Artisans Center of Virginia
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Jury Information


Retail Sales Gallery
Jury Application Process

One of ACV’s goals is to promote Virginia Fine Crafts. All Virginia craft artists are invited to apply for entry into the retail sales gallery. Applicants must permanently reside in Virginia and be an artisan member of ACV. Acceptable proof of residency includes a valid driver’s license or voter registration card. Ineligible work: ACV does not jury 2-D fine art, i.e. acrylic, oil or watercolor paintings, graphics, photography, prints. Dried or silk flowers, commercially made objects such as tee-shirts, note cards etc., and works made wholly or in part from commercially available kits are not considered for inclusion in the Gallery. Please note: These policies are currently under review.

 

 

Invitation to Applicants

Thank you for your interest in the Artisans Center of Virginia Fine Craft Gallery. Please visit the Gallery to view the work and artisans we currently represent. A visit will help you to determine if this is an appropriate market for you.

 

Eligibility

In keeping with the Artisans Center mission, the gallery represents fine craft produced by Virginia artisans. Applicants must permanently reside in Virginia. Acceptable proof of residency includes a valid driver's license or voter registration card.

 

Ineligible work: 2-D fine art, i.e. acrylic, oil or watercolor paintings, graphics (including etchings and web or sheet fed offset printing), dried or silk flowers, commercially made objects such as tee-shirts, notecards etc., and works assembled wholly or in part from commercially available kits.

 

Gallery Terms

The ACV gallery is a consignment gallery with 60% of the sale to the artisan and 40% to ACV. Each month's sales proceeds are mailed to the artisan on the 15th day of the following month. All applicants are notified in writing of their acceptance status. Included in the acceptance letter is a consignment agreement. Once juried into the Gallery the artisan is encouraged to schedule a short interview with the Gallery Sales Manager regarding presentation, care and cleaning, shipping, insurance, etc. This process can be accomplished through the mail or by telephone, although visiting the gallery is encouraged.

 

 

Selection Process

Part One - Slide/Digital Image Jury

Each artisan is asked to submit five slides or digital images that represent the type of work intended to be sold in the gallery. Juries will be held three times a year. (See page 3 for jury due dates) Please fill out on the reverse side of the application form with image number, title, size of object, techniques used, materials used and media designation (Digital images should be submitted on CD, 300 DPI, JPEG or TIFF).

The jury panel will include two professional ACV staff members.

 

Part Two - Object Jury

After the slide/digital image jury each artisan will be contacted regarding the object jury. Artisans passing the jury will submit 5 objects representative of their work for the final jury process. (Furniture and other large objects submit 1-3 objects) Objects submitted must be accompanied by a descriptive listing that includes materials, processes employed and retail prices. All work presented to the jury must be in its final form.

The object jury panel will include a staff member, one standards committee member, and three professional artisans or craft experts from outside of ACV. If necessary a second standards committee member will serve as an alternate.

 

 

Evaluation Criteria

Design

An object must be well designed. Consideration will be given to choice of materials appropriate to intended use. Objects pleasing to the hand and to the eye will be favored. Originality is a design factor, except as noted below in Heritage Craft Criteria.

Craftsmanship

An object must be handmade by the applicant or under the direction of the applicant. Handmade objects are so designated when hand tools or hand directed machine tools are used. Issues of durability, assembly, execution, and appropriate finishing will be considered. Please list all components of your work that are not individually produced by you.

Marketability

While issues of design and craftsmanship are prime considerations for selection of work into ACV's Fine Craft Gallery, the image and object juries will also consider marketability. Applicants are asked to list retail prices of objects submitted.

Heritage Craft Criteria

Crafts, which may be designated as "heritage" crafts, could represent exceptions to the guidelines requiring individual creativity and innovation. Many traditional crafts such as those produced within folk communities (ethnic, tribal, religious, occupational or regional) instead adhere to a group aesthetic, developed over time. If the artisan feels their work is best evaluated within the context of folk criteria, then the application would benefit from supporting documentation.


Suggestions for Slide/Digital Image Jury

Professionally photographed images are most effective. If it is not possible to obtain the services of a professional the following recommendations will aid in producing images of good quality.

 

Use props to show scale IF they relate to the function of the object

 

Use the same color background in each entry. Seamless photography paper in neutral shades, such as black, gray or white makes a good background, or you may use a color that compliments your work.

 

Avoid busy backgrounds, outdoor scenes, household settings, wrinkled or textured materials, inappropriate props to show scale, such as pennies, ruler, eggs, etc.

 

Use proper lighting to create shadows that show depth and detail; avoid harsh shadows and reflections.

 

Show clothing on a human figure, rather than on furniture or hangers.

 

Objects should nearly fill the frame and be in the same proportion for each slide.

 

Suggestions for Object Jury

Items submitted for object juries should present the very best of the applicant's work and show a range of expertise in skill and craftsmanship. These items will be evaluated on overall design, style, technical skills and craftsmanship, as they are used to produce the final object. The jury process involves the application of subjective as well as objective standards.

 

Completed Application Packet Consists of:

  • Completed Application Form
  • Resume
  • Artist's Statement
  • 1 or 2 paragraphs briefly outlining the artist's:
  • Motivation and Inspiration - what ideas or circumstances stimulate the artist and enliven the work.
  • Influence - what ideas or
    circumstances give the work its
    present form.
  • Process - briefly, how the work is accomplished, including discussion of any processes or elements not individually executed or produced by the artist.
  • Goals - where the work is going.
  • Five slides/digital iamges of the artisans work . Please fill out on the reverse side of the application form with image number, title, size of object, techniques used, materials used, media designation and price.
  • Supporting materials (optional) For example: press clippings, show brochures or announcements, related published writing, etc.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $25 made out to ACV valid for re-application for a period up to one year of the date of the check.
  • Self Addressed Stamped Envelope for slide/CD return.

 

 

Jury Schedule


March 1 Slides/Digital Images due

March 20 ............Request for objects

April 1 Objects due

May 1 ............Notifications


June 1 Slide/Digital Images due

June 20 ............Request for objects

July 1 Objects due

August 1 ............Notifications


September 1 Slides/Digital Images due

September 20 ............Request for objects

October 1 Objects due

November 1 ............Notifications

 

**** Please note: If the applicant is approved by the Object Jury panel and unless otherwise instructed, all work submitted for the Object Jury will be retained for sale in the gallery.

 

» Click here for Jury Application Form

 

Questions?

If you have any questions please call ACV
1-540-946-3294
E-mail: acv@ntelos.net