Fine Craft as a Business: The Art of Show Applications – Photography, Artist Statement, & Mock Jury

Name: Fine Craft as a Business: The Art of Show Applications – Photography, Artist Statement, & Mock Jury
Start: 2026-01-10T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-10T15:00:00-05:00
Location: Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen

Schedule

Sat Jan 10 2026 at 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen | Lancaster, PA

Fine Craft as a Business: The Art of Show Applications – Photography, Artist Statement, & Mock Jury
Location: PA Guild of Craftsmen (PGC), 335 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA, 2nd Floor (In person and via Zoom).
Description:
This workshop is designed to teach craft people the “art” of applying to an art/craft show: how to photograph your work with a cell phone and simple equipment; how to write a strong artist statement, how to edit your photos, and how to make your photography stand out for jury selection.
Presenters:
Emil Mellow – Master Artisan, Board Member, PA Designer Craftsmen; Artist/Illustrator
Paula Lewis – Master Artisan, Enameling; Was VP of Standards for PGC; Served PGC in various roles for
over 20 years
Mea Rhee – Master Artisan, Pottery; Member of the Fine Craft as a Business Committee, PGC
Aviva Brandt Foster – Master Artisan, Glass, Mixed Media; Board President, PA Designer Craftsmen
Schedule:
Morning Session:
9:00 – 9:15 am – Info and Attendee Introductions
9:15 – 10:00 am – Photograph your work like a professional with minimal equipment and a cell phone!
Emil Mellow will demonstrate taking cell phone photos using a white box. Students are encouraged to bring 1-2 pieces of their own work (max. size of work should not exceed 14” H x 12D x 12W). If bringing jewelry, please bring your own displays. If time permits, students will photograph their work during this session.
10:00 – 10:05 – Break
10:05 – 11:00 am – Writing an Artist Statement
Paula Lewis will teach how to write a strong Artist Statement.
11:00 – 11:30 am – Editing your Photos like a Pro
Mea Rhee will demonstrate how to use Photopea.com (a free online tool) to edit your photos
(resize, remove logos, sharpen images, and create watermarks).
11:30 – 12:00 Noon – Effective and ineffective photography for show applications
Aviva Brandt Foster will present a slide show of actual photos of work and booths that have
been submitted for craft shows. See which ones stood out and made the cut!
Lunch – 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Afternoon Session:
12:45 – 2:30 pm – Mock Jury – Surviving the Jury Process!
Participants are encouraged to email 2-3 photos (one of a booth, if available) to Emil Mellow at: [email protected] no later than January 3, 2026. Mock jury will review photo submissions and provide constructive feedback! Jurors will be NICE! Our goal is give you practical and personalized suggestions to make your application as strong as possible.
Jurors:
Aviva Brandt Foster, Donna Lashof, Paula Lewis, Mea Rhee
2:30 – 2:45 pm – Questions, Wrap up, Evaluation
Sign up online https://pacrafts.org/events/fine-craft-as-a-business-the-art-of-show-applications-photography-artist-statement-mock-jury-january-10/