Between creating new work, managing a teaching schedule and juggling everyday life in a busy family, it can feel impossible to squeeze in one more thing. I have found however, that making time to enter exhibitions and answering the 'call-for-entry' can be one of the most rewarding decisions I make.

⚠️Full disclaimer: I get rejected from more exhibitions than I get accepted to. I've come to understand this is part of the process! With each submission, I learn something, and use juror feedback to work on improving for the next one. 

The Personal Challenge

Many of us have ideas simmering in the back of our minds, not fully explored or brought into focus as the creative project to work on... not to mention the stack of fabrics, saved "for something special"🙋‍♀️. Around my studio, I usually have a couple partially sewn landscapes that I'm just not committed to how they should be finished. I set them aside, or leave them hanging on my design wall to contemplate until they call me back (this can be months later). Responding to exhibition opportunities can provide a great outlet for new ideas/fabrics and space for personal artistic growth. In the past few months, I have made this a priority - looking for and submitting to exhibits - and it reminded me of the reasons why exhibitions matter.

First, there's the artistic challenge of working within a theme. When I find an exhibition that resonates with me, I use it as a springboard for new ideas. It becomes a personal challenge to express an idea, and to see my work through the eyes of other people. It always amazes me how an artist statement can change the way a piece is viewed and interpreted. I enjoy the challenge of adapting my landscapes towards a new theme that I hadn't considered before.

In the landscape below, the SAQA exhibition theme of "Pollinators" inspired me to add bee boxes and dozens of tiny bees to the pasture.🐝😍 

I called this piece, "A Match Made in Heaven". By showing these tiny creatures against the expansive agricultural fields, I want to applaud the bee's labour and expose their vulnerability. It was a welcomed challenge to build a prairie landscape with the pollinators in mind. I aimed to highlight our reliance on bees to transform canola blooms into harvests, and I love the way it came together.

The second reason I enjoy submitting to exhibitions, is the personal challenge of meeting a deadline. For me, this time pressure is an important part of the process. It forces me to make decisions - not overthink them - and often results in creative ideas and trying new things to accomplish an idea. There have been a number of times when I've almost given up on submitting, but in the moments where I push through and finish, I am so proud of myself for the effort, and it reminds me of how capable I am.

The Benefits of Exposure

Exhibitions open doors. They get your work in front of new audiences and collectors. By being accepted into an exhibition, you start to build your credibility as an artist - both to yourself and the public. I can remember my first solo exhibition, 26 years ago(!!), I was so excited and nervous about how it would be received. I remember the thrill of seeing my name on the window - obviously pre-iPhone or I would have taken a selfie in front of it! 😆

That experience completely changed how I saw myself as an artist. Definitely a milestone on my creative journey. Each opportunity I've had to exhibit since then continues to reinforce my identity as an artist (and believe me, there are still times when I can really use this psychological boost).

By connecting my artwork with others through exhibitions, I continue to build my visibility, my credibility and my opportunities. Exhibitions matter - whether you sell your artwork or not. It's about the recognition of yourself as an artist, and the connection of yourself to the art world. We don't have to enter every exhibition, but make I encourage you to make space in your schedule for the ones that excite you. Each one is a step forward in your artistic journey.