If you are up for the challenge, the American Craft Council in Baltimore, Md., shows the work of over 700 artists in the month of February (as well as other cities around the country in other months). According to the American Craft Council, the show is the "largest juried, indoor craft show in the nation," offering a wide range of handmade works, sustainable crafts, live arts and crafts demos and a student art showcase. In 2010 the show also began featuring artists working on outdoor and garden furniture and décor. Bernadette Boyle, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Council, recommends browsing online before your visit due to the sheer numbers of artists featured.
Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
public.craftcouncil.org/baltimore
Visit Houston for the Bayou City Art Festival, which runs twice a year during March and October. Since 1971, the festival has been growing exponentially. What began as an effort to raise money for the beautification of the lower Westheimer Road area is now the largest festival in the city, showing more than 300 artists twice a year. If you are visiting in March, the festival takes place at Memorial Park. In October, head over to Downtown Houston for the Festival's second showing. A helpful tip: check the weather before heading to the show, because Houston can be very unpredictable.
bayoucityartfestival.com
For 3 days in the month of March, the Scottsdale Arts Festival features the work of more than 200 artists, live music, fine food and art auctions. Enjoy the beautiful spring weather as the festival is held outdoors in the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. According to American Style Magazine's 2010 Essential Guide to Fairs and Festivals, the admission ticket for the festival will also give you admission to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, located just across the street from the festival grounds.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 E. Second St.
Scottsdale, AZ
scottsdaleperformingarts.org/arts_festival_geninfo.php
The festival takes place in March, and for 2 days it features live entertainment and more than 200 artists. In 2010 the market gathered close to 8,000 visitors from 17 different states all ready to buy contemporary arts and crafts from Kentucky's finest artists.
Kentucky Exposition Center
937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209-1398
kycraft.ky.gov
The Des Moines Arts Festival takes place every year in June. The outdoor festival features 185 artists from all over the nation and a student art showcase, accompanied by food, live entertainment and activities for kids. Apart from the art, the best part about this festival is the free admission and fireworks.
Western Gateway Park
15th and Locust
Des Moines, IA 50309
desmoinesartsfestival.org
Since its establishment in 1960, the Ann Arbor Arts Festival has received frequent recognition for its excellence and quality. The festival takes place during July, and for 4 days it features more than a thousand exhibitors of the best of contemporary fine arts and crafts. The artists take over North University Avenue and The University of Michigan's Central Campus.
721 East Huron Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
artfair.org
Over 25 artists and art lovers head over to Northport, Ala. for the 2-day Kentuck Festival of the Arts. The festival takes place in October at the Kentuck Park in Historic Downtown Northport and features contemporary arts and crafts, folk and outsider art.
Kentuck Park
3501 5th Street
Northport, AL 35476
kentuck.org/festival.html
The St. James Court Art Show hosts close to 750 exhibitors for 3 days during the month of October. The show attracts more than 300,000 visitors who take over Old Louisville ready to enjoy the artwork and the Victorian architecture that populates the neighborhood. "American Style Magazine" suggests visitors make it a point to stay for the full 3 days of the fair, given the amount of quality art there is to see. The show is held outdoors, free of charge, in the St. James-Belgravia Historic District in Louisville, Ky.
stjamescourtartshow.com
Held indoors at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is one of the most exclusive shows in the country. From more than 1,500 applicants, the show exhibits only 195 of the best fine crafts artists. The show was established in 1977 and boasts a long history of pioneering other art shows around the nation. Since 2001, the show has featured artists from Japan, England, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Canada, Israel and Korea as part of its Guest Artist Program.
Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2208
pmacraftshow.org
Visit the country's capital for "A premier event of contemporary craft in America," according to the show's website. The show features a range of works from jewelry and apparel to home décor and sculpture in different media. The Washington Craft Show features 190 artists from all over the nation for 3 days during the month of November, just in time for some holiday shopping.
Walter E. Washington convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place Northwest
Washington, DC 20001-3614
craftsamericashows.com/WASH_main.htm