Specific terms and conditions of a venue. It’s a chore filling in an application but it’s a wasted chore if your work is rejected immediately because you haven’t read the terms and conditions of the venue. These vary from exhibition to exhibition so always read them before you apply. For example, when we used to exhibit at Beaulieu there was a specific requirement that only sculptures of native animals would be accepted. If you submitted an elephant or a cheetah, they were automatically rejected. At the Savill Garden no sculpture can be suspended or fixed from trees, and they will not allow royal themes (being part of The Crown Estate). Yet despite this being in the specific terms and conditions, we still receive inappropriate applications every year.
Variety. We try to offer a varied selection of sculptures at each of our venues so that there is always something fresh. Check that your work is different each year. A piece very similar to the one you exhibited previously, for example, work in a series may end up being rejected because the selectors have seen similar work several times.
Bad luck. Some years we find there are just too many dogs or cats or owls or stone carvings etc. Unfortunately, you have no way of knowing in advance what the other entries are like. This gives the selection panel a real headache as they are forced to choose between several wonderful but similar pieces. Try to enter two or more very different pieces to give the selection panel the greatest scope to select a piece of your work.
Controversy and politics. Some venues will be aware that political or overtly religious subjects may alienate some of their customers. Think about how this might affect your work’s success in being placed in a particular venue.
Resubmit. Selection panels are made up of people with different tastes and style preferences. A piece that was rejected at a particular venue one year may well find it accepted the following year. Do check against all the reasons I have given above to make sure your work is appropriate!
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Shoreline Bubble- Claire Fulleylove
Marmalade Cat- Teresa Martin
I hope you have found this helpful. Please remember that every single one of us has faced a rejection. I know it is such a slap in the face, but like The Reject I told you about at the beginning of this piece, try again, and don’t be dismayed.