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  Melissa Banks March 1, 2012 at 11:51am

  Yes, I was surprised to hear how they went out of their way to look for mistakes on applications and make calls to correct them. I think that's going above and beyond, and very considerate. Regarding the application process, when I'm faced with filling orders to keep customers happy and keeping the cash flowing when I can vs working on applications early for the following season.....it's a very tricky juggling act and decision in the thick of things. But your point will be taken with me.
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  Connie Mettler March 1, 2012 at 11:39am

  Thanks, Melissa. I didn't think you were referring to this podcast. I was pretty amazed at the extent that these two people took to insure the accuracy of the artist information. Weren't you? You may have noticed my question to them -- isn't it the artist's responsibility to make sure the info is correct?

  Yep, it is a busy life, balancing so many facets of the business. My husband had this large calendar that he kept on his desk. When an application would come in he would write the deadline into his calendar. Every day after breakfast he would consult it to make sure he stayed on top of the applications. Then he'd go to the darkroom. His feeling was that getting into the shows and presenting yourself to the jury in the best manner had to come first.
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  Melissa Banks March 1, 2012 at 11:28am

  Hi Connie...I think you misunderstood a bit...I did listen to the podcast, and I didn't mean to imply that I was responding directly to those two people. This is why I said "sort of relevant to this post" (I had skimmed the previous Zapp info and had read about the sorting of applications, which reminded me of my points). I had heard about the "inconsiderate" thing from other show directors. I understand what you are saying, but I just wanted to share my frustration from my point of view/from the artist's point of view regarding this matter. I regret if it was taken the wrong way.
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  Connie Mettler March 1, 2012 at 10:52am

  Many thanks, Leah, for that information! It is a very useful point as artists try to figure out the best way to present their application.

  Melissa, if you listened to the podcast you didn't hear a word from these two people implying that at all. Their candor about trying to be of service to the applicants sounded very genuine to me. That being said I'd think all shows like to receive the applications as soon as possible and the reason for that being is that means they can give your application good attention since it won't be arriving in a pack of other applications.
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  Allen Jones February 29, 2012 at 6:11pm

  I agree with you Munks I listened to the interview she was missing in action for about 5 10 minutes "very professional' sarcasm!
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  Melissa Banks February 29, 2012 at 3:40pm

  Sort of relevant to this post, I wanted to talk about when we apply to shows, i.e. early or later.  I was very surprised to hear somewhat recently that shows think it is "rude" or "inconsiderate" for us to apply to a show close to or up to the deadline.  I would hope that they understand how much thought and planning goes into applying, and sometimes applying even the day of the deadline may be a necessity for us.  Personally, I am swamped with shows, orders, running my business from Summer right up until Christmas, and then WHAM! the show deadlines begin.  I hardly have time to catch my breath, and most years I may have to design, pick designs, get designs photographed, juggle scheduling, make sure my booth shot works with said new designs, etc, etc.  Not to mention how tricky it might be to get a new booth shot in Chicago in the winter when I have no back yard.  So I feel like I'm working like crazy and I manage to get my application done ON TIME, but yet somehow I may still be getting a bias because I wasn't "considerate enough" to apply early.  Man, I do what I can, really!  :)  Personally, I think in all fairness the order of artists' work shown to the jury should be completely random, because technically, we all successfully met the deadline.  Thanks for listening.
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  ZAPPlication February 29, 2012 at 3:02pm

  Hi Connie,
  
  We heard there was a question that wasn't answered relating to the options for sorting applications within the ZAPP® jury process. Just wanted your readers to know that answers are posted here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/zapp-jury-options
  
  Thanks!

  Leah
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  Larry Berman February 29, 2012 at 9:37am

  Finally had a chance to download and listen to the interview with Stephen King and Cindy Lerick. Congratulations Connie, best interview you've done yet. Some good questions and I give them credit for not trying to avoid answering them.
  
  Larry Berman
  http://BermanGraphics.com
  412-401-8100
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  Connie Mettler February 28, 2012 at 7:09pm

  This was a great chat with Stephen and Cindy and we covered a lot of the questions above. You can listen to it here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/artfairpodcasts

  even download it to listen at a later time.
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  Allen Jones February 28, 2012 at 12:30pm

  Yes I agree there are expenses involved in jurying, but I think if you are not accepted into the show whatever the reason, and there can be many unrelated to quality of art which is after all subjective to taste bias etc. then you should have your entry fee returned. But beyond that I think that we as artist need to organize. And let me state here I am not a union  man but we do need a voice!