What is the most important art competition?
 

What would you say is the most important open art show in the US today? The jury seems to be out.

I suspect that would depend on what you paint. Portrait artists will argue that the ASOPA and PSA shows are important, western artists would argue for shows like the Prix de West, others for certain OPA shows and the like.

Have you seen artdeadline.com? They have a good list of shows around the country along with entry requirements and dates.

Thanks for that link, Michael.

What's OPA? (Typing opa.org got me the Oregon Psychological Association. Are you trying to hint that we all need some sort of help?!)

OPA is the Oil Painters of America:

http://www.oilpaintersofamerica.com/

Well
 

There are so many, many with large purses. That's why I ask. It's sort of a judgement call.

What is the most important in your eyes? The National Academy of Design, The Autry Museum Show? If you condsider only shows with more than $10,000 in prize money the list is huge. There are several old shows in NY, NY that don't even get the results listed in the art magazines. Also it seems the West and the East are like two different countries.

Tim:

I suspect that you know much more than I about these shows. I have not even entered an ASOPA show yet. If you find any good shows, let me know, yes?

Old days
 

In 1890, there were clearly a few 'best" shows out there. Every country had a few top notch shows. Sargent sent work to 3 or 4 shows a year in London. The Salon was the show in Paris. Even in the US there was the "Expositions" which were not places where you rent booths and sell prints. I just can't find THE BEST stand out open competition. There are portrait shows, animal art shows, western art shows, figure shows, plein air shows, women artists shows, BUT is there any longer one open important show? The National Academy of Design doesn't seem to know if they even have a show any longer (which is pretty weird). Sargent once showed there. Things change, but I must be missing some important shows.

ASOPA
 

ASOPA says no national show this year. Makes my question even more interesting. The PSA show is at a bad time for me. Once there were clear best shows. The lines have been blurred nowadays.

Tim, did ASOPA give a reason why they won't have a national show this year?

The tee word
 

They mentioned the tee word. When societies stop holding events terrorists win.

That's a shame. I was so looking forward to going to it.

Tim, I saw your name on the Southern California Art Club. Do you attend any of their functions? I am a member there as well and have made it my goal for 2003 to make the hour drive and attend the lectures at the Gene Autry Museum.

ASOPA is going through a reorganization.

Thanks Cynthia,

That explains a lot and expecialliy why the information about our chapter is still not posted on the web site.

Your information is on the Events page...I assume you mean in the menu area.

Actually, I meant the section "Read About the Chapters". SoCal-ASOPA is not shown there and I sometimes feel that all my efforts for recruiting help from more prominent ASOPA members are wasted, since our existence is not being acknowledged there.

My argument would be, if people have never heard of SoCal-ASOPA, their first response would be to investigate the ASOPA site to read about this newly found chapter. If we are not represented as an affiliate chapter under the proper heading, after three months of operation, I would assume it might leave some wondering as to why we are not being included.

Please realize this is in no way a critique on your efforts as web master for ASOPA. The problem lies elsewhere and going through a reorganization might explain the delays.

Tim,

I had a nice chat with a gallery owner, who represents one of the most reputable galleries in our area. On the subject of art competitions, he thought the most important ones are those who entice the most accomplished artists to submit work and which are advertised both on a national and international level. In his opinion, the larger the event, the more pre-competition publicity and therefore the greater a following of accomplished artists. This all leads to larger press coverage, which in turn is great advertising for the artists.

Now, he conveniently left out the fees one has to pay to enter in all those events, but that seems to be a given and a natural part of self promotion, which has to be included into your advertising budget.

As the years pass, the realization sets in that one must be a

Your events are on the Events page Enzie. In fact, you're the only one that has submitted affiliate info for that page.

For the Read About the Chapters page, have you submitted information to ASOPA? Do you have a photo? If not, I can still go ahead and just put up your contact information if you will submit that to me.

Cynthia,

I will forward the information to you per your personal email. It is very kind of you to include it.

Enzie
 

Jeff Morseburg (Morseburg Galleries) just told me that the CAC is going to open the CAC annual to out of state artist members soon - that's one I hope to do this year. The Autry has great stuff going on there.

I had plans for the ASOPA too - next year?