Vera, the request for medium probably relates to the list of media
that you might find on the application (clay, fiber, jewelry, etc.).
They need to know which group you will fit in for the jurying slide
show, since they show and jury each media type as a separate group,
usually. The usual thing is for a show to ask you to put your name on
the slide, an arrow or red dot to indicate which side is the top, and
a number (#1-#4 or whatever) which corresponds to a slide fact sheet
that you give them which tells materials, dimensions, and maybe a few
words about techniques used (“cast and engraved”, “fabricated and
enameled” etc.) . Often they ask for the medium category, too. This
is all written on the slide’s paper or plastic holder(slide #, your
name, medium, arrow). I use pencil for the paper ones, and an
extra-fine Sharpie marker for the plastic. I find that the Sharpie
can be removed with some denatured alcohol on a Q-tip (be careful!)
in case there are changes in the marking format required next time I
want to use the slide.
But, all this said, you still might want to simply ask them what
they mean. Some committees are unaware of what the rest of the art
world does, and come up with their own quirky requirements. The
person on the phone will most likely not be on the jury anyhow, so
you don’t have to worry about what kind of impression your questions
might make on them.
Good luck! If by any chance you do not get in the show, suspect your
slides first. If they are not great, what your work is will never
even be looked at. Be sure you are aware of what acceptable slides
look like. Again, best wishes, and don’t give up…there are
rejections lurking out there even for the best of us. I hope you get
in and have a wonderful show!
– M’lou Brubaker,
Jeweler Goodland, MN
http://www.craftswomen.com