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As a result of taking some classes on how to exhibit and promote fine art photography, and hopefully sell it, I have been submitting my work for juried exhibits. These opportunities most often require that you pay a fee up front to submit your work. This covers their operating costs.
Be prepared for a lot of rejection. When I was doing theatre I workled as both an actor and a director. When you are an actor you go to auditions and hope you will get the part. When you work as a director, you see so much talent the choices become difficult to make. You agonize over the wonderful talent that cannot be used just because they are not appropriate for a given project. I see a lot of correlation between the selection process for juried exhibits and the audition process for theatre. It is this that makes me able to continue looking for shows that will consider my work.
To find information about upcoming juried exhibits I have used the following resources.
CaFE is the first site I signed up for. Basically you open an account, upload your images, then look through their listings to see where you would like to submit. I was accepted for one show through this service.
I can see how people organizing exhibits would like this system because it takes care of the adminstrative tasks and standardizes the way images are presented. There is no charge for joining this service so I assume they take a percentage of the entry fees to cover their costs.
Bay Area Art Grind is an out growth of a service provided by the San Jose State Art Department. It is now open to anyone through the internet. I signed up for their daily email newsletter. This newsletter, in addition to announcing exhibiting potentials, lists job offers and all kinds of other useful resources for the art community. I have been accepted for several exhibits through this service.
The latest service I have signed up for icomes from the California Arts Council. I am brand new to this so I can't say much about it at this time. I do know that the CAC has been a strong supporter of the arts for quite some time. I will see what comes from this.
I started this process back in the later part of 2011. So far my work has been accepted for four juried exhibits.
2013 Juried Exhibition, an exhibit at The Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, CA
This was the first time I had a work of art accepted for exhibit. CPA is an outgrowth of a group formed initially by Ansel Adams. I was able to attend the opening and had a wonderful chat with one of the judges, Chris Johnson. He had actually studied with Ansel Adams and is currently a full professor of photography for the California College of the Arts. He was very encouraging of my work. This was a huge shot in the arm as I was on the verge of giving up on these juried exhibits.
Tango and the Modern Nude, an exhibit at the Art Ark Gallery, San Jose, CA
This was another exhibit whose opening I was able to attend. The Art Ark is a beautiful gallery space that is part of a residential development. It is a young couple who have been given the opportunity of organizing exhibits. One of their criteria is that the exhibiting artists help prepare for the exhibit and clean up after. I hope they continue to do well.
Nude Attitude, a fund raising event at the Peoria Art Guild, Peoria, IL
This was my first out-of-state exhibit. Paying for shipping both ways for framed art can be a little bit of an ouch factor. I was very surprised that instead of a return delivery from UPS I received a check in the mail from the Art Guild. They had actually sold my print. What a kick.
Skin, an exhibit at The Darkroom, Essex Junction, Vermont
The Darkroom has a nice approach. You don't have to send them "ready to hang" artwork. I sent them a print which they have put in a frame for display. If the print does not sell during the exhibit, they will keep the print and put it in a bin for future sales to people who come to their gallery.
One of the exhibits I am still waiting to hear from is in Voies Off in Arles France. They want a collection of imagery that is projected on a large outdoor screen during the Rencontres d'Arles Festival in July. I sent them my collection of images that is in my book Revisiting the Classics. I really have my fingers crossed on this one. If it is accepted, my wife is encouraging me to go. I've never been to that part of France but it wouldn't be the same without her.
