Carolyn Edlund explains how to apply for a jury show and get approval

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Longtime entrepreneur and veteran of the art market, Carolyn Edlund is a true art business expert. In over 20 years at the helm of a successful ceramics manufacturing studio, as well as a distinguished career in the business world, Carolyn has amassed a wealth of knowledge in the arts.

Through blog posts, newsletters on artist updates and opportunities, and advice, she provides valuable advice on portfolio reviews, how to get the best juried show scores, and more. In addition, Caroline is judging the Artsy Shark online artist competition. We asked Carolyn to share her tips for presenting the jury on the show so you can give yourself the best chance of being accepted.

1. Only apply for shows that suit you

Always get to know what the show is about and what they are looking for before you apply.

You must be a good couple. Think carefully about each possibility and ask yourself, “Is this right for me?” It's a waste of time and money if it isn't. If you are applying for fairs and festivals in your area, please go to and or go to and . You can then get a good description of what is available and what the possibilities are.

Be sure to read the prospectus carefully and make sure it is right for you and your art. If your work goes beyond what they want, you have little chance of being accepted. I myself would refuse and look for places and shows that are right for you. The ideal situation should be simple. Your work must be a perfect match.

2. Fill out an application for T

Some artists do not fully read the show app. There are so many artists applying for the same slot that you have to make sure your entry is complete. If it's incomplete, late, or you didn't follow the instructions, you've wasted your time and money. Jurors do not have time to search or email applicants for additional information. Your application will be rejected if it is incomplete.

3. Include only your best work

Sometimes artists don't have a lot of work, so they don't include the best work. You must remember that you will be judged by the weakest part you present. One bad part will pull you down. Make sure you remove anything from your website or from your view that doesn't work properly because it could harm you.

When a juror sees something weak or inappropriate, it causes the juror to question your judgment. For example, if you're a great landscape painter, don't include a bad portrait in your submission. I encourage artists to be experts, to delve deeply into what they do best.

It is important to be known for one. If you try to appeal to everyone, you are not appealing to anyone. Be really good at what you decide to do. If you dabble in other media or styles besides your signature, don't post it on your website or try to match it with inconsistent work. Looks like an amateur.

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4. Submit a cohesive work

Your work must be closely related if you are submitting more than one image. There are artists who work in different styles and mediums, but this is not where you show the breadth of what you do. You want a very recognizable and distinctive style that will show up in the content you submit. So, if you are submitting several works to the jury, each of them must be related to others. The bulk of the work should be synergistic. His influence must be more than one piece.

5. Pay attention to the order

The order of the images presented can be quite important. Ask yourself: “Is my work going in such a way that the jury goes from the first to the last image? How do the images I submit tell a story? How do they guide the jury through the images?" For example, if you are submitting landscapes, you can draw the viewer into the landscape with each piece. People will remember this. Jurors scan images very quickly, you have two to three seconds to make an impression. You want a "wow" effect.

6. Have outstanding images of your work

You must submit excellent images of your work. Low quality images will kill you before you get seriously considered because your art is poorly represented. Artists spend many hours creating something of value, and you need to honor your work by showing it off in a superior image. Some materials, such as glass, ceramics, and highly reflective surfaces, are very difficult to photograph well on your own. These environments need a professional.

When I needed to photograph my art, I went and found a professional photographer who had experience photographing art. He had two sets of prices and he gave artists great prices because he enjoyed working with them. Find a photographer who wants to work with you. XNUMXD artists, like artists, can learn how to take good photographs. Taking your own photos is fine as long as you can actually take a standout shot. There are artists who get into festivals, exhibitions and shows - and get there again and again - because they present phenomenal photographs of their art. They don't have any problems because they put so much effort into their presentation.

7. Spend time filming your booth

Fairs and festivals usually require booth photography. Not only must your work be excellent, but your presentation must also be professional and persuasive. The organizers of the show do not want the unprofessional booth to make a negative impression on them. I strongly recommend that you prepare your booth in advance. Make sure it's nicely lit, your work isn't cluttered or confusing, and your presentation is outstanding. If you're shooting in a booth, you can control the lighting at home or in a studio, and that's where you'll get the best shots. Don't film people in your booth, it should be your art only. Your poster shot is very important and it can last for years. There will also usually be photographers who will offer to take pictures at the exhibitions.

8. Write an Outstanding Artist Statement and Resume

The image itself is king, especially if the show's jury is blind, so the artist isn't identified. But the artist's statement and resume are important. They can make a huge difference when it comes to the tricky part of the views. When jurors look at the images, they can see what doesn't fit, what doesn't fit, and what doesn't fit. It's a no brainer where the work is so incredible. Then the jury must narrow down the circle of good artists. I read the artist's statement and resume to analyze these highly competitive bids. Does the artist's statement speak clearly? I see if they know what they are doing and what they are trying to achieve; and understand what they are saying and the concept of their work.

I look at resumes to see how long they've been showing their work. Experience influences the jury, especially if the artist has participated in many exhibitions and has already received awards. I also want to see if the work is recent. It is important that the artist grows and develops. The jury member may not always be aware of this, but it's important to showcase work in progress (on your entry and on the website) and keep creating.

Read Caroline's post for more tips.

9. Understand that rejection is not personal.

The artist should not take the refusal personally, because he can compete against ten people, and there is one free place. It may be a style or a medium that is needed. This may not mean that your work is bad (unless you are consistently rejected). The jury may like your work, but you needed to get the best set of images. You don't have to critique, but it's worth asking for feedback if you have a contact email address. You may get some really unexpected comments. The work may not have been developed enough or the images may have problems. However, take this with a grain of salt, because there are no jurors who are not biased in some way. They are the same people as everyone else. Jurors can only go by their own feelings and experiences when deciding which job is the best, especially when analyzing highly competitive applicants. Sometimes it's a very small thing that affects the jury. It could be one fainter image, or another applicant added detailed shots showing the rich texture or color of the work. I love detailed shots, but again it depends on what is allowed in the app.

10. Do your best and remember that art is an evolving process.

Make sure your presentation looks like you put in the effort and care about your work. You can save money on the back end, but the presentation is everything. Visual art is all about your image. Make sure that what you are telling people with your images and text is the message you want to convey. If everything is convincing, you have a good chance if the competition will match. And remember, your art can always continue to evolve. It's not about whether you have what you need or not. Submission of applications for participation in the jury of art exhibitions and competitions is a constant process of improvement.

Interested in learning more from Carolyn Edlund?

Carolyn Edlund has even more fantastic art business tips on her blog and in her newsletter. Check it out, subscribe to her newsletter and follow Caroline on and off.

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