Jury Certification & Entry Process Standardization

Thanks for you reply, Stephen. I should have been more clear in
stating that what I was mostly addressing was the jury process that
doesn’t relate so much to the art and craft shows. I tried to
illustrate that point but could have done a better job, I suppose.

That being said, I stand behind what I wrote. I see the selection
process used by a gallery owner/manager/director as simply another
type or manifestation of a jury. In this case, the jury consists of
one person. The criteria used to jury in this case is tailored to the
specific needs of the gallery as they should be as well in any
jurying process. It will always boil down to the opinion of the juror
or jury manifested with in the context of whatever the venue is-- a
show theme, etc.

Somebody, at some point has to make a decision.

One of the best suggestions that I’ve read has been the option of
feedback from the jury. The time requirements and paper work aside,
this is a wonderful idea. I once entered a juried national show,
years ago when I was pretty much starting out. (This was an art
exhibition rather than a sales type of show w/ booths, etc.) I was
rejected from the show with what I thought was a wonderful piece.
Sad, frustrating. I actually called and asked someone why I had been
juried out. They in turn sent me a statement from the juror(s)
regarding the work that I submitted specifically. I, of course,
immediately and angrily dismissed it as a load of uninformed hooey.
But soon after I reread what was said and learned a lot from that
statement.

Years later I approached a well known gallery with my work which
they declined to carry. This had happened before but what was
different this time was that the gallery owner/director sat me down
and told me what was wrong with my work, in her eyes. What she told
me (in essence that there was no clear voice in my work, only
murmurs: I needed to make work that was clearly and identifiably
mine) changed my work and my career. Two years later I began to show
with the gallery and went on to have a very satisfying 12 years.

Also, the idea that entries are being judged by the photography is,
I think, not quite the whole story. If work is strong or somehow
compelling, it can rise above poor photography. But why handicap
yourself if you can avoid it? Simple background adjustments,
thoughtful lighting, etc. can vastly improve most photographs
including those taken by the artist. It’s like showing up to an
important job interview in jeans with holes in them and smelly
sneakers. The quality of our images does reflect on our professional
commitment. Perhaps it shouldn’t- I’d be hard pressed to find jeans
w/out holes in em-but that’s reality.

I was away for 3 weeks and didn’t find the first post on this thread
so I’m not quite sure what the situation that began it was. What are
the other possible solutions to this system? What really are the
complaints about it?

Take care, Andy