How to Enter
We are planning both an in-person show to be held on the upper level of the Picton Armoury, as well as an online show. Jurying will be based on in-person viewing of the artworks.
Artists are asked to submit a digital image in addition to submitting artwork in person.
Eligibility
The 31st Annual Art in the County (AITC) show is open to artists who meet both the following conditions:
- Are residents or ratepayers of Prince Edward County.
- Are Artist Members of the Prince Edward County Arts Council in good standing.
Please refer to https://countyarts.ca/membership/ for details of the membership categories and payment options available.
Entry Rules
Artworks must have been completed since the 2023 edition of Art in the County, and be original, unaided work except where work is a collaboration. All works must be for sale and remain on view for the duration of the show.
Artwork in the gallery may be photographed by an AITC official photographer or by visitors. Photos may be published as part of AITC promotional material, including on the AITC website.
All artworks chosen by the jurors to be in the show will be available for public viewing through the Art in the County website. The Prince Edward County Arts Council is not responsible for any damages resulting from third party download of images that may occur.
A maximum of two (2) pieces in any medium may be entered.
The price established for the artwork at submission remains for the duration of the show. When a work is sold, a 35% commission is deducted from the selling price. The balance will be forwarded to the artist as soon as possible following the show. Photographs and works on paper must be framed.
Two-dimensional works must be no larger than 60” x 60” (frame included) and be ready for hanging with wire and eye hooks only.
Sculptures are to be of reasonable size. Artists submitting sculpture are responsible for moving it into and out of the gallery space.
All reasonable care will be taken with works submitted. Insurance of the artwork while on show premises is the sole responsibility of the artist. In addition, Prince Edward County Arts Council assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unclaimed works and is not responsible for any works not picked up.
Artists unable to pick up artwork in person on closing day, must make arrangements to authorize someone to pick up and sign out their artwork.
Entry in the show constitutes acceptance of the above entry rules.
Jury Process
The jury will review submitted artworks in the gallery and decide which artworks to include in the show and which will receive awards. Inclusion in the exhibition is at the sole discretion of the jurors and their decision is final.
Works that do not meet the conditions for entry as outlined in the Entry Rules will not be adjudicated.
In selecting works, jurors will ensure the body of works selected represents the depth and diversity of the Prince Edward County artistic community.
The jurors will collectively prepare a comment on each of the works selected for Jurors’ and Honourable Mention Awards and prepare, individually or collectively, a summary statement of their impressions of the exhibition.
The Jurors will be offering an optional critique of artwork for a fee of $20.00, which is to help offset the costs associated with this enhanced service. At the time of registration, please indicate if you would be interested in this optional critique, and your works will be noted accordingly.
In selecting works, jurors will ensure the body of works selected represents the depth and diversity of the Prince Edward County artistic community. Jurors will also consider the following criteria:
- Creativity and uniqueness
- Consistency of thought and style
- Technical competence in using chosen media
- Successful handling of elements such as colour, value and composition
- Emotional reaction/interest from viewer
County Arts in Muskoka
We have been working with Muskoka Arts & Crafts to create our first community art exhibition exchange, giving artists the potential to reach new audiences outside of our respective regions. PEC artists applying to Art in the County will have the opportunity to exhibit work in Muskoka September 7-22, 2024 at MAC on Main, 63 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge.
Only artworks that have been juried into Art in the County are eligible. Also, only artworks that have not sold at Art in the County between June 21 – July 7, 2024 will be displayed in Muskoka. We understand that artists cannot decline a sale, so if said work is sold between the two exhibitions, artists will be able to submit similar work that may be included in the Muskoka show at the discretion of County Arts staff. Please note that the Bracebridge location can only display 50-60 works. Some works may not be exhibited, but every effort will be made to include those who have expressed interest in participating.
Artworks must be for sale, must be wrapped (by the artist) and ready for ground transportation (by County Arts staff), and dropped-off at the County Arts Lab on September 3, 2024 between 9:00 – 11:00 am. County Arts will collect a commission of 35%, and remit the balance to the artist by October 1, 2024. No further charges will apply. County Arts is exempt from charging HST on artwork.
Please indicate your interest in participating in the Muskoka show by checking the appropriate box in the Art in the County application form.
Registration | Payment of Entry Fee | Submit Image(s)
Registration is between Thursday, April 18, 2024 and Friday, June 7, 2024 at noon.
Artists may complete the online registration form and pay early in this period and then send the digital images of artwork later – up to June 7th at noon.
Step 1 – Complete online registration form by June 7th at noon
Click here to complete the online registration form using upper and lower case, NOT all capitals. Before submitting the online registration form, please review it for accuracy. In particular, be sure that information about the artwork (name, medium, selling price) is accurate since it will appear on published materials.
A copy of the submitted form will be emailed to the address provided. Please keep this email as a record of the information on the registration form so you can ensure that the label(s) on the digital image(s) you send match your registration form.
Step 2 – Pay registration fee by June 7th at noon
Pay the registration fee using PayPal or major credit card.
- One artwork submission $40
- Two artwork submissions $55
- Number of Optional Critiques $20 each
Note: The entry fee is non-refundable. Limited subsidies are available for first-time applicants. For more information, contact Janna Smith at janna@countyarts.ca.
Please select the number of submissions to be entered and then click Pay Now.
Step 3 – Photograph artwork and submit by June 7th at noon
For those not familiar with photographing artwork, the following websites may be helpful.
- 4 Steps to Photographing Your Work like a Pro
- How to Take Great Photos of your Artwork
- 9 Common Mistakes when Photographing your Artwork with an iPhone
- VIDEO : How to Photograph your Art
Image size: Images should be a minimum of 1000 pixels along the shortest side (or 1000 x 1000 pixels if the images are square) at 200 KB saved as a JPG. If needed, we can accept larger files and resize on your behalf. However, if you wish to crop or resize your image while maintaining aspect ratio and quality, we recommend using Preview.
Image colour: For those artists with the knowledge, please colour correct, balance and sharpen your own images; instructions are provided in the photographing artwork websites above.
Video for 3D work: An image of the artwork is required for the online store/gallery. Artists submitting sculpture may send a short video of their sculpture for the jurying process.
Label your image or video (for 3D work): The name of the file containing the image or video of the artwork should include your initials and the title as it appeared on the registration form. For example: JS_Beautiful_Day.jpg. Artists should not use their full name – this will ensure anonymity with the jurors.
Submit image(s) and video (for 3D work)
Email images and video to info@countyarts.ca. In the message field, indicate your first and last name. For example: Art in the County Submission by Janna Smith.
Step 4 – Deliver your artwork on Saturday, June 15th between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
This year’s show is at County Arts Lab, 206 Main St W, Unit 2E, Picton, Ontario. When delivering artwork, artists must confirm that all information (name, title, medium, selling price) is correct on our records by signing the confirmation sheet. If someone else delivers your work, this person must be authorized to confirm your information.
Click here for labels to adhere to the back of your artwork. Please be sure that information on the labels matches the information provided on the registration form and digital image.
Artwork Pickup
In the event that artwork is not accepted for the show, artists are asked to pick it up on Monday, June 17th between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
At the end of the show, artists whose work has not been sold are asked to pick it up on Sunday, July 7th between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm at County Arts Lab 206 Main St. W, Unit 2E, Picton, where they will be grouped in alphabetical order to expedite the process. Buyers will also pick up their purchased work at this time.
Some buyers may be unable to pick up their purchased art on July 7th. In these cases, artists are asked to pick up their artwork and liaise with the buyer to arrange delivery. AITC will not pay the cost of shipping; this must be arranged between the buyer and the artist.
County Arts in Muskoka Show art-drop off: Works being displayed at the Muskoka show are to be dropped off on September 3rd between 9:00 -11:00 am at County Arts Lab, Unite 2E, 206 Main Street West, Picton Ontario. Work must be wrapped, packed and ready to be transported. Works not appropriately prepared for transport will not be accepted in the show.
Important Dates for Artists
Registration OPENS. Press release announcing the beginning of the period for artist registration and artwork submission.
Registration CLOSES. In addition to completing the online registration form and sending digital images, artists must pay the registration fee by this date.
Saturday, June 15, 2024 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm
Art Intake Day – Bring artwork(s) to County Arts Lab, Suite 2E 206 Main Street W, Picton.
Monday, June 17, 2024 between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Artists whose work was not selected for the show pick up their artwork.
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Award winners announced.
Friday, June 21, 2024
The show OPENS – from 10:00am to 6:00pm each day, 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 23 and 30.
Sunday, July 7, 2024
The show CLOSES at 2:00 pm. Artists pick up unsold artworks between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. This includes artwork traveling to Muskoka.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
County Arts in Muskoka Show art drop-off at County Arts Lab between 9:00 am and 11:00 am.
Saturday, September 7, 2024
County Arts in Muskoka Show opens to the public at 10:00 am. Opening Reception 1:00 – 4:00 pm at 63 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
County Arts in Muskoka Show closes.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Pickup of unsold works from County Arts in Muskoka Show at County Arts Lab between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm
Entry Checklist
- I’m an Artist Member of Prince Edward County Arts Council in good standing.
- I’ve completed and submitted the online registration form. (by June 7, 2024 at NOON)
- I’ve indicated if I would like an optional critique, whether my work is selected or not, and paid the non-refundable $20 fee.
- I’ve indicated my interest in displaying my work in the Muskoka Arts and Crafts Show in Bracebridge in September, if my work is juried into Art in the County.
- I’ve paid my non-refundable online registration fee (by June 7, 2024 at 12:00 NOON
- I’ve sent digital images of my artwork(s) and my artist statement (optional – for the jurors’ consideration if they need to understand the context of the work) to info@countyarts.ca by June 7, 2024 at 12:00 NOON.
- I’ve prepared and printed my bio (encouraged) and artist statement (optional) to be included in the Artist Bio binder that may be referenced by buyers
- I’ve marked my calendar to bring my artwork(s) and artist bio to the County Arts Lab, 206 Main St W, Unit 2E, in Picton (on June 15, 2024).
Enquiries
Please send technical questions about this process to info@countyarts.ca.
For all other enquiries, contact artinthecounty@countyarts.ca
613-476-8767