About Becoming a Member

The Jury Process

All ACGA Exhibiting members have been accepted by a jury of their peers. ACGA Juries for new Exhibiting Members are held two times each year, usually in March (digital only) and in October (in-person only). We will typically jury 20 to 25 applicants at a time. The Jury consists of 5 current Exhibiting Members (jurors) with either clay or glass experience. There is no minimum or maximum number of selected new members. Over the last 5 years, roughly 25% of the applicants have been accepted as Exhibiting Members. The decisions of the Jury are final. Applicants who are not accepted may reapply for a future jury.

Criteria of Selection

The jurors use three distinct criteria as the basis for evaluation. An accepted applicant must show strength in every category:

Aesthetics:

Consideration is given to both the form and surface treatment. Is the work integrated? Does it have emotional impact and vitality?

Craftsmanship:

The work must show technical mastery and general control of the materials.

Personal Identity:

Has the applicant explored the medium enough to have developed a personal means of expression? How interesting or strong is the overall quality?

Note to artists: the artist must transform the clay or glass using heat. For example, stained glass and polymer clay are not accepted, while slumped glass, kiln fired pottery and such are. Mosaics must be made with components fired or fused by the artist. If you are unsure if your process qualifies, please contact the Jury coordinator before filling out your application.

Categories of Exhibiting Membership

Exhibiting Member

is an individual whose work has been accepted by an ACGA jury as upholding and enriching the professional and artistic quality of the Association.

Collaborative Exhibiting Member

is a team of two artists that produce one line of work that meets the same criteria as an Exhibiting Member. The team juries, exhibits and sells work together.

How to Apply

To be eligible for the Exhibiting Jury, prospective applicants must reside in California and be a current Associate Member. All prospective exhibiting members must complete the appropriate jury application form.

The jury fee:

There is a $50 non-refundable jury fee for single exhibiting members,
$60 for Collaborating Members.

The next digital jury deadline – April 1, 2020.

Prospective members will have their work evaluated from digital images.
Click the digital jury link to complete the Digital Jury Application form. In this form you will submit your basic information, upload images and other materials, and pay your jury fee and membership dues. Current members in good standing will not pay membership dues again. Please see the detailed description of required digital materials below.

The next in-person jury will be held in October 2020, date TBD, at the Palo Alto Art Center, Studio A, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Click the in-person jury link to complete the in-person Jury Application form. In this form you will submit your basic information, and pay your jury fee and membership dues. Current members in good standing will not pay membership dues again. Please see the detailed description below.

Digital Jury Requirements

Please note that the quality of your images will factor into the jury’s decision. Images should clearly show the work and be professionally presented. Be prepared to submit the following items:

• Brief description of the process
• CV or resume
• Artist statement
• Artist bio

Image specifications:

For sculptural work: total of 30 images for 10 pieces. Each artwork submitted must have 3 views, including one overall, and two alternate view or detail photos.

For all other artwork: 10 pieces, 2-3 images per artwork.

Images must be separate .jpg files – no exceptions;

• Images must be sized at a resolution of 72dpi.
• Image size should be at least 400 KB but not more than 2 MB.
• Name your image files with Your Last Name_Image #.jpg
  (For example: Smith_01.jpg, Smith_01_detail_01.jpg, Smith_01_detail_02.jpg)

Upon receipt of the application package, the applicant will be notified by email. If the upcoming jury is full, you will be placed on a waiting list to secure a spot for the next jury.

The Jury will review, discuss and jury the submitted artwork. Applicants will be notified about the results by late April.

In-Person Jury Requirements

Please note: the in-person jury will be held in October 2020, date TBD, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Palo Alto Art Center,
1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Studio A, (Painting Room)

The In-Person Jury:

You will bring your work and your work will be evaluated in person by members of the jury. Your presence is not required during the actual jurying process that will be between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm.

• Artists must bring a printed copy that includes the following:
  • • CV or resume
    • Artist statement
    • Artist bio
    • Brief description of the process

Applicant artists set up their work between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm the evening of the Jury. Come at 5 pm (not earlier) to ensure enough time to set up.

Artists may use one of the 6-foot by 30-inch tables provided to display their work. Typically 8 to 12 pieces can be displayed, depending on the scale of the work. Applicants are welcome to bring table coverings, risers and other items to enhance their display. Applicants may bring modest lighting that does not interfere with other exhibits. Setup must be complete by 7 pm. The Jury will view and discuss the exhibits from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The applicants must collect their work at 9:00 pm.

The Jury will review, discuss and jury the submitted artwork. Applicants will be notified about the results by the end of October.

Jury Coordinator – Cheryl Costantini – potters@nichibeipotters.com