Blog

Quite a few artists have asked me about entering juried shows.  For the next three blogs I will discuss why I enter them, tips for entering them, and also my thoughts and process when I am the juror.  Entering juried art shows can be a scary and rewarding adventure.  Scary because you are paying to have your work judged against your peers, but rewarding because it is a venue where you can gain recognition, win awards and increase sales.

I have been entering national juried art shows for about ten years.  I have been rejected, accepted, and won awards.   One thing I have learned is that I never know what will happen when I send in the submission.  Paintings I was certain would do well did not and twice I have won best of show with work that I did not feel was my finest.  That being said I continue to enter them because they have been an important part of moving my career forward.  If you are thinking of entering juried art shows first consider the benefits and drawbacks to see if they are right for you.

 Benefits

1. See how your work compares with similar work on the market.  There is no better way to see how your work compares to other artists.  It can be a wonderful experience to hang on the same walls as some of your art heroes. 
2. Awards: Awards can come in the form of cash, materials, and publicity and occasionally all three at once.  Cash prizes are wonderful but I also love winning art materials.  A wonderful prize from the West Coast Pastel Society many years ago introduced me to the incredible Terry Ludwig Pastels and a friendship with Terry himself.  They are also a terrific way to get free publicity.  Award winners can be mentioned in magazines and often have their paintings printed in the next year’s prospectus and posted on art group websites.
3. Recognition: I rarely get to attend receptions but have been surprised how many people contact me because of a painting in a show.   Signature status, which is earned by winning a number of awards within a group, adds credibility to your work and helps widen your collector base and gain notice of publishers and galleries.
4. Sales: Juried shows can expand the number of collectors who see your work and broaden your audience.

Drawbacks

1. Expensive: Entering shows can be expensive. Be prepared to pay membership fees, entry fees, shipping, handling, and framing. Sometimes you will make money through sales and awards and sometimes you will lose money.  Set aside a couple of hundred dollars when you begin then roll award money and sales back into the account to enter other shows.  Keep good records of your costs for your taxes.
2. Rejection: If you enter shows, rejection will happen.  Every artist has been rejected at one point. Accept that this is part of the job and do not take it personally.  Sometimes a painting that is rejected in one show will receive the gold medal in another.  If a painting gets rejected from several shows, ask for a critique from an artist you trust.
3. Shipping and handling.  Shipping takes time and money.  To enter shows you need a small fleet of expensive shipping boxes.  I tend to paint smaller because they are easier and cheaper to ship.  Handling fees can vary; some shows are very expensive and most will charge per painting. Always insure your work, pieces can be damaged.
4. Tying up your work. Sometimes a show can tie up a piece for almost a year.  Your painting should not be for sale on your website from the time you submit to the time the painting is returned to you.  I have turned down sales of paintings only to have them make more money through awards.  If you think you have a strong piece, do not offer it for sale outside of the shows.  Also time your entries so you can enter several shows with the same painting.

I hope I have given you a few things to consider if you are thinking of entering shows.  In my next blog, you’ll read tips that will help you decide which shows to enter and how to select which of your paintings to submit, so get busy painting those award winners!