My latest round of rejections

After having a banner year last year, I'm receiving a lot more rejections this year. I don't know what has changed? I was rejected for South University Art Fair, Crosby Festival of the Arts and now tonight Arts and Apples. It makes me wonder about my other applications. Will those be okay or will I see more rejections? I guess I am in a down year. Which I did not anticipate...

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  • I am finding out, this may not be a complete answer, But similar experience. I have been rejected by a well known

    festival In Greenville, SC a number of times, I realize they cannot let everyone in. Not being criticle but I have attended

    these festivals and some of the quality of work was poor quality, I wonder how they got accepted, I never quit art

    I create at least one thing each day of my life, not ashamed of my age 62, been creating further back than I can

    recall. With all the rejection over the years there have also been times of acceptance into juried shows and also

    into galleries. I say keep creating keep applying don't let rejection bring you down. I am creating and still selling

    and now not able to get out to festivals and galleries as I climb up that ladder, I am at a point now some know me

    and know my art, some love it some don't I remain thick skin. One thing I hope will help , If you love art do it

    and keep on doing it , your passion will pay off, in the end.  Hope this helps in some small way

  • I, too, am having this happen this year. Last year was a great year for me getting into some good shows. But this year is indeed different, and I'm not sure why, either. Shows that I got into easily last year, I am either wait-listed or rejected for. Another today. One that I have done several times, and I'm not even an alternate! Yes, it stings. I went through  my applications, trying to figure out if last year's photos were better. I don't think so. I used some of the same ones, and some new good quality ones also. So I am puzzled, to say the least. I guess the best advice I can give is to never presume you'll get into a show that you've been in before, and just apply to many shows. And realize that you are giving your best, and will continue to grow and learn. At times, I liken applying for shows to playing the lottery. You can do things to improve your chances, but in the end, it's out of our hands. On a positive note, I did get into one very good show that I've never done before, am doing some other easier shows, and am waitlisted for others I would love to do again.

  • I got into a show in Sunriver, OR 5 years in a row - every year since the show started. Now, this year, I'm an alternate. Yes, it's a blow to the ego and it certainly feeds the competitive juices. Keep your chin up! It happens to the best of us. And I agree with Robert, you have to mix up what you submit. Just because it works a few years in a row, doesn't mean it is a shoe-in.

  • Sorry to hear that, Scott, I'm sure it's a big blow to one's ego, in fact I know it is from personal experience.  I think you've got some good advice here from the pros, so buck up and don't stop trying, things are bound to turn around for you.  Sending you positive thoughts...

  • There's also weirdness with shows that change dates vs shows that don't and the therefore conflicting dates which make artists apply to multiple shows for the same weekend and then see who accepts them. The shows they reject then have spots open on the wait list early on. And this wont happen all the time, b/c given the ways shows can schedule, their actual weekend in the month can float... Sometimes this can mean they overlap with other desirable shows...

    And this can have some effect when there is a goodly amount of grandparenting of existing exhibitors into an event.

    So when you have event schedule overlap and folks who are normally grandparented intoboth shows (not that most shows which say they are 100% juried will EVER admit), those folks will pick the show that they think will make them the most revenue and a spot opens for someone on the wait list... The following year, the shows don't overlap and that spot for someone waitlisted is gone..

  • Some shows have bigger turnover/attrition than others, but most likely the question about previous years is for statistical purposes only. To help put proof in your pudding theory, you'd have to compare the artist roster from several years, but I don't think you'll find it very helpful to do so.

  • No idea exactly, but something I've been noticing. A seems like a lot if shows I apply to have this concept of. " if you've never shown here before , you get accepted, if you have shown here , I'm going to reject you to make room for those who have never shown here " mentality. That's why they go to the trouble of asking you on the application if you have ever shown here , if so when?

    That is why it is hard to get into " top tier " shows back to back.

    Just a random guess, no proof in my pudding, except personal experience
  • Probably nothing. Some times you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you. Just make sure you're adding one or two new pieces and not duplicating the exact same work from last year. Some of the most original work I ever did was the GI Joe and Barbie shots, yet those were soundly rejected by several art fairs in the past, and I've never used them for jurying since. It all depends on the juror, and the quality of the jurors is all over the place.

  • I just don't get it. I think I was rejected for Lakewood Arts Festival today too. What am I doing wrong?

  • Scott, I just noticed the Crosby Gardens deadline for the first rounders is May 8 to accept and pay. That seems awfully late so there may be hope yet for getting in off the wait list.
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