The ArtPerk Straight Shot

Timeless – time-less. – adjective. 1. without beginning or end; eternal; everlasting. 2. referring or restricted to no particular time. Origin: 1550-1560.

While so much in our modern world is disposable, momentary, and soon forgotten, what person, place, event, or memory is timeless to you?

The top three artists will receive cash awards and an invitation to a small group exhibition in 2010. The top six artists will receive a show submission review from Visual Arts Consulting. All accepted artists will receive a certificate of acceptance. All applicants will receive a booklet of art marketing and business tips written by juror Missy Loewe.

Entries must be postmarked by July 15th.

One great way to save cash, bring in new buyers, and generate excitement for an event is to come together with others to host an art event or open a show together.

Why share the glory, the sales, and the profits? Well, grant awards are more often given to collective providers and those who work with others. Also, for a show or presentation, this can take a great deal of the marketing, expense, and hassle off one person when it is divided. Also, for a project such as a studio tour or open house, it is far more appealing to a visitor to take a tour or circuit than just visit one place for a short time an go home.

No one says you have to work with, or that it’s even advisable to pair with, people in your own topic area or media. Think outside the norm for partnerships.

Imagine an arts tour map where you are one of many artists with open studios on a Saturday and Sunday in the spring or fall. You, a ceramics specialist, a knitter who dyes her own wool, a sculptor who works in metal, a fine art photographer, a watercolorist, and a found-object artist all join forces to create a map and market your “show” to the local public and any tourism officials. This could become a twice a year gig that benefits you all by sharing mailing lists, costs, and buyers.

A model release is a legal document that gives the photographer the right to use photographs in a particular way, like sell or publish them, granted by the person in the photograph, for a payment or other “consideration” such as copies of the prints. Unlike copyright law, which is federal, model releases are state-governed documents. This article cannot cover all 50 state rules, but we can review some basics.

A photographer needs a signed model release when the subject in the photos is recognizable, and the image will be used for a commercial purpose. Some examples:

The Washington Post does not need a model release from the president each day when they print his photo, because although clearly recognizable, he is not in an ad for a bank (a commercial purpose), but being used to illustrate a story.

Photographer Bob Brown does not need a model release from Sally Smith if he is using a photo of the back of her head in an ad for a bank – she is not clearly recognizable. Bob Brown does need a model release for the photo of Jane Doe’s face that will be used in an ad for a new cereal.

When in doubt, get the model release. Some people’s hands, elbows, places on the body that are not historically “clearly recognizable” these days have become so – with tattoos and piercings.

Also, when you are working with a child, it is best to get a release no matter what, even if the photos are a blur. The same goes for an adult, especially if any nudity is involved.  Make sure the adult has read the document before signing it, and that an adult signing for a child is indeed their legal guardian or parent with custodial rights.

To get an idea what to put in your model release, you need to do some research, and possibly consult with an attorney. The suggested wording for New York is different from many other states, for example. In some states a canceled check is considered a limited release, but in others it is useless. Hit the internet, do some fact-finding on requirements, then ask the experts and get your own release ready!