Inside Scoop: Preparing a Successful Event Application

Alaina Clarke is the Events Manager for the American Craft Council. Alaina has always been deeply engaged in the arts, driven by her passion as a practicing artist and an administrator. She holds a BFA in Metalsmithing & Jewelry and a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management & Leadership from Grand Valley State University. With an entrepreneurial mindset, she advocates for artists to gain a thorough understanding of leadership and business principles to support their ventures effectively. Before ACC, Alaina ran A. Clarke Metalsmith and GEM Creative, which worked in tandem. ACM was boots-on-the-ground selling in markets, and GEM focused on coaching and supporting arts-based businesses through strengthening organizational frameworks, communication strategies, and building sustainable business practices for creatives.

Karen Delhey has been the Executive Director of the Guild of Artists & Artisans since February of 2016. The Guild is a 501(c)3 non-profit artist membership organization whose mission is to provide marketing opportunities to artists while providing educational, cultural, and entertaining events for communities. They provide these opportunities by producing eight fine art fairs, including the highly acclaimed Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, operating the Gutman Galley in downtown Ann Arbor, and through their Emerging Artist Program that has helped hundreds of artists launch their career as art fair artists. Prior to becoming the Executive Director, Karen served as the Senior Director of Marketing and Partnerships with The Guild and as the Marketing Director at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original. Karen has been involved in producing Art Fairs for over 20 years. She currently resides in Pinckney, MI with her husband and 2 dogs and looks forward to welcoming her first grandbaby in 2026!

Katie Johnson is the Director of Programs and Events for the American Craft Council. Katie received a BFA in Studio Art (Sculpture) and a BA in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and a Masters in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky.

While living in Asheville, NC, Katie launched a pottery business, Birds Eye Pottery, where she made and sold porcelain tableware. She later moved to Pittsburgh, PA, and became the curator of public art for Robert Morris University and later director of Braddock Tiles, a non-profit program that worked with local youth to teach the art of tile making and job-readiness skills. In 2018 she joined Bridgeway Capital’s Creative Business Accelerator, where she grew the program to include over 1,000 artists, designers, and craftspeople over a tri-state region. Katie recently moved with her partner and pups to Santa Fe where she continues her work for ACC and also serves as a board member for Touchstone Center for Arts.

Cindy Liebel is a metalsmith and designer, she hand fabricates modern, understated designs reimagined for everyday wear, making style easy & timeless in her VA studio. Inspired by the characteristics of contemporary and Art Deco architecture, including abstract line art, she handcrafts her pieces using a fusion of traditional & modern processes. Cindy’s passion for jewelry gives her a creative outlet through storytelling & demonstrates a timeless look. When designing, she aims to appeal to the person who enjoys clean lines, respects their uniqueness, and is self-assured about their sense of style.