Ottawa Art League Shows
Juried Show: For the show, pictures of your artwork must be submitted for approval by a committee of Art League members.
Judged Show: For these shows, the artwork is judged and awarded prizes by a judge chosen by the Art League who works as a professional in an art field.
Visions of the Valley March 1 and October 18, 2008
The Ottawa Art League holds two Visions of the Valley Shows. One is in the spring and one in the fall.
These are juried shows. Members and non-members on the Art League’s mailing list will receive a brochure showing the dates, time and place for the show. It will also specify the entry fee for the Art League members and for non-members. It will also explain the jury process.
You will need a way to display your work for sale. We suggest you have your own brochures, business cards, and bios to hand out to the public. If you need electricity for your display we try to accommodate as best we can.
Setup for our shows are usually early in the mornings. Please be aware of the Visions of the Valley entry deadline.
At Visions of the Valley shows artists can sell their artwork, network, and take commission work, without paying the League a commission.
In our shows where artwork is sold, the Ottawa Art League requires a copy of your Illinois Business Tax number.
Town and Country Adult Amateur Art Show April 5,2008
The Town and Country Amateur Art Show offers non-professional artists the opportunity to have their art exhibited and judged. The purpose of the show is to encourage amateur artists. The show is not intended as a way of promoting sales or commissions. There will be a limited number of entries per person. The show is open to all media. Entries must be the artists’ original work and have been done in the previous year. Please be aware of the Town and Country entry deadline.
Amateur artists are broadly defined as those who do NOT:
● Do art of the medium entered for a livelihood
● Have degrees in fine (visual) or commercial art, photography, etc.
● Teach art as a profession or compete in professional exhibits.
Rules and entry forms will be sent to all League members at the appropriate time. Anyone not a member should contact the Ottawa Art League for an application. The Blue Ribbon Winners may advance to the State Town & Country Amateur Art Show.
There is a minimal entry fee to help defray the costs of the show.
Youth Art Show April 19, 2008
The Youth Art Show is to encourage the students and young persons under the age of 18 to pursue and exhibit their art. This is a judged show with varied age groups. The purpose of the Youth Art show is to promote an interest in the visual arts and provide an opportunity for Young people to gain recognition for their work and experience in art shows. Please be aware of the Youth Art Show entry deadline.
There is no fee but there is a maximum of three works per person. The Ottawa Art League works with the schools in our surrounding area to gather entries, however individuals may enter independently.
August 1&2, 2008● Do art of the medium entered for a livelihood
● Have degrees in fine (visual) or commercial art, photography, etc.
● Teach art as a profession or compete in professional exhibits.
Rules and entry forms will be sent to all League members at the appropriate time. Anyone not a member should contact the Ottawa Art League for an application. The Blue Ribbon Winners may advance to the State Town & Country Amateur Art Show.
There is a minimal entry fee to help defray the costs of the show.
Youth Art Show April 19, 2008
The Youth Art Show is to encourage the students and young persons under the age of 18 to pursue and exhibit their art. This is a judged show with varied age groups. The purpose of the Youth Art show is to promote an interest in the visual arts and provide an opportunity for Young people to gain recognition for their work and experience in art shows. Please be aware of the Youth Art Show entry deadline.
There is no fee but there is a maximum of three works per person. The Ottawa Art League works with the schools in our surrounding area to gather entries, however individuals may enter independently.
Art in the Park is held annually during Ottawa’s Riverfest. This show is juried. It is an outdoor show held in Washington Square Park in downtown Ottawa. Brochures are mailed to Art League members containing the rules along with the entry application. It is advisable that the participants have a tent or shelter to protect them from the weather. Art in the Park is a sale show, therefore you will need a copy of your Illinois Business Tax number with you. Art in the Park is a fine art show. You will be sent a brochure that contains the rules, fees, and application.
Please be aware of the Art in the Park entry deadline.
Anyone other than Ottawa Art League members wishing to participate should contact the Art League for an application. Non-members work must be juried before entry.
The Ottawa Art League also works to provide other show opportunities during the year for Ottawa Art League members to present their work to the public in retail and public buildings. The conditions of these shows are dependent on the site and circumstances of each show. Some are free and some have an entry fee depending on the cost to the Ottawa Art League for the venue.
Members Only Show May 5 thru June 29, 2008
This show is not a juried show, however it is judged. It is judged by public choice. The OAL finds a suitable venue to exhibit the works of the members. We limit the amount of pieces to two and an overall size of 36 x 48. IF you are showing a piece of work the size of 36 x 48 the limit is one piece. The OAL gathers the names of the pieces, creates a voting ballot booklet and each artist needs to be on hand to help hang the work. The voting is done by the public over a specified period of time. At the end of the show the OAL has a reception and announces the Best of Show. The Best of Show winner can add the accomplishment to their portfolio and use it in any manner they wish for promotion.