Watching the Jury Process at Open Space Arts
Open Space Arts, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 9am - A new art show at a gallery means that the Call for Art to jury all the art submitted is on the agenda this morning. Here are some things of note that I observed while jurying, or watching the jurying for the new upcoming art show.
The Jury Process at Open Space Arts (OSA)
I was on the original OSA Committee Team 2022, along with the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members Penny Shaw, Bettie Sperty, Staci Blanchard and Sandra McClelland Lewin. But in this jury process today, I was more an observer, a reporter...taking notes on what to pass along to you, the artist reader.
There are 48 local Prince William County artists that answered the Call for Art (C4A) for this upcoming show called "Strut Your Stuff". This show is scheduled to start on Wednesday, August 23 and run until September 17, 2023.
On this jury committee were Mandy Powell, Evelyn Chatters, Nicole Fisher, Larry Burch, Penny Shaw, Mark Murphy and Aaron. Herb Williams came in as well.
It is different not being behind the table with the jurors. My thumbs caught a break today. Observing their process, and not tracking the results necessarily allowed for interesting details to be noted.
- Numero Uno: It should always always be the quality of the art.
- Each volunteer juror votes - basically a thumbs up or down. In case of tie, Mark votes. (Mark mans the laptop and slides on the TV.)
- Composition, balance, use of color - all the art fundamentals, elements, principles of art should be in the jurors minds, as well as the uniqueness, the originality - the impressiveness of the piece being considered.
- The name of the artist does not matter.
- There should be no restrictions in the number accepted per person. The C4A currently asks for up to 8 large, 6 medium, 6 small and 6 sculpture pieces.
- The sales ability of the piece is a consideration in a gallery.
- Consider if it is family-friendly, controversial? Does it speak to the viewer in the manner the gallery finds acceptable?
- Are there any copyright issues with the piece? For the most part, artists that submit something that may have controversial copyright infringement problems is kicked out. This is for the gallery's protection. An example is that if you took a Disney figure and put it in your artwork. If you are trying to sell that piece, that very easily could be copyright infringement. See How to Tell If an Image is Copyright free (Public Domain Art)
Submitting Your Art for a Call for Art
As the observer to these good folks volunteering their time to jury this art show, I feel the need to point out the obvious. There are things as juror to be aware of as well as the artists that submit their artwork.
Not all artwork can be accepted, period.
You know the saying that it only takes 7 seconds to make a good first impression? Well, that can absolutely be said about a jury process, in my opinion. If there are hundreds of pieces of art for the juror(s) to look at, a decision needs to be made, and quickly. I would offer that if there is a judging and awards being given, I would imagine the selections -should and probably do- take more time than that. Some jurors and judges get paid in those cases. Others are volunteers not getting paid.
The more people that enter an art show that will be juried, the more important the rules, directions, and jury process is. If a person does not follow the directions, the more likelihood that an artist that doesn't follow them are to be kicked. (Does it sound better if I say "not accepted"?)
Depending on the size of the gallery or art space, only up to a specific number will actually fit into the given space. And the jurors have to be aware of the size of the artwork coming in. Different shows, some art might be quite large - which of course makes a BIG impact, but definitely they do take up more wall space. Along with diptychs, triptychs and artist series of a collection.
What did concern me was the number of artists that just do not follow the directions. All of the jurors noted how the image quality was often pretty awful. Clarify, really BAD. Artists must understand that the juror must make a decision on an art piece within a few seconds. If the artwork cannot be clearly seen, it will get the thumbs down vote very quickly although in person, it might actually be quite beautiful artwork.
I'm noting here, and I have photo posts on this blog and there is tons of info out on the internet about taking quality photos of your artwork. If artwork is not lit well during the photo session, it follows that it will not show well in front of the jurors.
- Take your photos BEFORE you varnish to avoid that additional glare.
- Edit your photos to ensure horizontal is straight. Crop off the edges some if you have to.
- As much as possible try to take the photo straight at the artwork as tilted can throw distortions across the piece.
- Take your photos outside - there are specific times of day that will work best. Use a tripod. Take a LOT of photos to get the BEST.
- Jurors mentioned no frilly setups. ONLY the artwork is to be in the image and nothing around it. In the past, others have submitted art with it posed in a living room looking wall, trying to "Etsy" the look. Know what I mean? You do not do that when answering a Call for Art.
- Someone could offer a class or workshop, or be the guest speaker at a meeting to show HOW to take photos! Or write a blog post!
Framing. Oh this one is a stickler. Take the picture of the artwork without the frame or EDIT out the frame! ALL of the jurors mentioned this one and more than once. The frames were so distracting (and sometimes the frame did not do the artwork any favors). Also, because they included the frame in the photo, the actual size of the artwork on the television screen is even smaller, again, making the artwork harder to see.
*Jurors also made mention that an art piece might work better in another more appropriate upcoming art show. Artists may be asked to not submit repeating artwork within a time frame so understand your inventory of work to the art shows upcoming that you may want to enter. Be aware of the season of the show too. EX. Snow may not work in July - in most places.
One juror mentioned the difference between artwork that appears more finished and the canvas being covered entirely. She feels that artwork is not complete unless white canvas is painted white - she doesn't like the bare canvas showing. Paintings are often built with LAYERS of paint and the canvas does not show through it. She gave further feedback as follows:
"When painting with acrylic and oil, be sure to build up your paint on the canvas to create depth and show rich color. Canvas should not show through your medium, creating visible brushstrokes that are not part of the texture."
Oddly enough, red artwork seemed to be trending. More often than not, red artwork got in. I found that interesting and they may not have even realized it was happening.
Sure, I would have voted differently on many of the pieces, everyone is definitely entitled to their own likes and dislikes with art. I was quite surprised at the volume and selections of no votes. But I do consider it as more of a fair process to be juried and voted on by a team of your artist peers than a single voter. At that point, you are selected or not according to only one person's likes and dislikes. What if that person LOVES abstract art and abhors landscapes or vice-versa?
A New Gallery Management Team
Considering that a new gallery management team is starting soon, new Call for Art directions, rules and the process will all probably change. Hence, all artists need to be aware that changes will take place and the reading of the rules and following directions will be even more crucial going forward. As with anything, there will be growing pains and they are to be expected.
Flowers. The Open Space Gallery is scheduled to do an annual springtime art show for flowers, so the gallery's preference is submit subject matter artwork of flowers to that art show. Under discussion were still life and landscape artwork with flowers in them. Hopefully the new management will have more clarity on this later.
One item that was brought up that will be in effect is that after October 1, 2023, if the art call asks for a photo of the artist and bio, they are planning to use that digital info as media/data/press(?) in the gallery. Hence the need to submit those each time you want to enter. By the way, great bio pic, Vaze.
Herb Williams also noted that the jurors should help with the art check in as well. They voted the pieces in that will appear and the art check in is MORE than just that. Artists are required to have their artwork READY to be hung on the gallery's walls. FINISHED sides, WIRED correctly, Framed properly. Has a label on the back? At check in, this is that last filter before art goes on the walls so if the artist does not have the art ready, he or she must get it corrected immediately or risk being rejected from the show. See Display
Therefore, do not pass go, do not collect 200 until you:
A Call for Help
Penny Shaw also noted that for the "Strut Your Stuff" art show, she is looking for volunteers to help with the art reception (date?), the window display for the show (Aug 20-21) and help with the art hanging those same days too. Email Penny at shawonesent@gmail.com
For the most part, ALL of the information needed is pretty much on this blog already. Do a search. If you want to show your artwork in a professional gallery, YOU must learn to be a professional as well. Learn how that gallery EXPECTS your artwork to hang.
All artists know, they will hear NO. That will happen at many art shows in your art careers. In a way, because of some of the notes above, it has to...And they always ask why was my artwork rejected? See Rejection. Dust off your knees and keep going, or as one of my friend's always says, "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it".
I hope that makes things a little clearer for everyone.
Talk about a jury process...see Art at the Mill - maybe Open Space Arts one day!
Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic
painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects.
Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 52-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
