How much detail about your processes do you give the jury?

Hello out there.

My question for the forum is: how much detail do you go into when describing your processes for the jury?

I have been feeling frustrated at my ability (lack of) to jury into a couple of high competition shows that I think, based on a few observations, I should be able to get into (I know, I know, don't we all).

I've been trying to improve my application each time; one aspect that I have a feeling I'm not nailing properly might be in explaining my processes to the jury. I'm starting to wonder if I'm not being specific enough, or clear enough, or maybe *too* detailed, or don't know what.

My craft involves building art jewellery using metal, paper, papier mache, acrylic, computer graphicing of images and sometimes re-purposing old items. I have a couple of lines of pendants that involve different processes from each other.

Anyhow I'm throwing the question out to everyone; how much or how little detail do you go into when describing your processes? How do you know when it's too much? Too little?

Replies

Mark Cortright November 25, 2012 at 9:55pm

I keep it simple but include enough detail to keep it real.

For example- I start with a ball of clay and hand throw all pottery and fire in a kiln I made with glazes I make from scratch.

Mark
Connie Mettler November 24, 2012 at 5:08pm

You're right, Ola, it is one of those areas that you just never know where you stand. My fallback is always to go to some of the show sites where descriptions are shown along with the work, here is one such: http://pmacraftshow.org/artists/. You can see the images and also see the artist descriptions.
Larry Berman November 22, 2012 at 8:01pm

On ZAPP, the individual descriptions are not visible but that doesn't effect shows not using ZAPP.

Create your descriptions as per instructions and include it with your application and images. If you need help with your descriptions or statement, post it here and see what happens. But give as much details in easy to understand terms in as few words as possible.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Larry Berman November 22, 2012 at 7:00pm

Since the jurors can't see the individual descriptions, your artist statement is the best you can do. I'm referring to ZAPP which most of the shows use. Therefore you should have saved statements of 100, 200 and 300 characters.

Larry Berman
- Shaw > Larry Berman November 22, 2012 at 7:11pm
  
  Thanks for your answer Larry. I guess I'm green here. If the jury doesn't see the descriptions, why are we asked to include them?
  
  One of the shows that I'm applying to is the local One of A Kind Show. They actually request a "detailed explanation of your processes" alongside the artist statement. I'm not sure if they use ZAPP, actually; they do request a CD with images.
  
  The other show is an "indie" show that characterizes its jury as "going over each application carefully", but definitely not ZAPP.
  - Shaw > Shaw November 22, 2012 at 7:54pm
    
    Needless to say I'm interested in hearing from non-ZAPP applicants too!

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