Show overviews
 

I wonder if someone experienced can provide some overview of some of these bigger shows. There is always more to a show than the board of directors, which it seems, there are many of the same folks on the different boards.

For example; how many works get accepted usually to these shows? Who actually judges?

Dear Tim,

Although I have never been a selected artist for either of the two big ones, The American Society of Portrait Artists, and the Portrait Society of America, I watch them each year with great interest. It seems that they generally take about ten paintings in as finalists, although I believe one of the organizations took 20 last year.

These are excellent competitions with really wonderful entries and winners. I am unsure of the number of entrants but you would guess that most of the attendeesa at the conference have entered...and that would run several hundred.

The difiiculty with many of the competitions is that it is so costly to compete, many of the organization members are unable to have the opportunity to have their work judged. In some cases, you are only eligible to enter (approx $30-$50 range) if you are also a paid attendee, ($300 + range) and you will not be notified until after the cancellation penalty date. To attend means also air or other transportation, hotel and meals for 3-4 days.

I have only been fortunate enough to actually attend one of the meetings, and I can't overstate how valuable it was to me. I have at least been able to enter a couple of times, but for me to travel from Arizona is a minimum $1000 weekend. Of course I would be thrilled to write the check if I were a selected artist, but the $350 or so price tag, just to enter, isn't one that I can afford on a regular basis.

It would be wonderful if they were to offer some type of competition that was more financially accessible to the memberships.

Kindest regards,
Chris

Thanks Chris, I too, would have to fly some distance to either show. Do I understand that you must pay for the whole deal and attend to even send in slides? It would be neat to decide to attend after you learn of being accepted into the show. Is that not possible?

I'm hustling to finish the painting for PSA's deadline now; Feb. 28th. I'd like to attend some of the events, like the trip to Brandywine, but not all.

Dear Tim,

You have to read everything carefully in the prospectuses, but the finalists would always be notified in advance of the event, so that they could send the paintings. If you are a finalist, though, you usually are required to be registered and in attendance in order to win.

The financial difficulty comes in when the finalists are not notified until after the registration refund or cancellation deadline has already passed.

I am sure you will love the PSA event. I also think you should try to attend all that you can, as the speakers are likely to be energizing and inspirational, and you will meet some wonderful painters.

It would be great to hear of past finalists' experiences, to know whether and how their work and/or careers have been affected by winning these competitions.

Good luck!

Chris

Dear Tim,

I am now reviewing the New York Society of Portrait Artists' competition, (associated with the ASOPA) and see that they have made this competition open to all ASOPA members without fees (and have made it easy to join ASOPA at the same time)!

Thanks ASOPA and NYSOPA!
Chris

I innocently (really) entered one year without registering for the conference. I've noticed it's now rule number one: "must be registered to enter".

I'm going to PSA this year and will give a full report back if it's worth the expense. ;)

The following is a copy of the correspondence I had with the contact at "Portrait Society" regarding attendance in Philadelphia:


(I write)

Do I understand that, if I submit an entry for the 2002 portrait competition, I must be registered and in attendance in Philadelphia in order for my work to be considered? Or, must I register and show up with my work only if I was selected as a finalist? I would hope that it is the later.

(she responds)

It is the later. You may submit up to three slides, if you are chosen as a finalists, then you must be registered and in attendance with your original work to win.

Thanks.
Christine
Portrait Society

My mistake. I looked at the form again and saw that it said "must be registered and in attendence to WIN" rather than ENTER.

My interpretation got skewed due to the call I received after I entered. Christine "noticed I wasn't registered". In hindsight, she was probably just trying to double check and see if I was interested in attending.

Thanks for the correction Mike.