Interested in entering a Juried Art Competition - 44 Things You Need to Know

Here's a quick simple guide to helping you achieve success if you are entering juried art competitions. It's rather straightforward, no surprises when I read it. Every edge helps, check it out.

Art Calendar - 44 Things You Need to Know

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Airfloat Systems - a solution for fine art shipping

Granted, I make all my own shipping crates for distribution to galleries but for you folks who don't want to deal with the hassle there is Airfloat Systems. The key here is that they offer re-usable solutions for shipping your work. I can often only use my self made packaging once as they are completely custom. Until I go into business selling custom shipping crates, this is your next best thing. ;)

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Studio Visit Magazine

I  just received my acceptance today from this new publication that specifically targets galleries, museum curators, and art aficionados. It's a great opportunity for someone just starting out that doesn't yet have a gallery affiliation. It is scheduled to be released in the Spring of 2009. The deadline for submittals has past, but they will be opening up again for future publications. Bookmark it and check back with them.

From their website:

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Suggestions on shipping your artwork

Ok, so you've sold a print or have gotten into a gallery show. Looking at shipping options, I would guess like myself you want to ship the cheapest way possible while protecting your artwork. You might be tempted to ship via USPS. DON'T! 

I recently shipped a print having packaged it in a tube, carefully putting tissue in the top and bottom. It was also wrapped in an acid free plastic bag. The tube was shipped USPS and arrived crushed. The client was not happy at all, but I assured them that my guarantee covered such things and apologized profusely while quickly printing another to get to them. 

I later learned, unlike FedEx or UPS, the USPS has no basic level of insurance on every package sent. You get one hundred dollars of insurance coverage with either UPS or FedEx. For myself in most cases, this is enough as it covers the frame and cost of printing usually. So, I'm out the replacement costs having used USPS. Both UPS and FedEx also offer extra insurance coverage at a very reasonable price. I have sent emails to the USPS explaining the situation and have yet to get a response. Also inquiring at the local place where I ship about USPS, they said not to expect a response. It is their experience that they simply don't care. 

Here are a few extra notes about shipping artwork:

1. Avoid using styrofoam peanuts. Galleries hate this as would you if you had upwards of seventy shipping crates or packages to store as is the case with many group exhibitions. 

2. Order or pick up a few glass stickers that you can adhere to the outside of shipping packages. Your shipment will likely be handled with a more gentle hand.

3. Make sure to label the artwork itself. I simply clear tape a business card to the back of the frame. Anything you can do to make it easier on a gallery is to your benefit. 

4. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a sheet of flat insulation. It's a cheap way to add a little protection around your work. I make slip cases out of them with packing tape. 

5. Include a flyer or some other piece of promotional material in a shipment. It's your chance to promote yourself, after all you were selected to be in the show. Don't pass it up.

6. Set up an account with UPS or FedEx for return shipping from a gallery back home. We would all like to think that our work will always sell, but it doesn't. Many of the shows I've been in request a return shipping label with the artwork. If you have an account set up, you can include the label and if the piece sells you just saved some cash. 

That's it for now. 

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