I got my very first official rejection to a juried art show today. Here’s a snippet from the letter:
“I am sorry to say that your work was not selected for inclusion. We received over 140 entries from 51 artists from all around the United States, and 50 artworks were juried into the exhibition.”
I wrote about the entry process in my blog Paper Art :: Rising to the Occasion. I had every confidence that my altered books would be selected. So when I got my rejection form letter I was surprised and disappointed.
I understand that rejection letters are usually terse and unrevealing, but I sure wish I could find out why my books weren’t accepted. Was it the quality of the work? The photography of the work? Did I botch the entry form? I have no clue. I don’t mind failures if I can learn and grow from them, so this lack of input really irks and irritates me, especially since I spent $30 to be rejected. Feels pretty stupid. Am I bitter? No, I’m not bitter. After all, 90 other pieces of art were rejected too, so I’m probably in pretty good company. I look forward to the online exhibit that’s going to be posted in September. I’ll post a link to it at that time.
I have two more applications in transit right now. I will remain positive. I will keep working and making my art and getting better and better.
I am sorry your book wasn’t chosen. I hope you’re able to inquire and find out why. Good luck with the other two applications out now! 🙂
I got my first rejection letter this year too. When I went to the show I didn’t think that my work was worthy of rejection compared to some of the stuff that was accepted…but I did notice a theme. The work they’d chosen over me was very cutesy and “current” (read here today, gone tomorrow). I could understand how my work didn’t fit into that theme, but it also didn’t fit into any of the traditional categories either (I chose mixed media, but in retrospect I should have picked textiles).
None of that is exactly a consolation though. And I *totally* agree that it would be nice to know why you were rejected….even if it was just a series of tick boxes that said:
[ x ] too many in your category
[ x ] poor photography
[ ] etc?
karen, i love all your altered books..everyone of them are beautiful!!!
i am curious though; how do you have such neat gutters? i am doing my first board book using your info to guide me..my gutters are the worst..i thought i read something in your pages about some kind of tape for them, but i am not sure..coud you let me know when you hapve time..my address is
carolfuller60@msn.com..thank you.
Karen,
I cannot believe that any of your art work/altered books were rejected. This truly proves how subjective a thing art is. Your work is stunning, original, vibrant, creative. It has verve!
Is that a word? I think it is. Anyway, don’t give up. You have cheerleaders. Go, go, go.
I’m so impressed with your website. I wish I had one inkling as to how to start something this fascinatingly creative.
I’m am what I call a “baby artist” and a teacher and writer as well. Your poetry is exquisite; how you weave it into your art pages is an intuitive gift.
Thank you for your blog and your website.
I have a little blog on writing
at http://www.theword-spunjourney.blogspot.com if you’d like to visit anytime.
I’m waiting for your newsletter.
Many blessings,
Karen
Karen Stewart Shelnutt
kshelnutt1@aol.com
I think you are the most amazing and talented artist I have seen! I’m sorry you weren’t chosen, but if I were on the committee I would have chosen you to head up the whole show, not just to submit your work. I just love your site and I think your creativity and follow through to creation are exceptional! Keep working. What do they know? Nobody appreciates most great artists until after they are dead. Right?
Dear Karen
I would like to comment about your beautiful tribute to your mother. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I am a newcomer to altered books having just finished my very first one. Isn’t it a wonderful idea. Unfortunately I did all the wrong things in this effort but what an amazing learning experience for me. Of course my friends and family think it is “intersting” and have very little comment other than that, but I love the whole idea and expect to go on from strength to strength. I have already started my second book! And what’s more, you inspired me to look for found poems – in the text of the book I am altering. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. And what a lovely daughter you are.
Betty