Comments on: Showing Your Work

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 07:58:32 +0000

Congratulations!!! I love Ammonite Dream and thrilled that it was accepted. I don’t enter shows. I am a learner. I create because it makes me happy and learning makes me happy. I think entering shows would add a pressure that I am not excited about adding to my life right now. I applaud those who enter shows, but it just isn’t for me.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 01:24:09 +0000

I have been trying to enter at least a few big shows every year, but do find the shipping and entry fees a bit much at times. I have also entered a number of touring exhibits, but am beginning to not want to wait the three years or so for a piece to return to me. I think that my focus now will be more on finding local opportunities for exhibiting.

Congrats on getting into the Raleigh Fine Art Society show!

By: Sheila

Sheila — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:26:36 +0000

Congratulations! No matter how many times we see that word, “congratulations” it’s always a thrill. I used to enter every show I heard about, because I wanted to get out there. Now I’m more selective. I always enter the LaConner Quilt Museum Quilt Fest, and (knock on wood) so far my Pacific Northwest themed quilts have always gotten that show and once got a prize. I also always enter Westcoast Wonders because my quilts fit the theme, and it’s a small traveling exhibit sponsored by Quilt Inc. that goes to Houston, Long Beach and a few other venues. I don’t usually enter SAQA shows because the themes are often out of my interest range, and the costs are too high. I mentally set $20 as my top entrance fee unless it is a show I really want to be in. I’ve been in a few group art gallery shows and public-spaces exhibits featuring themes of wildlife or public lands. Mostly I want to be in my studio cutting/painting/dying/stitching trying to figure out how to translate the image I have in my head into fabric. Lyric, periodically I look at your list of calls for entry, or the general calls for entry on the SAQA site, but I’m not obsessed with it like I used to be.

By: Regina B Dunn

Regina B Dunn — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:53:40 +0000

I’ve been making art quilts for about 12 years trying out all sorts of techniques and styles. I think I’ve finally found my voice. So far I’ve only entered SAQA calls for entry and got accepted to one of them. Now that I have some more confidence, I’m going to branch out and enter more shows. I do hate deadlines. I do hate the process of entering shows. But so be it.

By: Jeanne Marklin

Jeanne Marklin — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:17:18 +0000

Lyric, I have come to the same conclusion as you. I feel like the entry fee and shipping costs are giving money away, so I only enter shows in venues that make me feel very proud to have my work accepted. It does help to spur the economy, but I’d rather have something to show for it. I could be buying art with that money!
Congratulations on your acceptance – that venue is impressive.

By: Mary Ritter

Mary Ritter — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:41:36 +0000

Congratulations! I plan to get myself down there to see their exhibition when it is open. I didn’t even realize they had exhibitions there.

I am still playing it safe and entering “quilt” shows mostly instead of “art” shows. I will enter the PAQA Whimsy Show at the end of the month, (locally displayed, but international exhibitors) with the show to follow in April. I will be excited to make it into that one. I’ve been accepted into the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festical with the show at the end of February…. both art quilts were accepted, as well as another art panel which is a part of a group exhibit. It is new for me just to apply, but I agree with Teresita… it keeps me motivated and trying to improve my skills and exercises my design efforts. Congrats again!

By: Julie Beard

Julie Beard — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:04:26 +0000

Hello Lyric, Congratulations in getting accepted to the show. My only wish is to be able to see your finished quilt at some stage, regardless of whether you win or not. I think you have already won as you have got your feet in the door now the trick is to keep it there! I hope your quilt really does very well.

I have never put a quilt in a show yet as I consider my self still too young in quilting and sewing maybe in a couple of years. My class teacher already thinks I make lovely blocks and other things now to get a quilt finished that I’m really happy with. I have only been quilting and sewing just on five years I am close but still feel a little bit not confident enough. I’m going to try and see if I can show you some of my work. I would love your feed back if you could find a few minutes in your busy schedule. Congrats again Julie Beard http://www.julie714@adam.com.au

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:38:05 +0000

Congrats on the acceptance! I really enjoyed your piece a while back on submitting to quilt shows vs fine art shows. I just had my first acceptance into an international show where I haven’t a prayer of winning anything, and am considering all the packing/shipping/expense, so I see how you got tired of it! But your show in Raleigh sounds grand!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:34:48 +0000

Hey there- congrats on the fat envelope! I am a lurker on your blog, and enjoy your posts a lot. I enter occasional shows and got an acceptance email recently as well! The thing I am constantly applying to, and I joke, I receive my annual rejection letter, is a residency. I mix it up- sometimes MacDowell, sometimes, Yaddo….. Never accepted, but I keep trying!

By: Christina in Cleveland

Christina in Cleveland — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:48:09 +0000

Lyric, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Say it to yourself too! 😀 Wonderful news and I am thrilled with and for you!!!