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.
The screen that displayed the artists with their submitted work
Penny gave the instructions on the voting. For this particular show, the accepted art is not based on any kind of a theme nor title - as always, we want the BEST of the art submitted.
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:
R E A D T H E D I R E C T I O N S
Thumbs Up!
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!
