Haven't registered for the MN Tile Festival Click here for tile festival application

Mark you calendars for the biggest studio tour in the region maybe the country on May 16th, 17th and 18th in NE Minneapolis.  An average of 15,000 to 20,000 people attend every year.  This year there are over 550 artists opening their studios for the public to see how art is made and to purchase art right from the artist. 

The HTA membership is deeply rooted in the NE Minneapolis Arts District.  The brain child of the HTA directory came from the AAW catalog concept.  AAW is where the HTA had its first show to the public.  Sharra Frank, FK Art Glass, Sheryl Tuorila, Clay Squared to Infinity and the HTA offices all have their studios in the Arts District.  Clay Squared to Infinity represents over twelve tile artists and combined we hand out more directories at this one event except for the MN Tile Festival.  Bring your friends and family and be awed by this amazing event.  Stop at the HTA office and pick up a free directory.  AAW is a free event to the public and there is tons of great food and entertainment to take advantage of. 

 

There seems to be a large feeling of unease this year's arts festival season.  What should artists expect for sales?  What is the price point that will sell and what type of work are people looking to buy? 
Norma Hanlon a 30 plus year veteran of the arts festival scene just came back from series of Florida shows and noticed people are buying smaller items but buying in multiples instead of buying larger pieces. 
Deb LeAir a 20 plus year arts festival veteran attended the ACC show in Baltimore and heard many complaints from the wholesale artists, Deb said she did ok but nothing spectacular. 
It is nothing new for artists to have anxiety before the festival season but with bad news of the economy played on tv and radio daily it is hard to feel confident that artists will have a stellar year.  We can not guarantee a great year but every artist on the circuit should make sure they have prices for all budgets to insure you will meet your financial goals.

BBQ June 10th Tuesday Next HTA meeting

Felice Amato Studio

We will be doing a Mexican blackware firing.  Bring a piece that is bisqued (and burnished if one wishes). Lower cones are better (07 or less).  No greenware for this one so that we don't need to pre-warm.  Bring something to grill and pass.  I will provide beverages and tableware.

Mini yoga workshop on shoulder and wrist health at 6 p.m
Come early and maybe make it over to the MN Humanities Commission across the street to check out their beautiful historic tile walls and floors.

Directions to 996 East Ivy in St. Paul....
Take 36 or 94 East to St. Paul.  
From 36 take 35E South to take Maryland then go left.
From 94 take 35E North to Maryland then go right.

Go East on Maryland for about one mile (crossing Payne and Arcade) then take a left on Forest and go approx. four blocks to Ivy and take a right.  My house is a larger brick house, mid block on the right, across from the MN. Humanities Commission.  (651) 776-9152

felice@visi.com
651-776-9152
996 East Ivy Ave.--East Side of St. Paul 55106

 

At our last HTA meeting FK Art Glass gave us a demo of how to make  glass switch plates.  Then we all got to make our own.  Everyone really got into it and it was hard to pull people away to have the meeting!  The switch plates have been fired and are ready for pick up at the HTA office 34 13th Ave NE Minneapolis

Are you participating in a tile event?  If so send the HTA info so we can post it and send out a reminder to the membership.