ACCEPTABLE ENTRIES

AWA EXHIBITION ACCEPTABLE ENTRIES – Effective May 2023 

Artwork

  1. Papers and Boards
    1. Submitted works must be on acid-free white paper, illustration board, watercolor board.
    2. Unvarnished synthetic papers – “Yupo”, “Plastex”, “Clayboard”, “Aquaboard”, are allowed.
    3. Illustration board for wet media, cold or hot press illustration/watercolor board no thicker than ½” are allowed.
    4. Wrapped canvases are not allowed.  
    5. If the board is very thick you might have to put thin foam in between the mat and the backing to fill when framing.  Your framer should know how to do this.
    6. Other materials must be submitted for approval prior to submitting the artwork.  It is the intention of AWA to encourage creativity and new materials will be reviewed accordingly.
  1. Texture Application
    1. Boards may not have a mechanically produced texture including real or simulated fabric texture prior to painting, but a light texture of gesso (white or black) may be applied.
    2. Tar gel line work is allowed in clear or color-added form.  
    3. Acrylic gel mediums used for creating textures prior to painting are allowed so long as they maintain the integrity of water media.
  1. Water-soluble Media
    1. All water-soluble media that can be applied in flat washes are acceptable including transparent and opaque watercolor, synthetic watercolor (Golden Brand, etc.), gouache, acrylic paint or liquid, colored water-based inks, casein paint and tempera.  
    2. Media may be applied by water soluble pencil or watercolor crayons regardless of color so long as they are primarily used in a painting manner and at least partially dissolved.
    3. Some of this work may remain in drawing form so long as the emphasis is on the painted portion.
    4. Painting may also be combined with line work including ink and/or pencil.
  1. Collage
    1. Materials used for collage must originally be white and then colored by the artist.  
    2. Rice papers, tissue papers, other acid free white papers and unvarnished synthetic papers may be used.
  1. Application
    1. Paint may be applied by brush, rags, pouring, drawing initially, spattering or blowing through an atomizer or straw or using stamps hand-made by the artist.

Matting and Framing 

Each venue will have their own rules.  Please go by the prospectus first.

  1. The frame should be no more than 2” wide, 2” deep and simple; no ornate carvings.
  1. Matting:
    1. The mat must be white.  A warm or cool white is approved.  
    2. The exposed part of the mat must be at least 3” or more wide. 
    3. Mats must be well cut.
    4. A single-colored inner mat (liner) may be added to the 3″ exposed mat.
    5. Fabric texture mats are not allowed.
    6. Regardless of matting technique, the painting cannot touch the glass or plastic.
  1. Glazing:
    1. All paintings must be covered with plexiglass unless the frame is 16” x 20” or less, it can then have regular glass.  This is for safety and liability purposes and is usually required in places where shows are hung.  
    2. A matted painting must have plexiglass over it, and the mat must be firmly mounted so it doesn’t buckle in the frame.
    3. Painted or sprayed varnishes or coatings are allowed on the painting.  If varnished, they do not need plexiglass or a mat.  
  1. Backing:
    1. If the frame is metal, the foam backing, or mounting board can be shown. 
    2. If the frame is wood, it is recommended that the backing be covered by craft paper.
    3. The foam board can show if it is taped around the sides to cover the installation brads.
    4. All backing must be clean and not ripped or torn.   
    5. Your business card or handwritten contact information with name, phone number, email address, and painting title and price must be on the back.
  1. Suspension:
    1. Paintings must include a heavy duty hanging wire firmly attached such that the high point of the stretched wire is approximately 3” below the top of the frame. 
    2. The hardware should be mounted 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. This is very important in helping those who hang the show.

PLEASE double check your frame, matting, and glazing to be sure there is no damage, debris, or scuffs before you deliver it to the exhibition venue. The artwork will be rejected if not perfect.