The art of getting rejected.

Earlier today a received an email response from one of the higher end art shows that I applied to on Zapplication last month. Let me fill you in that I have been turned down for every show that I applied to this year. With a hesitant sleight of hand I maneuvered my mouse cursor over the new mail icon in my in-box. And with a single hollow click I discovered…that I have been rejected yet again. Now I have to say that while some might get discouraged by this, I actually was fully expecting it. I have zero experience in the realm of art shows, and having spent hours researching the process of entering a juried event, I discovered that my methods are quite flawed.

 

My photos are not nearly professional enough, I have been told that there is a “science” to submitting one’s art. Simple matters such as a plain white background for each slide submitted, showing work that is all in the same style rather than trying to show how versatile you are,  a pristine booth shot that gives a stunning example of the works you have submitted on display can all render an application that could have been an acceptance to a cut and dry rejection.  But with each failure comes a little more experience, so I suppose it’s worth it, even at $30 a pop. Let’s face it, the odds of getting into a show with 200 openings and over 2 thousand applicants isn’t good. As a rookie I’m gonna need every edge I can give myself to get a shot at getting in. Looks like another year grinding it out in the minor league regional shows. But next year is right around the corner and I am going to be a lot more prepared, and possibly a little less annoyed.