Kentucky Artists Targeted by Scammers Through Fraudulent Social Media Posts

Scammers Target Artists with Fake Woodland Art Fair Booth Advertisement

Scammers have created fraudulent Facebook posts advertising booth space for Lexington’s popular Woodland Art Fair, prompting organizers to issue warnings to artists about the scheme that has already cost some creators hundreds of dollars.

The fake advertisements specifically target artists seeking exhibition space at the prestigious event, which draws approximately 80,000 visitors to Woodland Park during a weekend in August. According to officials, scammers are directing interested artists to call a non-Lexington area code phone number and requesting substantial payments for what they describe as “limited booth space.”

“The fake page is still up,” said Faville Donahue, assistant director of the Lexington Art League, which organizes the event. “I’m annoyed but I feel a little vindicated because now I have proof the scam definitely does exist.”

The scammers have skillfully mimicked legitimate advertising, copying and pasting information from the official post. However, Donahue pointed out key differences that can help artists identify the fraud. The authentic post clearly shows it’s hosted by Parks and Recreation and features the Lexington city logo, while the counterfeit version lacks these official markers.

Several other red flags exist in the fraudulent listing. The fake post identifies “vintage fest” as the event organizer and uses an email address ending with “v-f-apply” rather than the legitimate “woodlandartfair.org” domain used by actual organizers.

The scheme has already claimed victims. Donahue reported that one artist contacted her after losing approximately $250 by paying for nonexistent booth space before realizing the deception. Over several years, organizers estimate scammers have collected around $1,500 from unsuspecting artists through similar fraudulent activities.

“This will sucker people in because they think there are only two spots left,” Donahue explained. “It creates that sense of urgency.” This pressure tactic is a common element in scams, encouraging potential victims to act quickly before verifying legitimacy.

When Donahue investigated by calling the suspicious out-of-state phone number, she received an automated message stating the voicemail box had not been set up. After sending a text message to the number, the scammers responded by requesting photos of booth displays and product examples – a sophisticated touch that lends an air of legitimacy to the fraud.

“They want photos of a booth display product example, so this looks like it could be legitimate because they are asking for proof that I’m a working artist,” Donahue noted.

The Woodland Art Fair is a significant event in Kentucky’s art calendar, featuring 200 artists annually, with 120 traveling from outside the state. These out-of-state vendors are particularly vulnerable to the scam, as they may be less familiar with local organizations and official communication channels.

“Probably out-of-state vendors may be more vulnerable to this scam,” Donahue said.

Beyond the immediate financial impact on individual artists, the fraudulent scheme damages the reputation of the Lexington Art League, which has built the fair into a respected regional event over five decades. Donahue added that these fraudulent posts appear multiple times throughout the year, suggesting an ongoing operation rather than an isolated incident.

Art fairs and festivals represent crucial income opportunities for many independent artists and craftspeople, with booth fees at legitimate events typically representing a significant but worthwhile investment for creators looking to connect with customers and collectors. Events like the Woodland Art Fair often have competitive application processes, making the promise of “available space” particularly enticing to artists who may have missed official deadlines or been waitlisted.

The 50th anniversary of the Woodland Art Fair is scheduled for August 15-16. Artists interested in legitimate booth space should contact organizers through official channels at woodlandartfair.org.