ENTERING ASBA EXHIBITIONS
A thorough understanding of our guidelines makes for a successful entry
by Carol Woodin, Director of Exhibitions, ASBA
Originally appeared in The Botanical Artist - Volume 24, Issue 4
As of January 1, 2019, ASBA will no longer accept entries by mail, and will launch a new format for accepting online entries. The vast majority of those currently entering exhibitions already do so online. We hope this new format proves to be user friendly, allowing for entry completion, image upload, and payment in a single location.
Step 1. Read the specific exhibition’s call for entries carefully. Often exhibitions are limited in one way or another, for example, by theme or by maximum framed size. You must verify that you have read the call for entries and agree with all its terms. If accepted, you will be asked to frame your work in a required frame with plastic glazing, as well as ship your work to the exhibition and have it returned to you at its close at your own expense.
Step 2. Prepare your image files. Your artwork should be professionally scanned or photographed. Check to be sure your image file does not include too much white space around the image-present the image area as it will appear in the mat window. Fig 1 shows the image correctly cropped; Fig 2 has too much white space around the image.
Make sure your image file size conforms to correct specifications. About half of the image files we receive are out of sizing spec, and range from about 60KB to 300MB. The new website will not allow exceedingly large image files to be uploaded. Image files must be between 8” to 10” high, and 300 ppi. Your file’s pixel size in height should read between 2400 and 3000 (8” x 300 = 2400), and files should be less than 30MB.
-In Windows: Go to Explorer, right click on the image, then go to Properties. Image size should show pixel dimensions; if non-conforming, change the file size. Do not make a smaller file larger. Files can only be reduced in size.
-In Mac: Open file in Preview, go to Tools, click on Adjust Size. This will show your image file height and width in inches or pixels, according to your preference, and its resolution in ppi. Size to 8” or 10” in height, then 300 ppi resolution. You can also click on Show Inspector, which opens a window showing file name, type of file, total size in MB, and pixel dimensions.
Label your file as required. Each image file should be labeled with the artist’s last name, then the artwork title. Your image files are now ready.
Step 3. Complete your online entry. Sign into ASBA’s website, and go to Enter Online. You’ll be asked to sign an acknowledgment, then enter the required information, including which exhibition you are entering. You will need each artwork’s title, Latin names, medium and substrate, the year of completion, selling price, mat opening size, and framed size. You’ll upload your image files and, once all is complete, click the button at the bottom: Save Exhibition. You’ll then be redirected to the payment page. That’s it!
ASBA's Exhibitions Policies can be found here: Exhibition Advice
The next issue will include an article on prepping your work and shipping it.