Well, I just cancelled buying my booth space at Va. Beach this year.

It seems the newbie director there has been swayed by the powers-that-be who absolutely hate photography to make a new rule or two about our medium this year.

Her new rule--editions can only be limited to 100. Mind you, previously there and most places, editions have been 250.

Oh gee, I guess we have to cheat and renumber all our editions to the new number--are you frigging nuts!

Then, it gets better.  The director decrees that no photos will be allowed in the show if they are giclees.

Gee, I wonder where photographers who make images from digital files are supposed to print them.

I mean, are we somehow, mysteriously supposed to soak our digital file in stone-cut oatmeal and then print them in chemical trays.  Hold the cinnamon (It lowers blood pressure, but also lowers contrast in photos( I made that up)).

I mean what has this girl been smoking.  Who is she listening to.

Two things are going to happen--neither good.

One, they will ignore enforcing the rules and look like further num-nuts.

Two.  Fewer good people are going to apply.  Which probably the little old craggy women-painters who run that show will cackle in delight.  They hate photos, we make more money than them.  Digital-Envy.

Wait til I get a 18 megapixel.  I will pull that baby out and wave it in their faces every chance I get.

Call me "Nels-Jack-Flash."8869108476?profile=original

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  • There are also many things you can do to minimize the risk.  One thing I have started doing is I got a fourth sta bar and I put it across the front of the booth when I close up for the night.  Between pro panels and the sta bar in the back my back is pretty solid.  It's going to be real hard to get into it that way.  And before I leave the booth in the evening I move all my boxes and my chair and anything that is in the booth to the very front.  It's just like home security.  The trick is to make it difficult enough so that they move on to the next guy.  Also all my pieces are covered with sheets but that is for condensation not theft determent.  I know of one artist who has rigged a trip wire attached to an alarm right across the front of her booth.

  • Here is some info about security issues there.

    Been an exhibitor there off and on for more than 30 years, never been visited, or ripped off.  But, it happens all the time to some.

    Here is the dilemma.

    The show hires good security, they patrol up and down the Boardwalk--but they can only be at one place at a time.

    Any crook with any sense could figure out to just stay behind the security patrol and then hit a tent--sometimes it happens, not often, but it does happen.

    Some years in the distant past, jerks would take razors to the tarps.  Do a quick slit, look inside, and then decide--hit or move on.

    This happens at many shows, not just the Boardwalk.

    They can't have video cameras on the booths.

    So,there is an issue, but it is no more chancy then you walking across a street and getting hit.

    If it scares you that much than don't do the show--hell, don't do any outdoor show.

    I think I have given you some solid info.  Digest it and make decisions accordingly.

  • (Not to hijack, but security issues is a great topic).

    Thank you, Christie, for joining us and listening and hearing. We all appreciate it. 

  • Well, Bill, that is another thread, why don't you blog your little heart off about it.  Nels.

  • Sound like the photographers are now happy campers.  However, at the risk of being called a knucklehead by Nels, since Christie is commenting here, can you also address the security issues that were raised by some earlier in the thread?

  • Thank you, Christie, for a classy and appropriate response (here, and with respect to the revision of the policy).  I was disappointed to not have the opportunity to apply to the show this year and hope to be able to do so in 2014. 

  • Boardwalk Art Show Photography Policy
    Photographic prints made from the artist's original image, which have been processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes. Work in this category must be in limited editions of 250 or less inclusive of size or format, signed and numbered on archival quality materials.
  • Right on, Christie Kelly, you did the right thing.  Hope the show is spectacular this summer.

  • Hi, I’m the Director of the Boardwalk Art Show.

    I appreciate your comments and would like to take this opportunity to explain a lesson learned. The Boardwalk Art Show made a change earlier in the fall in regard to the photography policy that negatively affected artists. After many great conversations with artists and industry resources BWAS retracted the 100 limited edition requirements and will accept Giclee prints, which is stated in the current BWAS photography policy below. This was also noted in artist’s acceptance packages and judges policy for the show. I have been handling this change on a case by case basis with photographers who have contacted me and apologize for any confusion this has caused. The last thing the Boardwalk Art Show wants to do is turn away talented artists.

    If anyone would like more information or has more feedback, feel free to email me at Christie@VirginiaMOCA.org or post here. I’m always happy to answer questions.

    Christie Kelly
  • Yes, the Fall show is run by the Contemporary Arts Center (they have a new name that I've forgotten), but it's more crafty than Boardwalk.  Still a pain in the butt to set up and tear down, with long hours and thefts from the sand side of the boardwalk (through the railings).

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