5th Annual “A Little Something Small Works Members Show” 2024 Guidelines / Prospectus

November 15th 2024 to January 11th 2025 in the Peg Bothner Gallery, Tri-County Arts Council, 110 West State, Olean NY 14760

Opening Reception: Friday, November 15th 5-8pm

-Deadline for Entry: Sunday, October 19th 5pm (this is firm)

-Drop off artwork October 2 through October 19th at the TCAC 

110 W State Street, Olean, NY 14760
TCAC hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4

5th Annual “A Little Something Small Works Members Show” 2024 Guidelines / Prospectus

November 15th 2024 to January 11th 2025 in the Peg Bothner Gallery, Tri-County Arts Council, 110 West State, Olean NY 14760

Opening Reception: Friday, November 15th 5-8pm

-Deadline for Entry: Sunday, October 19th 5pm (this is firm)

-Drop off artwork October 2 through October 19th at the TCAC 

110 W State Street, Olean, NY 14760
Wed, Thurs, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4

*New this year, you can also drop off your art in Chautauqua and Allegany Counties!

Allegany:  Saturday, October 12th from 11-3
                       Palmer Opera House
                       12 W Main St, Cuba, NY 14727

Chautauqua: Sunday, October 13th from 12-4                       
                       Pearl City Clay House 220
                       E 2nd St, Jamestown, NY 14701

(if you miss these dates, you can still drop off your artwork at the TCAC in Olean by October 19th)

General Guidelines:

Please make sure your pieces are wrapped and ready for transport! The TCAC is not responsible for damage to unprotected work!
*You will need to pick up any unsold artwork in Olean after the show.

  • Artists must be a member of the TCAC in good standing. If your membership will expire before February 1, 2025 you must renew at the time of drop off. Please contact the TCAC at (716) 372-7455 or info@myartscouncil.com if you need to check your membership status
  • Artwork must be dropped off between October 2nd and October 19th. We will not accept late entries. Unsold artwork must remain at the TCAC through the end of the show. The TCAC is open Wednesday – Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-4. 

If you can’t drop off during business hours please contact us at (716) 372-7455 or info@myartscouncil.net and make arrangements for off hours delivery or shipping.

  • All work must be for sale. This is a fundraiser for the TCAC. Customers may begin to pick up work beginning November 30th, 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 work must be labeled on the back/bottom (on a piece of painters tape is fine) with your name and title. Don’t use a post it note, they come off!

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

  • Wrap your pieces! Even a bag will 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 in Olean by Saturday, February 8th 2025. 
  • Any pieces left after February 8th, 2025 will become the property of the Tri-County Arts Council unless late pickup arrangements are made. We’ll give you a receipt and it will go into the auction. 
  • Artist Marketing Materials: Optional, please give us 10-15 REGULAR SIZED business cards. We will put them in a binder with the artist’s statements. DO NOT give us postcards or other materials to be hung/displayed with your work. Do not bring them to the show and leave them by your work. They will be thrown away. There isn’t room, and it makes the gallery look cluttered. Sorry. 
  • Loss and Damages: The Tri-County Arts Council is not responsible for minor wear and tear, damage incurred during transport for pieces not properly wrapped, or for damage from insufficiently strong/stable artist supplied stands.

Artwork Guidelines (Framing and Size requirements)
Artists may submit up to three pieces; *we will display at least one (if you have followed our guidelines). 

  • Work must measure 12×12 inches or smaller (frames must not be larger than 16×16”) or 12x12x12 inches or smaller for 3D. If your 3D piece requires a stand, you must supply it. Please make sure it can hold your piece and can hold up to being in a show for three months. Smaller works sell best. Sets sell well, so we encourage three of the same size/theme/framing style. Please avoid giving us horizontal triptychs. They are a pain to hang and don’t sell well. Vertical triptychs (sets of three) sell and display much better! Jewelry is welcome if you provide a display that measures under 12 inches tall. Jewelry can also be framed shadow box style for hanging. 

We reserve the right to reject any artwork.
All media are welcome, except A.I. Based Art.
-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. No A.I modified images please.

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!) If you use sawtooth hangers, they must be attached to the frame firmly with nails or screws, and 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. Any matting must be the correct size for the piece -no gaps.

(this is to help you sell your piece. “Finished” work sells best) *See the framing tips page.

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

*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

Awards 

We are giving out awards in two categories, Amateur and Professional. (this includes 2-d and 3-d work in all media) *If your art makes a substantial portion of your income, you teach art, or you treat it as a job (even a part time job), congratulations! You’re a professional artist. 

The 2024 Juror is Evelyn Penman, Assistant Director and Senior Curator of the Regina A Quick Center for the Arts Saint Bonaventure University

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