Why Would I Want To??

[Iguanasan]

Can anyone tell me why I would want to pay $25 to submit 5 photos to an "externally juried exhibition"?

There's a local gallery doing some kind of showing in the fall and they are looking for photographs to go along with a poem. You can find the details here: One_Art_Elizabeth_Bishop_Centenary - ViewPoint Gallery (http://viewpointgallery.weebly.com/one_art_elizabeth_bishop_centenary.html)

What I can't figure out is why I would want to do something like this. There doesn't seem to be anything in it for me other than an opportunity for people to see some of my photos. Why would I want to pay $25 for this when I can post them here or on Flickr for free and provide an opportunity for many, many more views?

[Marko]

Some people will do anything to get an exhibition including paying 25 dollars....I guess.

[Bambi]

just for the record, I did.:) I didn't realize that paying was unusual. But I thought it would be a new challenge for me.

[Iguanasan]

Was their prize money in play or just the opportunity to be seen? I guess I just don't get it... I guess if I were trying to sell my stuff it might make a difference.

[Bambi]

I guess I thought of it as a donation. Someone recommended it to me and I thought it would be. Different.

[Iguanasan]

I guess I thought of it as a donation. Someone recommended it to me and I thought it would be. Different.

Thanks, Bambi. I hope my questions didn't make you feel bad about doing it. My addled brain tells me you posted something about it when you did that but I can't remember.

PS: The Public Gardens open today!

[Andrew]

I've seen these before and while some are a cash grab by the gallery, (The entry fee would be a clue. $5 or $100) most are an attempt by a gallery to help artists get their stuff professionally evaluated and seen by the public. They are only facilitating the event and freeing up their valuable space to present it.

Unless they pick some Joe off of the street as a judge, the gallery is going to have an expense for the judges time which is about all they are going to recover at $5 - $20. The cost also keeps the size somewhat limited and hopefully aimed at some serious semi-professional photogs who have stuff worth seeing. Can you imagine how many entries they'd get if this was free? Every schmuck with what he thinks are cute pictures of his stupid cat or 2 year old eating a chocolate cake or tree in the forest would be sending them snapshots. The public wants to see really good things. The minimal fee keeps it manageable and if run properly, reoccurring.

I am a huge believer in keeping government public money out of the arts. I think the galleries doing this are providing a great service to their local community in putting these together.

Go for it Bambi and I hope you get some valuable feedback out of it. Good luck.

[Iguanasan]

That makes a lot of sense, Andrew. And from what I know of this particular gallery that's mostly like the case. I think I'll pass this time around but I may try it next time just for kicks.

And I think something was lost in translation there, Andrew, as Bambi already tried it.

How did it turn out Bambi? If you shared I don't remember which I attribute to my lack of brain power and not the interest of your story.

[Bambi]

That makes a lot of sense, Andrew. And from what I know of this particular gallery that's mostly like the case. I think I'll pass this time around but I may try it next time just for kicks.

And I think something was lost in translation there, Andrew, as Bambi already tried it.

How did it turn out Bambi? If you shared I don't remember which I attribute to my lack of brain power and not the interest of your story.

Ah, thanks Andrew, that makes sense!

Iggy- I just sent them in to that particular call. The closing is April 15 so I don't suspect I will hear yet. :) I will let you know though what happens. :)

[Iguanasan]

Ah, thanks Andrew, that makes sense!

Iggy- I just sent them in to that particular call. The closing is April 15 so I don't suspect I will hear yet. :) I will let you know though what happens. :)

Really cool! Definitely let me know how it goes. I almost did it but just wasn't ready. Hopefully, I'll remember to go see the exhibition! I'm going to love to see what you put in. -- don't tell me! :)

[Marko]

I've exhibited quite a few times and my experience is that the gallery takes a cut and you do all the work but i have never paid to show my stuff. I meant no offence by my comment. ...I'm sure as andrew suggests there are legitimate reasons. I just wanted to point out that there are hucksters out there. 25 bucks is no big deal at all.

[Bambi]

I've exhibited quite a few times and my experience is that the gallery takes a cut and you do all the work but i have never paid to show my stuff. I meant no offence by my comment. ...I'm sure as andrew suggests there are legitimate reasons. I just wanted to point out that there are hucksters out there. 25 bucks is no big deal at all.

no offence taken. :) I understood what you were saying.