May is high anxiety time at the Woodson Art Museum. This is
true not only for staff, but also for the close to 600 artists who submit
artwork for consideration for the Museum’s Birds in Art exhibition.
Like college acceptance letters of years past, the Museum
formerly notified artists via the happy, big envelope versus the sad, small
one.
Now, the Museum takes advantage of the efficiency and
affordability of email communication. The many pluses are obvious; I’ll comment
on the downside as well as on the seriousness with which we undertake the jury
process and all communication with artists, whether by phone, email, snail
mail, or social media.
Submitting your artwork – and by extension, yourself – to
scrutiny, whether for an art exhibition or college admission, requires courage
and confidence as well as humility and humor (always a good antidote).
The notion of “rejection” is counter to all we strive for.
Perhaps that’s why colleges now “deny” applicants rather than rejecting them.
Regardless of the word we use, the message and result are the same and that’s
not what anyone wants to hear.
Previously, I wrote notes on Birds in Art notification letters – on both acceptances and
rejections. While time consuming – and at times heart wrenching – it also was
cathartic as it gave me an opportunity to convey a personal thank you along
with words of encouragement, because we truly want to see everyone succeed.
Although these hand-written notes are no more, the
commitment of the jurors to do their best work and the subsequent attention to
detail by Museum staff remain Birds in
Art hallmarks.
Imagine willingly agreeing to spend seven or so hours in a
dark gallery looking at close to 1,000 projected digital images. Three Birds in Art jurors – different museum
and art world colleagues each year – typically travel considerable distances
and enthusiastically take on the challenge and responsibility associated with
sorting and scoring artworks. It’s a long day and also an exhilarating one.
With the 2012 jurors’ work now done, the list of artists included in this year’s exhibition can be viewed here.
If you received the small email message, take heart and
remain steadfast in your determination to make art. If you received the big email
message, pat yourself on the back, pay it forward by encouraging your peers and
students, and participate fully to make the most of your Birds in Art experience.
When birds of a feather flock together, everyone benefits!
Well said Kathy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim. Greatly appreciated. Not easy to convey the emotions . . . the joys and the angst. We truly are all in this together.
ReplyDeleteVery nice indeed Kathy. Sometimes a "rejection" is that gentle push to work harder for next year!
ReplyDeleteLike Kelly Clarkson sings, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....." An artist feels that they put a part of their soul into their work, so when their work gets rejected, they feel as if a little piece of their soul dies with it. Luckily, it is only a little piece that is gone, and the rest gets stronger, trying new techniques, mediums, and concepts. I push myself even harder when I get a rejection notice. I hope I never stop growing as an artist, but these set-backs are just part of the process. Back to the easel......
ReplyDeleteNice letter, Kathy. My six works were "denied" my first three years. I remember feeling distinctly that those pieces deserved to have been rejected; it made me realize just how high the BIA bar was, and challenged me that much harder. Win, lose or draw, no artist should look at their "denial" as a complete loss. That would be innacurate. Conversely, I believe an "acceptance" must be kept in perspective, as well. Birds in Art is worth continuing to strive for excellence.
ReplyDeleteI think you have to be a little careful here.
ReplyDeleteI have seen great art not accepted here.
Careful you don't appear patronizing.
I realize you mean well but to imply that artists should try harder is a bit of a slap in the face.
These comments touch my heart and I thank you all for the spirited feedback. Our weekly blog posts come to life with dialogue. I do want to clarify my use of "words of encouragement" and be clear that I would never suggest that an artist -- or anyone -- work harder; that's a personal decision. There is no question that many -- and I mean MANY -- superb artworks fall below the cut-off score each year. There simply is insufficient gallery space as well as insufficient funding to ship, insure, and publish all the truly worthy artworks. To say that a superb second exhibition could be organized with those artworks just below the cut-off score is not an exaggeration. I see myself as an untiring champion of artists; I would never want that passion to be interpreted as patronizing.
ReplyDelete