ARTrails 2010

ARTrails 2010: Program Information

Mission

Jury Process

Selection Criteria

Educational Program

Participation Requirements

Application Process

Fees

Thank you for your interest in ARTrails Sonoma County Open Studios. Since 1985, ARTrails artists have been inviting the public into their workspaces providing a unique opportunity to learn about their creative processes. Artists who live and have their studio within Sonoma County are invited to submit work for the jury process.

The ARTrails Program Mission

ARTrails is the Sonoma County open studio program presented by the Arts Council of Sonoma County. This annual self-guided tour of artist studios provides a unique opportunity for the public to meet artists in their working environments, learn about their creative processes, and purchase fine arts and crafts. The program is intended for established and emerging artists who are actively producing high quality work meeting the program's selection criteria. (See below)

The program provides an educational experience for all ages, fostering an interest in and a greater understanding of the artistic process. ARTrails promotes recognition that the arts are a significant component of Sonoma County and contribute to the public awareness about the quality and diversity of art created in our community. ARTrails helps to support artists by promoting a venue in which artists can exhibit and sell their work.

ARTrails is a juried program

Each year, a 7-person jury comprised of different art professionals is chosen. Four jurors come from outside of Sonoma County with diverse backgrounds as professional artists, art instructors, gallery directors, or curators. Two jurors are qualified ARTrails artists who have been in the program for at least 3 years, and one juror from Sonoma County who is an art professional and not a member of ARTrails. Jurors represent a wide range of knowledge of fine arts and crafts. The Arts Council Board and Staff do not participate in determining which submissions meet the program's criteria.

Why is ARTrails juried? Visitors continue to report that the "quality of the art" is a major reason for attending ARTrails. Quality is the reason attendance continues to grow. Maintaining quality is important to attracting proficient artists to the program.

The jury process is not a critique and jurors do not provide feedback.

The Selection Criteria

Artist identities are undisclosed to jurors. There are NO quotas determining media or how many artists get selected. The jurors are looking at six images and one original to determine if the body of work submitted meets these criteria:

1. The body of work must indicate a consistent technical proficiency with the medium and demonstrate understanding of formal elements of art.
2. The body of work must reflect a coherent individual style and originality.
3. Works assembled from prefabricated materials must reflect a creative element that is more than the sum of the parts.
4. The images and submitted piece must demonstrate a level of professional presentation expected in a gallery setting.

It is important that you carefully choose your samples and have quality images. Samples submitted should have been created within the last two years and represent artwork visitors will find in your studio. You will submit a description of the processes used to create your work and jurors may refer to this during the selection process.

ARTrails is an educational program.

Educating the public to the methods and processes used in your work is a necessary part of participating in ARTrails. You will need to submit a brief description of how you might do this. You may not be able to actually demonstrate your process, but a storyboard with pictures, video, or exhibiting works in progress are a few ways you can share.

ARTrails is a participatory program.

Artists fulfill a minimum of 10 required work hours for essential tasks (or, after their first year in the program, may elect to pay $200 in lieu of work hours).

What is the application process?

Download a 2010 application here.

Application materials must be submitted by no later than Friday, March 26th, 2010. Artists apply in one of the following categories: painting, prints/drawings, sculpture, woodwork, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, furniture, digital art, and photography (multiple categories require additional $10 fee & information). Artists are to submit 6 professional looking images on CD of their work. One original piece of art is also submitted and displayed for the jury; dates and sizes are found in the application materials.

In addition, you will submit a photograph of your studio with a brief description of the workspace and parking area. Be prepared to handle the traffic and parking of about 100-200 visitors per weekend; about 10-20 at any given time. ARTrails recognizes that studios come in all shapes and sizes. Your studio information is used only in determining safety and accessibility.

What are the fees?

There is a jury fee of $25 for Arts Council members and $40 for nonmembers. This fee is applied towards the ARTrails annual fee if accepted. The annual fee is $350. ARTrails artists must be members of the Arts Council of Sonoma County, with basic membership starting at $40.

For ARTrails information:
artrails@sonomaarts.com
707-579-2787 ext. 109
FAX 707-542-3412