2023 “A Little Something Small Works Members Show”Guidelines / Prospectus

November 18th 2023 to January 13th 2024 in the Peg Bothner Gallery,

Tri-County Arts Council, 110 West State, Olean NY 14760

Deadline for Entry: Saturday, November 5th 5pm (this is firm)

Opening Reception: Saturday, Nov 18th 5:30-7:30pm

This year’s Award Juror is Colin Shaffer, Gallery Operations Manager, Chautauqua Institution and the Managing Director of Galleries at Jamestown Community College.
After reading the guidelines, if you have questions about the show or framing your work, please contact Exhibition Coordinator Sean Huntington at sdhuntingtonartscouncil@gmail.com.

Guidelines:

• Artists must be a member of the TCAC in good standing. If your membership will expire before February 2024 you must renew at the time of drop off.

• Artwork must be dropped off between October 21st and November 5th. We will not accept late entries. Unsold artwork must remain at the TCAC through the end of the show. The TCAC is open Tues-Fri 12-6, Sat 12-5. If you can’t drop off during business hours please call us at (716) 372-7455/info@myartscouncil.net and make arrangements for off hours delivery or shipping.

• Artists may submit up to three pieces; we will display at least one. Work must measure 12×12 inches (excluding frame) and under for 2D, 12x12x12 inches for 3D. (smaller works sell best. We recommend under 10×10 inches. Sets also sell well, so we encourage three of the same size/theme/framing style). Jewelry is welcome if you provide a display that measures under 12 inches tall. Jewelry can also be framed shadow box style for hanging.

• All work must be for sale. This is a fundraiser for the TCAC. Customers may begin to pick up work beginning December 1st, so we may ask you for a “restock” if you sell out. The TCAC will take a 30% commission on all sales. The TCAC will be sending out checks at the conclusion of the show. Price your pieces accordingly.

• All media are welcome. NO REPRODUCTIONS! This is an originals only show

*limited edition photography/digital art prints (if you are working in digital media) and print-making such as woodblock prints are welcome.

• Work must be ready to hang or display. 2D work must be wired with D-Ring style hangers (not eyelets). (don’t just install two D-Rings-this makes hanging very difficult-add that wire!) Please avoid saw tooth hangers if possible. If you use sawtooth hangers, they must be attached to the frame firmly, not onto a cardboard backing (they fall off and we’ve had pieces damaged).

• We recommend framing your pieces. Unframed canvases should have their edges finished. We recommend canvases be at least 1 1/2 inches deep for a professional look.

(this is to help you sell your piece. “Finished” work sells best)

Due to the huge number of entries we receive, we will be rejecting pieces not ready to hang (this includes dirty or damaged frames, missing hanging hardware etc)

See attached framing resource list for affordable framing options

• All work must be labeled on the back (on a piece of painters tape is fine) with your name and title.

*We also recommend artists put their contact information/ business card on the back (This show is about promoting YOU and your work).

• Please label any boxes/cartons that you brought the work in with your name and contact info if you want them returned.
• Artists must pick up their unsold work by Saturday, February 10th 2024.

Any pieces left after February 10th, 2024 will become the property of the Tri-County Arts Council. We’ll give you a receipt and it will go into the auction.

• Loss and Damages: The Tri-County Arts Council will not be insuring work for the “A Little Something” show. By signing the inventory form, you agree to not hold the TCAC liable for any damages incurred while in our possession, and that you agree to all terms and conditions above.

• Awards

We are giving out awards in two categories, Amateur and Professional. (this includes 2-d and 3-d work in all media)

The awards are as follows:

Best in Show: $100 plus a year’s Artisan Membership (this allows you to sell in the TCAC Artisan Market)

Best Professional: $50 plus a year’s Artisan Membership

Honorable Mention Professional: $20 plus a year’s Artisan Membership

            Best Amateur: $50 plus a year’s Artisan Membership

            Honorable Mention Amateur:$20 plus a year’s Artisan Membership

            People’s Choice (juried by vote): A year’s Artisan Membership

Thank you for being part of the Tri-County Arts Council!

 Framing Tips and Resources
There isn’t a need to spend a fortune on your supplies and framing!

Work in standard sizes! 6×6, 5×7, 8×10, 9×12, 11×14 etc. This makes matting and framing so much cheaper. Buy bulk if possible.

 
General Art and some framing Supplies:

https://www.dickblick.com/  https://www.jerrysartarama.com/  https://www.cheapjoes.com/

Mats and backing boards

Use a mat that fits your piece. It needs to cover the entire edge of the painting/drawing. No gaps. The mat should be an inch wide at least on all sides for really small pieces like a 6×6” and 1 ½ inches or bigger for bigger pieces like 8×10 inch paintings or drawings.

*make sure what you use is acid free or ph buffered mats

Local mat cutting-we highly recommend

Citizen Printing House 99 West Main St., Allegany, NY 14706  716-373-1117

citizenprinting@gmail.com

Bulk pre-cut mats online: https://goldenstateart.com/, Clearbags.com,

Taping your work to the mat

When attaching your work to a mat, we recommend Linco Self Adhesive Hinge Tape-you can get it at any art supply place or amazon. Acid free tape for scrapbooking can also work. Don’t use masking tape, painters tape, duct tape, or any other non art tape.  Here’s a youtube on attaching your art to a mat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF372oZv8Qw

Frames:

www.eframe.net, Blick, Michael’s ,https://www.frameusa.com/

Many more online. Often Michael’s will have frames on sale in store.

USE D-RINGS and WIRE (don’t just use D Rings, It makes hanging difficult. Wire them!)

D-rings are available at any hardware store. Screw them about a quarter of the way down the frame. Don’t use screw in eyelets- they don’t hold and stick too far out. Saw Tooth hangers have some applications, but you need to get quality ones that firmly attach to the frame with screws. If your frame comes with a cardboard backer with the eyelets already attached, please don’t use them. Add d-rings and wire.

Here’s a Youtube how to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlnEfbB2esk
Please, we want you to be successful, so if you have questions contact Sean Huntington at sdhuntingtonartscouncil@gmail.com.