Entering Juried Shows
Enhance Your Chances

As I write this I am sitting in the middle of boxes filled with white, pink, and manilla envelopes of all different sizes which enclose CDs, slides, and photographs. They are submissions for the HerStory 2007 juried online competition. My mood fluctuates wildly as I open each envelope to examine its contents. At times I rejoice in the splendor of the images I see before me. Other times I cry out, "What was the artist thinking? Why do artists sabotage themselves?"

In this case I refer to the kind of sabotage which reveals itself in the form of poor quality materials, illegible writing on entry forms, and the like. I have some pet peeves that I have acquired over the years after having juried more than 50 exhibitions for Manhattan Arts International and other organizations. Here they are and I don't think I need to explain why you should avoid them:

What to Avoid
Envelopes that come partially sealed. Sometimes the envelopes used are so old the glue just isn't effective. Artists who reinforce their prized envelopes with tape earn my respect and appreciation. On the other hand those who go overboard and treat their envelopes like Fort Knox make opening their envelope a dangerous challenge. I have to get out every tool and device for this project. You know who you are if you receive your entries back with blood stains on them!

Entry forms that are incomplete or completed illegibly. I recieved an entry from an artist in Poland whose writing no one here can understand! I googled and yahooed every close proximity to the artist's name to no avail. And, whoops! The artist forgot to enclose the entry fee. I hope you are reading this and can identify yourself, so we can consider your entry in the competition. Please contact us as soon as possible. (Deadline date March 20.)

Instructions that are ignored, such as writing the dimensions in centimeters instead of inches, writing mixed media instead of detailed descriptions as requested.

A return envelope much too small to accommodate the CD or slides. Or one with insufficient postage.

Insufficient labeling. CDs containing jpegs without titles of works as requested on the entry form. Slides without the name of the artist on them.

Lack of care. Slides and CDs that have been thrown in the envelope without being placed in plastic holders or any padding.

Last but certainly not least
Poor quality slides, jpegs, and photographs. Pleeeaasse! Take the time and care to do this properly. As judges, we cannot guess that your work looks a lot better than the images portray. What you send is what we judge. Keep trying until you get the best possible representation of your work.

Here is What Brings Me Joy
An entry that is prepared neatly, with attention to the details. An artist who has gone the extra mile will place a printed label on the CD with an image of their work and their name on it. An artist who prints, not scribbles, on the entry form, in a legible manner. An artist who handles their submissions in a way that tells me they are professional and they have total respect for their work. An artist who attaches a note offering to provide any additional information or materials required by the judges. That is an artist who attracts respect from us, the judges.

Renée Phillips is an artist career consultant. Learn more.

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