Tips for Applying to Juried Art Exhibits

In October, MEG will host Success as an Artist, a six-hour seminar led by Catriona Fraser, owner and director of The Fraser Gallery and an expert on what it takes to develop a successful fine arts career.  

Below are some tips Kate shared with MEG ahead of time on applying to juried exhibits. 

Exhibiting your work in juried exhibitions is a quick and easy way to build up your resume, gain experience, expose your work to a new audience and with any luck, build your collector base. 

Work of David Febland represented by Kate Fraser

You will need to set aside a few hours each month to do research and prepare your materials. The following are some tips to help you make the most of your efforts:

1.    Check the deadline for submissions.
2.    Enter every exhibit that doesn’t have an entry or hanging fee.
3.    Enter every exhibit that is non-juried..open to all that submit.
4.    If there is a fee, do more research.
5.    Call the organization and ask how many entries they typically receive and how many do they typically select.
6.    Ask how many juried competitions they have each year. Having more than a few could be an indication that the gallery is using monthly entry fees to support the gallery…probably one to avoid.
7.    Enter competitions with well-qualified judges. A museum curator trumps an art consultant.
8.    Make sure that your work fits the theme of the competition..if there is one.
9.    Don’t send images of very similar work.
10.  Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your work.
11.  Write legibly and follow the rules regarding size of work and image files.
12.  Remember to include a SASE.
13.  When your work is selected, send a thank you note to the judge with your "packet."
14.  Send press releases to local media and to your mailing list.
15.  After the exhibit, send a thank you note to the organization with your "packet."
16.  Enter other juried competitions with the same judge.
 
For more tips, consider attending Kate's seminar on Thursday, October 25 and Thursday November 1, 2012 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at Multiple Exposures Gallery. More details are available here. Register by e-mail: info@thefrasergallery.com or by phone at 301-718-9651.
 

Save The Date! DC Fine Art Photography Fair

Clear your calendars for October 5th-7th and join us for the DC Fine Art Photography Fair presented by noted gallerist Kathleen Ewing. Featuring an extraordinary range of photographic images, from iconic 19th century  works to cutting-edge contemporary visions, the Fair brings together 15 established fine art photography galleries from across the United States to show representative samples of their gallery inventories.

In addition to Multiple Exposures, other participants in the Fair include Addison/Ripley Fine Art, HEMPHILL, Kathleen Ewing Gallery, Gary Edwards Gallery and the National Geographic Image Collection, all of Washington, DC; Alan Klotz Gallery and Rick Wester Fine Art (New York); Scott Nichols Gallery (San Francisco); Catherine Couturier Gallery (Houston); and Monroe Gallery of Photography (Santa Fe), among others.

The Fair will be held at the former residence of the Ambassador of Spain, a beautiful Beaux Arts mansion at 2801 16th Street, NW in Washington, DC rarely open to the public. A special Opening Night Preview will be held on Friday, October 5th (by invitation only). On Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th, the Fair will be open to the public (12pm-7pm and 11am-5pm, respectively). A panel discussion, “On Collecting,” will be held on Saturday, October 6th, from 11am to 12 noon.

The DC Fine Art Photography Fair is presented by Kathleen Ewing. Ewing and her gallery have been devoted to fine art photography for more than three decades and Ewing was responsible for the Association of International Photography Art Dealer’s annual trade show for over 20 years.

For more information, visit the Fair’s website or contact Kathleen Ewing at 202-986-0105.