Work entered in Judged/Juried and Member-Only Exhibits must be current fine art (less than 3 years old). 2D works must be no larger than 48 inches on the longest side including the frame. Works must be original creations by the artist and not created under a teacher’s instruction. Any photography that references or excerpts work of another creator must be referenced in title. Diptychs and Triptychs are accepted; the combined size of all should be no greater than 48 inches on the longest side including the space between each piece not to exceed 4 inches. For exhibition purposes, the artist must submit an image of the entire installation showing the desired layout and spacing. When submitting to a call for art, a diptych or a triptych is considered one piece of artwork. An artist may submit up to three pieces of artwork per call art and is accepted in a variety of mediums based on the specific requirements described in the Call for Entry for each judged/juried exhibit. Functional fine art is accepted on a limited basis and will be juried to the same standard as non-functional art and must reflect the individual themes of each exhibit (see more below).
Artwork shown in any previous WAA exhibits will not be accepted.
2D Artwork
2D work must be properly prepared for presentation in a manner that can be hung. Frames must be in excellent condition, glazing and mats must be clean and ready for professional presentation, check for chips and scuffs. This includes proper wiring to the frame with D-rings and in a state ready to sell. Check that wiring is not too loose to avoid hooks/nails showing at the top (above the art) when installed, and/or tipping forward off of the wall.
No saw-tooth hangers are accepted for 2d or hanging 3d work, unless cleared with the gallery.
Artworks on uncradled panels must be framed and in most cases, art on paper should be framed (behind glass/plexi or sans glass/plexi). Other means of presentation/installation are accepted for works in fiber, embroidery, textiles, paper, mixed media (unframed) depending on grommet, bar/scroll frame, magnet system (magnets provided by artist and able to nail into canvas covered walls), dowel/rod with hanging twine/string, or special installation (email or call with inquiries).
Gallery wrapped canvas or standout mounts, should be at least 1.5 inches deep with finished sides and no visible staples, with proper weight-bearing wire attached to the canvas stretcher. Art on canvas under 1.5 inches deep is encouraged to be framed for professional presentation. The gallery may accept works on canvas under 1.5 inches deep, (if the sides are finished) and the overall presentation is professional.
Wet paint will not be accepted.
WAA staff is not responsible for cleaning, wiring or touching up your artwork.
Photography printed on aluminum must either be cradled, or backed with a spacer and wired for hanging. Photography that is printed/to be exhibited in ways that are outside of the conventional (ie: origami, books, installation, large cyanotype, etc) please contact the gallery to discuss special installation possibilities or questions regarding submission/acceptance.
Please inquire if you have any questions about acceptance parameters. Pieces that do not meet our artwork presentation guidelines may not be accepted into the exhibit.
3D Artwork
Special Installations: NOTE the gallery cannot use screws in walls and may require a conversation with the Gallery Coordinator for planning before delivery date.
Artworks requiring suspension, must include all hardware to safely & securely exhibit overhead and may require Artist(s) or Artist(s) representative to assist with installation.
Sculptures must be easy enough to move by one individual. If 3D work is heavier, Artist(s) must coordinate with the gallery for lifting/installation.
Garments/Fashion Design – Artist(s) must provide their own display form/mannequin, or they may be installed on the walls if possible (at the discretion of the gallery).
Please inquire if you have any questions about acceptance parameters. Pieces that do not meet our artwork presentation guidelines may not be accepted into the exhibit.
Video Media
Artist(s) are encouraged to call or email the gallery with any questions regarding submission/presentation. All Accepted video media requires Artist(s) to provide their own equipment and aid in installation/set up. Wires must be close enough to outlets to avoid tripping hazards to the public and staff.
Written Work
Artist(s) offering written work in the form of poetry, book, essay are encouraged to submit depending upon the call for art / Juror and will be displayed at the gallery’s discretion (This may require a discussion between Artist and Gallery to coordinate proper presentation). WAA has small 8×10 frames that can be hung, pedestals/small easels for books, binders, etc.
Fine Functional Art/Craft – a limited number of functional fine art works may be accepted to judged/juried exhibits in the following categories:
Ceramics (functional pieces made by shaping and firing).
Fiber and Paper Arts (works made of fiber and/or handmade paper that are wearable, hangable, or otherwise usable).
Jewelry (produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials). Exhibition of any jewelry accepted will require coordination between artist and gallery staff for proper display and security. Jewelry mounts must be provided by the artist or the work can be included for wall installation.
Furniture or Wooden Works (hand-tooled or machine-works — turned or carved).
Special Exhibitions
WAA hosts one SMALL WORKS EXHIBIT during the year – all information will be included in the prospectus.
WAA hosts one JAM Invitational each year (a random shuffle) – the size limit per artwork is 48 inches on the longest side (unless otherwise cleared with the gallery).
All other guidelines/policies stated here apply to these exhibits. More details pertaining to these Calls / Invites are included in their prospectus.
Delivery & Pick Up, Liability, Sales, etc
Upon delivery to the gallery, all artwork(s) are assigned a number and Artist(s) must confirm all data submitted pertaining to each accepted artwork (for title cards, website, social, etc) is accurate.
WAA reserves the right to refuse entry to works that do not fit its community standards.
WAA is not liable for lost or damaged work and recommends artists have their work insured.
ALL ART MUST BE FOR SALE. “Not for Sale” (NFS) or “Price on Request” (POR) are not allowed.
All artwork currently exhibiting is listed on our website www.wickfordart.org e-commerce page ‘In The Gallery’ during exhibitions. All artwork(s) automatically moves from ‘In The Gallery’ to ‘Online Gallery’ after the close of each exhibition to continue offering the artwork for sale for 30 days, unless otherwise noted on the signout sheet at PICKUP day(s). Artwork(s) agreed for continued promotion that are sold through WAA’s marketing efforts/website/newsletters/social during that 30 day period must remain available for sale and Artist(s) must coordinate any delivery or pick up with the buyers. Commission structures remain in place during this time-period.
Entry Fees are Non-Refundable. There may be specific guidelines on each Call for Entry and Exhibit Prospectus. Review the prospectus carefully.
WAA collects a 3% processing fee before calculating the commission on works sold. Members will receive: 80% JAM members, 70% GAM members, 60% for non-members; commissions are paid 30 days within the exhibition’s completion date (monthly).
Artists accepted into a juried/judged exhibit will be notified by email within 2 weeks following the close of registration. Accepted artists are listed on our website. We recommend programming WAAexhibits@gmail.com into your email contact list so our messages do not bounce to spam/junk mail folders. Take care to enter your contact information accurately or email(s) may bounce.
Artwork(s) must be collected by the deadline specified on each exhibit webpage/prospectus. No early pick ups from exhibitions are permitted (except for the Holiday Small Works Exhibit).
WAA has limited storage space — we cannot hold onto packaging during exhibits and artwork(s) left behind risk being damaged. A $5 per day fee will be required for art left in the gallery past the specified deadline unless prior arrangements have been made with gallery staff. If not picked up within 10 days of the scheduled pickup date, artwork will become the property of WAA.