| How Do You Feel About Having Non-artists on Juries? |
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| compiled by Kirsten Coughlin | |||
WHAT'S YOUR OPINION? |
| Each month, The Crafts Report invites readers to respond to the Public Opinion question. Responses are published in the magazine.
The question for the September 1998 issue is: Do you think your work is misunderstood because it is labeled "craft" and not "art"? Should the name be changed? Please respond by July 19, 1998. Send responses to:
The Crafts Report, 300 Water St., Wilmington, DE 19801 Fax: (302) 656-4894 E-mail: publicopinion@craftsreport.com |
Non-artists on juries? Sure! As a jeweler, I am delighted to see gallery owners participate. For a contemporary craft gallery to thrive in today's marketplace, the owner must constantly educate him/herself on the fundamentals of craft as well as the latest cutting-edge techniques. An experienced and professional gallery owner can bring a depth of knowledge and a sense of style to the jury process.
Loretta Anne I don't necessarily think artists have to be on juries. People who are familiar with artwork -- curators, promoters, teachers -- should be on juries as long as they can gauge the quality of the work. I think having these people on juries is great! It's healthy to get non-artists as jurors; they have a general overview of different media.
Sometimes you might be better off not having artists on the jury. Artists can sometimes be too critical of someone else's work; especially work in a medium other than their own.
Ernie Memmo How do I feel about having non-artists on juries? What do I want from an acceptance? Well, first, the questions I ask myself when reviewing a show application are: Will my work sell well at this show? Will show rules be respected? Will acceptance to this show validate my work?
Theoretically, artists who jury can spot superior craftsmanship and commercial component assembly in their area of expertise. Show promoters who jury can select and balance the show for specific markets and good sales. Art administrators, especially experienced ones, can validate your work within the field and in the market by accepting you to a show.
We all know that artists can also fail craftspeople in obscure craft categories, that promoters can panic over their bottom line and admit junk, and that art administrators can reject good craftsmanship in favor of a design that may not be functional. For my jury fee, I like to at least have a guess as to what is going on. I just have to assume that no one jury can answer all my questions, even a mixed jury of artists, administrators and market experts.
Even a little information is valuable to me. Promoters who give a profile of each jury member and tell how many spots are available in my category have my respect. Promoters who are able to give me a jury review of my work, especially if I'm rejected, are gods.
Ieva Swanson Why not have non-artists on juries? That is, as long as they are qualified to determine the quality of work. I guess the term 'qualified' is relative; one craft artist may think a certain person is a qualified juror, while another craft artist may not. I think those with extensive experience in the crafts field, such as gallery owners, promoters, curators, etc., can bring insight to the panel [of jurors] that otherwise might be lost.
Jeff Simone A juror should be well-educated and knowledgeable of all crafts. I don't have a preference whether or not this person is an artist, a teacher or a show promoter. As long as they are qualified professionals, should it really matter?
Kathy Scott Kirsten Coughlin is editorial assistant of The Crafts Report.
AAZURE Studio
Albany, New York
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Ieva's Ideas
Somerville, Massachusetts
Orlando, Florida
Los Angeles, California
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