Comments on: Deep Thought Thursday: Do we need juried exhibits?

By: Alyson Stanfield

Alyson Stanfield — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:08:36 +0000

DM: Thank you for sharing your experience here. Juried shows are good for getting your feet wet, but you can’t control how your art is seen. Juried shows look like a mishmash of unrelated objects–especially in amateur settings.

As for the venues themselves, each one will be different. The Boulder Public Library has a GORGEOUS exhibit space and curates wonderful exhibits. Some restaurants will be much better than others. You have to be choosy when the time comes.

By: D M

D M — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:25:34 +0000

I have been painting for many many years. I thought that being accepted into juried shows was a great way to build up your resume. I also thought that if I had a list of juried shows on my resume that when I went to present my work to a gallery it would show them that I am not doing this as a hobby. The problem is that my last one man show at a local museum will be seven years ago this fall and the last juried show that I was accepted into was five years ago. This leaves a big gap in my resume and I thinking of what I can tell as to why this is. I am trying to find a way to say artistic slow down so that is seen as an advantage not as a negative.
I do not know if building up your resume with juried shows is still a valid pathway. I have come to the conclusion that unless it a major show show such as the American Watercolor Society it will may not matter all that much. I understand that if I am not accepted that is not personal. What I see happening is this- there are so many paintings to be considered that even if your work is quite good that because of the overwhelming volume presented for consideration ones chances of acceptance is low. It seems that there has been an explosion of artists entering -many more artists than in the 1980’s when I began to enter juried shows. Adding up the costs, fees, shipping, framing & handling fees it becomes quite expensive. It is a catch twenty-two since at this time my monetary situation is tight. What I have decided is to send out for resumes but try for really good one or two shows per year.
Alyson you made a good point about other possibilities besides juried exhibitions. I would suggest that an artist be careful as to where they show. A friend of mine along with several other artists once exhibited in a local restaurant . Paintings were damaged and I think one
vanished-out of sight.If I remember correctly the restaurant wasn’t all that helpful. One should not grab the first bus that comes along but research the place. I honestly do not know how much
insurance costs but I would think that for many artists showing in a restaurant is an at risk proposition.
I started out showing in local libraries and the usual publicity was the local throw away shopper. I learned in retrospect that the only time that a crowd will be present is at the opening. I think then that it a good idea to have not only a reception but to offer either a demonstration or a talk about your work on another day. One could do such an event in conjunction with a closing exhibition. It is always a good idea to have some refreshments at a demo or a lecture since having food draws people to the event . From my experiences art exhibitions in local libraries are usually not must see events for most people. I also have a feeling that galleries do not consider these types of exhibits to “professional”. It is a good idea to offer something that will generate publicity for you and offer something of value to the library. The typical library exhibit does cost money to do it right. Even though attendance after the opening is light it still matters to do the details such as framing right. Your presentation speaks volume about your attitude towards your art. Also the artist should arrange to have a sign in book where it will not get lost. That can happen especially if the exhibit is displayed in a multi-purpose room. Including business cards is also a good idea .
Even if a sale is not made you will be adding to or building a mailing list. Looking back I realized that just sending an announcement to the local shopper or paper is not nearly enough publicity.I would suggest a main branch or one where there is a lot of activities scheduled . Banks may present a problem because being corporate this may make it difficult to arrange an exhibition. Banking has changed since I began to paint back in the 1970’s and unfortunately given all the strum & dang in the financial sector I do not know if banks are still a good outlet for artists and if they even want to arrange exhibitions.
I am planning to have another exhibition in 2011 at the same local museum where I have shown before. I learned that working on the publicity and mailing lists takes a lot more effort than a few days. In the city where I live there will an art walk this year in which I am planning to show. Hopefully this year I will be accepted into at least one juried exhibition.I also pay attention to the number of judges, who they are and other factors and weigh that against the entry fee. I send for the prospectus and even if I do not decide to enter the show it does help to generate ideas. There were a few times, not that many, in which I would enter a painting even though it was not my best work just to push myself out of a creative dry spell. The act of doing something, taking action by sending in an entry would help me to begin coming out of an artistic slump. I would set a limit as to the fee. If the costs were above $ 20.00 or maybe $25.00 I would not do this. I have not done this recently and will not do so in the future.

By: Susan Wiley

Susan Wiley — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:59:16 +0000

Wow! I have never encountered such an experience and it is frightening that adults are so unprofessional and show no respect for their colleagues. Hopefully, Joseph’s experience is an unusual one. I have been on both sides of the fence, so to speak. I have chaired a major shows and have been rejected by the juror. That is fine with me. I feel that the juror is only doing his/her job and not being influenced by who is in the show. Also, I have juried shows with other jurors and dislike this immensely! There is way too much compromising between judges. Some end up getting awards for nebulous reasons regardless of the art. Also, by having a juried show, I think gives artists an incentive to try harder and constantly improve their work, and that is good. It also elevates the quality of the show in general and I believe the public takes note. As for the fees, they are getting out of control. If the organization needs the money (which of course the do), then they should have a fundraising committee and not depend solely on the artist entry fees. After all, that is part of the committee’s job – to seek sponsorship for awards, expenses, etc. To rely solely on the artists creates an additional financial burden. Artists have enough expenses as it is. In short, I pay attention to the number of judges, who they are, and the awards given out, and the sponsors, and weigh that against the entry fee.

By: Joseph Langley

Joseph Langley — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:14:06 +0000

The problem I have with juried shows (and yeas I have been accepted more than once) is cheating. I have seen multiple shows (some I was accepted, some not) where the works did not meet the criteria listed (i.e. date painted in painting is too old, painting is really a print, etc.) And these are the supposedly reputable places. Some sort the works before the juror sees them, which defeats the purpose (sort as in they decide if they like it before they send it on to the actual juror). I even volunteered at an arts organization during the accepted works delivery and was apalled that some accepted works had no documents or fees on file (the person admitted they did not pay the fee but still was allowed in), multiple other volunteers became intoxicated (the organization provided alcohol but I did not partake), works were damaged frequently due to ineptness (such as allowing an elevator door to close on one multiple times), volunteers were eating oranges and pizza and then touching the works without washing hands, the organizations regularly fail to award all the prizes they have listed, etc. Not that I think I am the best ever, but on the artists side it is bad too; dirty art, dirty mats, dead bugs behind the glass/plexiglass/acrylic, etc. Do they get rejected for bad presentation? No. Juried shows can be great; the problem is that they are typically “juried” by the same people at the organization (not the juror), and the same people make sure that if their friends don’t follow the rules it doesn’t matter. I was even at a plein air event where the juror became irritated and left because the works the juror chose were somehow not the works that were accepted and won prizes. I guess the organizers didn’t like something the juror picked, so they just changed it. The problem is widespread, too. Part of the problem is that these organizations reward the artists and the volunteers/employees who do not follow the submission/exhibition guidelines. Also, many artists I have met do not see a problem with making fun of other artist’s works. I am continually aghast and appalled by the rudeness and nstiness of these artists to those who are supposed to be fellow artists. Luckily, I tend to be viewed as the one who doesn’t converse much so I am left alone. Sometimes these people are acting so viciously towards many new artists I wish I could eject them from the shows for bad attitude. But these are the people who are typically the favorite children of the arts organizations. At least only one of the organizations crushes my CD cases before sending them back (and no its not the case, the same cases are mailed in the same manner to other organizations and are fine). Only once did they go so far as to break the CD-R itself. Anyone who does not object to the way juried shows are typically run is probably one of the rule breakers or one of the vicious artists. As I mentioned before, I hav been accepted to multiple juried shows and still find the actions of many, if not most, objectionable. Good juried shows are an exception, not a rule.

By: Mary Richmond

Mary Richmond — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:23:34 +0000

My only objection to juried shows is that the fees are so high and that many organizations have figured out that charging fees is good for their bottom line. I don’t object to the fee itself, just the amount some places charge. Artists then have to pay to deliver/ship the work, etc. so for the artist, it can be very expensive, especially if they are just starting out. As for the jurying process itself? I shudder to think of all the unjuried work that could and would show up out there without jurying….why….. it would look like ebay! Jurying helps weed out those not quite ready for professional showing, snobby as that sounds. Professional artists deserve the chance to have their work shown with people who are equally professional. It benefits everyone. Most communities have local associations that have open shows for those starting out. And juried shows offer opportunities for artists to aspire to better themselves! It’s not perfect but it works on a lot of levels, I think….

By: Suzette Fram

Suzette Fram — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:54:56 +0000

Alyson, re your comment ‘Interesting thought about fees being paid by only those who get in. Then, does it become a vanity exhibition?’, I would have to say no. To me, a vanity exhibition is when you pay to be shown. If a juried show refunds fees paid by artists whose work was not accepted, that does not make the ones who got accepted any less ‘juried in’.

By: Karen Lynn

Karen Lynn — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:42:28 +0000

Juried shows were a great way for me to start out. But some years back juried show fees at many shows rose in a short time to amounts I considered excessive. I do think of the event and the organization – and some non-profits have kept their fees within reasonable limits – but, basically, paying too much goes against my principles. It feels too much like a vanity type of situation, even when it is presented otherwise, and I avoid that.

By: Susie Monday

Susie Monday — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:31:15 +0000

I am presently at one of the biggest of juried (and a few non-juried invitationals) in my (sort of) field — the International Quilt Festival –and I am active in my local fiber arts group that does a juried exhibit each year. This show even has prizes — up to $10,000 for the best of show. (Of course most of those that win took the artist more than a year to create, given the compulsive nature of quilts and the current fashion for thread work). When done well, politics or no, the quality of the shows can be inspiring. And the option for small local groups is really only an open call show and that scares me, too. Some people really aren’t ready for prime time. If I’d never seen what does get juried into shows like the SAQA art quilt exhibits, I probably would never have clearly seen the quality of voice, content and technique that my work needs to aspire for.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:57:46 +0000

All: Yes, everything is subjective. That’s why it’s important to know who is doing the jurying. I attended a watermedia exhibit last weekend and I thought much of the work looked alike and had a bias. It didn’t bother me because that’s what a juror does–select works he or she likes! Mike: I guess I mean “stepping stone” in the sense that it’s a résumé builder and filler. Tammy: I admit that the thought of 8 floors of unjuried art scares the youknowwhat out of me. But it’s kind of like a row of artist co-op galleries, I suppose. Peggi: Thanks for sharing your positive experience. Tracy: “Curator” and “Juror” shouldn’t be interchangeable. A curator comes up with a theme and puts together an exhibit from scratch based on the best representatives (in his or her opinion) of that theme. A juror is hired to implement the stated goals of a particular organization and work within their parameters. Interesting thought about fees being paid by only those who get in. Then, does it become a vanity exhibition?

By: Marian Fortunati

Marian Fortunati — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:38:20 +0000

I do think juried exhibits have their place. That being said, it’s never easy to BE JURIED OUT. It’s obviously much nicer when you are juried IN! As has been stated before, different shows with different jurors will have different pieces juried in for different reasons. I once had a piece juried IN to a National Show but juried out of a small local show. If you enter or otherwise participate in juried shows you learn this. HOWEVER… for a person who wants to show their work to others and who wants (relatively) unbiased reaction to their work… it seems that juried shows are the best way to go. Also… regarding money… my experience with the behind the scenes part of most shows is that the jury fees rarely help most shows cover the costs of the venues, programs and prizes.