NCS Annual Juried Exhibit - "the numbers"

I typically post photos and fairly brief and "benign" narratives on this blog; whereas my fellow collagista Julie Takacs really "lays it out there" with some of her insightful and disclosive narratives (which I love, by the way). I've decided to post something a little more personal than usual today. Tomorrow I will be delivering my artwork to the Berman Art Museum on the campus of Ursinus College for this year's Annual Juried Exhibition of the National Collage Society. I'm excited about this year's exhibit for a couple of reasons. First of all, I am glad that the NCS has returned to a "live" exhibit this year (for the last two years, the exhibit has been on-line only)-- and I plan to attend the opening reception on July 12th. I'm also excited about this year's exhibit because I'm feeling especially "legit" this year. Let me explain. I have been very fortunate to have experienced the various successes that I have as a collage artist -- and have been grateful for them. My family and friends and colleagues have been very supportive of my creative endeavors. But I think we all have a tendency to "discount" in some ways the successes that we have -- attributing them to "luck" or to family and friends who just want us to feel good. I was really excited when I got my acceptance letter this year, because although this is my fourth time in the NCS Juried Exhibit, I guess after seeing the statistics regarding the NCS exhibit this year, I could no longer attribute my successes to simple luck or "support" from family and friends. This year there were 528 submissions for the exhibit. Of those, only 80 were accepted (about a 15% acceptance rate). My two pieces (limit two per person) were two of the 80 accepted. And the three jurors were very impressive this year as well. I guess I have reason to celebrate (and to keep creating)! The two pieces that were accepted can be seen to the right (the top two of the panel on my blog). BTW, I still very much appreciate your support too. Thank you! Enjoy!