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Jury Application Process
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The Center beleives that quality, handmade craft strengthens the cultural, educational and economic viability of local communities.
Thank you for your interest in the Artisans Center of Virginia Jury Process. ACV is dedicated to assisting artisans in advancing their craft endeavors, whether for hobby or business. One facet of this obligation is through the Jury process that provides critique and distinction for artisan work judged to be of the highest level of quality indicative of Virginia's fine heritage of creativity and workmanship. Any ACV juried designation found on pieces displayed in studio settings, sales venues or exhibitions denotes some of the best work Virginia has to offer.
In keeping with the Artisans Center mission, all jury submissions must be produced by Virginia artisans. Applicants must permanently reside in Virginia. Acceptable proof of residency includes a valid driver's license or voter registration card.
Ineligible work:
2-D fine art, i.e. acrylic, oil or watercolor paintings, graphics (including etchings and web or sheet fed offset printing), dried or silk flowers, commercially made objects such as tee-shirts, notecards etc., and works assembled wholly or in part from commercially available kits (see “Jury Standards Accepted Media).
All applicants are notified in writing of their acceptance status. Should you receive the "professional" distinction, included with the acceptance letter is a consignment agreement should we enter into negotiations with with of our strategic retail partners on behalf of the artisan. Once juried the artisan is encouraged to schedule a short interview with our program representative regarding presentation, care and cleaning, shipping, insurance, etc. This process can be accomplished through the email or by telephone.
Each artisan is asked to submit five slides or digital images that represent the type of work intended to be sold in the gallery. Juries are held three times a year. Please complete the full application form with image number, title, size of object, techniques used, materials used, pricing and media designation (Digital images should be submitted on CD, 300 DPI, JPEG or TIFF). The jury panel will include a professionally juried artisan or craft professional and one professional ACV staff member.
After the slide/digital image jury each artisan will be contacted regarding the object jury. Artisans passing part one of the jury will submit 3-5 objects representative of their work for the final jury process. (Furniture and other large objects submit 1-3 objects) Objects submitted must be accompanied by a descriptive listing that includes materials, processes employed and retail prices. All work presented to the jury must be in its final form.
At this time, if it not included with initial application, it is recommended the applicant send copies of any professional materials that indicate the artisans level of entrepreneurship such as brochures, flyers, exhibition card samples, business cards, website address, reviews, etc for the purpose of consideration for “professional” juried distinction.
An object must be well designed. Consideration will be given to choice of materials appropriate to intended use. Objects pleasing to the hand and to the eye will be favored. Originality is a design factor, except as noted below in Heritage Craft Criteria.
An object must be handmade by the applicant or under the direction of the applicant. Handmade objects are so designated when hand tools or hand directed machine tools are used. Issues of durability, assembly, execution, and appropriate finishing will be considered. Please list all components of your work that are not individually produced by you.
While issues of design and craftsmanship are prime considerations the image and object juries will also consider marketability. Applicants are asked to list retail prices of objects submitted.
Crafts, which may be designated as "heritage" crafts, could represent exceptions to the guidelines requiring individual creativity and innovation. Many traditional crafts such as those produced within folk communities (ethnic, tribal, religious, occupational or regional) instead adhere to a group aesthetic, developed over time. If the artisan feels their work is best evaluated within the context of folk criteria, then the application would benefit from supporting documentation.
Professionally photographed images are most effective. If it is not possible to obtain the services of a professional the following recommendations will aid in producing images of good quality.
Use props to show scale IF they relate to the function of the object
Use the same color background in each entry. Seamless photography paper in neutral shades, such as black, gray or white makes a good background, or you may use a color that compliments your work.
Avoid busy backgrounds, outdoor scenes, household settings, wrinkled or textured materials, inappropriate props to show scale, such as pennies, ruler, eggs, etc.
Use proper lighting to create shadows that show depth and detail; avoid harsh shadows and reflections.
Show clothing on a human figure, rather than on furniture or hangers.
Objects should nearly fill the frame and be in the same proportion for each slide.
Items submitted for object juries should present the very best of the applicant's work and show a range of expertise in skill and craftsmanship. These items will be evaluated on overall design, style, technical skills and craftsmanship, as they are used to produce the final object. The jury process involves the application of subjective as well as objective standards.
March 1 ..............Slides/Digital Images due
March 20 ............Request for objects (you will be notified)
April 15 ...............Objects due
May 15 ................Notifications
June 1 ..................Slide/Digital Images due
June 20 ...............Request for objects (you will be notified)
July 15................. Objects due
August 15 ............Notifications
September 1 ...............Slides/Digital Images due (this has not changed)
September 3 ...............Request for objects (you will be notified)
September 10............. Objects due
September 15-17 ........Notifications
**** Please note: If the applicant is approved by the Object Jury panel and unless otherwise instructed, all work submitted for the Object Jury will be returned.
To participate in ACV programming opportunities and utilize the ACV Juried Seal annual, membership in ACV is required. ACV Artisan membership dues are $40 per year.
» Click here for Jury Application Form
Questions?
If you have any questions please call ACV
1-540-946-3294
E-mail: jury@artisanscenterofvirginia.org
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