"A musician who plays the language of contemporary jazz on the tuba."  -  JAZZIZ 

"Ralph Hepola makes a strong case for the tuba as a lead instrument in jazz."  - Scott Yanow, author of thirteen books on jazz 

1, 2, 3 or 4 musicians - centrally-located in Springfield, Missouri

Performances have included four consecutive years at Twin Cities Jazz Festival in St. Paul, Minnesota;  Denton Arts & Jazz Festival in Denton, Texas; Iron District in Kansas City; Artsfest & Cider Days in Springfield, Missouri; Art in the Park in Highland, Illinois; Harvest Homecoming in Harrison, Arkansas.

renowned bassist Bob Bowman, drummer Marty Morrison and pianist Kyle Aho - both of Missouri State University Jazz Studies Faculty with tubaist Ralph Hepola

Ralph Hepola
46 recordings including the major labels EMI and Warner Music, many reissues, 39 video productions, Pulitzer Prize, Grammy and Tony Award winners and nominees - New York City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Switzerland's Basel Symphony Orchestra, Northwestern University, The United States Army Band of Washington, D.C., Missouri Arts Council April 2021 Featured Artist 

website: RalphHepola.com 
email: info@ralphhepola.com  
phone: (417) 408-7379

If you are new to craft shows and art markets, this checklist will be very helpful for you use as you prepare. This list is courtesy of Artisan Joy Magazine whose mission is to guide and inspire artists, designers, crafters, makers and other creative entrepreneurs aiming to grow and develop their creative businesses.

Find this list in the March 2023 digital copy of Artisan Joy Magazine for free or continue here for the list!


MARKET CHECKLIST

Business/Sales

Products
Smartphone/Cell Phone
License/Sales Permit
Email Signup Form
Clipboard   

Although you might believe that your art speaks for itself, the first thing that visitors and potential art buyers will notice about you at an art show is your booth. And with so many competitive artists around, becoming noticeable can be challenging. Yet, there are a few tested strategies for adequately organizing your booth, such as eye-catching layouts, striking wall writing, and ensuring you and your space are accessible to visitors. Fortunately, we know all of them and are happy to share the knowledge. Therefore, here is how to stand out as an artist at an art fair and make the most of your presence there.

Many food concessionaires feel that hiring and managing good help is one of the most difficult and frustrating aspects of managing a food concession business. It is also one of the most important.

We all talk about Public Relations and marketing like it is a mysterious force somewhere out there that, if harnessed, is the magic that delivers large happy crowds to our annual Fair. It's not that enigmatic. The truth is closer than most of us know. We spend thousands of dollars on marketing, public relations, advertising, branding and imaging to help us deliver our message with outside organizations each year. Has it occurred that we may have neglected a major source of positive public relations and marketing?

Hands down, one of my favorite times of the day is after the booth is closed when I trot off to the camper, crack open my favorite snack (chocolate), and get down to counting the money. That is, unless sales were poor. Then, I can't wait to finish the day so I can slink away to scrub the big capital "L" off my forehead in private.

E-commerce success can depend on many factors, but one aspect that is often overlooked is product photography. High-quality product photos can not only make your products more visually appealing, but they can also help potential customers understand and trust your brand. In this post, we'll go over some tips for product photography that can help you succeed in the world of e-commerce.

Outdoor festivals are everywhere. You often hear about how successful a music, art, or food festival was from friends and family, and now you want to deliver the same. Nowadays, people consider WiFi a necessity at almost all events, indoor or outdoor. With the increase in contactless payments and guests demanding internet connectivity, having a steadfast event WiFi is worth your investment. Keep reading for more insightful solutions to elevate your upcoming festival experience while using outdoor event WiFi.

Globally, artists rely on art fairs and festivals to market their brands and sell their work. These occasions are a significant source of income for many artists, many of whom prosper. Furthermore, there seem to be more and more chances for artists to participate in art fairs as the direct-to-collector art fair model has increased in popularity. However, with so many opportunities available, it can be challenging to sort through them all. You must know the potential pitfalls of such an event and learn how to get the most out of attending an art fair. As a result, we would like to give you a hand and teach you some tips and tricks about art fairs and how to make the most of them.

Craft fairs are a celebration of the handmade and unique. They bring together local artisans and makers to showcase their handiwork and creativity. Whether you're looking for unique gifts, baked goods, or home goods, craft fairs offer a marketplace near you filled with one-of-a-kind items.

The Benefits of Shopping at Craft Fairs

Craft fairs offer a unique shopping experience that you won't find at big box stores. By supporting local artisans, you can find truly unique and one-of-a-kind items.

I’ve vended at craft fairs for 10 years, and I have one consistent observation: 90% of vendors are not engaged with their public. What do I mean? I observe vendors seated; seated and talking or playing games on their mobiles; or talking with another vendor. I observe vendors who are tired, not present, and in a grumble mood because the fair is not well attended, or sales are low or non-existent. You see the emerging visual to customers?

The solution? As much as you can advertise or promote an event, it’s the main responsibility of the organizer to do this. So what is your responsibility once you are at the event? Three things: a) love your product; b) engage anyone who approaches your table; c) demonstrate what’s unique or different about your product.

Many schools, churches, and other civic groups have yearly fund-raisers.  Donating products to raffles, charities, and other local opportunities is not only a good way to attract local attention for your business, but often can lead into interesting new directions. Folks can drum up new business through donations, and by doing this, branch out into markets and even other mediums otherwise unknown!

Music festivals are a great way for entertainers to showcase their talent and reach new audiences & potential fans. However, booking a gig at a music festival is often a competitive and challenging process. Using FestivalNet to find music festivals is a great start to help you get ahead of deadlines.  You also want to send professional, personalized emails and follow up with a phone call.  Here are some more tips to help you increase your chances of getting booked for a music festival:

No matter what you’re looking to achieve in the new year, shopping local has become more popular over the past few years and shows no signs of stopping. While it may seem obvious that this helps local artists and vendors, it’s actually great for the environment and your own health. As you look for festivals or craft fairs to attend, here are a few things to keep in mind while supporting local businesses.

As an artist or creator, it's essential to have a robust online presence in today's digital age. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok provide an excellent way to connect with your fans, share your content, and build your audience. In this blog post, we'll explore strategies for using social media to advance your fan base and take your career to the next level.

Happy New Year! Shopping in real life is still much more popular than shopping online. As of 2022, according to Statista, 14.5% of total retail sales were e-commerce, while the rest were from brick-and-mortar retail stores.  This should not deter you from tapping in to the online selling world.  Niche shops, hard to find crafts, and unique artwork often do very well online!

Whether you have an online shop in the FestivalNet marketplace or your own e-commerce site, here are a few good ideas! 

Art fairs are a great way for artists to showcase their work and connect with potential buyers. They also provide an opportunity for art enthusiasts to discover new talent and add to their collections. The United States is home to some of the most renowned art fairs in the world, attracting thousands of visitors and showcasing a wide range of mediums and styles.

Here are the top 5 cities for art fairs in the USA: