What you jury in with should be reflective of the work you display and sell at
guild events. For example, let's say I present 5 or 6 (or however many
pieces) for jurying that are metal yard art pieces. It's not OK to display
those pieces and then fill my booth with purchased metal trinkets with pins or
clasps glued to the back (or other similar items). If I want to sell such
items, there are plenty of craft shows that may allow me in.Over the past 20
years of doing juried fine art fairs. I've seen more than a few shows degrade
into country crafts and dip mix sellers with a few fine artists thrown in.
When that new , lower level of expection is reached it's nearly impossible to
return to a previous level. Those shows permanently became mid level craft
shows.So I think it's important to strictly maintain an expectation of a high
level of quality. And, no, not everything I display needs to be "spectacular",
but rather needs to reflect my skills, abilities, and artistic creativity while
meeting the written Guild standards.Can I still be called an artist if I buy
pre-made metal trinkets, glue a pin to the back and sell them? Sure.But I
would simply need to find a different venue than the Three Rivers Artists
Guild.BrianSent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
-------- Original message --------From: sqroot2@xxxxxxxxxxxx Date: 10/10/21
11:14 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Three Rivers Artist Guild - Email List
<threeriversart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [Guild] Re: jurying rules refresher...
I'm okay with that as long as Guild events are clearly defined as such. As a
newbie I'm not sure what is and what isn't. The Pop-Up Gallery and Holiday
Gallery are obvious but what if I hear about an event through the Guild but it
isn't put on or sponsored by the Guild? Some clarification will be needed.
Really good discussion thread!MatteoOn Sun, Oct 10, 2021, at 5:44 PM, Judith
Brook wrote:I agree wholeheartedly. Have seen some items that are definitely
not up to fine art standards, or for that matter, fine craft. We need to remove
anything that is sub-standard. Bread and butter should be relegated to other
types of venues, not our Guild events. On 10/10/2021 9:13 AM Doug Bingaman
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: I believe these "bread and butter" pieces
may be the issue we are talking about. We all know what we juried in with, it's
these "extras" sliding in under the radar that are reducing our art gallery
feel to a craft show. Again, I feel we must always display quality in our art,
not reduce it to make money. Save that for other events that have lower
requirements. Kathy B.On October 10, 2021, at 8:40 AM, "beadmistrs@xxxxxxx"
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Store bought findings are fine to use. It's
the straight up stringing of store bought stuff that looks like it's from
target we dont want. As for only selling what we were juried in with, that
will eliminate most people's bread and butter pieces, which tend to be less
spectacular. Connie "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving
to death." Auntie MameOn Sun, Oct 10, 2021 at 8:30 AM, Doug Bingaman<
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:So...no store bought findings? I am fine
with this, but we need to know where to draw the line. I have made beads and
added a purchased clip to make zipper pulls. These were the biggest sellers for
me. I also use purchased headpins, but can learn to make my own if the rules
say so. I am more concerned with the "craft" direction that some artwork is
headed. I was under the impression that your art must be what you juried in
showing, not just able to create anything you want once accepted into the
guild. I would like opinions on this, as I have been experimenting on ideas on
creative ideas that are polymer art, but not exclusively jewelry. Kathy B.On
October 9, 2021, at 5:13 PM, Judith Brook <moondancefiberart@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote: Sounds good to me. That applies to all pieces by any juried in artist.On
10/07/2021 9:08 PM beadmistrs < dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: How’s this
sound? Guidelines for beadwork by bead makers, weavers, and stitchers. Beaded
pieces must show skill with both design, and techniques.* *i.e. no loose
threads, ends and edges well finished, bead holes nicely rounded. Strung items
made with store bought beads and findings are not acceptable. Connie“Life is
a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.”Roselynn Russell in
Auntie MameOn Wednesday, October 6, 2021, 6:11 AM, Doug Bingaman
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Hi all. I agree with what Christine wrote.
Seed beading is an art, even though each one is manufactured, similar to
mosaics. I'm not sure this was the main issue. The quality of each piece made
should be at the same level as the ones used to jury in. Smaller, less
expensive art should meet the same standards as more pricey art. For example, a
smaller painting must be just as well done as a large one. When judging in a
new member, I feel we should emphasize this fact. I understand that we would
like to make some money during our sales events, but not by lowering our
standards. Any quality below what was juried in should not be allowed. No
matter the price or size, each piece should be a handmade treasure. Thanks,
Kathy B.On October 5, 2021, at 9:02 AM, William Welty < weltyart@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote: Well said Christine. BillOn Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 3:19 PM Christine <
christinehartzellisme@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:There were jewelry people on the jury,
and the pieces Connie brought showed the complex and interesting pieces she did
with the beads--the beads were not the main point, they were just the media
used in the pieces. This is very different from people who just string
manufactured beads into a necklace and leave it at that! The beads in her
pieces play a "subordinate role in the finished piece".On Fri, Oct 1, 2021 at
8:29 PM beadmistrs@xxxxxxx < dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Judith, It was
the wording that kept me from applying for so long. Connie "Life is a
banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death." Auntie MameOn Fri, Oct
1, 2021 at 8:16 PM, Judith Brook< moondancefiberart@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:I would
like to contradict my husband’s appraisal. Yes, as written your work is
disqualified. However, the artistic value and design of your work far exceeds
“bead stringers” who buy and then string beads. You embroider with manufactured
beads. Big difference. Ruth uses some manufactured beads but she adds her own
findings. Not to worry. On 10/01/2021 6:58 PM brianbrook <
brianbrook@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Connie, I don't know what you presented when
you juried in. I suspect you presented some of your other work that was not
beads (of which you have quite a bit), The list of what is not acceptable is
very typical for most fine art fairs I've been in. I don't know about artist
guilds or groups, but I believe we're very consistent in our jurying
expectations. We expect our artists to carry the jury expectations through to
the art they display. Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device -------- Original
message --------From: " beadmistrs@xxxxxxx("beadmistrs")" <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>Date: 10/1/21 1:06 PM (GMT-05:00)To:
threeriversart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Lisa DeVine <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>Subject: [Guild] Re: jurying rules refresher... I
think the bit about beaded stuff needs to change due to the fact that as
written I do not qualify as a member, and yet here I am. Connie k "Life is a
banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death." Auntie MameOn Mon, Sep
27, 2021 at 10:49 PM, Lisa DeVine< dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:To save
all potential guild jurors time... I've copied jurying info from our website.
Unacceptable for juryingBY ARTNEWS ON JANUARY 20, 2011Work based primarily on
manufactured items is not acceptable for jurying. This includes, but isn’t
limited to, such things as:Beaded jewelry assembled from purchased beads and
fittings. For the purposes of the Guild, beads must be made by the artist. Any
manufactured beads and fittings used must clearly play a subordinate role in
the finished piece.T-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, and other commercially
manufactured clothes, no matter how embellished by the artist.Tole painting.Cut
coin jewelry.Pieces assembled from kits.Anything made in a commercial mold, in
any medium.Stud earrings in commercially made settings.Enamels on manufactured
representational copper shapes.Manufactured items.Manufactured tiles with a
design as a major component of the piece.Dried flowers, whether they are in
groups, arrangement, or bouquets.Wreaths.Dough art or food.These exceptions are
pretty typical of artist groups, art shows, and most arts&crafts fairs. (The
basic list is from Judi Brook, after some discussion.) The ‘what is art’ debate
isn’t relevant, since if you call it art, that is what it is. The Guild’s
artist members would like to be represented by a certain kind of art, which
is the reason for the jurying process. V. JURYING-IN: The Board will
appoint one Artist Member as Membership Chair. The Membership Chair may be an
elected member of the Board or an ex-officio member of the Board and is a
voting member of the Board. This officer will arrange for a time, place and a
Jury when a new member applies. The Membership Chair shall set the method by
which the jury makes its decision (checklist of points, subjective decision
after discussion, etc.) and prepare ballots if needed. The Jury will consist of
five Artist Members of the Guild. The decision of The Guild is final. Artists
not accepted at the first jurying may reapply after one year.5a. ACCEPTABLE
WORKS: Before calling for a Jury, the Membership Chair should attempt to find
out if the applicant has read the “Acceptable Works for Jurying” and
“Unacceptable Works for Jurying” on the Guild’s website, at
https://3rivart.org/join-the-guild, and if the applicant has work that will fit ;
with the Guild’s mission. (The Membership officer should also make clear to the
prospective member that they are not just paying to be in the Holiday Gallery,
the Guild is a non profit organization and has other obligations to the
community. The prospective member will be expected to participate throughout
the year.)5b. PROCESS FOR JURYING IN OF ARTIST MEMBERS: Applicants shall be
juried in at a time and place determined by the Membership Chair. Prospective
members will bring five pieces of recent work for jurying on the assigned date,
properly prepared for presentation (see https://3rivart.org/presentation for ;
more).5c. JURYING-IN STANDARDS: To assist in understanding the process of
jurying-in, typical jurying-in standards for a fine art group are listed below.
Jurors should not be considering the salability of the pieces of artwork
presented for jurying, but rather consider the pieces’ coherence and artistic
qualities.Five items are usually considered; Artistic style, Technical skill,
Design and Consistency, Presentation, and an Overall Impression. 1.Artistic
style:Works show the individual style of the artist.Works are not copied;
pieces express the artists personal feelings and thoughts.2.Technical
skill:Handling of the media and materials in the works shows control, skill and
experience.3.Design and consistency:The design or composition of the works
exhibit knowledge of the principles of design.Works show a design consistency
within each piece and through the pieces presented.Works show that they have
taken time, thought, knowledge and skill to complete.4.Presentation:Works are
presented in a manner that enhances the art.Pieces presented are complete and
ready for display.5.Overall impression: Jurors will need to have a positive
overall impression of the works presented. This will be a subjective decision,
and will depend on the particular jury and jurors.
