Entering Shows, Part 3 - Finding Shows

How To Find Shows To Enter

How do you find these shows to enter? Look around. Most areas have some kind of arts group and different organizations sponsor art shows and contests all the time. These are usually published in local newspapers and on community bulletin boards. Many papers now have on-line versions and ways for you to subscribe to news feeds. You can subscribe to those feature things you are interested in. You might want to become familiar with your local Life style/community editor for this.

The Renaissance Art Gallery advertises its open entry shows in The Artist Magazine, as well as other art-related magazines and on many on-line art lists. And list these on our website. Most art groups will do this, so even if you are not a member of a local art group, you might want to subscribe to their newsletter or bookmark their website. http://www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance/index.html







Many art magazines have places to list art shows and workshops in the "white pages" at the end of their magazine. This is especially nice for people who specialize in a single medium. A magazine for that medium will often list many shows for that medium.



Most art societies also have magazines, such as "To the Point" the magazine for the CPSA [Colored Pencil Society of America] lists all their regional groups and these each have shows specializing in Colored Pencil art. http://www.cpsa.org/

We also have an active mailing list for artists, to whom we send new prospectus when they are ready. Many groups do.

Also keep in touch with groups who run fundraisers for causes you believe in. While most of these are designed to raise funds, some of them can be a good way for you to begin showing your artwork.


Don't forget your home territory. Most states have cultural departments, etc that have departments whose business it is to help develop artists. Do not assume you are not good enough. Work with them. It is their jobs to help you become good enough. And you do not need a fine art degree to get help from them etc. But check closer to home to, with your town/city and county. Check the local colleges and see what they have. Check your state website and see what arts groups are listed. Check the surrounding states. etc. That goes for other countries beside the US also. Both Canada and the UK have such agencies. And Europe is lousy with art promoters. But do your homework, so you understand just what is going on.


There are many on-line listings. Look for knowledge bases and such that list art shows and opportunities


http://www.miniatureartshows.com/page/Miniature+Art+Knowledge+Base



http://orders.artcalendar.com/home.asp

http://www.theartlist.com/index.php


A word of warning, not all of these sites are free, many require a subscription for both those submitting events and those looking for events to enter.



Also, be weary of these events. Not all are legitimate. Remember that all shows have agendas. Mine do. I do not apology for this. We, as a gallery expect to get something from all the hard work. This is OK. So do the artists who enter. They expect to get something from the experience. When we all get something but no one takes advantage of the other, it is a win-win situtation. But if the artist or the sponsoring group feel taken advantage of, well. It is not a happy scene.



There are a number of shows that seek to take avantage of artists, so read the fine print before you even send for the prospectus. Many groups see having and "art contest" is a way of getting free artwork. This is especially true for "design" contests and many, many photography shows. When you enter these shows you all up give up all rights to your work. This is not ok. While all shows will need to use your submissions to a certain extent, I would be cautious about entering any show that says that all submissions grant copyright, extented royalty free rights or simply have a lot of jargon you do not understand.

Fair use is pretty straight forward and there is no reason for a lot of complicated legalise in either the entry forms or prospectus. I steer clear of any group or organization that have a lot of fine print! At my age I can't read it anyway and no way am I signing anything I don't understand!



So start small, with groups you understand and can trust, then branch out into larger groups.

Entering Art Shows, Part 1 - Will I do this?

Everyone loves positive feedback. And we all want acknowledgement for our work. The desire to join other artists in displaying our work is strong. Almost overwhelming, in fact.

How Will You Do This?

Last week I talked about some on-line sites I have enjoyed displaying my art and viewing other peoples work. I do this often, and love it. But there are other options and venues in the real world.

Art shows are a good way to get started and try and put forth our art in a small way. Usually participation is limited to a few works or just one. You do not need a large body of work, as you would for an individual show. But you also need to conform to the organizing person or organization’s thoughts on that show.

Some shows are just general art shows. Many organizations hold a spring or summer art show, where there are a variety of styles and subject matters displayed. Others have a special theme or reason for the display, such as breast cancer awareness or help for victims of domestic violence. Whether or not you wish to join in these events depends on what you expect to get out of it and how strongly you feel about the organization or cause behind the show.



But each show represents a lot of work on the part of the organizers and a lot of commitment. (Some say we should be committed!) People who run these shows care about them. And you should too. Look into sharing your artwork with groups and people who share your commitment to fine art and to the causes you believe in.

Today, Thinking about Art

Belief

Art
I believe in it

Not long ago, I started calling myself an artist
It was not particularly true, but I had painted a few paintings
And did some drawing

I made mechanical drawings and got paid for it
Not particularly well, but enough

Then I quit
Just up and quit

Oh, I had my reasons,

Most of them not logical from the world’s standpoint
But valid to me.

I quit

And took up painting again
Not particularly well, but I did it
Again
And again

I painted
And got a sketchbook and started to draw again

Not well, but I kept at it.

I posted stuff on line and asked questions

[drove some kind guides wiggy I would imagine]

but I kept at it and started to call myself an artist.

Some looked funny at me.
Thought I was getting uppity
Thinking myself better than them
Or cultured, putting on airs
Pretending to education I did not have

But being an artist is not about being educated
Cultured
Or superior

It is about being

About breathing

It is about doing.

I picked up a camera and started shooting
The pictures turned out great
Showed them around,

“boy what a good camera you have”

not about what a good eye I have.

But I kept on.

Taking pictures,
Drawing
Painting

Putting it all together

Started mounting and framing and putting it together

Found some walls
Put it up
Had some people in

“Wow, I can’t believe you did this
Where did you take that? My house?
I don’t remember this around the neighborhood”

Then the reporter calls.
“can I see where you work?”
“Sure”

He dignifies the basement, calls it my studio
Suddenly, it becomes one.

So the paper comes out

“Wow, I didn’t know you were an artist!”

Now it is official
I am an artist.
Was all along,
But now the label sticks.