Dear Jurors;
My name is Gayle Weiss and I am a Chicagoland jewelry designer with 12 years of art fair experience. Erin Malloy was kind enough to offer to forward this email for your consideration. The reason I am writing is to foster a meaningful discussion around the criteria for show acceptance. Because having a conversation without input from the decision makers who most impact our outcomes is just plain unproductive.
I hope it doesn't sound like sour grapes, but please understand that none of us have any argument with competition for limited opportunities or coveted spaces and none of us are strangers to a full category. But, when all else is equal, many of us are mystified by a rejection and many of us are prized participants at seemingly similar shows. I've been listening to this evolving conversation amongst artists pertaining to submissions and how guidelines impact judges' final decisions. There's a growing feeling that art fair decisions can really come down to two crucial components. First, having a single booth photo from which to judge and second, disallowing a meaningful statement with a submission about artists' work and approach. In actuality, these may be the only substantive determinants when it comes down to a difficult choice for a judge, especially in the most crowded category of jewelry design.
So, the following thoughts are based on my distillation of this ongoing community conversation, as well as my own feelings on the topic.
First the booth issue:
Some very high end shows seem to value uniformity and a "jewelry store" showcase model for booth layouts. As beautiful and professional as this approach might be, there's a sense of distance that's created when a potential customer is separated from the art and the artist. And, of course, I realize each artist makes a decision as to how they wish to display their work, but there are only a few layouts of this type for a 10' x10' space. After a while they all begin to look alike.
This past summer, I had a lovely opportunity to work the Port Clinton show with Sandy Matasick, an award winning jewelry designer from Gainesville, FL. As the proud owner of one of her pieces and as a fellow artist, we've become great pals and she now stays at my home during this Amdur Productions show.
Not all shows are like this, but while I was helping Sandy with her sales, I noticed an almost benumbed crowd. I recognized a feeling like this in myself while walking through art fairs and noticed the similarity of the jewelry displays. It seems the less interactive a booth and the more space that is put between an artist and their wares, the less engaged the audience. I couldn't help but notice that booths with inviting, open space are far more accessible, active and engaging than booths that create a separation with glass cases or the likes. Yet, the professional look and a great booth photo would never indicate there might be a concern.
In my own booth, I highly value openness because it invites a conversation; I get an opportunity to tell the stories behind my designs. It's a great choice for me because of the unique and vintage elements in my work. I search long and hard to find components that make my designs different and inimitable. It's true that I am not a metal smith, also true that I cold-connect my work, true again that I construct similarly to other jewelry artists. What makes me different is exactly what my client values....that no one else will ever have what they have....alone, they own the bragging rights to a one-of-a-kind piece. I cannot make that happen if I cannot let my client touch, feel, try on, and allow me to help them adjust and visualize their accessories. A closed off booth cannot foster that kind of interaction and it would hurt my sales.
I guess what I'm saying about judging booth photos, is that unless there is a statement allowed to support an artist's booth choice, it wouldn't be fair to exclude them based on only a jury's aesthetic. On a point system, one judge's consistent opinion of what a booth "should look like," can kill an applicant's chances.
To Be Continued - Part II: The Artist's Statement
Comments
Nancy, as a metsl clay artisan and a wire artisan, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Even when there is someone who does silver or goldsmithing on the jury, they don't seem to have a clue about other types of metal working.
I agree with Tim also - a booth shot should merely be a means of judging whether the artist can present in a reasonably professional manner. I would like to add an aside, too: as a metal clay artist, I am distressed when I discover that I have paid to be juried into a show only to find out (after paying the jury fee) that there is not a single juror who has even a basic background in art jewelry - every juror was educated toward painting specifically. I feel deceived, and even though I am invited to some of these, I am disappointed in the lack of diversity among jury members.
Good point Tim. If I am not mistaken the booth shot was to determine the size and scale of work. Larry would know better than I about that. But I think the booth should be used as a tie breaker only.Judge the art and let the artist decide what set up he or she needs to sell in.We are artists.We are creative. How many of the jurors have ever set up to sell?Some I am sure. But I am sure some have not. If the art is good it should be in the show. I love when you read that some of the jurors are from a museum or gallery. A little bit different than selling out of a 10 x 10 tent.
That figures....it's the sense I have about juries. I feel like there's a secret agenda with hidden rules that we will never be let in on. If I am aware of the rules I can elect to follow them or find another show. But, to disagree strongly with Beth Clark's comment about the jury fees being a business...yadda yadda, I really do think that if enough of us speak up, then it can change. Why give away money....it's hard enough to come by when we do get into a show....throwing it away is downright painful.
I'm a lampwork glass artist also. My beads are primarily sculptural and not round. Lampwork is glass work with a torch making beads or other work from canes of glass. I discovered long ago that if the customers can't touch the work then they don't buy. Too many people "look" at a booth as they walk by. Not everyone goes into every booth at every show. So cases do not work for me either.
I went to a faux jury session for the Cherry Creek show in Denver to see if I could get some tips. I was truly chagrined to learn that the juror hired for this had no idea what he was looking at when it came to my work. They didn't read any of the 100 character statements. He was speechless, this, after him doing artist critiques for all the two dimensional work (that seemed inappropriate). My booth shot was new, clean without signage, but with an enlarge banner of one of my pieces. He couldn't discern that it was photographed outside in the booth (three sides were visible).... this was after seeing some really messy shots and jewelry case shots taken from above. My only wish is that somehow booth shots requirements could be standardized and that hopefully the jurors would know about it because the other thing is the Cherry Creek staff would say one thing and the juror something completely different when it came to policy.
As a lampworked glass jewelry maker, I have struggled with the same issues of booth design. My work does not need to be in glass cases (not gold and diamonds) but as a compromise to judging, I have two, and rest is open air. They do help give my booth structure. Some shows have a real 'look' they go for, for example, the 'Original' at Ann Arbor, and the Bellevue art Museum show both go for the stripped down modern jewelry booth, very minimal indeed. I cant really display my work well with that kind of setup, so I don't fit the aesthetic and will probably never get into one of those shows (even if they liked my work). This is a tough time of year, getting rejections is always upsetting and puzzling, but all you can do is try. Some shows I have given up on.
I'm a part-timer in this industry. And, I do it mainly for two reasons: 1 - I enjoy it. 2 - I need to sell some stuff to support my creative endeavors. Regarding the latter, I try to practice the 5 fingers of merchandising. The right product, in the right place, at the right time, at the right price - communicated effectively. The last makes all the difference.
Wish there was a way for you enlighten the jurors! Sometimes I think the last consideration of the jurors, is what will sell
I was a retail consulting for over 20 years. And, the golden rule was/is - glass cases are meant for museums. The role/goal of all merchandising and display is to sell product.
Pass/fail is a great idea for the booth photo!
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next