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Recently I was asked about getting into juried shows. This art lover seemed to think I got into all of the shows that I entered. Well that isn’t actually the case.  (Of course it would not help an artist’s fragile self esteem to advertise all the shows that they were not chosen for!)  

After an artist has been entering shows for a while, he/she gets an idea of what shows are good to enter. Some exhibitions are a long shot simply because of the odds when there are so many entries. Some are a long shot because that particular juror has not selected your work in the past.  Pair either of these with a limit on the number of works that fit into the gallery exhibition.  In addition, an artwork that wins an award in one exhibition may not even be selected for another exhibition. 

As professional artists, we remember that when a painting is not selected, it only means that on that particular day, that particular juror(s) chose another artist’s work. Our work  may well have been the next one in line, if there was more space. That’s the positive spin that we learn to give ourselves. (Still, it can be disappointing. Each entry is a non-refundable $40-$50 fee covering exhibition expenses)

I have just received news of my acceptance into the Ontario Society of Artists annual Open Juried Exhibition. This acceptance embodies “third time’s try a charm” for me. The OSA has been holding its annual OJE since 1873!

Although it is only just over 70 years old, the Society of Canadian Artists is another prominent art society in Canada.  This group recently expanded their interest  to include more contemporary art by creating a category specifically for contemporary work.  Normally, I wouldn’t enter their shows because they are mostly online shows.  I prefer live gallery exhibitions. Nevertheless, I entered this year and was pleased to be selected into their International Open Juried Exhibition this spring. 1180 pieces were submitted. 167 were selected.  Mine was one. You can view this exhibition at this link: view exhibition 

“The Bear Is Still Here —carrying the heartbeat of the land into tomorrow”

juried into OSA OJE

“ Renaissance In Blue” juried into SCA IOJE