Jury Process
14 South Artists Jury Process
We pride ourselves in recognizing artistic talent, supporting our fellow artists, and strengthening the arts community in south central Wisconsin.
Benefits of Being a Juried Member
- All artists join 14 South Artists, Inc. as Associate Members.
- Members of 14 South Artists who wish to display and sell their artwork at events sponsored by 14 South Artists must become Juried Members. (Being a Juried Member of 14 South Artists provides benefits for participation in 14 South Artists events, not events sponsored by other organizations.)
- Members must apply and go through the jury process separately for each medium they would like to display and sell at 14 South Artist events.
How to Apply to Become a Juried Member
- All artwork submitted to jury must be FINISHED/ready for display or sale.
- Jury Events will typically be held quarterly, in the evening, in the Fitchburg/Oregon area.
- At least two weeks prior to the jury event submit 4-6 digital images (photos) of your work for each medium in which you intend to exhibit. If you have a photo of a booth/gallery display, please submit that photo, too. Your photos should be submitted as digital images (300 DPI/jpg format).
- Once your photos are received, you will be notified of details of the upcoming jury event.
Jury Event
- The jury event is held at a community meeting room or an artist’s studio. There are usually 3-6 artists participating in the event.
- In the exhibit room, a table will be available for each artist. Your display of 4-6 examples of your work should be similar to an art fair or gallery set-up.
- After setting up your work each artist will be asked to give a brief (3-5 minute) presentation about their art and art design/creation process. Jury Members will have the opportunity to ask questions about the artist’s inspiration, materials, and process after each artist’s presentation.
- Following all the presentations, artists will be asked to leave the exhibit room while the Jury Committee discusses the artwork.
- All artists then will be invited back to the exhibit room for brief concluding remarks by the Jury Committee and artists will collect their work.
- The Jury Committee chairperson will notify each artist of the Jury Committee’s decision and provide written feedback within 2 weeks of the jury event.
Jury Criteria & Categories
The Jury Committee judges the quality of art of the body of work the artist presents based on 3 criteria:
Criterion 1: Originality / Creativity
- Interesting to look at – artwork attracts and holds the viewer’s attention
- Creatively different than other artists using this medium
- Portrays an original and unique artistic vision
- Artwork has visual distinction, either with style, subject matter, or handling
Criterion 2: Composition / Design
- Composition has integrity – consideration of balance, edges, and points of interest
- Design elements work together as individual parts, as well as a “big picture”
- The work reflects an understanding of how the eye is led by design, flow, and activation of work
- Artist comprehends how color choice, value, depth, and light will affect the subject matter
- Sound craftsmanship is detected—a finished piece of art that will last
- Artist demonstrates an understanding of the medium and utilizes quality art materials
- Skillful application, use, and combination of materials
- Artwork reflects a direct, confident, and experienced look
The Committee uses a 1-5 rating scale for each of the 3 criteria. The scores of the Jury Members will be totaled and averaged to determine the overall score. To become a Juried Member an artist must have an average overall score of 10 points (out of a possible 15 points). The Jury Committee will provide written constructive feedback about the body of work.
In addition to the overall score for quality of the art, artists will receive a score for Presentation.
- Artwork is presented in a finished, professional form, ready to be displayed or sold
- Attractive setting or display adds to the finished work
- Artistic challenge of the work captivates the observer
- Thoughtful presentation of artwork that reflects artist’s style
Guidelines for Evaluating Artwork
Rating
Originality and Creativity
Composition and Design
Technical Skill / Difficulty
Presentation
1
Artwork is common, unoriginal,
or uses an obvious pattern or
mold. (I’ve seen too much of
this.)
Uninteresting to look at;
elements or colors clash. Work
contains major distractions in the
design, such as out-of-place
elements.
Minimal skill level, flaws in final
product that detract, poor control
of medium.
Not presented in finished form. Display elements distract from work, poor presentation.
2
Art is a slight variation of frequently seen artwork (I’ve seen a fair amount of this).
Doesn’t catch viewer’s attention. Elements or colors are boring, too centered, don’t lead the eye.
Basic Skill level in use of medium, minor imperfections detract from completed work.
Presented in finished form;
display elements neither add nor
detract from the art.
3
Some originality, an unconventional use of common themes, materials, or molds. (I’ve seen this before, but this work is done in an interesting way.)
Catches attention but doesn’t hold it for very long or it takes a while to be drawn in. Minor distractions with some elements.
Moderate skill level in use of medium, imperfections are minor and do not detract from the final product. Good control of medium.
Finished form, attractive display,
reasonable presentation.
4
Original creative idea, unique materials, themes, or molds. Interesting to look at. (I’ve not seen this before.)
Catches viewer’s attention and
draws viewer in to examine it
more closely. Good use of color
and design to lead viewer’s eye.
Respectable skill level, good
control and some experimentation
with medium, utilizes difficult
techniques, no imperfections.
Attractive display, finished form, attractive presentation.
5
Artwork is exceptional, unique, and has a “wow” factor. (I want to see more of this.)
Intriguing and captivating. Creates fluid eye movement for observer, exceptional color and design.
Excellent skill and control of medium, flawless final product, utilizes complex, challenging techniques. Demonstrates creative use of medium and utilizes high quality materials.
Professional-looking finished artwork, exceptional setting, display elements add to the finished work.