Prospectus
10th Annual International Exhibition of Scratchboard 2021
Steve Wilson Studio and “The Gallery”
4452 Queen St.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2E 2L3
Canada
Entry Deadline: July 1, 2021
Notification by July 16th, 2021
Exhibition dates: September 6th – October 30th, 2021
Show Opening Reception: Friday, September 10th 2PM – 5pm
Demonstrations/Presentations: September 11-12th
Submit Entries Online at: OnlineJuriedShows.com
Exhibition Directed Contact Information:
Margaret Pardy – exhibition@scratchboard.org
*COVID Notes: Covid safety protocol will be in effect according to local and federal regulations, subject to change as the dates come closer, and the pandemic comes under control. We are hoping that the Canada/ US border will be open by the date of the show. Those planning to attend from outside Canada should anticipate that International travel may require proof of vaccination to enter the country. Participation in ISSA Conference in-person events will require a signed COVID waiver.
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The 10th annual International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA) exhibition is an international art competition dedicated to presenting scratchboard art as a fine art medium. This competition allows Active, Signature and Master members of ISSA the opportunity to exhibit their work and compete with other artists working in the same medium, as well as having their work seen by the public in a high-quality venue. At least $7500 in cash prizes will be awarded!
Persons not following the rules laid out in this prospectus will have their work excluded without further consideration. Please read it over carefully!
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Definition of Scratchboard Art: (Revised 5/24/20)
The Scratchboard technique is a two-dimensional, subtractive process. It involves the use of abrasive tools to directly remove a surface layer of one value (typically dark) to expose a second layer of a contrasting value (typically white). The values within the artwork are predominantly achieved by varying the amount of surface layer that has been scratched away or left. The texture and form of all key compositional elements within the artwork must be created by subtractive removal, not exclusively by the addition of paint or ink. Reapplying transparent mediums over the scratching is permissible, but the underlying scratches must remain visible. Works may be colour or black and white.
NOTE: If you are unsure if your work will qualify by this definition please e-mail an image to exhibition@scratchboardsociety.org (must be submitted a minimum of 10 days before the show entry deadline) before submitting your entry. The ISSA board of directors shall make a ruling on its eligibility (this ruling will not guarantee inclusion in the show, only whether the board feels it meets or does not meet the definition of Scratchboard, as defined above.).
Eligibility:
This contest is open to scratchboard artwork only but may include any subject matter or style. The exhibition is only open to Active, Signature and Master Members of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists in good standing. All artworks must be original work executed by the submitting artist and any works based on outside photographs must have the photographer’s written permission before entering that work. Works completed in workshops, from a kit or pattern, are not eligible. Submitted works must have been completed in the past 3 years. Works submitted and accepted to a prior ISSA show are not eligible to be submitted again. Works not accepted in previous year shows may be resubmitted.
All selected works are expected to be framed in a professional, gallery-quality manner. No metal frames. Works that are matted must be behind glass or plexi-glass. Float frames where the artwork is extending beyond the depth of the frame may be excluded. Take pride in your work and set it off with high quality framing! Poor quality framing may result in your work being excluded from the show.
Works must be equipped with hanging wire; no saw tooth hangers. Works may be behind plexi-glass, glass, or framed without cover (no matting in front of the artwork). Works not covered must have adequate layers of a protective varnish to avoid risk of incidental scratches in regular handling of your work. Works shipped with glass should have the glass taped for shipping.
Sales:
Works that are for sale and are sold while at the exhibition will have a 15% commission taken by “The Gallery”. Works will be sold in CDN Dollars so please price accordingly taking commission and exchange rates (if needed) into consideration. Works may be sold and removed before the conclusion of the exhibition, any time after September 10th. All accepted works MUST be sent to the show. If your work is juried in, and not sent, it will result in the artists’ exclusion from the next two exhibitions. Not-for-Sale works are permitted this year, but we strongly encourage all members to offer your work for sale.
Divisions:
Open – This category is open to all Active and Signature members of ISSA. Members must be current on 2021 dues by June 26, 2021. Artists not current on membership by that date will not have their work juried into the exhibition.
Master – A category for existing ISSA Master Members. ISSA Master Members may submit up to two works to the exhibition without being juried or paying jury fees. They must still submit the entry form with information about the works and image of the completed artwork that they intend to send to the exhibition by the entry deadline. No Work-In-Progress images are permitted - please only submit completed works. Members must be current on 2021 dues.
Approximately 60 total works shall be selected for the exhibition, depending on size of work submitted, including both Open and Master divisions.
Entry Fees:
Open Division: There is a $30 entry fee which allows exhibitors to submit up to three works, but no person shall have more than two works accepted for the exhibition. Entry fees are non-refundable and must be paid by the entry deadline. If an insufficient number of entries are received for the show, third entries may be considered in 2021.
Master Division: There is no entry fee and to be judged separately from the Open Division (except People's Choice and International Artist Award).
Awards:
At least $7500 in prize monies will be awarded, with 17 different awards. People's Choice will be awarded at the conclusion of the Exhibition. Depending on sponsorship, additional awards may be given. No artist shall win more than one award in the exhibition (except for People’s Choice).
Entry Submission Process:
Jurying will be completed from digital images only. Submit only one photograph of each image being entered. Good image quality is very important to the jury of your work. Images should be in focus and adjusted to show proper contrast, minimal glare, and accurate colors. Images must be cropped to show only the artwork; all framing and background should be excluded. Make sure your image is 1920 pixels @72 dpi on the longest side (no more than 4MB). Images should be in JPEG format, sRGB color space. Help in photographing your work and properly sizing your images can be found at: www.OnlineJuriedShows.com/help.aspx. If you need help entering your images or are unable to, please email Help@OnlineJuriedShows.com or call 949-287-8645. All entries are to be submitted online at www.OnlineJuriedShows.com. All entry fees must be paid by the entry deadline.
Jurors:
Three ISSA Master Scratchboard Artists (MSA) will be assigned by the ISSA Board of Directors to jury the exhibition and assign awards to the Open Division. Up to three outside jurors will judge the Master Division.
Jury Notification:
Results from the jury shall be delivered by e-mail no later than July 16th, 2021. If you have not received an email by that date, please contact the Exhibition Director at exhibition@scratchboardsociety.org.
Selected works will need to be delivered between August 15th and August 30th, 2021 to the gallery. Additional shipping details will be sent to those with works selected for the exhibit.
Opening Reception Event:
We hope to hold an opening reception at the gallery on September 10th from 2 to 5 PM. At this time awards will be presented. All ISSA members are encouraged to attend, and guests are welcome. Steve Wilson Studios and “The Gallery” is located at 4452 Queen St., Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Depending on COVID protocols at that time, the reception may be held outside the gallery.
Additional Information:
Reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety of artwork while in our possession. However, neither ISSA, nor Steve Wilson Studio and The Gallery, will be held liable for any damage or loss during the delivery, exhibition, removal or return shipping of artwork. Works need to be insured by the artist for shipping and the duration of the show.
Payment for sales shall occur within 30 days of the conclusion of the show.
By submitting your work to this show you grant ISSA and “The Gallery” permission to use your image(s) in promotion and advertising for the exhibition, publication in a print catalog, and posting on the ISSA web site. The artist will be credited for images used, when possible.
ISSA and “The Gallery” reserve the right to exclude work that do not meet the definition of scratchboard when seen in person, do not match the submitted digital image, arrives damaged, or poorly framed, or for any reason deemed that the artwork would reflect poorly on these entities.
Shipping Costs:
Shipping cost, both to the show, and return shipping of any unsold artworks, is the responsibility of the artist including all shipping, insurance, international tariffs, and fees.
Shipping internationally can be VERY EXPENSIVE, so we recommend you take this into consideration when selecting works you plan to submit, as well as when listing your artwork’s sale price. Works will be shipped back within 1 week of the ending of the show. Carriers that deliver/ pickup to or from the gallery are UPS, FED EX, PUROLATOR, and DHL.