Millennium Park, the Millennium Art Festival returns to downtown Chicago for its 10^th year!  More than 175,000 people visit the area daily for work or play at the Illinois Center Complex, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago Cultural Center, the famous Millennium Park, and the “Bean”. Chicagoans, convention attendees and tourists patronize and love this big city show. The neighborhood is home to the well-known and often recognized Harbor Point Tower, a high rise that sits as a beacon to Chicago’s outer Lake Shore Drive. Newer residences such as 340-on-the-Park and Aqua are welcome additions to the neighborhood. Business headquarters, offices and consulates add to the neighborhood’s vibrancy. Original art in all media is shown. 

 

Southport Art Festival: Chicago, Illinois

July 14 – July 15, 2018

130 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $395 | Saturday: 10am-7pm, Sunday, 10am-5pm

 

The 5^th annual Southport Art Festival, showcasing original and hand-made art, is held in the trendy neighborhood known as Lakeview on Chicago’s north side. Hosted in cooperation with the Southport Neighbors Association, the festival benefits several important local causes, making this event quite popular. Residents in the area love art, and have been known to spend more on household furnishings and gifts than the national average.  Closed streets make this beloved urban event a very easy load in and out.

 

Artfest Michigan Avenue: Chicago, Illinois

July 20, July 21, July 22, 2018

120 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $675 | 10am-5pm

 

Be part of this exciting three-day fine art festival on Chicago’s famous Michigan Avenue situated right next to the new landmark Apple Store! Michigan Avenue, also known as the Magnificent Mile, is a very popular upscale section of Chicago. The street is Chicago’s largest shopping district, occupied by high-end stores, boutiques, restaurants, luxury retailers, residential and commercial buildings, financial services companies, and hotels. Tourists, residents and local professionals pack the area daily.Residents have an average household net worth of over $790,000 and 38% of them have graduate degrees or higher. More than 44,000 vehicles pass by this location every single day. The combination of wealth, education, and lots of foot and vehicle traffic makes this location a spectacular place to show and sell art. Hand-made, original art in all categories is welcome. This is the 3^rd year for the very popular Artfest Michigan Avenue! 

 

Glencoe Festival of Art: Glencoe, Illinois

July 28 – July 29, 2018

130 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $450 | 10am-5pm

 

Held in cooperation with the Glencoe Chamber of Commerce, Amdur Productions proudly hosts the 10th annual Glencoe Festival of Art.  The Glencoe Festival of Art takes place in the beautiful Village of Glencoe, an upscale, lakefront community on Chicago’s North Shore, just north of Chicago, which attracts a wealth and highly educated crowd of art lovers. The median home value in Glencoe is more than $900,000. More than 44% of the households in Glencoe have incomes over $200,000 making this an extremely wealthy community.

This festival is nestled amongst upscale retail shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in charming, historic downtown Glencoe. Original and hand-made art in all categories is welcome.

 

Art at the Glen: Glenview, Illinois

August 4 – August 5, 2018

200 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $550 | 10am-5pm

 

The 15^th annual Art at the Glen is held in the elegant Glen Town Center, a spectacular mixed use development which boasts incredible shopping and dining experiences for visitors and the residents of the surrounding condominiums, rental apartments and lovely single family home neighborhoods. Magnificent architecture, beautiful tree-lined streets and wide walkways make The Glen Town Center a special place for an art show. Dozens of stores, cafes, restaurants and a 10 screen movie theater add to the mix. Parking is close, plentiful and easy for artists and visitors alike. The community is quite affluent with a median family income of $125,000. 12% earn more than $200,000. Original and handmade art is welcome in all media.

 

Lincolnshire Art Festival:  Lincolnshire, Illinois

August 11 – August 12, 2018

120 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $395 | 10am – 5pm

 

Located in one of Chicago’s most prosperous suburbs, the Lincolnshire Art Festival (celebrating its 21^st year!) draws thousands of art lovers annually. The festival is set up around a central plaza with a beautiful fountain and sitting area. More than 50% of the households in Lincolnshire have incomes of more than $100,000 and 20% have incomes over $200,000.  Located about 30 minutes from Chicago, Lincolnshire is surrounded by the affluent suburbs of Riverwoods, Bannockburn and Lake Forest.  A highly educated community, Lincolnshire has one of the fastest growing townships in the country. Original and hand-made art in all categories is welcome.

 

Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival:  Downtown Evanston, Illinois

August 17, August 18, August 19, 2018

150 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $425 | Friday: 3pm-7pm, Saturday: 10am-7pm, Sunday: 10am-5pm

 

The 5^th annual Evanston Art and Big Fork Festival will be held on the closed streets of collegiate downtown Evanston, a city of 80,000 people just north of Chicago and home to Northwestern University. On its own block and separate from the artists, many of Evanston’s great restaurants will serve up their wonderful food as festival goers listen to live music. Evanston supports its festivals with enthusiasm and purchasing power! Artists will have the opportunity to interact with the public through art demos and booth chats. Live music, great food and fun activities for kids make the festival a perfect experience for all. Original and hand-made art in all media is welcome.

 

Port Clinton Art Festival: Highland Park, Illinois

August 25 – August 26, 2018

300 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $765 | Saturday & Sunday: 10am-6pm

 

More than 100,000 art savvy, loyal attendees and original art buyers visit this high caliber festival, which celebrates its 35th year this summer!  Located in the affluent community of Highland Park, Illinois, the Port Clinton Art Festival is one of the most acclaimed art festivals in the country and is rated as the 42^nd “Best Fine Art & Design Shows” in the United States by Sunshine Artist Magazine and a top show by Art Fair Calendar. Highland Park is a lakefront community of 30,000 with more than 52% of the households having incomes of $100,000 or more. About 22% of the households have incomes of $200,000 plus. The best of the best is what art lovers come to see and buy at this festival. Running the same time as the art festival is the “Taste of Highland Park,” which brings even more people to this much anticipated event.

 

Fine Art Festival at Oakbrook Center: Oak Brook, Illinois

September 1 – September 2, 2018 | Labor Day Weekend

100 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $460 | Saturday: 10am-6pm, Sunday: 11am-6pm

 

Moved to Labor Day Weekend, this 56^th annual event is held at Oakbrook Center’s premier outdoor shopping center, which is located in the affluent western suburbs of Chicago. The Center features more than 160 fine shops in more than 2,000,000 square feet of retail space that includes Bloomingdale’s Home and Furniture, Anthropologie, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. All artists are located throughout the mall’s open air walkways among trees, flowers, plants, waterfalls and fountains. Oak Brook is a wealthy community with median home values of about $840,000 who attend and buy at this show. 30% of Oak Brook households have an income of over $200,000 and 54% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. With a community of smart, wealthy and art-loving people, this is a great festival to show and sell original art in all media. 

 

Deer Park Art Show: Deer Park, Illinois

September 1 – September 2, 2018

120 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $395 | Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 11am-5pm

 

The 3^rd annual Deer Park Art Show is an outdoor event, which takes place at the elegant Deer Park Town Center. With a new date of Labor Day weekend, the Deer Park Art Show is situated in a beautiful upscale lifestyle center, which is home to many of the country’s finest stores and most popular restaurants. This wealthy, highly educated community annually ranks as a top community in the United States securing the #6 spot on the list of “Top 100 cities with biggest houses” and #79 on the list of “Top median incomes” in the United States. Original art in all media is welcome at this fest, which consistently draws huge crowds and great sales!

 

Third Ward Art Festival: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 8 – September 9, 2018

160 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $460 | 10am-5pm

 

The Third Ward Art Festival has a new date! Milwaukee residents and art lovers throughout the Midwest have shown strong support for this festival, which is celebrating its 7^th year and has grown in numbers since launching in 2012. The Third Ward Art Festival is located just three blocks south of downtown Milwaukee, in the Historic Third Ward known as Milwaukee’s Arts and Fashion District. This upscale area boasts the city’s most dynamic array of restaurants, spas, theaters, galleries and unique shopping – attracting visitors from near and far. Wide sidewalks are home to numerous outdoor cafes, which are well situated for patrons to view the art with a back-to-back layout on the street. Original art in all media is welcome at this highly anticipated fest. 

 

Printer’s Row Art Fest: Chicago, Illinois

September 15 – September 16, 2018

100 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $395 | 10am-5pm

 

Be part of a new cool art fest in Chicago’s vibrant South Loop neighborhood! Held on Dearborn Street from Polk to Harrison, in the famed historic Printer’s Row district, just one block from the world-famous Michigan Avenue and a short walk to the world-renowned Art Institute, this fall festival will be the place to be. The Printer’s Row Art Fest showcases the beauty, creativity and culture of the area. Trendy loft apartments and photo studios, upscale apartments and townhomes, and hip restaurants and bars all make this area a welcoming urban destination. All original art is welcome.

 

Wild Art Show- Nature: Brookfield, Illinois

September 22 - September 23, 2018

100 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $295 | 10am - 5pm

 

Amdur Productions and the Brookfield Zoo proudly announce a new show at the nationally renowned Brookfield! With an ever-growing member base of over 120,000 people, the zoo welcomes millions of visitors each and every year making this festival a high-traveled event. Held on the zoo’s spectacular grand esplanade, artists will have opportunities to interact with the public through art talks and demonstrations all weekend long. Booth sitters and parking will be provided at no additional fee to the artists! The Wild Art Show is limited to original and hand-made art with nature themes.

 

The Highwood Starving Artists Show: Highwood, Illinois

September 29 – September 30, 2018

120 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $225 | 10am-5pm

 

The 3^rd annual Starving Artists Show is a wonderful change of pace; a different type of show. Artists come to this end-of-season outdoor show to sell their odd pieces and clear out inventory in preparation for the year ahead.  This fun event brings an eclectic crowd looking to buy unique art, knowing that artists typically reduce their prices to sell off extra art inventory. Visitors know to expect incredible bargains on everything from original and hand-made jewelry to ceramics to fine art. This show is all about great art at great prices! The Starving Artists Show is nestled between three of the wealthiest communities on the North Shore; Highland Park, Lake Forest and Lincolnshire. The atmosphere is relaxed and the booth fee is low! All media is welcome.

 

Arboretum Art Festival: South Barrington, Illinois

October 6- October 7, 2018

75 Booth Max | Booth Fee: $350 | 10am-5pm

 

We’re excited for the 2nd Annual, Arboretum Art Festival in Chicago’s wealthy suburb of South Barrington, where the median income for a family is about $175,000 and the median home value is about $850,000. The upscale Arboretum of South Barrington plays host to the fest with its mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Easy drive in set up makes this festival’s load in a breeze. Live music and great food add to the experience of this outdoor event. Fun art activities for kids make Arboretum Art Festival a destination for art enthusiasts of all ages!

 

For more information about the jury process or any of Amdur Productions’ 2018 festivals, please visit www.amdurproductions.com or contact the Amdur Productions office at 847-926-4300. You can also send an email to [e-mail].