Post 288: Upcoming Calendar of Event Dates at OSA

Upcoming Calendar of Event Dates at OSA

February - June 2023 Events at Open Space Arts (OSA).

See What's Happening at the Gallery

Here is the Event List for Open Space Arts at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, Virginia. Please check with the contact person for any information and to check for any updates to the event list. Art Class signups and fees are managed by the class teacher.

 

Date - Event/Description - Dates and Time - Contact

February 1, 2023 African American Voices and Visions Art Show February 1 -25, 2023 PWCPRT OSA Steering Committee

February 3, 2023 Reception for African American Voices and Visions February 3, 2023 at 6:30 -8:00 OSA Steering Committee Susan Furr POC

February 2023 African American Voices and Visions Reception February 3, 2023 at 7:00. PWCPRT

February 4, 2023 Heritage Village February 4, 2023 12:00 Herb Williams

February 6, 2023 Somer’s Voice February 4 -8, 2023, 6:00 – 9:00 and February 10-11, 2023, at 6:00 – 9:00 - backroom Herb Williams

February 11, 2023 OSA Desk Training February 11, 2023 at 10:00 – 11:30 OSA Steering Committee

February 12 -February 17, 2023 Somer’s Voices February 12 -13 and February 15 – 17, 2023 at 6:00 – 9:00 Herb Williams

February 17, 2023 Adjudication of Art for March Show February 17, 2023 Backroom PWCAC PWAS PWCPRT

February 18, 2023 The Business of Art – Preparing to Hang Artwork in Galleries February 18, 2023 at 7:00 backroom OSA Steering Committee

February 18, 2023 CAPAC February 18, 2023 at 9:00 -11:00 Herb Williams

February 21-February 28, 2023 Somer’s Voices February 21-24 and February 24 – 28, 2023 at 6:00 – 9:00 Herb Williams

February 25, 2023 CAPAC February 25, 2023 at 9:00 – 11:00 Herb Williams

February 19, 2023 Notification of March Entries February 19, 2023 Herb Williams PWAS PWCPRT

February 25, 2023 Scott McDonald’s Bob Ross Investigating Oil Painting February 25, 2023, at 1:00 – 5:00 Large classroom Scott McDonald

February 27-28, 2023 Pick-up and Drop-off of Artwork February 27 – 5:00-6:00 and February 28 12:00 – 2:00 Elizabeth Herb Williams PWCPRT PWAS

March 2023 Page Turning Literature – Reflecting on Women’s Point of View in Art March 1 – March 26, 2023 PWC/PWAS OSA Steering Committee

March 1 -March 15, 2023 Somer’s Voices March 1, 3-8, 10-15 at 6:00 – 9:00 Herb Williams

March 3, 2023 Reception for March Show March 3, 2023 at 7:00 PWC/PWAS/PWCPRT Elizabeth Bratto Susan Furr- POC

March 2023 The Business of Art – Preparing to Hang Art in Galleries TBA OSA Steering Committee

March 4, 2023 Call for Art for Emerging Student Artists March 4 – 15, 2023 OSA Steering Committee Herb Williams PWCPRT

March 11, 2023 OSA Desk Training Session March 11, 2023 at 10:00-11:30 OSA Steering Committee – Main Gallery

March 17-March 31, 2023 Somer’s Voices March 17-22, 24-29 and 31 at 6:00 – 9:00 Herb Williams

March 18, 2023 The Business of Art – Pricing Artwork for Galleries March 18, 2023, at 7:00 backroom OSA Steering Committee

March 18, 2023 Adjudication of Emerging Student Art March 18, 2023 Backroom Herb Williams Steering Committee

March 20, 2023 Notification of April Juried Artwork March 20, 2023 Herb Williams Steering Committee

March 25, 2023 Pysanky Ukrainian Easter Eggs March 25, 2023, at 10:00 – 3:00 Backroom Bring Sack lunch OSA Steering Committee-Penny Shaw and Millie Adams

March 26, 2023 Acrylic Pour Class March 26, 2023 at 1:00 – 5:00 Backroom Anna Gatling

March 2023 Lecture – Women Authors TBA Herb Williams and Elizabeth Bratto Barnes and Noble

March 27, 2023 Pick-up and Drop-off of Artwork March 27 – 5:00-6:00 and March 28 12:00 – 2:00 Herb Williams PWCPRT PWAS

April 2023 Emerging Student Art Show (Young Adults ages 15-25) March 29-April 30, 2023 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

April 1, 2023 NAAEP Act SO April 1, 2023 at 10:00 – 1:00 Herb Williams

April 2, 2023 Call to Art – Flowers A Blooming Call to Art April 2 – 13, 2023 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

April 8, 2023 OSA Desk Training Session April 8, 2023, at 10:00-11:30 OSA Steering Committee – Main Gallery

April 18, 2023 Adjudication of May Artwork April 18, 2023, backroom Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

April 20, 2023 Notification of May’s Juried Artwork April 20, 2023 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

April 2023 The Business of Art – Preparing to Hang Art in Galleries TBA OSA Steering Committee

April 22, 2023 Scott McDonald Bob Ross Oil Painting April 22, 2023 at 1:00 – 5:00 Scott McDonald

April 30, 2023 Pick-up and Drop-off of Artwork April 30, 5:00 – 6:00 and May 1, 12:00 – 2:00 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

May 2, 2023 Call for Art for June Art Show May 2, 2023 -May 12, 2023 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

May 3, 2023 Flowers a Blooming Event Art Show May 3 – May 28, 2023 PWCAC Organizations

May 13, 2023 OSA Desk Training Session May 13, 2023, at 10:00-11:30 OSA Steering Committee – Main Gallery

May 16, 2023 Adjudication of June Artwork May 16, 2023 OSA Steering Committee

May 20, 2023 Excelsoir Voices May 20, 2023 OSA Steering Committee Dr. Mary-Hannah Klontz

May 18, 2023 Notification of June Artwork May 18, 2023 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

May 29, 2023 Drop-off and Pick-up Artwork May 29, 5:00 – 6:00 and May 30, 12:00 -2:00 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

May 31, 2023 PWC and PWAS June Art Show May 31 – June 25, 2023 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

June 6, 2023 Call for Art For Those Who Serve – July Art Show - Military Call for Art June 6 – 16, 2023 OSA Steering Committee

June 2, 2023 Excelsoir Voices June 2, 2023 OSA Steering Committee Dr. Mary-Hannah Klontz

June 10, 2023 Taste of Woodbridge Pop-up Shows June 10 @ 11:00-6:00 front of gallery JWC Management, Herb Williams, OSA Steering Committee

June 10, 2023 OSA Desk Training Session June 10, 2023 at 10:00-11:30 OSA Steering Committee – Main Gallery

June 20, 2023 Adjudication of July Art Entries June 30, 2023 Backroom Herb Williams, OSA Steering Committee

June 23, 2023 Notification of Juried Artwork for July Art Show June 23, 2023 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

June 26, 2023 Pick-up and Drop-off Artwork June 26, 2023 5:00-6:00 and June 27, 12:00 – 2:00 Herb Williams, PWCAC, and OSA Steering Committee

June 28, 2023 Showcasing Those Who Have Served – Military and Veterans Art June 28-July 30, 2023 PWC Arts Community PWAS

July 2023 Lecture - Those Who Have Served – Creative TBA

Again, contact the person assigned to the event for more information or check at the gallery. 

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

Author: Name
Penny Shaw - An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Post 285: Not Necessarily Art Notes, but...

Not Necessarily Art Notes, but...

Artists and art groups are interesting things. Art groups are typically made up of a variety of people from all walks of life. Some of the members have been artists since forever, perhaps retired, possibly some are still in school, or there's a family member that wants to get out of the house and brush elbows with eclectic people, someone wants to learn more about art, and maybe there are those that periodically only dabble in the arts. 

Hobbyist to art educated, art groups are made of people that love being creative in some form. Artists are every age and they are green, blue, and purple-haired to gray-haired, with every strand in between. A palette of colors and blends make up an art group, and so it should be.

The Good, the Bad and the Artiquette

People are people are people. Nothing more, nothing less - we all have our quirks, our greatness, our talents, our fine points and our not so fine points. Wouldn't the world be so boring if we were all created exactly the same? Golly, I don't think we would have ever gotten past cave paintings!

This blog post is aimed at a few of the not so fine points of occasionally being a part of any art group anywhere - perhaps behavioral points or concerns that might affect other group members. We all are learning, and I'm sure we've all run into a few of these things at some point.

Email Etiquette

Not every artist is computer savvy. That's fine. We may not be creating our own websites necessarily, but there are some things we do need to know about computers.

I recently ran into someone that did not know the difference between Reply and Reply All. In this day and age of spamozoid emails, many people don't want their mailboxes filled with superfluousness emails that really don't need to be there. They want LESS email NOT more.

One item that is brought up in talking with fellow artists is the use of Reply All. If someone sends an email with the gallery stats of how many visitors and sales were made at the gallery - good email. Inquiring minds want to know. If one or several members hit Reply All and send back "congratulations!" or "way to go!", well that is not an important email for the entire membership to get - bad email.

Optional Reply: You could congratulate the individual artist(s) if you like. If you need to ask the sender which of your art pieces sold, simply hit Reply, not Reply All. The point here is Reply All sends to EVERY person on your group's email list, where Reply only sends it to whomever sent it.

If I send an email to the membership for blog ideas, "What's on your Easel?", etc, if you hit Reply All and send me your feedback, there is no need for me to build a blog post as you have already shared yours. 

Absolutely, we've ALL done hit Reply All when we probably didn't need to - just TRY to check it before you hit send.

I'm going to add this little nugget here too. If you send me something to post here on the blog - awesome! I love to have pictures or news to add to this blog. But if I didn't attend the event, or its "news to me" (I don't know what it is), give me the background of the who, what, when, where, how, why - details of what you want posted. I never did develop that mind reading trick.

Social Media Clicking

Again, with the computers...Are you on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube or some other platform? Many say you should be. Why sell artwork to only those in your neighborhood when you can sell to the world? Or at least anywhere in the USA! What if someone sees your art somewhere and wants to learn more about you? Maybe contact you? An online presence of some sort does help in that regard these days.

These platforms and this blog work by clicking. A lot of point and clicking. The more clicks the better. Which means, you help the artist, the blog, the group, the thing you are clicking on to be noticed and seen MORE... by clicking on Like, making a comment, sharing, tweeting, DOING something! Google et al LOVES clicking! I've always seen it that it is everyone in the art group's duty - if you use a computer, to SHARE your artist member's posts, your art groups posts. Click AWAY!! The reach of the things posted go much further the more attention it gets on the internet.

You don't have to be on everything, but you probably should be on at least a few things and manage your time with them so that you are comfortably posting and reposting consistently - whether for your own art work and/or your art group, gallery info, art shows, events, etc. That is how word spreads more than if only one person is doing it.

Showing Artwork

What an exciting time - getting to show your artwork at an art exhibit. Part of getting your art up on the wall is knowing how its supposed to hang on the wall for that particular place. Not all art galleries use the same kind of hanging system and most have definite RULES on how they want things displayed. That goes for paintings, drawings, watercolors, whatever it is you do. It is up to you to read the directions to know the best presentation for your style of work. 

I've posted it before but at Open Space Arts, we have had newbie artists bring their artwork in without a wire to hang it. AND it is not up to the gallery to have the tools there for you to do it. So the basic theme here is to learn the basics!

Displaying Your Artwork

Another good read, but not about artwork display is Artists Rights 101 on copyrights,  rights of publicity and more.

Volunteering Etiquette

Greeting the gallery visitors and telling them about the art show is the best part of being at the gallery. Sure, its wonderful to have your art up, but its the visitors coming in and enjoying their experience browsing all of the artwork (and yours)  that might become a purchaser of the art being shown that is the total cat's meow.

Signup Genius, which we use to volunteer at the gallery is a fantastic organizational tool for everyone in the art group to sign up for gallery shifts (or other functions). The application sends out an email reminder for the shift you volunteered for a couple of days in advance. Be sure and load your smart phones with your gallery shifts each month too, and set it up with notifications alerts as well.

The bad part of volunteering comes when someone doesn't show up for a shift. Our preference is to have at least 2 persons per shift. A few notes about what to do when someone doesn't show up...

• Contact the person that should be with you on that shift. See the contact list in the artist inventory book and contact the missing volunteer. Text, call, send smoke signals - whatever works. I'm not posting the Signup Genius link here for security reasons, but it is a GREAT idea to know who you are working with that day. Use the View List view instead of Calendar View to see the details for each day.
  
• Contact the appropriate art group member that manages the Signup Genius app. The manager of the volunteers tracks if this is an ongoing characteristic of this person. Continuous no shows may run the risk of having their artwork removed. A part of being able to show art in the gallery is to also volunteer AT the gallery. No show up, no art up. Standard procedure.

Visitors at the art gallery love to watch artists doing their art at the gallery too. Not only does it help the artist do "double duty" while volunteering, but the visitors enjoy it. But DO remember that main reason you are volunteering there is to greet and tell them about the art show, answer questions they might have, and thank them for visiting. The desire here is for visitors to have an enjoyable experience and see the artwork - at each show - each month.

Another good point on volunteering at a gallery or being at any art show is you meeting and interacting with the visitors admiring your art as well as the entire art group's art. Building relationships with people goes a long way in the decision of whether that artwork gets purchased.

Art Show Etiquette

I don't know about you but I have attended art shows where I am speaking to a potential customer that is interested in MY art and I've had another artist butt into my conversation when they heard a keyword that triggered an art piece that THEY wanted to sell, then proceeded to pull the person over to see his/her art. Where's a bucket of paint when you need one? I'm kidding about the bucket of paint of course, but the thought crosses your mind...

 

Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash 

Art group art shows means that everyone shares in the costs, equipment, setup, managing, sales, breakdown, loading of an art show in some degree or another. Keywords here are SHARES the work. There is the loading of the tents, art wall stands, tables, getting artwork hung and tons of other things to do on the front end and back end of an art show. Ever been to a show where someone shows up at the last second, sets up their work and leaves as soon as its over? 'Nuff said?

And again, if there are flyers, brochures, online or in print - EVERYONE in the show, or in the group should try to spread the word about the art event, as best they can.

Art Gallery Etiquette

The list of art gallery etiquette do's and don'ts can be pretty extensive. Do a search and you will find a ton of them. I'm just going to highlight a few things in this section.

While visiting an art gallery or other art exhibit, it is very proper for visitors to ask before taking pictures. Often, there is a no photo policy.

Being in an art gallery is not a competition. You don't have to compare your art to anyone else's, you be you, and be the best you.

One of our artist members loves to learn something about every artist on display, so that when visitors arrive and they want to chat, he can offer a bit of detail about the artist and his or her artwork that they may find interesting.

10 Rules Every Artist Should Live By

Art Group Rewards

Being in an art group and meeting, getting to know the artist members has been rewarding - honestly, more than rewarding. I've made good friends. I hope I've been a good friend to them too. I've learned a TON about being an artist, being a better artist, and how other people do their thing too. I've learned really cool tips, inspirational ideas, fabulous tools and fascinating techniques. I've had more opportunities than I probably would have ever discovered on my own. 

I hope you have enjoyed the Not Necessarily Art Notes, but... that I noted here. How has being in your art group, wherever you are, benefited you? Do you have any interesting stories to share?

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of several art groups in Prince William County, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Post 217: Art Group Setting up an Art Show

Setting up an Art Show

Showing your artwork with an art group is often a convenient if not less expensive way to show your art in a show you may not have the experience, funds, equipment, help, or know-how to do on your own.Thus, joining your local art group and getting involved in their art events can be a great way to get started in showing your art. 

It is certainly a learning experience! When they say it takes a village, well, it can take an ART GROUP to get an art show done! You will quickly learn the intricacies - both challenging and obvious. A place to begin organizing the show would start with the art group making a few decisions up front.

An Art Group Sets up an Art Show for their Members

Decide WHO is running your art show - your art coordinator.  Your art group may have an Event Coordinator (responsible for GETTING the places to show) but does not necessarily have to be the person running the (each) show. This person is responsible for getting all of the information together, applying to the space, scheduling and informing all parties. He or she is the Herder of the Kittens. Depending on the size and location of the show, more than one person might be needed.

Art Group Responsibilities

Applying as a 'vendor' for the location or event may be where to start, or at least begun with an idea of how many artists in your group will want to attend. A non-profit art group may have options not available to individual persons or businesses, but nonetheless, there may be a fee to enter. Pay the entry fee, coordinate any and all documentation needed.

Location Logistics and Art Booth

• Find out EXACTLY where your allotted space is and what are its dimensions? 
• What is around it? What is behind it and what are you near? Will you have room to 'expand' a bit?
  
• When will you need to set up your space and how much time will you need?
• Where will you make your sales and bag the purchased items?
• Confirm, confirm and I will type it again, C O N F I R M everything.
  

Tent Arranging

Keep in mind the BEST traffic flow patterns for the visitors AND showing the art in the best light available. No artist likes being stuck 'in the back' where their artwork may not be seen, for any reason. So the traffic flow should always be laid out so that every artist has a fair shot without sacrificing the best traffic flow for the visitors. Likewise, while many don't want their artwork out in the bright sun all day, neither do they want to hang where the art is backlit or in the dark. Eyeball and consider your options - on paper first. (Graph paper!)

1. Ensure walkways, traffic patterns are the BEST they can be for the visitors and DO NOT BLOCK necessary doorways, elevators, etc.

2. Watch out for "dark corners" or "too bright" areas whenever possible.

This also means that your artists need to understand to NOT block the aisles so that other potential visitors/buyers cannot see all of the artwork. All artists need to be cognizant of the traffic pattern of the visitors! Greet and talk to your visitors but move out of the aisles as quickly as possible.

Any Deadlines? Deadline to enter, deadline for artist signup and to pay fees.

Exhibit Terms - there are probably terms that should be strictly adhered to that your group will need to be aware of. For instance, some exhibits do not want their vendors to fold up shop early under threat of not accepting that vendor back the next year.

Will you need to make alternative arrangements because of the weather? Does the tent have sides?

POS - Point of Sale

How will you make your sales? 

Will you have internet?

Do you have the right size bags and wrapping materials? 

Do you have the marketing materials that display your art group's logo?

Do you have a plan B and C in case of emergency and/or very busy sales?

Getting the Equipment to the Art Show

How and who is getting your equipment (from where it is stored) to the show?

Tent(s) - typical tent is 10x10 and the vendor space allowed may be as well.

Gridwalls (about 36 inch wide and 6 ft tall) and stands, hanging hardware - some gridwalls have covers too.

Weights, sandbags, blocks

Tables, tablecloths, art group logo, signage

Lighting, extension cords

Misc "Go Bag" of tools - hammer, screwdrivers, bungee cords, cable ties, basically any "just-in-case" items.

Print stands, display racks, etc.

 

Know how you will arrange your gridwalls and assign artists PRIOR to getting to the show. Some groups go by first come first served, some draw numbers which has worked fairly well for us lately. Number each gridwall (can be front and/or back), then have the same numbers in a hat for each artist to draw a number. If someone gets an area that is recognized to not be 'as good', do you have a way to help balance them out?

Recruit Your Artists

Do you need a minimum and maximum number to apply? Gridwall space is allocated by how many artists apply to show. Obviously, a 10x10 tent will only accommodate so many artists. In the past, often an artist will get a front and a back of a single gridwall, but do consider the options to reasonably accommodate as many of your artists that want to attend.

Send out an email to your art group with the Dates, Times, Fees (if any), Respond by Dates, etc. Give the artists all the details they need to know and what to expect.

They will have questions about how much art do they need to bring, how much space will they have, what percentage of sales goes to the group and more. Some of these are harder to answer because of the size of the artwork, but you get the idea.

Let them know if they will be expected to help setup, to take down, when to deliver art by and to pickup art. The art coordinator will need to schedule enough artists to help throughout the duration of the show...and its very common for everyone to help "work the show".

Special Considerations

• Where will they park? Do you need to meet somewhere?
  
• Where will they store their packing materials (wagons, roll carts) during the show? 
• Bus service to the art show - Occoquan is known for this.Vehicles may only be allowed at very specific times and bus passes for vendors is common.
• Find out where your restrooms are!
• Wind gusts happen. You may need to secure your gridwalls. 
• How will you handle a no-show or a VERY late artist? 
• Should you have an all-artist front-of-the booth wall space? *GREAT IDEA!
• Can you have a flyer for the artists that accept commissions?
  
• If the art show is more than one day, address any and all security concerns. 

 

 Photo Credit: Donna Liguria at Occoquan Arts and Crafts 2021

Artist's Responsibilities

Artists should have the best of their artwork on display, there is no getting around that. The artist should have their art SIGNED - I recommend on the front with the paint and colors used so that at a glance, the viewer KNOWS who the artist is. But everyone does tend to do their own thing in this regard. On the back of the canvas, the artist should always sign/write their name and the year the piece was created. Many artists include the name of the painting and the medium used as well.

The artist will also need to have their artwork labeled on the back with a tag or sticker label which includes their name, title of the artwork, medium, size and PRICE. And a label for the front and often found under the art, a label with the same info should show for the viewer. Depending on the art group or gallery, these may be provided and may include the art group's logo.

Follow the specific directions for that show.

The artist may need to provide an artist inventory sheet for all the artwork, prints, everything for that show. The art group may provide the inventory sheets for that show, so watch your emails for the needed info and directions.

The artist should have the art pieces READY for display and hanging. If needed, the piece may need to be properly framed or matted and framed. Canvases will need to be wired, and wired for that shows particular hanging method. Likewise, prints need to follow your art group's Display Requirements.

 

Typical Gridwall Hardware for Hanging Art for PWAS Art Shows

ASK if you need to know more about the particular venue if the art group has shown at this event before. Someone that has previously worked that show may have an idea of what has sold, so that may help the artist to know what types of artwork to bring with him or her. 

As stated above, be cognizant of NOT blocking your aisles! Sure, get out there and talk to those viewing the art (your art), but keep the walkways CLEAR for the visitors.

Other Artist Tips

• Provide your business cards. Hand them out! If you make a sale, put one in the bag! Likewise for your fellow artists!
  
• Watch your art group's cash box and any valuables at all times. 
• Work your volunteer shifts. 
• While many artists might be at the art group's show for the duration, it is only fair that if you don't help to set up at the beginning, you are there to help take down at the end. 
• Ensure that your artwork DOES NOT hang over the edges of your gridwall. Gridwalls are typically 36 in. wide and 6 ft tall.
• Do you have an Artist Name sign? Can you hang it?

Special Considerations

Allow for changes in the weather - in what you wear, and how you protect your art. You may want to bring an extra set of clothes, shoes, umbrella and you may need your own chair. Plastic bags might not be a bad idea to have on hand in case of a surprise shower.

Remember to bring a hat and sunscreen if the show is outdoors.

And of course, always remember, you are not only representing yourself and your art, but you are part of the art group, representing that group.

It is EVERYONE's Job to Promote the Show

This is an important piece of the artwork pie. Have marketing materials ready to hand out AND to share online AND offline EARLY. Get these promo materials to your art group's Webmaster, Social Media person(s), Advertising person(s), and art group members ASAP. Have these items readily available far in advance so that the entire art group can reach as many potential visitors as possible and potential visitors can mark their calendars.

Print out flyers and hand them out at work, to your friends, etc. BE SURE all dates, times and locations are on it and are correct!

I really mean this, EVERYONE in the art group should be talking it up, sharing on their social media and/or however they can. If you have a Facebook, a website, or an Instagram or can send smoke signals, help get the word out. Spreading the word on what the art group is doing is every member's responsibility, attending or not.

And finally...After the Show

Congratulations, you got through it and hopefully made sales!

But don't give up if you don't sell at that show. You had to have had some positive things come about because of being there.

Did you take the opportunity to talk with your visitors, hand out your business cards, meet and perhaps learn more about your fellow artists? Did you take note of what may sell better at that event the next time? Did you find ways to better improve your art, how it was presented or displayed?

Occasionally we do lessons learned after an event - you might do it on a personal level or as a group.The point is always to LEARN and make those connections to get your name out there.

Speaking with other artists, although a sale may not have been made, commissions for work have come about BECAUSE of connecting with those that did admire your art!

 

 

Photo Credit: Sheri Herrick at Arts Alive September 2022

 

Photo Credit: Donna Liguria at Occoquan Arts and Crafts 2021

Well, this was another long post. What can I say, I'm good at long posts. But I probably left out something, so leave a comment and let me know what I forgot!

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Post 200: Upcoming Calls for Art at Open Space Arts

Upcoming Calls for Art at Open Space Arts

Depending on your medium, you may need to know far in advance if you need specific artwork for specific Calls for Art or upcoming art events to enter. This post is to get the inspiration and work started so you are ready for these events.

Calls for Art at OSA and PWAS Art Events

Take note that when we say a "Call for Art" events at Open Space Arts (OSA) they are for ALL PWC artists (18 or older)...the requirement is to be a resident of Prince William County OR be a member of a PWC art or photography group. Open Space Arts is at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, Virginia.

Secondly, when we say some of the other notices are for the Prince William Art Society (PWAS), they are restricted to members of the PWAS art group and not open to the entire PWC artist community, and they will be marked appropriately.

And finally, some art shows at OSA are sponsored by the Prince William County Arts Council (PWCAC) and are predetermined for a specific artist or group. Those art events are typically noted as PWCAC Sponsored.

August 2022

A Call for Art is out NOW and closing on August 24 at 11:59pm for the Hispanic Heritage Art Celebration show which will take place Sept 21-Oct 16 at OSA and open to PWC artists. Not on our mailing list for the Calls for Art? Right away, go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/osafaqs and get the emails when they go out!

September 2022

On September 10 is the Chili Fest at Stonebridge and the PWAS members will have a popup tent out side of OSA. There is no fee for the popup show, the artwork is NOT juried, but space may be limited.

Arts Alive is a wonderful art event. The event is scheduled for Sunday, September 11. Artists may have paid to be outside with their own tents, while the PWAS members will be set up inside the building in their own area. Space may be limited but this show is definitely one that is well attended by all kinds of art lovers. A fee may be requested to attend - more on this as its verified.

Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Cir, Manassas, VA

October 2022

On October 1 is the Fall Tall Oaks Art Show at the Tall Oaks Community Center and is a one day show. This is a PWAS member show with space being limited. Art is not juried, but typically small works tend to sell most often. 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22192

A Call for Art for PWC Artists for the Nov 22 art show with a title of the show to be determined as yet. The email for the Call will go out early October for the November show.

On October 15 is the Pet Fest at Stonebridge and the PWAS group will have a popup tent outside of the OSA gallery. The PWAS members are requested to have not only "pet artwork", but any animal artwork to show. Its all about the critters for this one day show. There is no fee for the popup show, the artwork is NOT juried, but space may be limited. 

October 19-30 is earmarked as "The Art of India" and will be PWCAC sponsored. Stay tuned on this one. 

November 2022

A Call for Art for PWC Artists. The Call will go out early November for the December art show that has yet to be titled.

Tuesday, October 25 is International Artist Day - with the gallery closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, Sunday, October 23 may be our day to celebrate this day. I hope more on this later...we especially liked the suggestion of "take an artist to lunch" and the "buy a painting that's been talking to you" ideas!

https://nationaltoday.com/international-artist-day/

http://internationalartistday.com/index.html

In November of 2021, the Prince William Art Society had their first art show at Open Space Arts for three weekends from Thanksgiving into December - from Black Friday on. We had a great time with all the Christmas shoppers surprised to find an art gallery in the space! In a way, that's our anniversary in the space.

Artist's Sunday is Sunday, November 27, we hope to have some ideas for that day.

 

From November 2021 Open Space Arts

December 2022

A Call for Art for PWC Artists - this one is pending, as in not written in stone as yet, but we hope to have it in our upcoming shows so stay tuned. We want to call this "After the Masters Style" so get your thinking caps on for this one, the plan is for the January show and the Call would go out early December.

Our thought process here is your artwork styled after one of the master artists / artworks. How would Mona Lisa look with shades, a new hair style or a more modern dress?

Typically a rendering of a master work is labeled with the Master Artist's Name and not signed as an original work. For example, you might name the artwork "Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci" by Your Name. There are some details to read about copying and I do recommend that you do so.

See https://www.wildlifeartstore.com/can-you-copy-art/

January 2023

Tentatively, a Call for Art for PWC Artists. Stay tuned.

February 2023

Tentatively, the art show in February would be for Black History month. Stay tuned.

March 2023

Tentatively, March is all about the Women's History month, which could be art by and about women. Of course, family-friendly artwork. Stay tuned.

We have our calendars earmarked through April 2023 or so and will update you as we get the plans solidified. So this is about as far as I can go ahead at this time. You can also see ALL of the Open Space Arts events here so keep that page on your radar too.

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

Photography/Video Credits:
Donna Liguria

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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