What I am going to say is real. I did it. This is not fantasy.
First, a caveat (means, possibly, a warning) when you do the following you can probably give up any hope of getting in that show in the next 20 years, unless they all get Alzheimers, which I do not wish upon anybody.
That said, I got my annual rejection from Oconowoc, WI for the 15th year in a row. Never have even made the wait list.
So this is what I just Emailed them. WTF, I have nothing to lose because I will never, ever, let them suck another dollar out of me for a jury fee.
It could be a good model, if you have nothing to lose. In my case, they have sucked more than $600 out of me in jury fees. Mind you, I have sent, fresh, new, innovative work every year to them.
Here it goes.
"You people can go recuse yourselves.
I have applied to your show for over 10 years, without, once, even getting on your wait list.
"In the meantime I have been in shows way above your level like St. Louis and the Plaza, to name a few.
"I sent you ground-breaking work never done by many photographers before--and I don't even make your wait list.
"You are mired in mediocrity. I will never apply to your show again.
"BTW. I have done shows for more than 37 years and won more than 300 awards in juried competitions.
"Obviously your jury does not know good, original work that stares them in the face (Or is it only floral arrangements of flowers that does it with you folks).
"It is your loss, Nels Johnson."
That is what I sent.
If shows can relentlessly raise their jury and booth fees, w/o due consideration--they ought to be able to take a little heat once in a while.
Of course, you political-correct newbies, and oldies, will go--are you fricking nuts?
Enough is enough.
As the man said in a great movie, "I am tired of it, I aint taking it anymore.
That is all folks. Nels.
Comments
Nels......was sick for quite a while but am now better.....
I came on here to read up on the Ocononmowoc (alias the big O) show.....I have applied twice a few years ago before but the big O has been rejected each time....last year I submitted portraits of local people to every other art show I wanted to get in (not Oconomowoc) and got into every every show....so I was tempted to try the big O again.
O is a wealthy area ....I drove thru it again last summer.....and as I drove thru it I thought of several artists I know very well and how they have been all rejected from O....one is constantly winning best in show.....she is a painter like me....and has big a huge influence on my work.....she is so so so good.....and she did not get in.....
All of my friends have come to the conclusion that there is "something" going on in O....we are not sure what....but if you look over the application you see how important the committee is in deciding who gets in....they ask tons of questions that are not nearly as important as good art would be in making a decision to let an applicant in the show...the digitals of the art should be the most important thing....and I bet they focus on the booth slide....a lot!!!....just guessing but it is a strong possibility....Note:...Green Bay Artstreet does not require a booth slide....I am sure the big O committee would disagree with this.
Sure they have jurists.....but the jurist work with the committee hand in glove and the committee rules....after all, who do the jurist work for....another guess here...I admit this ..
Of course I only have circumstantial evidence on this as the O people hold their cards very close to the vest....
Final verdict.....I will not give them $40 because the O committee has made itself more important than the art based on all the circumstantial evidence.
Don't feel bad Patty. I've done that show and have also been rejected by that show. In my view, rejecting a booth photo because "you can see the metal struts of the tent" is ridiculous and tells me that the promoter is less concerned with the art produced by the artists than the "gallery" set up of their tents. Judging by some of the buy/sell garbage I have seen at this particular show, they are easily fooled by criteria that does not matter.
Congrats to you; just did the same to a refusal in the Cleveland uppity show - Legacy Village; because my open funky booth wasn't behind glass to look like an interior jewelry store I was out. Been in Cain Park and Chagrin Falls around here but they want all booths to look unapproachable and I told them they were just advertising for the mall they were at rather the art itself. Some fantastic shows dont even require a booth image; also someone here suggested the artist is so much more approachable when the booth is open; I agree that artist behind tall glass inhibits customers to an extent; good for you anyway!
And don't get me started on Madison.
I applied for Oconomowoc 2 years in a row. After getting rejected both years, I had one of the organizers view my booth at a different show. She asked me why I didn't do the Oconomowoc Show. I said: because you won't let me in. She had a horrified look on her face and walked away. I have never applied since.
Thanks for your letter. I have felt the same way . I have kept a lot of jury money this year and feel good about it but I sure wish I had sent a reply back to there" invitation".
There you go....I was equally shocked thinking just because I exhibit at fiber related shows...that was a first AND last for me. barf
Huh. Who knew that alpacas were doing buy/sell at shows these days?
I have learned over the years that sometimes a poorly run show is a blessing in disguise to move on. I was involved with one for 4 years, each year being part of its growth and encouraging and supporting the show management...the 4th year I was shocked at the poor booth location, the fact that 2 intact male alpacas filthier than anything I had ever witnessed in my life were placed across from me, inside in a brand new building. They stunk to high heaven, peed and pooped all over the bare floor and due to the cramped space were aggressively humping each other in dominance - remember - I said - 2 intact males? The stench almost made us pass out. The promoter could care less, btw she also had me placed next to the loading dock too. The laundry list of complaints goes on...however the bottom line was, she did it to herself. She lost the majority of exhibitors that had been with her since the beginning, many long established with followers...and she was of the ilk that there would always be more coming behind us. Her idea of jurying people in has turned into accepting anyone she can get just to fill some of the space as at one time the show had 140 exhibitors, it's now down to 43 at last count. I still have no idea why she pulled such a stunt on me...and frankly, I don't care anymore (after I had to air out all my products for days). But I will never ever name the show, and if anyone else asks me about the show...I just say...oh...yeah...once upon a time that was a show we did when we were still learning and building our following. And that is all I say. I would never in my life step foot in that venue again. The general rule of thumb is this - if there are any glaring problems with management - RUN. The likelihood of it changing is about ZERO.
I agree with elle, twice is enough, if i can not get into a show on the second try i usually forget that show and go onto another show. I did that last year with a show in San Diego. Actually I got in was given a crappy location, when talked to promoter about getting a better location the following year, applied for 2013 was rejected. I was so fed up with the bs i wrote a nasty letter to the jurors. later finding out the promoter is the only juror but it sure felt good
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