I'm developing a new arts festival and was hoping to get some feedback from the artists at AFI on a couple of issues.
First is a question about Jury images. I've heard some artists complain about getting rejected from shows because of the quality of their submitted images, while other artists with lower quality work, but better images, get selected. Is this a sour grapes issue? If not, what is the answer?
Second (and this one is primarily for Jewelers), What constitutes "bead stringing" as opposed to creating art jewelry?
Tim Reilly
Festival Director,
The Cotton South
Replies
Tim,
I am a jeweler who started with with stringing, moved to beadweaving, and then to metalsmithing.
Bead stringing is just as has been said before: you buy a variety of beads (glass, semi precious stones, metal beads, etc) and findings and use your eye for color and design to put pieces together. There is not much to the technique it's all in the artistic eye. I got out of that primarily because everyone's mother, sister, aunt etc was doing it, using lesser quality materials, and because it was easy, selling it at less than wholesale prices. Don't get me wrong many customer's love it and these pieces, if done and priced well, do sell. Many art shows do not include stringers. If you make the lampwork beads and then string your own beads or string the neck piece to use with your own metalsmithed pendant, that is another story.
Bead Weaving is much more difficult and time consuming. You are using one or more stitches and thread (well actually monofiliment) to weave pieces without a loom. It is considered a art form. Unfortunately, due to the time it takes to make many of the pieces, the prices are high. There are still many hobbyist who don't take time into consideration when pricing. Too bad.
That is why I have ended up metalsmithing for the most part. Happy I got here because I love it. I forge and fabricate my pieces. I am still learning but each year my work gets better.
My 2 cents....good luck to you
Diane... 2 things, First, I'm a copper-smith (though not in the traditional sense) and I would love to see your work.
Second... the contributions by jewelers to this thread have convinced me that a large grey area exists between either/or choices where purchased beads and findings, etc. are used, and that my jury members will need to look carefully at the overall effect, skill, and "eye" of a piece of work before casting a vote.
Thank you for your 2 cents,
T
I work in copper and mixed metal a lot lately, but also in sterling. Heading tomorrow to the Tucson Bead show to look for cabs. My main website - www.dianewrightdesigns.com is being updated but should be ready to go soon. I also have an etsy website - www.dianewrightdesigns.etsy.com.
Tim:
Please make sure that your venue is accessible to your patrons and to your artists. We are an aging population ...
Regarding Jewelry: The spiritual message designs that I create go through many morphises before the design is casted into a mold. Yet, some art shows do not accept jewelry that has been casted ... even though the pieces are not mass-produced (unless I get an order from the Oscars to produce a design for all the actors LOL) but each design is set up as a 'collection' - comes in 2-3 sizes as earrings, pendants, pins, etc. DorLDor.com For some reason, this is not acceptable at some of the shows -- these shows want one of a kind. That is fine and terrific but it closes doors on people like me whose joy is felt when a person says 'wow' after getting the message or a person's eyes tear up as he/she tells a story that connects that person's soul to the message of the piece.
Deborah...Thank you for the insights. Can you elaborate on the accessibility issue you've mentioned?
T
hi. we have completed two years of doing outdoor art shows and adding another for indoor - but before this we were 'peddling' creativity in education products. jay uses crutches and/or wheelchair - positive - he's easily identifiable -- look for the guy in the wheelchair; negative - accessibility. before we even contemplate a show - indoors or out - i contact the promoter stating that jay uses a wheelchair and asking about accessibility including bathrooms and parking. i also ask how close we are to getting booth in/out of car -- the 'shlepping' factor is crucial because i'm dealing with an artificial hip and my friends the 'itieses' - arthritis, bursitis, and tendenitis - who love to come out and 'party' when it's showtime (LOL). we cannot be in 8 x 10 booth -- jay takes 5 feet of space to just turn around - we can 'make it' crowdedly but doable in 10 x 10 and in indoor shows -- we have on occasion been given extra space -- and that is so very appreciated. we are definitely unhappy if we have to buy more space for accommodating the wheelchair and the show doesn't 'get this. so while everyone figures out their booth, we are minusing 5 feet of space so that he can maneuver in/out and yet we can have at least a few lookers and hopefully buyers. it can get difficult - usually people are patient and let him in/out of booth without too much hassle. he will spend lots of time talking to others with mobility issues, answer kids' questions esp (why are you wearing gloves), show kids how to do wheelies and even take a child for a ride. we also don't want to interfere with flow of a show and be in a neighbor's space. we try to be the best neighbors we can.
we have been told by promoters that spaces, bathrooms, etc. were accessible - and then found out that the promoters did not know and/or understand what that means. the ADA has been a federal law for more than a few years -- nothing is 'grandfathered' in (historic buildings perhaps) -- if it's an outside venue, have accessible porta-potties - and make sure it's not just one in a large space. we are an aging population. good potties - good customers. not good potties -- people won't come back. can someone get to those potties in a wheelchair - that means, no steps, not blocking curbcuts. so if a promoter is marking a venue, be aware of the curbcuts that have been built in for a reason. and speaking of curbcuts, just because they were put in doesn't mean they are usuable. some curbcuts are crumbled and not navigable -- others don' meet code because they are too steep. can someone walk the venue without tripping and falling over stumps, etc. can someone be in a wheelchair and navigate independently? can strollers be safely pushed? we understand grass area isn't always a 'smooth' ride but no one wants to start out with possibilities of lawsuits. handicap parking - does it exist? if not, why not? again - aging population, broken bones, etc. -- handicap parking must be within a reasonable distance. providing transportation to/from parking area -- if so, is there a lift to get in and out of transportation? if placing someone with mobility issues as an artist, try to find a spot that is not on a steep hill for that artist. otherwise the show is not doable. we have worked with some wonderful promoters -- who have gone out of their way (they say they haven't - now we know they have) to put us in the most level of spots available - telling us where bathrooms are available (either porta potty or permanent). some see us - and know how hard we work to do what we are doing - and have offered helpers (that doesn't happen often but when it does, we thank them). we don't expect to be treated with royalty but we 'don't stand on equal footage' -- and because of that, have to be sure that we are able to navigate a venue. we were told NOT to apply to a particular venue - i emailed - and got a wonderful positive response and actually told the person that we were told not to even try for this venue -- he was surprised -- but promoters need to know what artists tell other artists. we were told by another venue (another string) that it isn't accessible - now have found out that there are tents put on pavement -- and this venue says they do not have porta potties available for those who need the handicapped kind. we will be pursuing this venue because it's a nonprofit. but tim, it gets old really fast that so much energy has to be placed onto accessibility in 2013. any other questions, email direct - deborah@dorldor.com - or jay's is at jay.brill02@gmail.com -- we would be happy to guide you.
Deborah...I'd say you just established the ADA guidelines for Festival operations!... THANK YOU! Take a look at our footprint image at www.cottonsoutharts.com and let me know what you think about our plan for accessibility. You can also utilize Google's Street View to see the Venue off season. Our plans include Porta-Potties in five locations, with an ADA accessible unit per location. Hand cleaning stations will be placed at each toilet location, as well as between the artists venue and the food venue to cut down on the problem of "sticky fingers". Curb cuts in Madison are well maintained, and ADA accessibility is a conscious awareness in our downtown district.
Having said that, I'm also aware that having never been handicapped, it's impossible for me to say that all bases are covered. Each handicap is unique, and capabilities vary even among similarly handicapped individuals.
In response to your detailed response, I'm going to add a Custom Question to our Zapps application addressing handicap needs. I'm also going to designate a booth area appropriate to the concerns you highlighted.
Thank you so much for your insights,
T
100% behind Ruth's response! I think she's covered the jewellery answer admirably!
Lots of good answers. Re: Jewelry. Our art show prospectus tells jewelry artists that those who use a majority of mass produced beads and findings will not be accepted and to contact us with questions. I agree that there are those who can "string" beads with a wonderful artistic flair and unique designs, but it is very hard to jury them against a metalsmith or stone setter or lampworker, or even wireworker etc. And we try hard to vary the types of jewelry and we do limit to the 10-15% rule and any jewelry in the booth you must jury in jewelry. That is really important and post it so you can enforce it!
Just a note on jury images: If a jury has to work really hard to see your work detail or what your booth looks like, I'm afraid they are not going to mark it as high as someone's work that is clear and well done. I don't have a lot of professionally done images from our artists, but it is clear when someone has put effort into their shots and booth and those who send just really really bad shots. Who would I think is the best artist? And how do they know they didn't get in because of bad shots?
Lois... Ah the voice of experience... Thank you for your response.
On the question of enforcement... Our City and Law Enforcement Officials assure me that any "problem" types will be given free room and board in the local hoosgow!:-)
Thanks again,
T
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